Nestled amidst the breathtaking landscapes of Scotland, where serene lochs meet majestic mountains, lies a haven of tranquility and rejuvenation waiting to embrace weary souls. Imagine a two-centre Scottish mini wellness spa break that promises to transport you to a realm of pure bliss and relaxation. In this enchanting journey, I'll embark on a wellness adventure that begins at the Gleddoch Golf and Spa Resort before travelling on to the luxurious Cameron House Hotel, a jewel on the banks of Loch Lomond, where the soul finds solace, and the body, serenity. Join me as I unveil the secrets to a revitalizing escape that will leave you renewed, recharged, and forever enchanted by Scotland's serene beauty.

I love to travel the world, with a particular focus on wellness which can encompass everything from relaxation to fitness, therapeutic or pampering spa treatments, hydrotherapy and thermal experiences, yoga, pilates and more. I would tend to pick hotels with great spas, and although I have stayed at Cameron House on Loch Lomond in Scotland a couple of times, it was many, many years ago before their Cameron/Carrick Spa opened which is now their prime spa.

With this mini break being opportunistic (we have been invited to a wedding at the Gleddoch), we first thought we would stay nearby at Mar Hall for a couple of nights, which is only about 5 miles (say a 10 min drive) to the Gleddoch, before then going onto Cameron House, which is a just about a 30 minute from either hotel. As it turns out, having stayed for work at Mar Hall recently, I’m so glad we’re not going back there. It was abundantly clear that this resort needed extensive renovations and refurbishment, and ironically it’s been announced recently that it has gone into administration. As Renfrewshire’s only five-star hotel, and being such a magnificent historic building in such an incredibly scenic location, it’s a real shame that it had fallen into such a state of disrepair. I understand the administrators are currently looking for a new buyer, who will have to have very deep pockets, but this is a resort (with significant investment) that could rival Gleneagles or indeed Cameron House.

The full detailed itinerary for the trip is below. All photos credit @cameronhouselochlomond & @gleddoch and thank you to The Dovetail Agency for their assistance.

Cameron House Hotel, Loch Lomond

Booking through Virtuoso and Classic Travel got me extra benefits here at Cameron House, like

• Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability

• Daily full breakfast, for up to two guests per bedroom

• Cruise on Loch Lomond on Celtic Warrior, once during stay

• Nip of Whisky from the Virtuoso Whisky Locker

• Early check-in/late check-out, subject to availability

• Complimentary Wi-Fi

There was such a choice of accommodations, but I opted for a Loch View Studio Suite in the ‘Auld House’ which, following an extraordinary restoration to the historical 17th century Baronial mansion, is home to a collection of 14 exquisitely restored suites, each named after one of Loch Lomond’s islands’. Inspired by Loch Lomond and with design influence from Glasgow’s very own Timorous Beasties, they celebrate the history and heritage of the original building. Guests residing in the Auld House Suites also receive enhanced amenities. We have dinner booked one night in the Cameron Grill and the other in the fine-dining tasting menu restaurant, Tamburrini & Wishart.

In terms of spa, I’m looking forward to going back to use the Leisure Club, which is the pool and gym facility in the hotel itself, but what I’m looking forward to most is our planned visit to the Cameron Spa, at The Carrick. I understand a new spa facility was built on their golf course, and there are regular shuttles that go between the sites, which seems to be just 3 miles and takes less than 10 minutes. With ESPA (a favourite of mine for spa treatments) being one of their key brands, they offer a whole array of treatments like facials, massages, add-ons like scrubs, foot treatments, hot stones etc. and “final flourishes” like manicures and pedicures. What particularly interested me was the option to have the private couples suite upgrade, which (for only an add-on of £60) you have an hour’s access to a private hammam jacuzzi bath with your treatments then following in the same room. I’ve booked a Deep Muscle Massage with Hot Stones for me, ‘Mrs’ The Private Traveller is having Men’s Hero - Back, Face & Scalp Treatment with Hot Stones.

It was easy to book online, the only thing that couldn’t be done online was the couples suite upgrade. I was able to phone and do this, albeit it seemed to take a while to get organised, and full payment had to be made which seemed odd when you can reserve a suite in advance without paying, but they make you pay for any spa treatments in full in advance.

In terms of other things, we also have a cruise booked on the loch in their Celtic Warrior, which seems to be just an hour and takes in some of the loch’s islands, including Inchmurrin and some hidden coves only visible by boat. 

