Arranview
- Arranview Holiday Park -
In this secluded countryside location, the unique and luxurious glamping pods at Arranview are the perfect place for a private hot tub retreat. The pods are gathered around little fishing lakes and are fully equipped with everything you need to cook, relax and have fun. Even though I did not meet our hosts in person because of the contact-free key pick up and drop off, I could not fault the attention to detail and personal touches that they provided. Since my stay, there is now an onsite cafe bistro that I'm dying to try on my next visit.
Queensferry
- Dakota Edinburgh Hotel -
I had always wanted to visit a Dakota hotel and the one in Queensferry, just outside of Edinburgh near the renown Fourth Bridges, offers a more peaceful stay than the Dakota in the lively Glasgow city. The hotel staff were so welcoming and they took it upon themselves to organise our taxis in and out of the small center of the town. From the beautiful views to the range of activities and walks, there is so much that Queensferry has to offer, but of course, let's not forget the food and drink! I had followed Down the Hatch restaurant on Instagram for months and it totally exceeded all of my expectations. Juicy burgers, humongous shakes and Scottish fry up skillets. Literal food porn. The Ferry Tap pub was recommended to me by a local taxi driver. The pub looked rather small from the outside, however, as soon as I stepped through the door, I was greeted by super friendly staff, a huge array of drinks behind the bar and surprisingly brilliant live music. What more could you want?!
Lochside
- Lochside House Hotel and Spa-
My visit to Lochside was a little birthday treat during an all too brief lifting of local lock down restrictions. As the name states, the hotel is on the border of a small Scottish loch and provides the perfect opportunity to explore the green hills and look for local wildlife around the water. I had already visited this venue a few times to dine at their restaurant, have a spa day and attend a wedding and, as always, I was blown away with the top notch service and the beautiful room. The staff had adapted so well to the restrictions and rules of the pandemic by offering a very affordable and efficient room service so their guests could still enjoy a luxurious and safe stay.
Dundee
- Premier Inn -
I used to live in Dundee, however, the city was undergoing major renovations when I lived there. Now, the totally revamped waterfront provided me with a good excuse to visit again. Some of the attractions, alongside the newly built Premier Inn hotel that I stayed in, are the V&A art and design museum and the Slessor Gardens that overlook the Tay bridge and river. Although, my top recommendation remains Clark's 24 hour Bakery. As a student, I used to visit this take-away all the time, and at all kinds of hours, for it's delicious and affordable freshly baked goods. Whether you want morning rolls or a doughnut at midnight, eating here is a must in my opinion. My go-to is the helicopter burger - a Scottish breakfast piled into a fresh floury bun with chips. I will always love this city and as I am writing this it makes me want to start planning my next visit immediately.
Glenluce
-Whitecairn Holiday Park -
Despite all of the craziness that came with 2020, my household and I managed to find some kind of Summer holiday at the spacious and comfortable hot tub lodges near Glenluce - a new part of Scotland that I had not yet had the pleasure of visiting. The facilities and staff were fantastic and the price of the lodge for the three nights was a total bargain! The holiday park is surrounded by serene Scottish countryside and friendly farm animals. I would definitely recommend a trip to The Crown Hotel if you are in need of a refreshment. The staff were so nice and helpful and the food was delicious. If the Scottish weather is surprisingly good then you should definitely visit their beer garden.
Comments