With Valentine’s Day coming up, now is the perfect time book an overnight getaway somewhere in Scotland.
In every corner of the country, there are a wide selection of hotels and inns that would be perfect for a staycation. If you are looking for an extra bit of opulence though, you and your other half may want to stay in a hotel that has been recognised by the Michelin Guide.
On Thursday, the Michelin Guide shared a roundup of all of the hotels in Scotland that have received either one, two, or three Michelin Keys. Michelin Keys are awarded to hotels of the highest quality, and are equivalent to the Michelin Stars given to restaurants.
The only hotel in Scotland to have received three Michelin Keys is The Gleneagles Hotel in Auchterarder, and is “considered by the Michelin Inspectors to be Scotland’s top hotel”. Situated around 50 miles from Edinburgh and Glasgow, the historic hotel features three championship golf courses, a renowned spa, and the two-Michelin Star Restuarant Andrew Fairlie.
The Michelin Guide wrote: “Traditional through and through, it has the air of a private country club, albeit one that’s fully accommodating to non-members thanks to its warm and welcoming staff. This cosy ‘home-from-home’ feel extends into the bedrooms, which feature muted colours, antiques and rich fabrics.
“When it comes to leisure, there’s all manner of activities on offer, from the tranquil spa to lawn games and a Sporting Club with tennis, padel and climbing facilities. Outdoor pursuits include everything from salmon fishing, archery and shooting to guided hill walks, 4×4 off-roading and an Equestrian School with 50 acres of hacking and cross-country courses.”
Meanwhile, there are two hotels in Scotland to possess two Michelin Keys. These are The Balmoral in Edinburgh and The Fife Arms in Braemar.
The Balmoral, which dates all the way back to 1902, is situated in a central position along Princes Street in the Scottish capital. The Michelin Guide praised its “surprisingly spacious bedrooms”, “Michelin-recommended Number One” restaurant, and the SCOTCH bar — where guests can choose from more than 500 Scottish whiskies.
Elsewhere, The Fife Arms is a former coaching nestled deep in the Scottish Highlands. The hotel was singled out by the experts for its “uniquely styled” rooms and “impressive 14,000-strong art collection”.
According to the Michelin Guide, there are also 12 Scottish hotels that have received one Michelin Key. These include The Grandtully Hotel by Ballintaggart in Grandtully, Dumfries House Lodge in Cumnock, and Glenapp Castle in Ballantrae.
The 2025 Michelin Guide for Great Britain and Ireland will be unveiled on February 10. The guide will be revealed at a formal ceremony in Glasgow.
See below for the full list of Scottish hotels with Michelin Keys. More information about the “best hotels in Scotland” can be found on the Michelin website.
Scottish hotels with three Michelin Keys
- The Gleneagles Hotel, Auchterarder
Scottish hotels with two Michelin Keys
- The Balmoral, Edinburgh
- The Fife Arms, Braemar
Scottish hotels with one Michelin Key
- Glenapp Castle, Ballantrae
- Dumfries House Lodge, Cumnock
- Links House at Royal Dornoch, Dornoch
- 100 Princes Street, Edinburgh
- Gleneagles Townhouse, Edinburgh
- Prestonfield Edinburgh, Edinburgh
- Foyers Lodge Loch Ness, Foyers
- The Grandtully Hotel by Ballintaggart, Grandtully
- Kinloch Lodge, Isle of Skye
- Cromlix Hotel, Kinbuck
- Newhall Mains Dingwall, Resolis
- Glenmorangie House, Tain
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