The best hotels Central & West Coast

It would hardly be an exaggeration to say that the Oak Tree Inn owns the majority of the village of Balmaha. But with a hotel with several chalets, a pub, a restaurant, a café and a mini-market, we get a little closer. And yet, the whole thing has remained very authentic. A mountain retreat atmosphere reigns over all the rooms and the rooms offer modern and functional comfort, with bathrooms, tea, coffee and TV. On the ground floor, a bar and restaurant are open to everyone for a pub meal or a real ale. Many woods, large slabs, pendulums, saws, swords, skis and stuffed animals provide a very traditional setting. A micro-brewery has also developed on site.

This house, which dates from 1780, was built for the Dukes of Argyll. It sits on the bay of Oban, from which Kerrera Island can be seen. Its interior is sumptuous and elegant, and its excellent cuisine (you have to taste the fish soup) is due to the chef owner. A garden, a bar and a lounge-library are at your disposal. As prices vary greatly depending on the period, it is highly recommended to consult the website. Also note: the rates are degressive from 2 nights and the establishment has half-board offers.

Run by Jon and Katia, this guest house offers a warm welcome. Its 7 rooms are clean and comfortable, carefully furnished and bright. Each one has its private bathroom, a high-speed wi-fi connection, a connected TV and a courtesy tray full of attentions. Breakfast is typically Scottish and prepared with local produce. The lounge offers a superb sea view: why not relax with a book from the library and a local gin or whisky served at the bar?

Extensive renovations have made this former high school of 1854 a luxury hotel with a lot of charm, close to the castle. Its 96 rooms are spread over three floors and are decorated in a modern style. They all have a bathtub with shower above. Some of them are bigger and have a very pleasant view. One of them is designed for people with reduced mobility and lifts are available to move around the building. There is also an on-site restaurant, a large spa, sauna and whirlpool.

If you were to treat yourself to a bit of madness during your trip and stay in a luxurious establishment, Stonefield Castle would be one of our first suggestions. This castle, built in 1837, is a magnificent edifice, situated on the edge of a loch in a setting of 60 hectares of wooded gardens. The rooms are equipped with all comforts and spacious. The hotel has a superb library with antique books, a whisky bar, a lounge, a billiard room and a gourmet restaurant with panoramic views, where you can have lunch, tea and dinner. An enchantment!

On eight hectares of land in Callander, Roman Camp Hotel is one of the most luxurious establishments in the region. Built in 1625, its old walls contain 15 rooms full of character and comfort. All of them have, of course, a bathroom and the larger ones also offer a spa bath and a lounge area. The pleasant library is only one of several common rooms and there is even a small chapel.

Being one of the best hotels, pubs and restaurants in the area, the George Hotel has become a reference point for locals and tourists alike. There are 17 rooms in the main building and 8 more in the adjacent house. All of them have their own private bathroom and offer a unique, rustic and very successful decoration. The same family has run the establishment for six generations and also manages the traditional pub where you can enjoy over 100 single malts, some real ales and classic Scottish food.

Want to stay in a Scottish castle at a very reasonable price? This historic 18th century residence will welcome you to its incredibly charming site. In addition to the authenticity and superb scenery surrounding it, you will appreciate this place for its family atmosphere. The doors of the magnificent lounge-library are wide open to you, and you are cared for throughout your stay. Good to know: the school offers internships all year round to learn or improve in various creative activities.

This hotel is ideally located, making it a perfect base for exploring the beauty of Loch Lomond. It has 27 rooms, all equipped with private bathroom, TV, wi-fi, courtesy tray, hair dryer... A parking lot is available for guests. The hotel is also a pub-restaurant, serving typical British cuisine and a wide selection of beers on tap from the Marston Breweries. A discount is applied on the evening meal bill for all reservations (via web or at the reception).

