22 Best Hotels in Inverness and Around the Great Glen, Scotland

Drive 10 miles south of Fort William, turn onto an unassuming country road, and you'll find this hidden gem of a guest house—a gorgeous old lochside manor with beautifully appointed bedrooms, a top-drawer restaurant, and even a small spa. The pick of the rooms is the spacious Master Suite, complete with a marble en suite that has a steam room. Dining comes in the form of an ever-changing, three-course set menu: expect seasonal dishes like langoustines with garlic butter and risotto with scallops or truffle. Ardrhu's Temple Spa offers a range of relaxing, Scottish-themed treatments—try the 60-minute, deep-tissue "Highland Tablet" massage—and there's an outdoor whirlpool tub, sauna, and steam room, too.

A coaching inn built in 1720, this hotel is close to the water and has magnificent views of the Small Isles. The inn retains a winningly provincial feel, with simple, sturdy wooden furnishings throughout both the shared spaces and the bedrooms, and its Crofter's Rest restaurant is renowned for its home cooking. High-quality local ingredients are used to good advantage: seabass and scallops are specialties, as are "puds" (desserts) such as sticky ginger pudding.

At this traditional Scottish guesthouse, sturdy oak furnishings are featured in each room, including a downstairs bedroom with a full-curtained four-poster bed and a curved chaise lounge. There are many original pieces, as owners Margaret and Neil Hart have lovingly furnished the house with antiques. Pleasing color schemes throughout add to the charm. A five-minute walk from the river, Bluebell House has a great location in Inverness, and its hosts are some of the friendliest and most helpful people you may encounter on your trip.

Built in the 1820s and recently refurbished, this stunning Regency manor house offers elegant, spacious rooms (some with cast-iron bathtubs), a highly renowned fine-dining restaurant with local, ethically sourced ingredients, and a stunning setting within 20 acres of lovingly nurtured gardens. The house is a registered art gallery, so many of the oil paintings that grace the walls are for sale. Amid the grounds is an elegant pond with resident swans and a 400-year-old walled garden, home to the excellent Kale Yard Café. Check the website for special offers, including great midweek dinner/bed-and-breakfast deals.

This 17th-century baronial mansion, its turrets reflected in a glassy lake, looks like something from a Scottish fairy tale. The interior decor is satisfyingly old-school, with wood-panel walls, heavy oak furnishings, and antique oil paintings. The guest rooms are reasonably sized; some have four-poster beds. Excellent modern Scottish cuisine, including plenty of local seafood, is on offer at the restaurant, and the dining room has a magnificent view of the grounds. Prices vary dramatically by season and when you book; though risky, a last-minute booking may be as little as a third of the usual price.

The suit of armor standing guard at the entrance is a good indication of what awaits within this grand old house: acres of tartan carpet, chandeliers made from antlers, and a small museum's worth of distinctly Scottish decorative items (be sure to say hello to the taxidermy golden eagle on the stairs). The straightforward, comfortable rooms offer less to look at than the foyer, though tartan tends to feature heavily here, too. The bar and restaurant serve robust lunches and dinners popular with guests and nonguests alike.

This century-old Highland lodge has a warm and cozy atmosphere, and each of its spacious bedrooms is unique, with well-chosen furnishings and soothing color schemes. The property is surrounded by trees, providing lots of privacy. You can walk the grounds and take in the lovely views from the high points (just watch out for wandering chickens). The Cairngorms are visible from some rooms, reminding you just how close you are to the mountains. The location is also near several great dinner options.

This beautiful old house with elegant suites and colorful gardens overlooks Loch Linnhe yet is only a 10-minute walk from town. A dram of whisky awaits you every evening—a typically thoughtful touch from the lovely hosts. The three suites that overlook the loch are spacious and beautifully designed, and two have whirlpool tubs. There's also a comfortable guest lounge and a lovely little veranda. Breakfasts are first-rate. However, you won't have long to enjoy it all: check-in is after 4 pm and check-out strictly by 10 am.

Peaceful surroundings, arresting views, and the friendliest of welcomes await you at this former Victorian hunting lodge. The enormous one- and two-bedroom guest suites in both the main building and the separate Bell Tower look as if they've tumbled straight from the pages of a design magazine; original features, such as elaborately carved ceilings, have been lovingly restored, and the tall picture windows take full advantage of the magnificent landscape. Huge bathrooms are modern and equally well designed, with lovely old-school touches such as antique-style bathtubs—one room even has two side by side. The Bell Tower Suites also offer private walled gardens with hot tubs. The house has no restaurant, but it does offer private, candle-lit, three-course dining on request.

Tucked away in Invergarry, 7 miles south of Fort Augustus though still within reach of the Great Glen's most popular sights, this rambling baronial mansion offers alluringly old-fashioned rooms with traditional Victorian decor, some with superb views over Loch Oich. The restaurant serves delicious three-course dinners (£37)—expect modern Scottish cuisine using local lamb, beef, and salmon. On the grounds are the ruins of Invergarry Castle, a seat of the MacDonnell clan. The hotel entrance is close to the junction of A82 and A87.

One of three Mansley properties in Scotland (the other two are in Edinburgh), Highland Apartments offers luxurious self-catering accommodations, many with delightful balcony views of the River Ness. Each of the one- or two-bedroom apartments features designer interiors, incredibly comfortable beds, and a host of helpful amenities, from fridges and dishwashers to smart TVs and superfast Wi-Fi. Best of all, the city's top sights, restaurants, and shops are right on your doorstep.

