The 9 Best Hotels in the Cairngorms National Park

Cairngorms

The Cairngorms is the United Kingdom's largest national park and is made up of a spectacular mountain range. It is a diverse place; from skiing to stalking and with a wide range of wildlife to spot (much of which is endangered), this is a place to come to be in the great outdoors! The accommodation options here are broad with everything from luxurious country hotels to charming B&Bs perfect for a rural hideaway. Sifting through all the options can be a laborious task, so our hotel experts have made a collection of the best hotels in the Cairngorms. Why not browse through the list and get booking your next trip?

For luxury

Fife Arms

  • High Victoriana meets modern luxury at the miraculously reinvented Fife Arms in Braemar. A destination as much as a place to stay; come here to celebrate and relax, or to walk, stalk or fish.

For a rural hideaway

Killiecrankie House Hotel

  • The Cross at Kingussie is a cosy haven nestled in the depths of the Scottish wilderness. This old tweed mill has been lovingly renovated to offer comfortable rooms overlooking the beautiful countryside. A characterful restaurant prides itself on its affordable fine dining. The perfect country escape.
  • Killiecrankie House Hotel is a quaint and charming Highland hotel, wonderfully unassuming and Scottish through and through. Snug sitting rooms, traditional bedrooms and a fantastic restaurant complete with tartan chairs! Set in stunning landscapes, with direct access to the Pass of Killiecrankie.
  • Culdearn House is a smart country house situated in a picturesque spot in the Highlands. Six individually styled rooms are bright and airy. An award winning restaurant serves regional dishes. A cosy spot to explore this scenic area from.
  • Offering beautiful views of the Tummel Valley, Knockendarroch is a charming, picturesque hotel in Pitlochry. Each comfortable room has a distinctive Scottish feel and the hotel's excellent restaurant focuses on local produce. A great gateway into the Highlands.

For the outdoor pursuits

douneside house

  • Situated in the heart of Royal Deeside, Douneside House is a perfect country retreat. Come for delicious food, comfy beds and total relaxation. Walking, fishing, and golf are all nearby and there's a Health Club to return to after a day spent outside.
  • East Haugh House is a beautifully renovated country house set in rural Perthshire which arranges shooting and stalking packages. Then there's fishing and trekking nearby. Appetites are satisfied after a day spent outside at the excellent restaurant which serves up the best of Scottish produce.

For a B&B

Craigatin HouseCraigatin House

  • Craigatin House is a chic B&B in the heart of Pitlochry, with Farrow & Ball interiors and a lovely garden. Expect stylish contemporary bedrooms and beautifully converted living areas with glass walls. Hearty breakfasts set guests up for a day outdoors. An excellent base for exploring the local area.

Still not sure where to book?

  • Browse through our list of all the best places to stay in Scotland.
  • Consult our Ultimate Guide to the Most Romantic Hotels in the UK.
  • Or just the best places to stay in Edinburgh, the best places to stay in Glasgow or the best places to stay in the Highlands and Islands.
  • You could also consider our Guru's lists of 10 Scottish Country Escapes, or 17 of the Best Hotels with Hot Tubs in Scotland.
  • Alternatively, you could contact one of our friendly Gurus for personalised advice.
    • The Fife Arms Braemar, Aberdeenshire 46 rooms from £320

      Other Activities  -  Stalking and shooting all available by arrangement
      Artworks  -  Picasso, Freud, Bruegel to name just a few
      Opulent  -  Check out the Royal Suites
      Fishing  -  Fishing on the Dee
      RestaurantPet friendlyDisabled accessParking

      High Victoriana meets modern luxury at the miraculously reinvented Fife Arms in Braemar. A destination as much as a place to stay, come here to celebrate and relax, or to walk, stalk or fish. Hotel of the Year, The Sunday Times. See More

      Check Availability
    • The Cross at Kingussie Kingussie, Inverness-shire 8 rooms from £110

