Nice family hotel in Scotland

[Moneygoround]

Looking for recommendations for a family-friendly hotel in Scotland. Nothing too pricey, and not Crieff Hydro as done that recently. Any ideas?

Also in Fife is Kilconquhar Castle Estate. It always looks lovely when i drive past and it's handy for the whole of the east neuk.

We stayed in aviemore in self catering but could use the macdonald pool which works well, there's several restaurants in the area to try. I've also stayed at the columbridge hotel which used to be nice when it was a Hilton but it's changed to a Britannia I believe which are more miss than hit - perhaps check up to date reviews and remember they are the Ryan air of hotels eg charging for the pool, the pool towels ... but the family suites were amazing with a bunk room and the main room within the same room but separate, it's been about 12 years since I stayed there.

No, haven't been for around 8 years.

Yeah, we used to go to Arran at least once per year. Usually staying in a cottage in Lamlash. Auchrannie when we were flush.

Then the ferry debacle...

However, we returned last October and it was fabulous. Took the wee ferry over to Holy Isle, climbed Mulloch Mor. Was joyous.

Yes definitely not as much as Crieff, but the kids had a great time. We had a lovely room at the front of the hotel. Pool was nice and they have a little electric car they can drive. We enjoyed the food. It was Easter and they had an Easter egg hunt thing. It was only two nights and we just stayed round the hotel and in Peebles village. In Peebles there’s good charity shops and lovely cafes, one fancy chocolatier in particular.

Yes, interestingly that's what I'd heard from others who have been there too.

That's a good idea. I'd forgotten about it. Stayed there years ago. Will take a look, thanks

Will take a look, see what’s available. Thank you

So much to do on Arran, isn’t there, and Auchrannie does look lovely. Nice to have the swimming pool there for any rainy days!

Oooh sounds fab!

Was your room at Peebles Hydro quiet enough overnight? Often put off by big hotels if they are too busy and noisy with rubbish sound proofing! Had some bad experiences in the past

The Macdonald in Aviemore could not be described as nice. It’s fine but nice is not the word.

That’s what I’ve heard! Shame, as the facilities look good

There’s actually a real shortage of good, family hotels in Scotland.

Crieff Hydro

If your budget will stretch, Gleneagles is surprisingly kid friendly

God no, now you say it, I’d forgotten that there was some loud sex in the next room - was one of those adjoining ones though my kids were asleep thankfully 🥴

😳 Help! I'm sorry I asked! 😂

Probably more than we want to spend on this trip but definitely one for the future!

We've been there quite a lot so fancied a change. The facilities are great there though - kids love it

Agreed. There is definitely a gap in the market - hoteliers, hope you're listening!

We stayed at Ballachulish Hotel last year which was great for exploring Glencoe and surroundings. We could also use the facilities at the sister hotel Isles of Glencoe. DS loved the pool there and it was only a 5 minute drive/short walk away from
where we stayed. Personally I preferred the rooms at Ballachulish Hotel to the other one - friends stayed there so we could compare.

We stayed there earlier this year. We go regularly as we bike at Glentress. I promised myself last year would be the last time but stupidly went again, mostly because there aren’t many other options.

Never again honestly. The rooms are noisy, the carpets and walls are dirty throughout. We had the same family room as last year and the same stains were still on the carpet from the year before. Horrible thin itchy nylon bedding. On the kids mattress there is just a thin sheet covering it, kids were so uncomfortable. Horrible hard, cheap pillows. Rooms too hot with heating blasting, windows painted shut (or paint falling off). One dim yellow light bulb for the whole room, made everything look dingy. Furniture in bedrooms and dining room cheap and nasty, looks like from a sixties charity shop in what was once a grand room. Food is average at best, breakfast has gone totally downhill… now looks like a premier inn with the tiny individual cereal boxes and some tinned fruit. Coffee was awful. There are actually quite a few things to do with kids around, but don’t count on the pool. Tiles falling off the edges. Plasters floating in it when we were there. You couldn’t have paid me to get in what looked like bacteria soup in the hot tub, especially as no one showered before going into it. I could go on but you probably get the picture. I did feed all this back by the way. Disappointed as there is just nowhere else to go.

Not a hotel but piperdam, kind of mini centre Parcs feels to it. Some of lodges are getting a bit tired so look at the more premium ones if you can.

Also Drimsynie estate lodges or Hunters Quay holiday village.

Drimsynie in Lochgoilhead is a caravan park but does have a hotel too and pool but again I wouldn’t use the word nice … it’s perfectly ok and definitely nicer than the one in Aviemore though. Has a pool, possibly a soft play and a wee park.

Good suggestion - don't know that part of the world at all. Thanks!