A Scottish destination expert picks the best hotels in Perth

Signal as much as Simon Calder’s free journey e-mail for skilled recommendation and money-saving reductions

Get Simon Calder’s Journey e-mail

As soon as the capital of Scotland, Perth retains a swathe of regal grandeur, with elegant stone buildings and the Scone Palace on the town’s fringes, the place Scotland’s monarchs had been topped for hundreds of years. Historically, Perth is extra of a gateway to the Highlands, with the principle street north to Inverness setting off from the town, and the rail line too.

However in recent times, increasingly more vacationers have been swayed by the town’s finest resorts to remain for longer in and round Perth. Town is a good place in its personal proper, however the true knockout enchantment comes if you use it as a base for exploring the remainder of the beguiling Perth and Kinross area.

There’s actual selection too, from trendy abodes, via to previous nation homes and even the prospect to sleep in Scone Palace itself, the house of the Stone of Future.

As a local to Scotland, listed here are my favorite resorts to remain in when visiting this unsung metropolis.

Many guests to Perth don’t realise there’s a lot past the town within the wider Perth and Kinross area. There are myriad resorts all through this wonderland of rugged hills, surging glens and hovering rivers, in addition to a sweep of issues to see and do. Any journey that strikes past this nice metropolis to discover the area might be all the higher for it

Robin McKelvie

For extra resorts inspiration in Scotland, see our information to the perfect family-friendly resorts in Scotland and the perfect spa resorts in Scotland.

Finest resorts in Perth 2026

At a look

1. Mercure Perth Resort

Spend an evening at the historic Mercure Perth hotel — Spend a night on the historic Mercure Perth resort (Robin McKelvie)

Not many resorts on the earth have a bona fide old-school water wheel operating their means via reception. The handily central Mercure Perth is certainly one of them. This significantly historic resort sits proper on the previous mill community that used to assist energy the town, with water flowing proper via.

The 76 bedrooms are mercifully extra trendy with all mod cons; the Privilege and Superior rooms boast Nespresso espresso machines, robes and slippers. The eclectic restaurant surprises with all the pieces from myriad burgers, via to Korean rice bowls, and on to lasagne and curry. Then once more, nothing ought to actually be shocking at a resort with a water wheel in its foyer.

Tackle: W Mill St, Perth PH1 5QP

Value: From £47

Learn extra: I’ve ridden the world’s railways – right here’s why Scotland’s are the perfect (and now even cheaper)

2. Parklands Resort

Parklands Hotel is only a few steps away from the city’s station, with its railway leading into Perth over the River Tay — Parklands Resort is only some steps away from the town’s station, with its railway main into Perth over the River Tay (Getty Pictures)

This clean operator friends out over the centre and South Inch Park and is simply minutes from Perth’s railway station. Original in 1840 as a chic Georgian residence for the Lord Provost of Perth, Parklands Resort has seamlessly pivoted right into a quietly luxurious 15-bedroom four-star boutique resort.

Chill out within the plush bedrooms or head for the restaurant, bar, personal eating room or lounge. The resort additionally has certainly one of Perth’s few beer gardens which tempts on a sunny day. The park the place troopers had been as soon as banned from enjoying golf by King James II because it was disrupting their archery apply, lies exterior. A deserved winner of the Status Resort Award for Finest Metropolis Resort, Scotland, in each 2019 and 2022.

Tackle: 2 St Leonard’s Financial institution, Perth, PH2 8EB

Value: From £168

Learn extra: One of the best resorts in Edinburgh to benefit from the town

3. Salutation Resort

Seek out the Adam Restaurant at Salutation Hotel — Search out the Adam Restaurant at Salutation Resort (Salutation Resort)

This can be a little bit of a Marmite resort. Sure the Salutation appears the half, with a grand facade, and it swims in historical past (courting again remarkably to 1699), however this three-star resort may not be sufficient in case you’re in search of someplace slick and fancy.

It might appear to be it’s crammed right into a metropolis block, but it surely’s a tartan Tardis with 84 bedrooms – guide a room with a four-poster mattress for an actual deal with. Some bedrooms peer out over Perth too.

The Adam Restaurant definitely exudes drama, with its unique barrel vaulted ceiling and the wonderful neoclassical 24-pane Adam window that’s the restaurant’s undoubted point of interest.

