What it is

A 19th century Victorian legend designed by Alexander Marshall Mackenzie and reborn anew for today’s aesthetes, with an intimate spa, four memorable restaurants and 46 individually themed rooms.

What it isn't

Banal. Every antique and every piece of art selected for the exquisitely layered interiors has a backstory that nods to the hotel’s deep royal and Victorian-era roots.

What we think

In your fever dreams of Scotland, you’re dreaming of this: a getaway for the well-heeled since the 19th century, when Queen Victoria purchased her nearby pile at Balmoral (yes, you’ve seen it—or, a similar landscape to it— on “The Crown.”) Your room options here are nothing short of cinematic, whether you want to ensconce yourself in a 614-square-foot Royal Suite, complete with a copper soaking tub, rain shower and antique objets that once belonged to actual royals (shh), or the cozier Victoriana Suites—with period wallcoverings, original art, and tassels galore in a tidy 388 square feet. For extra eye candy, be sure to stop in at the hotel’s Drawing Room bar, where Chinese artist Zhang Enli adorned the ceiling to look like a slice of Scottish agate.

You're here because

The staff have planned a host of activities that would wow even the Queen, including rainbow trout and salmon fishing on the River Dee and hikes with their in-house forager.

The Moment

After a misty walk in the hills of Creag Choinnich alongside red deer and ptarmigan, you’re ready to spa-la-la. Thankfully, they have an Ishga sea salt scrub and seaweed and salt poultice that will have you ready for even more hoofing tomorrow.

Restaurants & Bars

The Flying Stag - offers local beers, Scottish whiskies and spirits along with bar snacks and hearty Scottish dishes

The Clunie Dining Room - showcases the art of wood-fire cooking by Executive Chef Tim Kensett

The Drawing Room - offering coffee, afternoon tea and cocktails

Elsa's Bar - offering champagne and hand-crafted cocktails as well as Scottish spirits and elixirs

Location

A 13 minute drive from the circa 1853 Balmoral Castle—yes, where the British royal family vacays —and just over a two hour drive from Edinburgh.