Nice hotel for 50th birthday overnight trip, within 3 hrs of Edinburgh

[Piffpaffpoff]

Hello - give me some suggestions please' I'm coming up blank! Need somewhere nice but not stratospherically expensive (so not Gleneagles or Isle of Eriska for example) within a 3hr drive of Edinburgh. Should have a nice restaurant either on the premises or nearby. Somewhere scenic with maybe a nice walk or two nearby.

I quite fancy Arran but not Auchrannie. Don't want somewhere over-run with kids for our rare kid-free trip. Would prefer to go north or west I think? Help!!!

Fonab castle at pitlochrie os beautiful. Proper hidden gem away from the world and feels so luxurious.

Hilton dunkeld is also lovely, and nice and hidden away from the world with lots of nice footpaths surrounding.

Haha ive only just read your update saying you are thinking fonab or dunkeld area!! Hilton dunkeld is very much an old country estate house, you go in and theres a big log fire, generally just nice and cosy.

Fonab has more of a luxury feel to it rather than cosy, but is an amazing building and you can tell no expense is spared in the upkeep/design of the place.

The Turnberry is off my list now because it is owned by Donald Trump

Lots of good recommendations here. Why not have a look at Groupon, Wowcher and 5pm.co.uk. Lots of good deals there.

As a fellow Fifer I love Balbirnie too. I second Ballathie or Fonab. I used to love Hilton Craigendarroch but haven't been for about 5 years.

I went to a wedding at Ballathie House Hotel. It is indeed stunning. Even in the rain - the greens are just lovely.

I've also been to a wedding at Fernie Castle - it's lovely too.

I want to have a night in the treehouse at Fernie Castle one fine day. My SIL had her wedding at Fernie and we had a peep in the treehouse then

I have been looking at Itison etc, but we're going early summer and all the current deals are just up til end of April for now.

Ah now I've just looked up Ballathie House and am excited to see it's that fancy place that you see across the river on the Perth to Braemar road. Ohhhh, that definitely warrants further investigation.

What about the big house on the left between Dunkeld and the Ballinluig junction on the A9 - is it called Kinnaird House? Anyone been there?

Apparently this hotel has just been given it's 5-star rating. It's tucked away in the countryside north of Dunfermline. I know you didn't fancy Fife, but it's quite a pleasant spot.

www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_Review-g186530-d2201990-Reviews-Balmule_House-Dunfermline_Fife_Scotland.html

St. Andrews gets my vote. There are lots of fantastic walks you can do too, and then an ice cream at jannettas on the way back! I prefer the Old Course to the Fairmont, though both are very nice.

Lochgreen hotel in Troon. Lovely setting, excellent food.

About 2 hours from Edinburgh, 45 minutes to Glasgow. Direct train Ayr to Edinburgh takes about 1hr 45 m and calls at Troon.

We went to Fonab for our anniversary in Nov and loved it. Small and intimate, not really kid friendly (plus point for us!) food was superb. Rooms very modern and plush, and fab cocktails in the lovely lounge with great views. No noise from the A9. Only complaint was that you have to go outside to get to the small spa/pool and the changing rooms were very small .

I was given a voucher for the tasting menu and overnight stay at The Peat Inn last year. It was wonderful - the rooms are lovely, more a suite really and you get served a delicious breakfast in your room the next day. However the focus really is on the food and the 8 course tasting menu was fabulous. Really different and the hosts were lovely. The next day you could go to Elie for a walk along the beach? That would be a lovely birthday present for anyone!

DH and I have had nice child free breaks in the following:

Hotel Du Vin, St Andrews,
Piersland House, Troon,
Brig O'Doon, Alloway,
Boath House, Nairn and
Cameron House, Loch Lomond.

Food was lovely in all, rooms great and good walks/things to do near by.

We like Dunblane Hydro

We just came back from a stay at ballathie house - it is lovely but we were a little disappointed with our room however we seen some of the other rooms and they were lovely. Nothing was too much trouble for the staff and they were all really helpful. Breakfast finished at 09:30 which seemed a little early if you wanted a lazy day but I'm just being picky.

Fonab looks lovely and we are going to book that up next for a weekend away.

What about Dalhousie Castle or is that just a bit close

There is russacks hotel in St. Andrews as well, that is lovely too - food was excellent when we were there as well.

Green Park Hotel at Pitlochry - you see it from the A9 when going past Pitlochry - it's the big white hotel on the river. Seems to get good reviews on trip advisor and has 5 stars.