Tackle: 30-34 South St, Perth PH2 8PH

Value: From £59

Learn extra: One of the best luxurious resorts in Scotland for wonderful eating, spas and chateau stays

4. Leonardo Boutique Resort Huntingtower Perth

Leonardo Boutique Hotel Huntingtower Perth is a great pet-friendly stay in Perth — Leonardo Boutique Resort Huntingtower Perth is a good pet-friendly keep in Perth (Leonardo Boutique Resort Huntingtower Perth)

Way more characterful than Leonardo’s extra prosaic metropolis centre resorts, this historic oasis, a Tudor Revival nation home, lies simply west of the town and reclines in six acres of landscaped grounds.

There are solely 34 rooms woven into this previous dame. They’ve pet-friendly rooms amongst them. The restaurant is value staying in for, a grand affair replete with wood-panelled partitions and hanging chandeliers.

In summer time the conservatory and the beer backyard are the locations to be for al fresco eating. When it’s cooler, retreat inside for a lavish collection of single malt whiskies. You’ve even received your individual citadel. Properly, form of – Huntingtower Fortress is simply an arrow’s shot away.

Tackle: Crieff Highway, Huntingtower, Perth PH1 3JT

Value: From £70

Learn extra: The hell of staying in Edinburgh throughout the Fringe Pageant

5. Murrayshall Nation Property

For a spa break, book a stay at Murrayshall Country Estate — For a spa break, guide a keep at Murrayshall Nation Property (Murrayshall Nation Property)

This sprawling nation home and property occupies the strategic excessive floor simply exterior Perth, a stone’s throw from Scotland’s most historic palace at Scone. The house owners have bold aspirations to match Perthshire’s most luxurious resort, Gleneagles, they usually’ve definitely thrown cash at Murrayshall.

There’s a spa and leisure centre with eight therapy rooms, swimming pools and spectacular health services. That backs up the 25 vacation lodges and 22 luxurious glamping pods. With its outside pursuits space, enhancements to the prevailing golf course and the beautiful hilly surroundings, Murrayshall is effectively on its solution to matching Perthshire’s most interesting.

Tackle: Murrayshall Rd, Scone, Perth PH2 7PH

Value: From £100

Learn extra: Fairmont St Andrews, Scotland, resort assessment

6. Ballathie Home Resort

Local dishes such as trout and beef are served up at Ballathie House — Native dishes resembling trout and beef are served up at Ballathie Home (Robin McKelvie)

For those who’ve dreamt of escaping to a grand nation home within the Scottish wilds Traitors-style then that is the place to be. Head north of the town and the fashionable world slips additional and additional away as you comply with the mighty River Tay. This grand previous dame dates from 1880 and there are information exhibiting that the Queen Mom got here right here to occasion in her youthful days.

It’s straightforward to see why it beforehand gained the Nation Sporting Resort of the 12 months award, as Ballathie Home has its coveted fishing beats on the River Tay simply exterior. The sprawling property can also be splendid for strolling round, biking and clay pigeon capturing.

A decadent afternoon tea is a should, as is a luxurious dinner taken, after all, after a wee drink within the lounge. Benefit from the likes of native trout, beef and venison. Finish the night within the fashion a 22-year-old Queen Mom would little doubt have authorized of – with a dram by the fireplace.

Tackle: Kinclaven, Perth, PH1 4QN

Value: From £79

Learn extra: This hidden nook of Edinburgh has fairly bakeries, unbiased guide shops and a number of the hottest eating places within the metropolis

7. Scone Palace

Stay in a bedroom fit for a royal at Scone Palace — Keep in a bed room match for a royal at Scone Palace (Scone Palace)

Did you even know you may keep the evening on the most well-known palace in all of Scotland? That’s proper, you may be part of Scotland’s monarchs – who had been topped at Scone Palace for hundreds of years – on this lavish spot only a few miles from the town.

The Balvaird Wing permits you to play king or queen together with 5 household or pals, with a trio of superbly adorned, en-suite bedrooms: The MacGregor Room, Colonel Andrew’s Room and the suitably elegant Girl Carnegie’s Room. Scone Palace is a good base for exploring Perth, the place the well-known Stone of Scone – the place Scotland’s monarchs had been topped – is the centrepiece of the lately opened Perth Museum. You’ve received the immense grounds to discover too, with after-hours entry to them as soon as the day trippers are gone.

