Loch Rannoch Hotel and Spa Review: Stay, Spa & Dining
Loch Rannoch Hotel and Spa Review: A Perthshire Escape with Two Dinner Options
Loch views, a swimming pool and two different places for dinner, the 4 star Loch Rannoch Hotel and Spa brings several ingredients for a Highland Perthshire break together in one place. At Kinloch Rannoch, the four-star hotel sits within a 250-acre estate overlooking the water towards Schiehallion. This was the view from our room!
This Loch Rannoch Hotel and Spa review looks at the bedrooms, spa and dinner choices, plus how to make the most of a two-night stay here. For a food-focused escape, the useful distinction is between its two main dinner venues. The Estate Room offers a more formal, seasonal menu, while Wild Brownie is the hotel’s relaxed pub-style option. A two-night stay gives you the opportunity to try both, with time between meals for exploring the local area, or a spa treatment.
Where is Loch Rannoch Hotel and Spa?
The hotel is in the village of Kinloch Rannoch, Perthshire. Its loch-side setting is a major part of the appeal, and if your idea of a weekend away involves a walk, a leisurely dinner and an early swim, the combination makes sense. The remote setting also makes it worth arranging restaurant reservations in advance, and booking activities before travelling.
How to get to Loch Rannoch Hotel and Spa
This may look like somewhere you absolutely need a car but we used public transport. You can get there on the 82 bus from Pitlochry, which you can reach via train from Glasgow or Edinburgh, or you can do what we did and travel via Rannoch railway station, one of the most remote stations in the UK, and where you’ll also find the Rannoch Station tearoom (open in summer, honesty cafe in winter). There are no buses from the station and no taxi rank but if you book one of the two local taxi companies in advance and only travel as far as Kinloch Rannoch – and not further then you will only be charged the price of a single bus fare per person as this is subsidised by Perth & Kinross council, but this must be booked in advance.
Highland character and rooms with a view
Dating from 1888, the hotel has undergone a £3.5 million refurbishment. Traditional Scottish touches remained, from tartan carpets to Highland artwork, while the bedrooms and bathrooms received a more contemporary finish.
Staying at Loch Rannoch Hotel: which room should you book?
Accommodation includes Heritage rooms in the original Victorian hunting lodge and Contemporary rooms in a later wing. The Rannoch Suite adds a private balcony, four-poster bed and Victorian fireplace.
Our Heritage room was at the front of the building with views of the loch but for a romantic hotel break in Highland Perthshire, don’t assume every category has the same view as the hotel also has forest view accommodation.
Selected rooms accommodate families, and designated rooms welcome dogs booked in advance for an additional charge. Check the category and arrangements directly if you are bringing children or a pet.
Dinner in The Estate Room at Loch Rannoch Hotel
The Estate Room is the more occasion-led choice, with 1AA rosette, a smart-casual dress code and an emphasis on Scottish produce and seasonal cooking. For a two-night break, this is the dinner to build an evening around.
Previous dishes have included Highland venison loin with red-wine-poached pear, pomme purée and port jus. The combination illustrates the restaurant’s approach to Scottish game, pairing it with fruit, a rich sauce and carefully arranged accompaniments.
Dinner service: April–October, Monday–Saturday, 5.45–8.15pm; November–March, Tuesday–Saturday, 5.45–8.15pm. The restaurant closes for dinner on Sundays and also on Mondays during winter. Children are welcome, but there is no dedicated children’s menu.
Dinner was filling and well executed so worthy of its AA rosette rating.
Dinner in Wild Brownie: the hotel’s relaxed alternative
Wild Brownie offers classic and contemporary pub food in a fishing-themed bar. It is the less formal of the two dinner options and the hotel’s designated dog-friendly restaurant, welcoming dogs inside and on the terrace.
For guests searching for a dog-friendly restaurant in Kinloch Rannoch, this is a useful distinction. The hotel also serves its childrens menu here, making it a practical starting point for families comparing the two venues.
A games room with a full-size snooker table adds another reason to linger. Based on its setting and menu style, Wild Brownie suits an easy evening after exploring, while The Estate Room provides the more dressed-up dinner.
