Golf View Hotel & Spa, Nairn

The Golf View Hotel & Spa sits right on the edge of the Moray Firth, with steps down to the shore and cracking views across the water to the Black Isle. It's only about 15 minutes from Inverness, which makes logistics easy, but it still feels properly coastal once you're on site.

The hotel has had a significant refurbishment in recent years and it shows in the feel of the place, from the bedrooms through to the public areas. For golfers, the big win is the location. You're within easy reach of Nairn and Nairn Dunbar, two of the standout links courses in the Highlands, so you can get a proper championship fix without spending your trip in the car. Both are genuine tests, Nairn in particular has a big reputation and has hosted major amateur and professional events over the years, and you can play either in the morning and be back at the hotel for lunch with time to spare.

Off the course, you've got plenty to mix in between rounds, whether that's a run out to Loch Ness, a visit to Culloden or just taking a coastal walk before dinner. And if you're travelling with non-golfers, the leisure facilities and sea-view setting do a lot of the heavy lifting. Finish the day in the AA Rosette Hickory Restaurant, which majors on local produce and seafood, then round it off with a drink while the light drops over the Firth. Include Golf View Hotel & Spa on your next break in the Inverness area.

Who is this for?
Golfers who want an easy base for Nairn and Nairn Dunbar, couples splitting time between links golf and Highland sightseeing, and groups that want decent leisure facilities for proper post-round recovery.

Who is it best for?
Mid and low handicappers chasing a sterner links test nearby, anyone who wants sea views, good food and quick access to Inverness without staying in the city, and mixed groups where not everyone is playing every day.