Glenapp Castle is a boutique hotel just outside the Scottish Highlands town of Ballantrae. Better have a map or SatNav to hand when you travel up here, the boutique hotel isn't signposted from the motorway and access is only granted to guests with reservations. Why the secrecy? It's better that way. Those staying really feel like 'special guests', being afforded high levels of personal service (without feeling flapped over!) and the run of the gorgeous castle interiors/ grounds.

The facilities

Glenapp Castle is surrounded by 36 acres of gardens and woodland. There's also a large Victorian glasshouse, tennis courts and a croquet lawn. All this, and loads of nearby beaches too make for a great, outdoorsy stay in the Scottish Highlands.

Food served at the boutique hotel restaurant is excellent Modern Scottish fare; fresh, seasonal and often sourced from the hotel's kitchen gardens. Evening meals are of the gourmet, six course variety, so don't wear a belt. For a traditional afternoon tea, guests can reserve a space in the boutique hotel's Drawing Room.

Glenapp Castle guests have access to a private members' spa that is five minutes away on the coast. After paying an entrance free, guests can have as many face, body and massage treatments as they wish.

The rooms

The boutique hotel has 17 individually decorated rooms and suites. Rooms are so large, two people can happily occupy spaces that could sleep ten - this proves especially popular with romantic couples, who love master suites the Earl of Inchcape and the Earl of Orkney. Decor at Glenapp Castle is grand yet not overblown, mixing smart period furniture with sumptuous fabrics, large stone fireplaces and four poster beds. Rooms come with modern comforts in the form of air conditioning, satellite TV and internet access.