Crinan Hotel

h3. Award-winning elegance in an unspoilt setting

Crinan Hotel is a four-star getaway overlooking the rugged Argyll coast, including the loch of the same name. The hotel is known for its incredible views, including a romantic castle and beyond, the Isles of Scarba and Jura.

A previous winner of European Luxury Seaview Hotel of the Year, this is a very stylish West Coast escape. Yet because it is family-run by husband and wife team Frances and Nick, there is a quirky and personal vibe too.

As well as beautiful scenery, guests can make the most of no less than two award-winning restaurants, plus a Seafood Bar, Tent on the Terrace dining area and Crinan Coffee Shop.

Michelin-featured seafood restaurant

The hotel’s Lock 16 dining spot is a previous winner of Best Seafood Restaurant in the UK. And no wonder, when daily catches are supplied straight from the boat by the 200-year-old fishing port of Crinan, including fresh-landed jumbo prawns.

The flagship dish is Jumbo Prawns Corryvreckan, first sampled by co-owner Nick while visiting the Pitcairn Islands with the Merchant Navy. This eye-catching dish of prawns on a bed of boiled seaweed and tropical fruit is served in a large copper pot, which you can tuck into as the sun sets over the loch.

Esteemed fine dining

Also featured in the Michelin Guide – and a previously awardee of the L’Assiette Michelin (The Michelin Plate) – The Westward is the hotel’s fine dining hub.

Dine with a view of the Isles of Scarba and Jura while sampling a seasonal menu of fresh seafood and locally sourced produce, including lamb, beef and venison.

Sample dishes include roast rack of Argyll Hill Lamb, Isle of Rothesay oak-smoked salmon, and Loch Crinan seafood stew. Veggies can tuck into dishes such as risotto of forest mushrooms.

Stylish and scenic rooms

Each of the hotel’s 20 guest rooms has been designed by renowned Scottish artist, Frances Macdonald, who is also the resident artist and co-proprietor.

Each room has breathtaking views and is filled with fresh garden flowers for an added welcoming touch. You can also make the most of a king-sized bed with luxury Egyptian cotton bedding, Arran Aromatic toiletries, cotton bathrobes, a flat-screen TV and tea & coffee facilities.

Superior Rooms have extra space, plus each is dedicated to a famous Scottish artist and hung with original artworks. Some have large balconies and all have big picture windows with seaviews.

What’s near to Crinan Hotel?

There is plenty to do in the local area, including boat trips to Jura, cycling on the Caledonia Way or trying out a championship golf course. Wildlife lovers can spot sea eagles, seals and minke whales at the loch, while fans of all things botanical can head to either Arduane or Crarae gardens, both within an hour’s drive.

Or you could take a boat trip down the tranquil Crinan Canal, or head to the nearby Village of Kilmartin with its prehistoric standing stones, rock carvings and burial cairns.

If its castles that you are after then Carnasserie Castle, Castle Sween and Inveraray Castle are all convenient to reach from the hotel, as is the Inveraray Jail visitor attraction.