Somewhere like Crieff Hydro - suggestions please?

[Inyourwildestdreams]

Looking for a family trip (preferably within Scotland) for 2/3 nights in early May. It’s to mark a special occasion so would like somewhere nice. We’re happy to travel.

There will be myself, DH and our 3.5 year old. We’re open to all kinds of ideas - hotels, self catering lodges etc (preferably no caravan parks!). Would love if there was a swimming pool and some activities/places for nice day trips nearby.

I keep coming back to Crieff Hydro as it seems to tick all the boxes but we’ve been a good few times and would like to try something new. Can anyone recommend anywhere? 😊

I agree Drimsynie scenery is beautiful but I really didn’t like the vibe when we went. DDs enjoyed lots of outdoor pursuits and the guides were excellent but I didn’t like the hotel/pool/entertainment set up and though we paid a lot for the ‘better’ accommodation, it left a lot to be desired!

Atholl Palace Pitlochry? I haven't stayed myself as I have family very local but there is loads to do in the Pitlochry/Aberfeldy area.

What about the Atholl Palace in Pitlochry?

Edited to add that I had only read the first page and missed the post above.

Never been but whitehill Kirk (north Berwick) looks great for a special occasion holiday

I like the Atholl Palace in Pitlochry but wouldn't feel like it was nice enough for a special holiday.

I love the look of this place though:

https://www.aonachmor.co.uk/our-apartments/highland-club-properties/

There's portavadie near tighnabruich but I think that's maybe more an adults place?

There are plenty of nice places with lodges with hot tubs, just depends if there are enough other things to keep the wee one busy.

Oh I've just remembered there's the Kenmore Club and the Mains of Taymouth (the latter being posher I think). They've also opened Taymouth Marina Resort in that neck of the woods.

Thank you so much for these. We haven’t been to any of the ones mentioned recently so will do a bit more research after work 😊

It’s whitekirk hill

As another question to you all - DH and I have been to Crieff Hydro many times, but haven’t been since DC was very young so no experience of the kids facilities really. I know they have a “Big Country” soft play type place but from the looks of the website it’s like a nursery/childcare thing rather than somewhere we could sit and have a coffee while DC plays - is that right?

Yes - it's like a kids club. You book them in for a 2 (or 3 maybe?) hour slot and drop them off. It's activities, crafts, a big play area, that kind of thing. They divide them up somewhat by age. My kids enjoyed it, they had fun running about with the other kids there. We haven't been for ages though.

There is also a small-ish soft play but not attached to a cafe, it's literally a soft play in a room, and a baby play room, and a teen/pre-teen hangout room. In peak times they have stuff on in the ballroom like inflatables or disco and in they'll have an inflatable session at the swimming pool as well.

If you can get the timings right, drop the kids at Big Country and book the Victorian baths (adults only). Peace and quiet!

Writing that out has made me want to book it 😂

That's just the same as anywhere really Centerparcs, looking at you! The prices fluctuate, and sometimes they do promotions, so worth monitoring before booking. We got a really good deal for a break in July last year by booking within a month of going

@InWestPhiladelphia ahh, if there’s another little soft play that might be fine 😊 I wouldn’t feel comfortable leaving DC at this age with people I didn’t know (although I’m sure they’re lovely! 😊). I know I couldn’t relax anyway lol.

We do love the Victorian spa but it will be a family swimming session if we visit anytime soon 😊

The first time we took DC, eldest was 17 months and baby was 12 weeks. We booked eldest in so we could have dinner and was fighting them off re the baby who was ebf. They won 😁, they promised to find us if baby got upset or needed fed but in the end we had 90 minutes of perfect peace while the babies were spoiled rotten. We didn't live near family so Crieff hydro or Centerparcs childcare facilities were really the only way to get any time as a couple to have a meal.

I'd never had a babysitter though. I always felt more comfortable having them in a place with a few care staff than leaving them with one person.

Wellsfield farm holiday lodges,stirling

I have fond memories of extended family holidays at Crieff Hydro as a child. My DGPs booked for my DPs, my DB and me plus my aunt, her DH and their 4 DC to go for a weekend every February. All the DC had tea in the children's dining room and then went into the creche while the adults had their meal. The last year we went (we were booked for the following year but it was cancelled because my DGM was in hospital dying of ovarian cancer), I was 10 (the oldest of the cousins) and I was old enough to join the adults for dinner.

Fairmont St. Andrew’s

@Inyourwildestdreams
If you’re not keen on using the crèche (we don’t!) the little soft play isn’t the sort of place you can sit with a coffee whilst little one plays, its too small. However, our girls always have a ball playing in the ballroom (always plenty of children around!) whilst we have a drink from the bar/winter garden. There are plenty of tables to watch them from.

Macdonald Forest Hill’s near Aberfoyle. Has a pool, spa, tennis courts and is beside a loch where you can hire canoes and there is an inflatable water park there too. There are nearby forest tracks for walks and cycling. It’s not a huge resort but there’s lots to do there and the surrounding area.

Know this is an oldish thread but just wondered where you ended up going OP? We are looking for something similar at the moment

Nah, it wasn't great. Felt out of the way compared to where we normally stay on NB.

@PurpleDonkey22 sorry, I’ve just seen your post 😊 we ended up just booking a family room at Crieff Hydro and had a lovely time 😊 where are you thinking of heading?

No worries! thanks for updating the post! We are similarly looking for a change from Crieff Hydro. Wondered about Peebles Hydro but it doesn't seem to have as much for the kiddies, and have read some poor reviews about poor soundproofing in the rooms. Was just keen to know if there was anywhere else similar I hadn't considered

@PurpleDonkey22 Have you done Center Parcs? We tried it for the first time last year and it was brilliant!
Auchrannie was probably the place I had recommended to me most of you haven’t tried there 😊 It’s just very close to where we live so feels a bit odd spending lots of money to still stay at “home” if you like lol