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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
National
Rebecca Carey

See the two Scottish hotels named among best places to stay in the UK

The Times and The Sunday Times have revealed the best places to stay in 2023 in the UK with two special Scottish spots making the list. 

The Gleneagles Townhouse in Edinburgh and Mingary Castle in Kilchoan were named among the definitive list in the 100 Best Places to Stay guide. 

The Sunday Times writers have travelled up and down the country from Cornwall's coasts to remote retreats in the Scottish Highlands.

The interactive guide is available from Friday and will be followed by a supplement within the newspaper this Sunday.

Two Scottish hotels named in The Times and The Sunday Times list

Located on St Andrews Square, the Gleneagles Townhouse was named the overall Scottish winner.

The luxury five-star hotel features an all-day restaurant, members club and roof terrace right in the heart of Edinburgh. 

Rating their stay alongside a full 5.0 ranking on Tripadvisor, one guest wrote:" Our first visit and it definitely won't be our last! This hotel is fantastic......every member of staff we encountered was so friendly and helpful, nothing was too much trouble.

"The room was beautiful and the restaurant for breakfast and lunch was superb. An amazing, head chef. I cannot recommend the Gleneagles Townhouse highly enough."

Another satisfied customer commented: "We stayed at this property for two nights as we are still celebrating hubby's significant year. Arrived at the hotel just before noon and they were happy to store the luggage for us whilst we went out wandering.

"Got a text just after 1430 informing us that our room was ready. Excellent service. I love the text system as the mechanism to communicate with the front desk. "Our room was spacious for a city center hotel, with bathrobes and big massive slippers (although fairly slippery on wooden floors). Our view was towards the back, you can see the Dome of the restaurant and the new W hotel (walnut whip). "Bed was comfy, and we went to Lamplighters which was lovely and intimate. We did dine at Spence and had breakfasts. Lovely surroundings."

Read the rest of the reviews via the Tripadvisor website.

Meanwhile, Mingary Castle was awarded as the best foodie hotel in the UK in the 2023 list. 

The 13th century-year-old private castle is set on the stunning Ardnamurchan Estate.

The luxurious spot boasts an impressive 5.0 rating on Tripadvisor and 126 'excellent' reviews. 

One Tripadvisor user shared their experience on the reviewing website, writing: "Recommended by a passing traveller on the ferry, we phoned on the offchance and were delighted to be accommodated for what was a superb dinner.

"Stunning castle, beautiful scenery, attentive and friendly staff - and a most enjoyable dinner indeed. Thoroughly recommended, can't wait to do a New Years! An absolute highlight."

Another person posted: "This is one of the best places I have ever stayed at !!… I can’t rate this place enough !!.. so yes it’s expensive- but it’s a fantastic experience !!.. 13th century castle on the edge of the ocean which is in the most beautiful setting with Fab Four poster beds and copper roll tops bath !!!

"The staff are super lovely - the make you feel completely at home and nothing is too much .. nothing is pretentious .. however it is luxurious .. the food is wonderful… we had the tasting menu with the wine pairing !!! It was fantastic .. for the next two nights we had a three course and a two course menu … it was absolutely fantastic … !!! YOLO - go it’s worth it."

Read the rest of the reviews via Tripadvisor website.

Best places to stay in the UK 2023 by The Times and The Sunday Times

Split into eight regions, venues in London, Southeast, Southwest, Central, East, North, Wales and Scotland are recognised in the illustrious guide.

This year's list features winners from 11 different categories including: Bargain, Positive Impact, Sense of Place, Seaside, Pub, City, Bolthole, Spa, Romantic, Foodie and Family.

Claire Irvin is Head of Travel at The Times and The Sunday Times said:“Best Places to Stay 2023 is a celebration of the incredible properties we have here on home soil and, most importantly, the hard-working teams that have made each one of them such a singular success.

"Our recommendations are not easily won and all 100 hotels in this year's list – particularly The Retreat at Elcot, our deserving overall winner – should be extremely proud of the guest experience they've created.”

Find your best place to stay via The Sunday Times website.

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