Kingsmills Hotel Inverness 4*

The Kingsmills offers 147 rooms spread across several distinct styles, so you can choose the setup that suits your trip. The Classic Rooms are spacious and traditionally furnished, with all the essentials done well: comfortable beds, good lighting and plenty of space to spread out your kit after a round. If you prefer a more contemporary feel, the Luxury Rooms are fully air-conditioned and decorated in calming heather tones with subtle tartan accents, a nod to Highland heritage without feeling overly themed.

For something more secluded, the Garden Rooms sit in a separate wing surrounded by flower beds and evergreens. Each has its own patio looking out over the landscaped grounds, and you're provided with bathrobes and slippers so you can step outside with a coffee in the morning or a dram in the evening. It's a quieter, more private option if you're travelling as a couple or simply want to avoid the main hotel bustle.

At the top end, the Kingsclub executive wing offers the most luxurious stay on-site. You can choose between Cocoon and Retreat rooms, both designed with a sleek, contemporary aesthetic that still feels individual rather than corporate. Kingsclub guests also have access to the on-site spa, where you can book massages and body treatments using comfort zone products. After walking 36 holes on firm links turf, a deep-tissue session here is worth every penny.

All guests get complimentary access to the indoor pool, sauna, steam room and gym, ideal for loosening up after 18 or 36. The pool overlooks the gardens and the sauna and steam room are perfect for tired legs. There's also a well-equipped gym if you want to keep your fitness ticking over, though most guests are here for the golf rather than the treadmill.

Dining at Kingsmills revolves around two main options. The whisky bar is the natural gathering point in the evening, with an extensive list of Highland and Speyside malts and a relaxed menu of bar classics if you want something informal. For a more structured meal, the Conservatory Restaurant focuses on seasonal Scottish ingredients, with dishes that change regularly to reflect what's available locally. The cooking shows genuine flair and the setting, overlooking the gardens, is a pleasant spot to finish the day. You're also only a ten-minute walk from Inverness city centre, so there's no shortage of alternative pubs and restaurants if you fancy a change of scene.

The Moray Firth and the wider Highlands offer one of the densest concentrations of quality golf in Scotland, and Kingsmills puts you right in the middle of it. The courses here range from championship links that have hosted major amateur and professional events to quieter parkland and clifftop layouts that see far fewer visitors but still deliver memorable golf. What ties them together is the scenery, the firm turf and the wind, which can turn a straightforward round into a proper test depending on the day.