A red-granite mansion turned luxury boutique hotel, Inverlochy Castle stands on 50 acres of woodlands in the shadow of Ben Nevis, with striking scenery on every side. Dating from 1863, the hotel retains the splendor of its period, with a fine fresco ceiling, crystal chandeliers, and a handsome staircase in the Great Hall. The bedrooms, traditional in style, are plush and comfortable. The stunning restaurant, run by Michel Roux Jr., serves local specialties like Aberdeen Angus beef, sea trout, and scallops. This is a place where you dress for dinner, and men are required to wear a jacket. The hotel is 3 miles northeast of Fort William.

Stylishly decorated bedrooms, consistently high quality dining, and an appealing whisky bar makes this one of the area's most upmarket accommodations. The decor is elegant and understated, with comfortable beds (including two four-poster rooms) and statement antique furnishings, though some of the bathrooms could do with a little TLC. Opt for a dinner-bed-and-breakfast deal to make the most of the restaurant, which serves up delicious, creative dishes made from the finest, seasonal Scottish produce.

Run by siblings Scott and Iona Sutherland, Loch Ness Lodge is an elegant and exclusive option offering a traditional Highland welcome; the formalities are kept to a minimum, but nice touches like the small decanter of sherry on arrival ensure you feel pampered. Rooms are spacious, and all but one have views of Loch Ness. The decor makes good use of dusky and deep colors, realized in crushed velvets and raw silks. Indulge in afternoon tea daily between 3 and 5 pm—it's included in your stay. There's also a small spa with a hot tub, sauna, and therapy room (treatments must be pre-booked).

This spot offers true five-star luxury in the form of spacious and stylish rooms, one of Inverness's best fine-dining restaurants (Torrish), and a verdant riverside location. The decor is beautiful throughout, with smart touches that include room carpeting depicting a tumultuous River Ness, which then calms around the beds. Each room offers great views, either over the courtyard or the garden, and some have terraces out to the courtyard's herb garden (the produce from which is used in the kitchen). With a chic bar, elegant lounge, and impeccable service, this is perhaps the finest high-end hotel in Inverness.

Owned by Scottish-Swedish couple Scott and Helena, this charming little B&B offers a warm family welcome, modern rooms with bathrooms en suite, and a great location at the heart of Aviemore. The white-and-gray color scheme, the exposed wood floors, the tweed cushions, and the thistle artwork give it a light and spacious feel, and every inch is used effectively (you'll even find compartmentalized drawers for tea and coffee). Add in the cozy guest lounge, the smart TVs, and the nippy Wi-Fi, and you have a perfect modern B&B.

If you're looking for a bonafide get-away-from-it-all stay, this remote B&B on the western reaches of the Knoydart peninsula is hard to beat. Set within what was once a 19th century chapel and overlooking a beautiful sandy bay, it's a good 90-minute walk away from Inverie, already the most remote village in mainland Britain. Run by Swiss couple Bettina and Roland, who welcome their guests with a delicious raclette dinner (£20 per person extra), Sandaig has its own, limited electricity supply, which means no TVs and Wi-Fi but plenty of books and games—including a full-size snooker table. Rooms in the main building are functional rather than luxurious, so those staying longer may prefer to book into the more spacious annex property.

This former dairy-farm-turned-guesthouse offers a choice of accommodations: opt for one of the two charming sea-view guest rooms in the main 110-year-old building or for one of the more spacious, modern suites in the separate courtyard building. Either way, you'll enjoy comfy beds, high-spec bathrooms, and plenty of amenities. The delicious and varied breakfasts, which are cooked fresh from high quality local produce, are served in the communal dining room and lounge. You'll need to head out for lunch and dinner.

Finding that sweet spot where contemporary meets cozy is no mean feat, but the husband-and-wife team behind this welcoming guesthouse make it look simple. Don't be put off by the workaday appearance of the exterior; within, this is a stylish home away from home, featuring two beautifully furnished lounge areas and a small but pleasant garden. The rooms are light, bright, and mostly very spacious. Snag yourself one with an ultraluxe bathroom that comes complete with steam room. Hearty three-course dinners are offered, provided enough guests are interested.

Great views of the Strathspey Steam Railway, welcoming traditional decor, and a wide variety of room types make this hotel much more than just a base for exploring the Cairngorms. Bedrooms are bright and neutral, while statement wallpaper and freestanding bathtubs add character to some of the bathrooms. Suites are available, but the loveliest rooms are those that face the garden and have French doors opening out onto private patios. The bar and restaurant, which serve reliable pub favorites for lunch and dinner, incorporate old-fashioned elements that are reassuring rather than stuffy.

The rooms in this charming Victorian hotel are tasteful and comfy, with some offering loch views, but the real highlights are the carefully furnished shared areas. The lounge features a fireplace, a piano, and old-fashioned armchairs in keeping with the architecture of the building; the modern Waypoint Bar serves local beers and a great afternoon tea; and Station Road Restaurant (run by renowned head chef Sean Kelly) is Fort Augustus's hottest dining spot.

This former Bishop's home turned boutique B&B makes for a practical and stylish base, with owner Lorraine Freel's talent for interior design seen in the bespoke dining room chairs and handmade wallpaper—as well as in the eclectic array of art throughout. In the rooms, digital radios, Bluetooth speakers, and smart TVs add a splash of modernity, while Highland traditions are maintained in the form of delicious, hearty breakfasts.