I'm of the opinion that the very best time to visit Scotland is Autumn. Red Ivy creeps up centuries old castles, and the countryside burns golden as the leaves turn. It's the perfect season to get cosy by a roaring fire, optionally paired with a wee dram of whisky, and perhaps a snoozing pup.
So the question is, where best to experience Scotland's Autumnal charm? We checked in to Cromlix Hotel, just north of Edinburgh, for two nights as part of an Autumn Scotland road trip. A PoB Hotel, it's part of a collection of exemplary independent hotels across the UK. But it's got another claim to fame - its owners, Scottish tennis legend Andy Murray and his wife Kim. Hailing from nearby Dunblane, the hotel actually served as the couple's wedding reception venue, and when they opportunity arose to buy it, they took it. The property has since been redeveloped, swathed in playful prints and art, with a focus on flora and fauna from the on site kitchen garden.
My criteria for our road trip stays was cosy, classic, and plenty of charm. Cromlix did all this and more, blending warm Scottish hospitality with whimsical interiors and fine dining. If you're considering a stay, read on for the full Cromlix hotel review.
Cromlix Hotel Location
Despite having the feel of a secluded getaway, Cromlix is surprisingly well connected. The hotel is around an hour's drive outside Edinburgh, or 45 minutes if you're arriving from the airport. The nearest town is Dunblane, with Stirling just beyond. However its setting, in 34 acres of woodland, means that city life feels very far away.
Though it's an ideal stop off as part of a Scotland road trip, there's plenty to do in the local area to while away a few days. One of my favourite Scottish castles, Drummond Castle Gardens, is a 22 minute drive away. Head further north to visit another beautiful castle, Glamis. As the inspiration of Shakespeare's Macbeth, and the childhood home of HM Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, it's well worth a visit. An hour west and you'll reach the legendary Loch Lomond, where you can take a loch cruise, or embark on hikes.
Cromlix Hotel Design and Interiors
I’ve said it in past reviews, and I will state it again here: the true mark of an excellent hotel is in the smell. The best hotels don’t just look good, they smell great to. And when you walk into Cromlix, you’re immediately welcomed by their signature scent, White Pepper. It’s a beautifully subtle, fruity and warm scent, and I found myself seriously contemplating splurging on a candle to take home.
But the scent is just part of what makes the hotel so inviting. Cromlix achieves a feat most decent hotels strive for, but that few necessarily reach - the art of cosy, warm hospitality that feels like home. The artworks that line the walls, the wallpapers themselves, the elegant wood furniture, are all very beautiful, but the design in fundamentally liveable. It is elevated enough to befit a luxury stay, but decorated with a suitably light touch to feel homely. A fine balance indeed.
Many Scottish heritage stays follow a similar theme, however Cromlix doesn’t feel traditional. There is pattern clashing, an enviable curation of modern and local art, and very little tartan to behold. Speaking of art, the collection includes famous names like Hirst and Shrigley, but also a number of other home-grown artists, the full breadth of which can be discovered in an exhibit catalogue found around the property.
Of course, there are still touches of classic country. This is, first and foremost, a thoroughly country stay. The entrance is lined with Barbour wellies and well worn waxed jackets to borrow (spot Adam modelling one in this post!). There's a roaring fire in the reception, often with an excitable spaniel bounding past. It feels lived in, like a working Scottish country manor you've been lucky enough to snag a weekend invite to.
Cromlix Rooms & Suites
With just 15 rooms, Cromlix is an intimate stay. Of these, there are a selection of turret, deluxe, and junior suites, estate and cottage rooms. For those looking for more seclusion, there's also the "Laurel Gate Lodge", a cosy one bedroom lodge on the grounds. We checked into the "Hyssop" suite, one of the two turret suites. Set on the top floor of the property, it's not so much a suite as an expansive apartment. Our suite had a living room, all chintzy florals and cosy armchairs, a vast bathroom complete with roll-top bath, and an ample bedroom, set in the turret overlooking the grounds.
Like the rest of the hotel, our suite felt homely, and snug despite the space. Though the decor is all prints and patterns, the colour palette blends harmoniously to calming effect. Mustard wallpapers and mint blue furnishings are paired beautifully throughout, and spaces feel light and tranquil.
The suite comes well stocked, with all the things you'd expect, but also little extras. A lovely touch is the welcome shortbread, made from Granny Erskine's (Andy Murray's grandma) recipe. The tea selection is extensive, which made our evening tea ritual rather delightful. On our first night, I accidentally didn’t boil enough water for our peppermint teas because, unlike the usual dainty China teacups you find in hotel rooms, Cromlix provides guests with hefty mugs capable of holding a proper brew.
Service and Amenities at Cromlix
It is ultimately the staff that make or break a stay. You can be staying at the most beautiful hotel in the world, but if the service isn't great, it sends the whole experience off kilter. Thankfully, this is resoundingly not the case at Cromlix. The staff are always around with a smile and a quick chat, but still leaving guests with plenty of space when required. Any requests are met with ease. When photographing our breakfast, we asked for a newspaper and a breakfast tray, and these were sorted without fuss.
Those looking for a gym or spa on the grounds will be disappointed, however with tennis courts and acres of grounds to explore, there's plenty of options for getting in some exercise. Likewise, the lack of spa is remedied with in room spa treatments.
In terms of activities, you're spoiled for choice. The hotel hosts a billiards room, and the grounds offer up opportunities for foraging, herbology, archery and falconry. Should you decide to head further afield, the hotel can also organise distillery tours, and sightseeing around nearby towns and lochs.
Of these plentiful options, we opted for a spot of tennis. Admittedly, I didn't last long in the lukewarm October sun (and I have zero sporting ability...), but it was quite a novel experience, playing tennis at Andy Murray's hotel!
Dining at Cromlix
Cromlix Hotel Review: The Final Word
Cromlix may have celebrity owners, but it's a wonderful hotel stay in its own right. Yes, there are nods to Andy and Kim Murray - in the Wimbledon toned tennis court, the shortbread, the art collection. But these personal touches simply work to round out great service, beautiful spaces, and commendable dining experience. The latter is what really made the experience stand out for me, and cemented my opinion that Scotland is a really rather excellent, and arguably rather underrated, culinary destination.
I usually try to highlight some point for improvement, because no stay is perfect and I aim for balanced reviews. If I really had to nit pick, perhaps a simple room service menu of bites like sandwiches and burgers (it felt a bit bougie ordering from the elevated dinner menu when we were having a low key evening in). But I'm really nit picking here, because ultimately everything thoroughly exceeded my expectations.
There are many things I've come to expect of a high calibre luxury hotel stay. I've mentioned the scent, the unobtrusive staff, the little design details and of course the exemplary gastronomy. But what ultimately makes it a special stay, beyond all the box ticks, is the sense of warmth, of homeliness. It's a thoroughly modern Scottish stay, perfect for cosying up on brisk Autumnal days.
I hope this Cromlix hotel review has been helpful, and hopefully inspired your own Scotland adventures. If you have any burning questions, or perhaps more reviews or guides you'd like to see, please do feel free to drop a comment below.
