12 of the best family-friendly hotels in Scotland

If you're looking for family lodges and a spa hotel on Arran, then an island holiday is the perfect family adventure.

Take the CalMac ferry over to Arran and get away from it all at Auchrannie Resort, where you can choose between the child-friendly spa hotel and self-catering luxury family lodges. Dogs are welcome too, so everyone can join in the fun!

At the hotel, there’s a choice of two pools, with spa treatments available, a gym and games room, a Playbarn for the kids, as well as a selection of delicious restaurants.

The island might seem small, but there are endless opportunities for explorers on west coast of Scotland holidays. Head to Brodick Castle, Garden and Country Park, explore miles of beaches, or enjoy 4x4 tours with Mogabout Safaris.

Crieff Hydro is a child-friendly spa in Perthshire with all the ingredients for a fun getaway! You and the family will love this excellent resort, one of the best hotels in Perth.

Hotels with childcare? Yes, please! The hotel offers two hours of free childcare, which you can use to your advantage to enjoy some of the facilities, including the spa or hair salon. From soft play and a games room to crazy golf and biking, the kids will be over the moon too.

If you can drag yourself away from the hotel and its incredible offerings, Perthshire will not disappoint with beautiful forest walks throughout the region, including Lady Mary’s Walk. Or take the kids to say hi to the wild cats and lemurs at Auchingarrich Wildlife and Adventure Park.

At Gretna Green, there are three family-friendly hotels to choose from: Gretna Hall Hotel, Smiths at Gretna Green Hotel, or Greens at Gretna Hotel.

With accessibility for buggies and prams, a play park and a courtship maze, it’s easy to enjoy lots of quality family time at Gretna Green. The family boutique hotel, Smiths at Gretna Green, is home to an AA Rosette restaurant with fine dining menus and a cocktail bar.

Discover excellent shopping at the retail outlet and make sure to visit the fascinating Famous Blacksmith’s Shop Museum, where you can learn about the generations of young couples who have come here to marry.

There are plenty of options at the Macdonald Forest Hills Resort, with family rooms or apartments on the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond.

Enjoy relaxed dining at Rafters Bar and Bistro or a special meal at The Garden Restaurant. Parents can unwind with some time at the pool, sauna and steam room, while the kids enjoy outdoor tennis courts, cycling trails and the seasonal kids’ club.

If you’re after activity hotels for families, look no further! Down by the loch, continue the adventure with a range of watersports at Loch Ard Adventure Centre, or head to Go Ape Aberfoyle for an exciting treetop challenge.

What about a luxury hotel in Perthshire for your next getaway? Gleneagles is famous for its golf, with three championship courses, but the resort also has an award-winning spa and an exquisite restaurant.

The luxury resort has a children’s pool and a family chill-out area called The Den, where you’ll find games consoles, board games and a cinema room. Keep the wee ones busy outdoors, with mountain biking, Segway rides and pony-riding experiences to enjoy in the grounds of this family-friendly hotel.

Make memories in Perthshire. Try gelato at the Stewart Tower Dairy near Stanley and meet the farm animals, including pygmy goats and Shetland ponies!

A visit to St Andrews and a stay at the Fairmont St Andrews is a treat for all ages. This seaside resort with championship golf in St Andrews has rooms overlooking either the golf courses or the sea and is one of the best family hotels in Scotland.

Kids will love the indoor pool, games room and family cinema. The resort also has not one but five places to eat, with plenty of yummy options for the kids to choose from.

Whether it’s fish and chips on the beach, a visit to the St Andrews Aquarium, or a round at the St Andrews Ladies’ Putting Club, there’s never a dull moment in this glorious seaside town.

Enjoy Meldrum House Hotel’s sophisticated grandeur with a special stay in a baronial mansion.

This luxury hotel in Aberdeen is famed for its dining, including the Cave Bar and Pineapple Grill. The little ones can enjoy the cuisine too, with afternoon tea for children under 12 available to book. There’s even Dome Dining, so you can eat outdoors in your own private pod.

Take the kids castle hunting! This hotel is close to many of Aberdeenshire’s castles, including magical Fyvie Castle and perfectly pink Craigievar Castle. Lochter Activity Centre is just minutes from the hotel, if you’re looking for something a wee bit more energetic. Here, try out go-karting, archery and clay pigeon shooting.

For one of the best family places to stay in Edinburgh, choose a memorable break at Waldorf Astoria – a family-friendly hotel at the West End of Princes Street.

The hotel offers a luxurious stay for the whole family, with many rooms featuring dramatic views of Edinburgh Castle. Kids will love the hotel pool, as well as the chance to enjoy pancakes and waffles at breakfast.

The whole family can explore Edinburgh’s exciting experiences, including St James Quarter – a shopping centre and food hall that teenagers will love, while parents can also enjoy some relaxation time at the Guerlain Spa.

The Apex City Quay Hotel & Spa is the ideal location for enjoying the delights of Dundee.

The kid-friendly hotel has a fun pool and spa, and each room features artwork from The Beano.

On the waterfront, enjoy family friendly attractions, including the historic ships RRS Discovery and HMS Unicorn, or explore the pretty Slessor Gardens. Head to Wild Shores Dundee and find the perfect activity for any adventurous members of the family, with cable wakeboarding lessons and a water park to enjoy. There is also a new city beach here, so you can play, relax and feel the sand between your toes.

Set in gorgeous Perthshire surroundings, you and the family will feel very grand indeed as you drive up to Dunkeld House Hotel with the River Tay flowing past the entrance.

This luxury family hotel in Perthshire has two restaurants and a cosy bar lounge with a grand piano. Dunkeld House Hotel is a child-friendly spa hotel, so book yourself in for some relaxation, or spend time exploring the grounds along the Dunkeld House Tree Trail, which loops around the estate and features several ancient and spectacular trees.

Nearby, explore The Hermitage, with magnificent waterfalls, plenty of picnic spots, and river swimming opportunities. You can try out more watersports and adventure activities with Nae Limits.

Please be mindful of others when visiting The Hermitage and park responsibly, avoiding parking busy or dangerous roads, including the A9. There's a car park on site, but if it's full please consider coming back another time or exploring elsewhere in Big Tree Country. 

Enjoy a Scottish Highlands retreat in the heart of the Cairngorms National Park at the Macdonald Aviemore Resort, surrounded by beautiful Highland landscapes with pine forests, mountains and lochs.

A family suite at this resort offers relaxation for adults, with a choice of restaurants and an 18-hole golf course on site, as well as fun for the kids, with a swimming pool with a flume, soft play and the Spey Valley Cinema.

With snowsports in the winter at Cairngorm Mountain and an array of family attractions to enjoy in the summer, including the award-winning Landmark Forest Adventure Park and Highland Wildlife Park, there’s always something exciting to discover in this corner of the Highlands.

Handily located just 20 minutes from Glasgow, Bowfield Hotel & Spa is the perfect place for a Glasgow city break, or a relaxing family countryside escape.

For Glasgow hotels with a pool, the Aura Spa is one-of-a-kind with its outdoor hydrotherapy pool, sauna, steam room and waterfall shower buckets, all looking out onto peaceful garden views. Kids can enjoy the hotel pool or the Fun Factory soft play, while the whole family can enjoy afternoon tea at the Plumpy Duck restaurant and drinks at the Stable Bar & Lounge.

In Glasgow, there’s plenty of exciting attractions to enjoy, from the Riverside Museum to Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum. Or stick with the countryside vibes and explore walks around Rouken Glen Park, Pollok Country Park or RSPB Lochwinnoch.