Ardanaiseig

Ultra romantic lochside hotel with a stunning restaurant and a touch of baroque and roll

Ardanaiseig (pronounced ar-den-ass-ay) is a grand Scottish hotel with a difference. Three miles down a bumpy track, it sits in perfect seclusion on Loch Awe surrounded by forests, roe deer, 19th century gardens and staggering views. It's been called the most romantic hotel in Scotland, but it's neither this nor the excellent location and great service that sets it apart. It's the hotel's unique style.

The hotel's owner, Bennie Gray, is an art dealer with vision. Snapping up the hotel on the spot the first time he saw it, he recognised the chance to create something that went beyond the classic baronial home. He wanted to inject a little rock and roll, too. As a result, the hotel is full of personality, from the statues reclining in the hedges to the reworked oil paintings of Bianca Jagger and Lauren Bacall hanging on the walls. In addition to the 18 rooms, there's a fine dining room, a drawing room and a bar with open fires, plenty of board games, a snooker room in the basement, and an extremely groovy boatshed for couples to hide away in.

Highs

• The views of Loch Awe – with three pairs of returning ospreys – are unbeatable
• The romance factor: sumptuous furnishings, four poster beds and a wonderful sense of warmth
• The food – chef Gary Goldie serves up superb individually-created menus
• The self-contained boatshed is a wonderfully unique and secluded 1960s-styled bolthole for couples
• Dog owners rejoice: canine companions are actively encouraged (though there's a small charge)

Lows

• A six course meal every evening will certainly expand your waist line after a couple of days
• It's definitely off the beaten track – 10 miles down a single-track lane, and 45 minutes from the nearest town of any size, Oban
• Not especially child-friendly – no kids are allowed in the dining room, although high tea and other snacks can be prepared for them
• Midges in season (May and August particularly) are a nuisance
• Bathrooms are nothing special and the peaty water is a bit off-putting
• Recent reports of rather inattentive and unhelpful service