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Courtesy of Glenapp Castle<\/p>\nThree-day weekend? Skip the beach and visit these dreamy Scottish luxury hotels instead<\/p>\n
Courtesy of Glenapp Castle<\/p>\n
Travel plans can often change last minute, as travel plans are often wont to do \u2014 and sometimes you\u2019re left with an unexpected 3-day window to fill. In summer\u2019s busy vacation time, many head to southern European locales with warmer climates. If you\u2019re opting for something a little cooler and less crowded than thrumming beachside destinations, Scotland\u2019s coastal breeze and foggy weather is calling. With swaths of green, grassy landscape and moody shorelines, it\u2019s the perfect antidote to sweaty city summers.\u00a0<\/p>\n
From New York City, a quick 7-hour overnight flight lands you in Edinburgh, where you\u2019re instantly greeted with the cool relief of Scottish weather. From there, a 2-hour drive lands you in the southwest region, where the vast expanse of Scottish landscapes \u2014 green highlands, craggy coastline and the call of seagulls in the distance provide a much-needed respite from urban environs. And with an incredibly rich heritage that spans craft, culture and history, Scotland has no shortage of sights to see, nature to experience and museums to visit. If you\u2019re craving a summer beach crowd alternative, these three wonderful Scotland stays encourage you to take in some scenic countryside, explore the capital and get the best of both.<\/p>\n
Glenapp Castle<\/a><\/p>\n Located on Scotland\u2019s scenic southwest coast in the region of Ayrshire, Glenapp Castle is a historic 1870 castle and estate situated on 110 acres of lush, verdant landscape, filled with hiking trails that snake through woodlands and stunning manicured gardens. Originally owned by the Earl of Orkney, the Edinburgh architect David Bryce was commissioned in 1870 to design the castle as a home in what\u2019s known as \u201cScottish Baronial style\u201d \u2014 a design language that combines Gothic and Renaissance elements to create the grand architecture seen today.\u00a0<\/p>\n With the opening of Glenapp\u2019s brand new restaurant, The Azalea by Glenapp Castle \u2014 a fine dining experience situated in a 130-year-old glass-domed, greenhouse-like structure in their stunning Walled Garden \u2014 the concept of farm-to-table is quite literally on display from the front door. Dishes on the restaurant\u2019s menu use ingredients like \u201ccurry plants, marigold leaves and rhubarb\u201d from the abundant herb and vegetable gardens in an indoor-outdoor dining experience.\u00a0<\/p>\n Inside the main house, 21 rooms and suites are decorated in traditional, opulent Baronial-style decor that feels homely yet luxurious, including a 4,500-square foot penthouse suite ranked as the most lavish in Scotland. Carpeted floors, modern amenities and toiletries by the Royal favorite, Penhaligon\u2019s, all lead to a countryside escape so cozy it feels hard to leave. And with over 70 activities available on-site from falconry to archery to curling, you won\u2019t want to.<\/p>\n The Witchery<\/a><\/p>\n For a return to city life, there\u2019s no better way to experience \u201cOld Reekie\u201d \u2014 a.k.a. Edinburgh \u2014 than a stay that feels like stepping back in time. Located at the very top of The Royal Mile, The Witchery is a hotel unlike any other, located so close to the front gates of Edinburgh Castle it almost feels like you\u2019re sleeping inside. Equal parts five-star luxury hotel and medieval fantasy, the \u201crestaurant with rooms\u201d is situated in two buildings located across from one another in Edinburgh\u2019s UNESCO-designated Old Town.\u00a0<\/p>\n Nine different suites are located in a building called Boswell\u2019s Court, which dates back to 1595. Decorated in Baroque style, each room is individually designed with gothic tapestries, cardinal red upholstery and antique, canopied four-poster beds. The dramatic interiors, reminiscent of a medieval bedchamber \u2014\u00a0one of which is said to have inspired Hogwarts<\/a> \u2014 are courtesy of hotel owner James Thomson, one of Scotland\u2019s best-known restaurateurs and hoteliers. For dining, The Witchery restaurant is one of Edinburgh\u2019s tucked away splendors \u2014 a romantic, oak-paneled dining room dating back to the 16th century that feels like a hidden gem from the bustle of tourist-trodden Castlehill. From there, sightseeing is merely a hop, skip and a jump away.\u00a0<\/p>\n