Top 5 hideaway hotels in Scotland

In the lead-up to Valentine’s Day everybody talks about romance and time for two. In Scotland every day could be spent with a romantic getaway due to an abundance of small hideaway hotels comprising fewer than 10 rooms in total. They can be located either on a private estate with a long driveway, hidden away from the main road. Or they are tucked away at the very end of a cul-de-sac ensuring that there are no chance encounters with non-resident passers-by or visitors.

And because these intimate places offer luxurious accommodation, wide open space to move around undisturbed, safe social distancing from other guests on request and culinary delights at romantic candlelight dinners, any day in Scotland could be Valentine’s Day for me! So here are my top 5 hideaway choices in Scotland.

Knockinaam Lodge

Knockinaam Lodge is a 19th century small hotel, fully restored to create a stylish and relaxed ambience for their guests, as they enjoy stunning scenery and food served in a 3 AA rosette restaurant. It is the only luxury boutique hotel in Dumfries and Galloway, tucked into the south west corner of Scotland just 3 miles from the picturesque seaside village of Portpatrick, and only 8 miles from Stranraer and the ferry port of Cairnryan, with access to Northern Ireland. Knockinaam is an intimate 10-bedroom hotel, with a great history to tell.

This historic hunting lodge served, for example, as the secret meeting place for Churchill and Eisenhower as they planned the D-Day landings. As a 5-star Restaurant with Rooms rated by the AA, luxury is always guaranteed as is seclusion and breath-taking views, while guests enjoy the peace of a private cove, looking out to the Irish Sea, and with 30 acres of stunning landscaped ground stretching down to the beach, there is much to see and do or just relax and appreciate the fabulous privacy and tranquillity.

Crinan Hotel

The Crinan Hotel has become a magnificently eccentric and family-owned small hotel in Argyll on Scotland’s beautiful west coast. It is situated on the waterfront overlooking Loch Crinan 6.5 miles from Lochgilphead at the very end of the Crinan Canal almost right on the Atlantic. Hotel guests are treated to many original and authentic touches and a charming artistic flair. All bedrooms offer breathtaking sea views, some have private balconies and each room is dedicated to a famous Scottish artist. For that reason the Crinan Hotel is sometimes called a “Gallery with Rooms”.

Crinan itself has been a small fishing port for over 200 years, unique and unspoilt. Jumbo prawns (langoustines) are landed 65 feet from the hotel kitchen at 17.00 hours in time for dinner in the Michelin Recommended Westward Restaurant. Crinan has become a magnet for many of Scotland’s top artists who stay, paint and exhibit regularly. Frances Macdonald, who exhibits at the Portland Gallery in London and the Scottish Gallery in Edinburgh, is the resident artist and proprietor of the Hotel.

Airds Hotel & Restaurant

The Airds Hotel is one of the loveliest small luxury hotels located right on the coast of the Western Highlands of Scotland. It is a very romantic boutique hotel with 11 individually styled luxury bedrooms and suites as well as a fine dining restaurant. Each room is uniquely decorated with designer fabrics and wallpapers. Most of the rooms have stunning views of Loch Linnhe with the Morvern Mountains behind, and some suites even have their own private patio/balcony.

The spacious garden in front of the hotel is ideal for enjoying a light lunch or afternoon tea while admiring the beautiful views across the loch or a romantic sunset. In the evening guests are welcomed to lounges with crackling log fires where they can enjoy cocktails and other pre-dinner drinks, before they are shown to the award-winning gourmet and seafood restaurant with its relaxed and intimate atmosphere. During the day guests can visit the island of Lismore or go on leisurely strolls from the hotel or explore the busy harbour town of nearby Oban.

Glenmorangie House

For guests staying at Glenmorangie House it is more a home than a hotel. Real fires, drams of rare malts, walks on the beach, sumptuous dining and no TV that could distract attention from the views or one’s travel companion – simply unforgettable Highland hospitality. When guests talk about getting away from it all, that is what Glenmorangie is all about! All bedrooms give an authentic taste of historic welcome. The traditional Scottish décor with modern en-suite facilities means that guests have the best of the old and the new, because the owners have created a tranquil space that feels at once like a luxury indulgence and a home away from home.

The Dining Room has an intimate, welcoming atmosphere of its own, perfect for sampling the chef’s award-winning, locally sourced food. The long dining table, just like in a stately home, is designed for guests to sit together to enjoy the finest of cuisine. Even the most weary of travellers quickly find themselves revelling in the convivial company – especially after a pre-dinner whisky tasting!

Rocpool Reserve

Rocpool Reserve will redefine their guests’ luxury experience forever. Rocpool is all about elegance and top quality. This discreet boutique hotel, bar and restaurant offers 5-star luxury in the heart of Inverness, the capital of the Highlands. This is an invitation to come and indulge in this beautifully renovated Georgian mansion house with stunning views over the River Ness and only a few minutes’ walk from Inverness Castle and the city centre.

Exclusive, modern and elegant with 11 individually designed spacious bedrooms complete with spa style bathrooms, rain showers and luxurious deep baths, Rocpool promises to deliver. Guests can choose from a fine-dining experience from the creative menu of the restaurant kitchen, an in-depth gin tutoring and tasting in the rBar or a fascinating tour of the Speyside Whisky Trail during the day while others might prefer a luxury shopping experience in the city centre of Inverness – some call it retail therapy!

Best of all – these five hideaway hotels can be combined to an ultra luxurious Scottish hideaway experience. The distance between them ranges from 55 miles (88 km) to 185 miles (296 km), allowing for a complete round trip to all five hideaways from Glasgow Airport to Inverness Airport at a total distance of just 550 miles (880 km)! Depending on whether guests decide to stay one, two, three or four nights in each of these hideaway properties, an experienced travel designer can turn such a trip into a bespoke once-in-a-lifetime or romantic honeymoon itinerary. Cruising Scotland from one hideaway to the next in a chauffeur-driven limousine will also cast a spotlight on the following attractions:

– Knockinaam: Culzean Castle & Country Park, Robert Burns Birthplace Museum and Wigtown
– Crinan: Frances Macdonald Gallery, Kilmartin Glen and Corryvreckan Whirlpool cruise
– Airds: Castle Stalker, Oban Distillery and day cruise to Mull, Iona & Staffa
– Glenmorangie: Glenmorangie Distillery, Dunrobin Castle and boat tour for dolphin watching
– Rocpool: Urquhart Castle/Loch Ness, Culloden Battlefield and Black Isle

By Dorothy Welsh