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Airth Castle Hotel

Airth Castle Hotel is proof that you don't need to travel far from the central belt of Scotland, or far from the city, to enjoy a taste of relaxation and luxury. The first view as you enter the car park is of the impressive Airth Castle, which sits slightly downhill from the main hotel and reception, and offers a beautiful venue for a wedding ceremony.

Airth Castle

The main lounge area inside Airth Castle

But it isn't just the quiet elegance of the main castle building that makes this hotel worth a visit. Whilst there are some aspects that could be improved, the hotel itself offers a wonderful spa with fantastic facilities including a gym, a pool, jacuzzi, steam room, and sauna, as well as a variety of treatments (...massage, yes please). The hotel boasts a sleek and very chic main reception with a lounge area and bar, with a modern vibe that doesn't conflict with the historic castle vibe.

Facilities 

Food

Vegan aubergine and courgette "lasagne" starter.

Next up was the vegan pie, which was very tasty; however, it was served with honey-roasted vegetables which is a bit of a disappointing mistake for such an up-market venue. Honey isn't vegan, so including it in a vegan meal is a pretty big faux-pas. The head waiter was very apologetic and said the kitchen should know better and I agree - they should. They did bring replacement vegetables and they were in the middle of a busy Saturday night so it is forgivable, but it was just another thing that slightly detracted from the whole experience.

Vegan pie (served with  roasted vegetables).

I asked what vegan option was available for dessert in lieu of the vegan brownie and was met with a rather underwhelming trio of fruit sorbet. It was nice, it cleared the palate well after a heavy main and it stopped me from feeling overly full so although I wouldn't have chosen it, it did close out the meal quite nicely.

Mixed Fruit Sorbet

Would I Stay Again?

Sunnybank's Guest Lounge has that perfect "country home" aesthetic.

This post is not sponsored, promoted or influenced in any way by Sunnybank Guesthouse and is strictly representative of my own experiences and opinions only.

When you picture a classical English countryside escape, it's pretty likely that the image you'll conjure up will be a dead ringer for Sunnybank Boutique Guesthouse. There's a reason they boast a 5/5 TripAdvisor score, with comfort embedded in the fibre of the building and friendly and attentive staff to make your stay as relaxing as possible.

I've talked before about my love for staying in buildings that are old or filled with character and Sunnybank has character in abundance. If you're seeking the exact opposite of a somewhat manufactured, high-paced city break in an impersonal ultra-sleek hotel and are craving something a little more relaxed and a lot more peaceful then Sunnybank Guesthouse is a must for you.

First Impressions & Location

The building is on a relatively steep hill which makes it a bit less accessible than other places but provides a stunning view over the village and the surrounding countryside; the exterior of the building is as pleasant and welcoming as inside, showing off the subtle charm of the country guesthouse. (I've already said "country" a lot, can you tell I'm a city gal?).

The building itself has plenty of charm.

I wish the weather had been nicer on my visit so I could have enjoyed this gorgeous, well-maintained garden more!

The views of the surrounding countryside add to Sunnybank's character and atmosphere.

Location wise, it is perfectly situated for visiting the village in all its picturesque tranquillity or for venturing out further afield into Yorkshire or even Manchester, should you wish to.

The guesthouse is next to this beautiful little church, which is visible from the front garden.

 Facilities 

Sunnybank has 4 rooms, as well as a lodge (which I very much want to experience on my next visit) that is separate from the main building. I stayed in the Patio View room which I found to be spacious and comfortable, as well as having a large bathroom across the hall. I confess that using a bathroom which was separate from my room was a little daunting to me at first, especially as I was concerned about waking people later at night or running into other guests in my pyjamas (and untamed hair) but it was totally fine and I got used to it pretty quickly. It is a private bathroom as the other rooms have en-suites, and it's also the largest of the 4, with the benefit of being well equipped with toiletries and stylishly decorated. I regretted not making more time for a bubble bath!

Patio View Bedroom

Patio View Bathroom

Everything was well-maintained to a high standard, comfortable, and clean; they also provided an impressive spread of tea, biscuits, and coffees in the room which really accentuates the homely and relaxing vibe of the guesthouse.

The assortment of hot drinks and biscuits in the room makes the experience of Sunnybank that bit cosier.

Breakfast & Lounge Areas

By the time I had thought to take a picture of the rest, my toast was half demolished and my coffee almost gone...needless to say I didn't think it would make for the most appetising of photos, so I stuck with the main part!

This has all the makings of a perfect reading spot.