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Daily Record

National

Alexander Smail

Four Scottish boutique hotels crowned among best in the UK

United Kingdom Scotland London House of Gods Cornwall Loch Ness Cumbria Edinburgh

A list of the top 50 boutique hotels across the UK has been unveiled, and four Scottish hotels have been included.

Topping the highly-anticipated list, which is curated by the Morning Advertiser, is Lime Wood Hotel. Set in the heart of the stunning New Forest National Park, approximately 90 minutes out of London, the hotel was praised for its "cosy eaves rooms" and "indulgent forest lodges", as well as its Herb House Spa that comes with "stunning forest views".

The highest placing Scottish hotel on the list is The Fife Arms in Braemar, which appears at number 15. Built in the 19th century, the hotel features five-star Royal Suites that enjoy views overlooking the gorgeous Aberdeenshire countryside. The rooms are furnished with antiques, artworks, and even a free-standing copper bath.

There are also more low-key rooms available at The Fife Arms, such as the cosy Croft Rooms, which "feature a charming, traditional cabin bed that’s spacious for one or snug for two". The hotel also offers treatments such as massages, facials, manicures, and pedicures.

The next Scottish boutique hotel to appear on the list is Foyers Lodge at number 17, a picturesque Victorian property overlooking Loch Ness in the heart of the Scottish Highlands. Offering "luxury accommodation", the 19th century hotel features "stylish interiors, beautifully kept grounds, and unrivalled views of Loch Ness and the surrounding landscape".

The hotel features eight uniquely styled bedrooms that are designed to pay tribute to the lodge's history. It also offers self-catered accommodation in the form of a one-bedroom apartment that has its own separate entrance.

Links House at Royal Dornoch is next on the list, placing at number 40. The five-star hotel is located in Dornoch, a seaside resort in the Scottish Highlands.

The hotel features 15 bespoke historic bedrooms that are tastefully decorated with antiques, artwork, and fabrics. It is also just 50 yards from the first tee of Royal Dornoch Golf Club, so is particularly well suited to those who are fans of the sport.

House of Gods is the fourth and final Scottish hotel to feature in the Top 50 Boutique Hotels list. The only one out of the four to be located in a city, it can be found on the edge of the Cowgate in the heart of Edinburgh's historic Old Town.

House of Gods features dramatic and stylish rooms (House of Gods)

Unlike many of the other hotels featured in the list, its rooms are modern and dramatic. The largest of these, The Suite, features a free-standing Victorian bathtub, a custom hand-built cocktail bar, and a hand-built four poster bed.

Chris Lowe, Group Director, Hospitality and Manufacturing at William Reed, commented: “We’re delighted to be revealing this fantastic new list and see such strong movement in this year’s Top 50 Boutique Hotels. Our number one has jumped up 18 places from last year and the highest new entry is number 5 which is testament to those teams’ stellar efforts.

"With staycations continuing to be a focus for Britons, it is encouraging to see such strong regional presence this year and such a wide range of unique hotel experiences to enjoy. The Boutique Hotel list follows on from the success of the Top 50 Cocktail Bars, as well as the long running and ever-popular Top 50 Gastropubs.

"Now, consumers have the complete and definitive guide of where to eat, drink, and sleep throughout the UK."

The much-anticipated list is curated and voted on by leading industry experts, hoteliers, travel writers and influencers. The full list can be found here.