      Great walks  -  An abundance of local walking routes, from low level strolls to strenuous mountain hikes are in striking distance of the hotel
      Back to Nature  -  The surrounding area offers mountains, forests, clear rivers and lochs, moorlands and a haven for a huge amount of wildlife
      Fishing  -  Right on the hotel's doorstep is the River Spey known as one of the finest salmon rivers
      Hideaway  -  A cosy hotel and restaurant hidden away in the midst of Scotland's wilderness
      RestaurantGardenParking
      Recommended by  -  Good Hotel Guide

      A cosy haven nestled in the depths of the Scottish wilderness. The old tweed mill has been lovingly renovated to offer comfortable rooms overlooking the beautiful countryside. A characterful restaurant prides itself on its affordable fine dining. The perfect country escape. See More

      Check Availability
    • Killiecrankie House Hotel by Pitlochry, Perthshire 10 rooms from £230

      Hideaway  -  The ideal getaway from it all spot, with warm fires, hearty food, comfy beds and miles of picturesque walking.
      Great walks  -  Plenty of walking in the local area with Loch Tummel, Rannoch Moor and the magnificent Glenshee.
      Views  -  Great views over the Pass of Killiecrankie.
      Secluded setting  -  For escaping.
      RestaurantGardenPet friendlyViewsParking
      Recommended by  -  Good Hotel Guide, Sawdays

      A quaint and charming Highland hotel, wonderfully unassuming and Scottish through and through. Snug sitting rooms, traditional rooms and fantastic restaurant complete with tartan chairs! Set in stunning landscapes, with direct access to the Pass of Killiecrankie. A characterful country escape! See More

      Check Availability
    • Culdearn House Morayshire, Inverness-shire 6 rooms from £90

      Country Escape  -  A charming country house in the beautiful Highlands of Scotland.
      Birdwatching  -  Spot birds from the RSPB Loch Garten osprey observation hide at the Rothiemurchus Estate.
      Sights nearby  -  Explore historic castles in the surrounding region.
      Restrictions on children  -  Children over 10 are welcomed
      RestaurantGardenViewsParkingNo pets
      Recommended by  -  Sawdays, Good Hotel Guide

      A smart country house situated in a picturesque spot in the Highlands. Six individually styled rooms are bright and airy with sash windows, high ceilings and antique furniture. An award winning restaurant serves regional dishes. A cosy spot to explore this scenic corner of Britain. See More

      Check Availability
    • Douneside House Tarland, Aberdeenshire 14 rooms from £200

      Fishing  -  On the River Dee nearby
      Views  -  Over the Dee valley
      Swimming Pool  -  Indoor pool
      Birdwatching  -  Good birding near the hotel.
      SpaRestaurantSwimming PoolGardenViewsParking

      Situated in the heart of Royal Deeside, Douneside House is a perfect country retreat. Come for delicious food, comfy beds and total relaxation See More

      Check Availability
    • Craigatin House Pitlochry 14 rooms from £135

      Value chic  -  A stylish and affordable base to return to after a day exploring the nearby castles, mountains and whisky distilleries.
      Great walks  -  Walk around Loch Faskally and through the Faskally Woods.
      Sights nearby  -  Visit Blair Castle just five miles from the property.
      Restrictions on children  -  No children allowed.
      GardenDisabled accessParkingNo pets
      Recommended by  -  Good Hotel Guide, Sawdays

      A chic bed and breakfast in the heart of Pitlochry, with Farrow & Ball interiors and a lovely garden. Stylish contemporary bedrooms. Beautifully converted living areas with glass walls. Hearty breakfasts set guests up for a day outdoors. An excellent base for exploring the local area. See More

      Check Availability
    • Knockendarroch Pitlochry 12 rooms from £235

      Sights nearby  -  Visit nearby Killiecrankie, the site of the famous 'Soldiers Leap'.
      Great walks  -  The surrounding valley is full of beautiful walking routes.
      Views  -  Great views from hotel
      Restaurant  -  Recommended.
      RestaurantGardenViewsParking

      Offering beautiful views of the Tummel Valley, Knockendarroch is a charming, picturesque hotel in Pitlochry. Each comfortable room has a distinctive Scottish feel and the hotel's excellent restaurant focuses on local produce. A great gateway into the Highlands. See More

      Check Availability
 

Written by Katie Harris

posted Wednesday, 15th November 2023