4 Best Hotels in Stirling and the Central Highlands, Scotland

A grand refurbished Victorian country house set amid beautiful grounds, Cromlix House is owned by Scottish tennis champion Andy Murray, and you might notice the sound of ball on racket from the tennis court. It's easy to imagine a weekend country party strolling through the trees or fishing on the private loch. Paneled wood and deep, comfortable sofas throughout add to that sense of luxury. The rooms are furnished in harmony with the house's history, but with the most up-to-date facilities, including mirrors that are televisions. The summer house is now a Jacques Roux restaurant, where you can dine looking out over the croquet lawn. Don't miss the hidden chapel.

One of Britain's most famous hotels, Gleneagles is the very essence of modern grandeur, a vast palace that stands hidden in breathtaking countryside amid its world-famous golf courses. The rooms are elegant, hung with indulgent draperies and filled with soft leather furniture. All the pampering details are here, from fluffy bathrobes hanging behind the door to freshly cut flowers in every room. The hotel offers the entire spectrum of leisure activities, including a famous restaurant, a shopping arcade, a spa, an equestrian center, and a falconry center.

Splendidly isolated in Balquhidder Glen, this beautiful converted farmhouse with contemporary interiors is set amid forests and moorland, looking out onto Lochs Voil and Doine. Rooms are strikingly modern and unique, with clean lines and touches of luxury, like plush animal-print throws and elegant toiletries. A cabin and a caravan redesigned by architects offer more nostalgic accommodations.The beautiful courtyard rooms, beside the main house, are more expensive. Known for its Scottish food, the hotel kitchen uses many homegrown ingredients from its own herb gardens. There's an expertly prepared prix-fixe dinner menu (£85), and if the weather is favorable, you can eat on the patio with beautiful views of the valley. In June, the hotel hosts its own festival week with food and music.

There is little that you cannot do at this luxurious hotel overlooking Loch Lomond, including taking to the water in a motorboat or riding a seaplane above the trees. Built around an old baronial house, the hotel echoes the dark hues and grand furniture of the original owners in the decor of the beautifully appointed rooms. There are several restaurants and elegant bars in the central complex and in the golf courses that form part of the estate. The excellent Tamburrini & Wishart restaurant, run by noted chef Martin Wishart, offers a decadent five-course menu, while other dining options include the informal bistro with an emphasis on seafood, the Boathouse. The enormous Great Scots Bar celebrates national achievement in everything from soccer to literature. The Cameron Spa has pools, hot tubs, and game rooms, as well as a lovely little café of its own.