Fast Facts for Cameron House Hotel on Loch Lomond

Address - Loch Lomond, West Dunbartonshire, G83 8QZ, Scotland, United Kingdom
Website - https://www.cameronhouse.co.uk/
TripAdvisor ranking - #6 of 22 hotels in Alexandria
Contact - reservations@cameronhouse.co.uk
Instagram - @cameronhouselochlomond
Nearest airport - Glasgow International (GLA) 26 km or 17 miles (less than a 30 min drive), Edinburgh (EDI) 64 miles
Opened - 1990 (re-opened 2021 after refurbishment)
Number of rooms / suites - 208
Number of floors - 3
Bars - 4 (Great Scots’, Tavern, Lobby & Boat House)
Restaurants - 5 (Tamburrini & Wishart, Cameron Grill, Boat House, Club House, and Spa Café)
Wellbeing - Leisure Club (in hotel) with 18m pool, sauna & steam room, bubble pool and gym/studios/classes, Carrick Spa nearby (rooftop infinity pool, hydrotherapy pool, ice fountain, experience showers, relaxation pool, Tepidarium, Caldarium, Sauna, Infrared Sauna, Hammam, Aromatherapy Room, treatments etc.), Golf, Cinema, Watersports on the Loch etc.
Visiting - September 2023

Gleddoch Hotel & Spa

Staying for a couple of nights, we arrive before the wedding day itself and I took the opportunity to book some treatments at the Gleddoch Imperia Spa. What I liked about the (very) easy online booking system was that you pick your treatment, then add an extra treatment if you want, select which guest this was for, and your preferred day and time. If the treatment had options, the booking engine would allow you to select your preferred treatments in advance. Then the best part, where you could add enhancements like a bottle of Prosecco, a bucket of beers, chocolate dipped strawberries etc. 

As well as treatments, there’s a large indoor pool, sauna, steam room, experience shower and a heated outdoor spa pool, which hopefully we’ll be able to find time to take advantage of them all. We have dinner booked at their Vista Restaurant, and we’ll definitely try out their gin bar. There is a good choice of rooms and suites with everything from Classic, Executive, Junior Suite to a Premier room before you go into the choice of The Four Poster, Heritage Junior, Clyde or Royal Suites. The Royal Suite being reserved for the bride and groom, we opted for the next best which is the Clyde Suite. This has its own hot tub in the bedroom, a separate lounge, bedroom and bathroom, views of the Clyde Estuary and features Penhaligon’s toiletries, one of my favourite brands.

Fast Facts for Gleddoch Hotel & Spa

Address - Old Greenock Road, Langbank PA14 6YE, Scotland, United Kingdom
Website - https://www.gleddoch.com/
TripAdvisor ranking - #1 of 2 hotels in Langbank
Contact - reservations@gleddoch.com
Instagram - @gleddoch
Nearest airport - Glasgow International (GLA) 15 km or 9 miles (about a 15 min drive)
Opened - 1974
Number of rooms / suites - 70 total
Number of floors - 3
Bars - 2 (Dram Whisky & Gin Bar, The Nineteenth Bar)
Restaurants - 1 (Vista)
Wellbeing - 17 metre indoor heated pool, Sauna, Steam room, Experience shower, Heated outdoor spa pool, Conservatory, Heated loungers, Outdoor terrace with panoramic Clyde views, Nail salon, Relaxation room, Six treatment rooms including a couples treatment room, Fully equipped gym, Golf
Visiting - September 2023

Actual Detailed Itinerary

• Day 1 Drive from Edinburgh to Gleddoch Hotel

  • Treatments booked include:

    • Ishga Men’s Bespoke Facial

    • Ishga Invigorating Full Body Massage

    • Mini Manicures

  • Dinner at Vista Restaurant

• Day 2 Gleddoch Hotel & Spa

  • Morning relaxation

  • Afternoon and evening Wedding

• Day 3 Drive from Gleddoch to Cameron House

• Relaxation at the Leisure Club or Cameron Spa

• Dinner at the Cameron Grill

• Day 4 Cameron House on Loch Lomond

  • Treatments booked include:

    • Private Couples Suite

    • Deep Muscle Massage with Hot Stones

    • Men’s Hero - Back, Face & Scalp Treatment with Hot Stones

  • Celtic Warrior Loch Cruise

  • Dinner Tamburrini & Wishart

• Day 5 Cameron House on Loch Lomond

  • Drive back after a leisurely breakfast

Summary

Whenever I take a trip, as well as providing the full travel itinerary (detailed above) I’ll also provide a detailed hotel review for each property along with a full spa review too. I will be posting on social channels like Instagram and also now creating a YouTube video of any hotel too.

Please check out my links to more posts below.