Tackle: Perth, PH2 6BD

Value: £1,200 (for six visitors staying in three bedrooms)

Learn extra: One of the best spa resorts in Glasgow for relaxation, rest and pampering

8. Pine Bushes Resort

Pine Trees can be found in the resort town of Pitlochry, pictured here — Pine Bushes will be discovered within the resort city of Pitlochry, pictured right here (Getty Pictures)

A brilliantly reborn resort to the north of Perth within the Highland Perthshire resort city of Pitlochry, Pine Bushes is a 45-minute drive from the town and even faster by prepare. It’s a resort that harks again to Pitlochry’s emergence as a vacationer honeypot within the days when Queen Victoria was on the throne, eulogising her beloved Highlands.

Initially opened in 1892, the £5m restoration has been spectacular with 18 distinctive rooms in the principle home. Guide into the Scandi-Scot stylish primary home, or one of many homes or cottages within the grounds.

The 2025 revamp – expertly overseen by legendary resort supervisor David Lapsley – has actually pushed this resort to the highest of the Pitlochry tree and made it the most effective locations to remain in Perthshire.

Sip a Scottish gin cocktail within the swish Flora bar, then linger over dinner within the Fauna restaurant subsequent door. It’s an amazing base for the magical Enchanted Forest sound and lightweight present, which brings Perthshire alive each autumn.

Tackle: Strathview Terrace, Pitlochry, PH16 5QR

Value: From £329

Learn extra: One of the best spa resorts in Scotland – good for a calming nation getaway

9. Dunkeld Home Resort

For a luxury getaway in the Highlands, check in to Dunkeld House — For a luxurious getaway within the Highlands, examine in to Dunkeld Home (Crerar Resorts)

This beautiful slice of Highland Perthshire lies only a 15-minute drive north of the town. This significantly plush luxurious resort is an actual retreat, with 280 acres of grounds spreading their wealthy bucolic tentacles across the sweep of the River Tay.

The suites – with their 4 poster beds – are actually one thing particular. Sleep like a laird earlier than residing like one the subsequent day, heading out clay pigeon capturing, wandering the grounds or fishing on the Tay.

Dunkeld Home additionally has a leisure centre with a swimming pool and scorching tub, in addition to a well-equipped health club. There’s a superb number of consuming and consuming venues too.

Tackle: Blairgowrie Highway, Dunkeld PH8 0HX

Value: From £124

Learn extra: One of the best funds resorts in Glasgow for location, fashion and heritage

Why belief us

The resorts featured on this checklist have been rigorously chosen by The Unbiased’s skilled journey writers, every with a deep data of the locations they cowl. Robin McKelvie has been journey writing his means round his native Scotland for over 20 years and has stayed in over 500 Scottish resorts. When choosing which resorts to incorporate, Robin thought of his personal expertise staying within the resorts and evaluated location, services, service and all the opposite particulars that make for an distinctive keep for all sorts of traveller.

FAQs

When is the perfect time of yr to journey to Perthshire?

In contrast with different locations, the climate within the UK isn’t normally the principle attraction; nevertheless, the British summertime, with the sunniest days occurring between June and August, is probably going the perfect wager.

What’s Perth most well-known for?

Perth is called the Truthful Metropolis, named after a novel by Scottish novelist Sir Walter Scott, because of its stunning backdrop on the banks of the River Tay. Town and its surrounding areas are effectively regarded for his or her pure magnificence, making it a beautiful place to stroll, hike and bike.

The way to spend a day in Perth?

Perth is teeming with historical past, a lot of which will be found at Perth Museum, on the coronary heart of which sits the Stone of Future, certainly one of Scotland’s most vital historic objects, returned to the nation in 1996 by the UK authorities. It has been used within the coronation of Scottish, English and British monarchs. Kinnoull Hill Woodland Park, the Black Watch Fortress & Museum and Scone Palace are additionally all historic websites value a go to.

Biking across the Highlands is a well-liked exercise, and Perth makes an ideal beginning and ending level, with some bike tour corporations additionally situated there. There are additionally loads of locations to stroll in and close to the town, together with the River Tay Method and Quarrymill Woodland Park.

Source link