Loch Awe Hotel is an establishment specialized in welcoming coach travellers, but it also welcomes individual travellers. It enjoys a privileged location above Loch Awe. Created to celebrate the arrival of the railway in the area, it has all the characteristics of the Scottish dream. Authentic decor, warm welcome, comfortable and modern rooms (with private bathrooms, TV, courtesy tray), friendly common rooms with fireplaces and lounge-bar: it is perfect for relaxing, but also as a starting point for excursions.

Located on the A816 road, 0.8 miles (1.3 km) from the shores of Loch Melfort, the Cuilfail Hotel is a picturesque 2-star hotel built in 1840 as a coaching inn. It's 13.5 miles (21.9 km) from Kilmartin House Museum of Ancient Culture. The 12 simply furnished rooms and 2-bedroom family suites have en suite bathrooms with showers, tea and coffee making facilities and TVs. Traditional Scottish cuisine is served in the brasserie-restaurant and the period pub, with its original stone walls, beamed ceilings and stone fireplace. There's also free parking, a cosy lounge and a games room. Wi-Fi is free and breakfast is included. The Cuilfail Hotel is child-friendly and has a restaurant and bar. Guests rated the rooms 3.6, the location 4.8 and the services and facilities 4.8.

Brambles has two types of accommodation: rooms and two apartments, for travellers wishing to stay in Inveraray independently. The hotel perfectly combines authenticity and modernity, with traditional decoration and modern facilities. All the rooms have their en suite bathroom, with also TV and free wi-fi. The establishment is also a bar and restaurant, serving revisited British cuisine. Everything is homemade, using local produce, for the highest quality.

This hotel has recently been renovated and expanded and can boast of having housed Winston Churchill's War Cabinet during the preparations for the Allied landings. The establishment has received several awards and it is easy to understand why: in addition to the fabulous site, it offers a warm welcome and great facilities, including a spa area (with swimming pool, sauna, hammam, whirlpool and relaxation or beauty treatments à la carte), a renowned restaurant and a very pleasant bar. The rooms are also very comfortable and elegantly furnished for an ideal relaxing stay.

One hour from Glasgow, this hotel surrounded by wooded hills overlooking Loch Lomond promises a total change of scenery. Its owners have chosen to furnish it in a traditional Scottish style… The hotel has a restaurant with fresh products and its Rob Roy McGregor Bar in comfortable surroundings where you can enjoy good whisky whisky.

This former 18th century post house is a charming inn, combining comfort, modernity and authenticity. Close to Oban, in the heart of a green and peaceful nature, it features nicely furnished and decorated rooms. Each of the three rooms has its own bathroom, wifi access, coffee machine and courtesy tray. The restaurant serves classic British cuisine made from fresh, local produce. The cosy and friendly pub offers a fine selection of Scottish beers, ciders, whiskies and gins.

Rhona and Caroline Erskine make it a point of honour to warmly welcome their guests. The rooms are clean and comfortable, with private bathroom. Fish and seafood can be enjoyed in the restaurant. The hotel bar invites you to indulge in a glass of malt whisky in the garden, while contemplating the Isle of Arran. The hotel's trick is its ice cream parlour: since 2018, it has included a gourmet area where homemade ice cream (made locally) is served, as well as sweets, waffles and pancakes.

Ashbank Hotel has 5 comfortable rooms, each with private bathroom and a superb view, either on the golf course, the sea, the village or the forest. It is located a few steps away from the sandy beaches and the port, in the heart of Carradale. A dining room and a bar area are open from 12.30pm and 6pm, and offer snacks for lunch, cakes and tea, or more substantial meals in the evening. Everything is done here for you to be in a relaxing and peaceful environment.

Callander Meadows B&B is a warm, family-run establishment located in the heart of Callander, in a beautiful townhouse built in the 1800s. Nick and Susannah welcome you with the simplicity of a B&B, but with the spirit and generosity of luxury. The rooms are bright, spacious, and tastefully decorated with comfort and elegance in mind. In the evening, upon reservation, you can enjoy a tasty dinner, cooked with local products.