Douneside House Shortlist*

On the MacRobert estate in the heart of Royal Deeside, this crenellated country house with turrets and a tower reopened as a luxury hotel and leisure club following extensive renovation in 2016. Choose one of the newly appointed bedrooms, apartments or cottages. Rooms in the main house are characterful, with antiques and artwork; in the grounds, four cottages have their own patio, and a wood-burning stove in the sitting room. Families or large groups might consider one of the modern, architect-designed apartments next to the main building. There’s plenty to explore, from the restored tennis court to the state-of-the-art gym, pool and sauna, to the open, fire-warmed library. The extensive grounds include immaculate terraced gardens. Come dinnertime, sit down to modern Scottish dishes using garden-fresh produce whenever possible. Cairngorms national park is on the doorstep. The building is the ancestral home of the three MacRobert brothers killed in flying incidents (two while on active duty during World War II); in honour of their memory, the house is reserved for military guests over six weeks in summer and during the Christmas period. Bar, parlour, library, bistro/restaurant (background music), conservatory. Free Wi-Fi, in-room smart TV (Freeview). Background music. 7-acre grounds, gardens. Tennis court, croquet lawn, putting green. Health centre (indoor pool, spa, steam room; gym, fitness studio; games room). Children (playpark; high tea) and dogs (in cottages only; £20) welcomed. 23 bedrooms (9 in cottages in the grounds), plus 4 apartments in Casa Memoria. Per room B&B from £130, D,B&B from £180.