The restaurant’s own page advertises dinner daily from 5–9pm, although the hotel’s general FAQ gives an earlier finishing time. Confirm the last booking time when reserving, as timings vary seasonally.
The Estate Room or Wild Brownie: which should you choose?
The Estate Room
- For a more formal dinner with seasonal Scottish produce, in a more atmospheric room
Wild Brownie
- For a relaxed pub-style evening
- Dinner with your dog
- A dedicated children’s menu
If staying for a romantic getaway remember that The Estate Room is closed on Sundays all year round, and also on Mondays in winter.
Breakfast
Breakfast is served in a third area, The Rannoch Larder. Served between 8 – 10am on weekdays, and 8 – 11am at weekends and bank holidays.
Loch Rannoch Hotel spa and swimming pool
The hotel lists an indoor swimming pool, sauna and steam room, with spa treatments bookable separately. Its terms state that staying guests receive complimentary access to the spa and leisure facilities; this should not be confused with an included treatment.
There are three treatment rooms, including a twin room for couples or friends, plus a relaxation suite. If you are planning a Perthshire spa break with dinner, reserve treatments alongside your room and restaurant bookings. Downsides are that the spa is in a separate building so you do need to leave the hotel to walk there but it’s not far.
Check the current treatment list, durations and prices directly before booking, particularly if you would like to add a massage to your stay.
The pool has designated adults-only periods as well as family access. Check the seasonal schedule if a quieter swim is an important part of your stay. There is also a gym, which is on the other side of the main road, again not far but more of a walk downhill and then back up again, or you could drive there as it has its own car park.
Breakfast and dinner-inclusive packages
Breakfast is served in the Rannoch Larder. Previous breakfast options have included Loch Fyne kippers, poached eggs and buttermilk pancakes with bacon and maple syrup, alongside lighter choices. Check the current breakfast menu if a particular dish appeals. The hotel’s terms say a full Scottish breakfast is included in room rates unless otherwise stated, so check the conditions of your particular booking.
For dinner-inclusive breaks, read the allowance carefully. Packages can provide a set amount towards food rather than an unrestricted dinner, with restaurant restrictions or extras depending on the offer. Comparing the allowance with current menu prices gives a clearer picture of the total cost.
Things to do during a Loch Rannoch Hotel stay
A spa break here need not mean spending the whole weekend indoors. The surrounding landscape gives you a reason to leave room in the itinerary between breakfast, dinner and treatments.
Walk up Craig Varr
Craig Varr offers elevated views over Loch Rannoch and Dunalastair Water. The climb is steep, and the time needed depends on fitness, weather and ground conditions.
For anyone bringing a camera, the elevated views offer a different perspective from the hotel’s lochside outlook. Wear suitable walking footwear and ask locally about the route and conditions.
Get out on the loch
The hotel advertises activities including kayaking, paddleboarding and bicycle hire. Ask about fishing with a local ghillie if you prefer a quieter outing on the water.
Ask which activities are operating during your stay and what needs advance booking. Equipment hire, guided outings and other activities may cost extra.
Is Loch Rannoch Hotel a good fit for your break?
Loch Rannoch Hotel is worth considering for a lochside hotel break in Scotland with a spa and restaurants. The combination is particularly appealing for a two-night stay: one evening of pub-style dining, another in The Estate Room, and time to enjoy the surroundings.
The choice needs a little planning. Select the room view you want, check restaurant opening days and clarify what your package includes. The appeal is the combination of lochside scenery, leisure facilities and two different dining styles, making it possible to build a weekend around the hotel and its surroundings.
Booking details
Address: Loch Rannoch Hotel, Estate and Spa, Kinloch Rannoch, Perthshire, PH16 5PS
Telephone: 01882 632201
Email: info@lochrannochhotel.com
Website: Loch Rannoch Hotel
Room rates vary by date, category and package. Use the hotel’s booking website for current prices and inclusions.
Looking for other accommodation options in scenic Perthshire?
