Plush hotel in a grand, turreted building with modern rooms, a whisky bar & high-end restaurant. Less than a 5-minute walk from Loch Torridon, this grand castle-style hotel with turrets lies on 58 acres of parkland. Plush, modern rooms come with en suite bathrooms, flat-screen TVs, iPod docks and free Wi-Fi, as well as tea and coffeemaking facilities and snacks. Upgraded rooms add DVD players, a complimentary decanter of whisky and loch or Highland landscape views. Some also have free-standing tubs, while suites add separate sitting rooms. There's a gourmet restaurant serving local fare. There's also a whisky bar with more than 350 varieties. Rates include full Scottish breakfast. Outdoor/adventure activities such as sea kayaking can be scheduled in advance (fee).
Annat, By Achnasheen, Wester Ross IV22 2EY, United Kingdom Get directions
"Fifty miles west of Inverness on the banks of Loch Torridon stands the Torridon hotel, the one-time Victorian shooting lodge of local laird the Earl of Lovelace dating from 1887. It would be tough to find a prettier hotel in a prettier spot, like a mini-castle in acres of greenery. The interiors remain oh-so-Victorian with acres of original wood panelling and ornate ceilings, but with added cozy and contemporary comfy sofas in tweed-like fabrics, while the pine-panelled whisky bar has a different malt or blend for every day of the year. There’s no spa because who needs a spa when the great outdoors has so much to offer: walks through the woods and hikes up the munros, wildlife tours and mountain biking trails, and dips or kayaking in the loch. Food-wise, the Torridon doesn’t disappoint, head chef Paul Green cooks local: kedgeree fish cake, cured trout tartlets, Orkney scallops, as well as fresh halibut, and stunning Highland venison. As for the 18 rooms, it's a case of save the best till last. They are lush, with massive beds and even bigger headboards, each decked out differently with soft velvets, thick carpets, in-room baths or wide sofas, and most come with beguiling views across the loch. Then there’s the private self-catering Boathouse—simply wow. Did we mention the option to hire supercars to take for a spin?"
"An overnight stay at a majestically turreted former shooting lodge with stunning views." - The MICHELIN Guide UK Editorial Team