Fodor's Expert Review Cairngorm Hotel

The suit of armor standing guard at the entrance is a good indication of what awaits within this grand old house: acres of tartan carpet, chandeliers made from antlers, and a small museum's worth of distinctly Scottish decorative items (be sure to say hello to the taxidermy golden eagle on the stairs). The straightforward, comfortable rooms offer less to look at than the foyer, though tartan tends to feature heavily here, too. The bar and restaurant serve robust lunches and dinners popular with guests and nonguests alike.