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Welcome to Scotsnet - discuss all aspects of life in Scotland, including relocating, schools and local areas.

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Original poster

Nice Hotels

57 replies

titsbumfannythelot · 27/01/2021 07:05

We have a big anniversary this year and looks like our European break won't happen. I'm looking for nice hotels no more than 90 minutes.

I'd like somewhere with a nice restaurant or in a city with nice restaurants.

Wondering if there are any hidden gems out there before I book one of the more well known places.

OP posts:

LonnyVonnyWilsonFrickett · 27/01/2021 17:54

@Littleelffriend I loved House of Gods, we went in the autumn when Edinburgh was half open. Paid for the locked up package and never left the room! Great fun, if you like endless booze and tunes. The locked up package means you can have a night out while staying in, sort of thing.

Otherwise OP - Fonab, Monachyle and Inver would all be my top picks but none of them are city.

Selkiesarereal · 27/01/2021 19:45

Always recommend Gleneagles as it’s just so fantastic and you can book to have your meal in the Andrew Fairlie Michelin star restaurant which is amazing.

WaxOnFeckOff · 27/01/2021 19:50

Well I started excitedly having a wee look at hotels but given the very unoptimistic covid updates there is no point really is there? Last weekend in March there is no way I'm likely to be able to go away, or take the family or probably even get out for a meal - I know it's hardly life or death but I'd like to acknowledge 25 years of marriage with something more than a bloody takeaway and bottle of wine :(

I think in May you are on much safer ground OP. I was actually looking at the hotel we had part of our wedding in as thought it might be a nice touch. Not top level hotel but to be honest that's a bit out of my comfort zone anyway, I'd just like a nice room in a relaxed hotel and a nice meal out with some of those I love.

Original poster

titsbumfannythelot · 27/01/2021 19:56

You could always book through Booking.com or somewhere else like that. There are lots you can book that don't require pre payment and that you can cancel free of charge too.

OP posts:

Selkiesarereal · 27/01/2021 19:58

We were due to go to the fairmont last March and it got cancelled without charge. Yet to go so can’t recommend but worth checking?

AgentProvocateur · 27/01/2021 20:11

Dakota in the City centre is special but if you want to get away, the couples retreat at Portavadie at Loch Fyne.

WaxOnFeckOff · 27/01/2021 20:19

yes, that's true @titsbumfannythelot, usually costs more which isn't an issue for one room, but I might be booking 3 - I dunno, I'm a bit torn. We had a nice time at the Auchrannie on Arran but I think it would need to be more than one night to get the benefit when you factor in the ferry.

It's probably more about the food for me, so I'd be looking for somewhere nice to eat and then booking a room around that maybe?

motherstongue · 28/01/2021 00:00

Restaurants with rooms can be a great choice. Personal favourites are The Peat Inn in Fife and Champany Inn near Linlithgow.

I’m humming and hawing about booking The Old Manse of Blair which has great reviews for our anniversary in May. These are all rural though with no facilities other than their location and fab food. I think Tom Kitchen has opened a place in Gullane too that has rooms (The Bonnie Badger??). Speaking of Gullane there is also Greywalls which looks right onto the beach.

The Glasshouse is great if going to Edinburgh. I love Prestonfield House but it’s a bit out of the way and feels like a country house hotel rather than a city hotel.

Original poster

titsbumfannythelot · 28/01/2021 07:49

We managed to get to the Peat Inn during our 5 minutes of freedom last year, absolutely loved it.

I have provisionally booked Turnberry, which I never thought I would buy a combination of things including proximity to the babysitter swung it. I can pay when we get there which works well too and no deposit required.

Really liked the look of Inver, but it's booked out for most of the summer/ spring but it's at the top of my list along with Fonab Castle.

I would book something wax, cancellation is the worst that can happen. What sort of food do you like if it's food based you are after?

OP posts:

Chemenger · 28/01/2021 07:50

I would second The Peat Inn, fabulous food and the rooms are special too. You do have to drive to go anywhere though and it doesn’t have all the facilities of a hotel.
We’re also trying to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary, we had cottages and a restaurant booked last April, rebooked for this year. It’s increasingly looking like we’ll celebrate our 27th instead😕.

Chemenger · 28/01/2021 07:52

Turnberry would be off my list because of the owner, I could not stomach that.

Original poster

titsbumfannythelot · 28/01/2021 07:56

Fair enough Chemenger.

OP posts:

WaxOnFeckOff · 28/01/2021 07:57

Good to have something booked and to hopefully look forward to :) I might take your advice. I'm very open about food but probably not vege or fishy. I just like decent quality and something that's better than I could cook at home. I don't care even if it's somewhere cheap and scruffy, I'm more about the taste than the ambience. Also don't want to be going home hungry.

Original poster

titsbumfannythelot · 28/01/2021 08:16

If I was you I'd find a couple of nice restaurants and book a hotel near them if you're not bothered as much by hotel. You'll definitely get something in Glasgow or Edinburgh, but I'd maybe go to somewhere like York.

OP posts:

Bytheloch · 28/01/2021 08:17

May be a bit further than your 90mins plan, but Ballintaggart is a wee gem, they had been discovered a bit more by the travel luvvies before closing, good for them-it would be gorgeous for a special weekend in May.

Original poster

titsbumfannythelot · 28/01/2021 08:21

I've just added that to my list too! Looks lovely

OP posts:

WaxOnFeckOff · 28/01/2021 09:41

@titsbumfannythelot

I think the chances of being able to cross the border in March will be slim. I'd definitely be happy even to get to Edinburgh, that's where I'm from and it's always nice to get back for a wee break.

Starsaboveyou · 28/01/2021 10:42

Cromlix?

Fabulous hotel and restaurant and it’s under an hour from Glasgow.

Rhumba · 28/01/2021 12:50

@titsbumfannythelot

I've just been looking at that one Rhuma. Is food in the hotel nice?

If you mean the old course the breakfasts are amazing. We just kept ordering different things off the menu, sat overlooking the sea and the golf course. We went into St Andrew's for dinner. Lots of good restaurants there.

Justcashnosweets · 28/01/2021 18:17

The New Lanark hotel is meant to be lovely. We've booked to go in a few months for my birthday. It has a good restaurant, a pool, spa treatments and beautiful walks around the Falls of Clyde.

AgathosD · 29/01/2021 16:45

Hi, try the Fingal at Leith docks. Ask for Marinel and they'll make sure you have an amazing stay. Sister ship to the Royal Yacht.

Orcadianrythyms · 31/01/2021 08:20

We did Monachyle Mhor for a special anniversary and while it was ok it's shockingly expensive for patchy service and food. We were £1000 for two nights DBB. Service is weird - overly attentive to couldn't care less. Breakfast was poor, dinner lovely.
We'd been a few times over the years but both agreed we'd not be back.

Neeko · 31/01/2021 09:37

Wildings is a small independent restaurant near Turnberry that sells fantastic food. Highly recommend it.

rookiemere · 31/01/2021 10:20

@Orcadianrythyms we had a strange experience at Monachyle Mhor where the couple in the room opposite were having a raging argument. It was quite interesting, but once it got to midnight we wanted to sleep, but staff didn't seem to know what to do when we phoned down to reception - errr go up and tell them to be quiet.
Sadly they had an early breakfast so we didn't get to stare the next morning.
Also DH was still hungry after dinner.

mykitchenruler · 31/01/2021 20:23

The Peat Inn is one of my favourite places in the whole world. The rooms, the breakfast, the staff. And that's on top of the wonderful restaurant and wine.

We got married at Cromlix, it's not bad either

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