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Scotland's Top 5-Star Hotels

While it is best known for its castles, historic attractions, and stunning scenery, Scotland is also famous for providing guests with luxury world-class hotel accommodations.

Just up ahead, discover some of Scotland's top 5-star hotels as reviewed by Chiff.com Travel Editors, with focus on estate and castle hotels offering congenial high-end service and posh surroundings ...

The Howard Hotel, Edinburgh

Located on a quiet street in the city center, this small full-service hotel is a trip back in time to Georgian-era gentility.

Upstairs, a staff of professional porters and butlers attend to guests' every need - including shoe shining, clothes pressing, itinerary planning, or simply a hot cup of tea or coffee after a hard day of sightseeing.

Downstairs, meanwhile, the Howard plays host to one of the Edinburgh's best restaurants offering international as well as traditional Scottish cuisine.

In addition to a superb wine list, other recommendations for single malt whiskies (or a cold dry gin martini) were expertly presented on request.

As it turned out, this elegant guest house became a touchstone for comparing larger hotel stays on our week-long Scottish fling. In comparison, no other hotel came close to the full service and optimum accommodations offered by the Howard.

Overall: Our No. 1 pick.

The Howard Hotel
34 Great King Street, Edinburgh EH3 6QH
Telephone: +44 (0)131 557 3500
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotels-g186525-Edinburgh_Scotland-Hotels.html

*****

Cromlix House, Stirlingshire

UPDATE: Due to the economic downturn, this top rated country house was closed in 2011, but has since been purchased by British tennis player Andy Murray for £1.8 million.

Just below, this is how we found the place, situated in an idyllic Scottish countryside an hour's drive from Edinburgh:

One of Scotland's top country estate is filled with Old World style, period antiques and comfy canopy beds.

It made no difference that the Cromlix was unusually short-staffed during our overnight stay. Dinner was delivered to our top floor turret room suite that evening with all four courses perfectly timed and professionally served.

As we discovered, Cromlix House is a tourist attraction in itself. While here, make sure to amble through the estate with a special peak inside the conservatory, as well as the 19th century Gothic chapel, still looking much the same as it did when the lord and lady of the manor attended private Sunday services.

Overall: Excellent service and dining, with an extra treat for architectural history buffs.

Cromlix House
Kinbuck, Dunblane, Stirlingshire
FK15 9JT

*****

Culloden House Hotel, Inverness

First class dining and surroundings are the main features at this former home and battle headquarters for Bonnie Prince Charlie.

Today, the Culloden House remains a peaceful retreat in the Scottish countryside with sweeping views of acres of front lawn and park land.

Surprisingly, the service was a bit cold and unexceptional for a luxury 5-star hotel. However, the dining room made up for it by offering a traditional Scottish dinner. There was a superlative salmon dish, a selection of local fruits and cheeses and, according to one of our group, grade-A haggis.

Overall: Go for the peace and quiet. Stay for the haggis.

Culloden House Hotel
Culloden, Inverness, IV2 7BZ
Telephone: +44 (0) 1463 790461
https://www.cullodenhouse.co.uk/

*****

Inverlochy Castle Hotel, Fort William

If you've ever imagined yourself being treated like royalty in a castle hotel, Inverlochy effortlessly fits the bill.

From the warm greeting on arrival, (to a personal wireless laptop computer in each room), this stunning Highland mountain castle made for an impressive and pampered hotel stay.

Despite the luxurious surroundings, Inverlochy is also family-friendly - offering a snooker room, a complete DVD library, and boat rides on a nearby loch. At dusk, head around to the pasture with a view to Highland cattle and a flock of sheep lazily grazing.

If staying for several days, your group may grow jaded by the rich cuisine served each evening in the stately dining room. If so, there is Inverlochy Castle's own local establishment where you can kick back and relax with a locally brewed beer and high-end pub grub.

Overall: Who says castles are cold?

Inverlochy Castle
Torlundy, Fort William PH33 6SN
Tel: 01397 702177
https://inverlochycastlehotel.com/

also see in Travel ->Edinburgh Tourist Attractions

Loch Ness | Scotch Whiskey Tours | Best Scottish Castles

UK Luxury Hotels