Easy methods to guide a citadel in Scotland utilizing Hilton factors

Do you know you may keep in a citadel utilizing resort factors?

Like an precise, real-world citadel the place Queen Victoria as soon as stayed, with a personal loch on a 500-acre property within the Scottish Highlands close to Fort William. A citadel citadel.

Nicely, you completely can keep in a citadel on resort factors, and we simply did it. We booked a keep on the 17-room Inverlochy Fort Lodge, which begins at 110,000 Hilton Honors factors per evening. That will sound like loads of factors, however since money charges begin round $1,000, it is really a really strong use of your Hilton Honors factors, particularly contemplating it’s a citadel in spite of everything.

Associated: These are the perfect methods to earn resort factors

As you would possibly count on, the grounds of the citadel resort are beautiful. With 500 lush acres nestled in an space recognized for mountains and glens, you may wish to price range a while to get exterior and luxuriate in.

The within of the citadel feels such as you’ve stepped into somebody’s centuries-old property that is been handed down for generations, which isn’t often my vibe. Nevertheless, this can be a citadel, so the decor works for the setting and helps you faux you are residing out just a few episodes of “The Crown” whereas on a Scottish summer season vacation.

Reserving rooms in Inverlochy Fort on factors

We booked our rooms (which had a most of double occupancy) once they have been a smidge cheaper, at 105,000 Hilton Honors factors per evening.

Professional tip: You’ll be able to earn as much as 175,000 Hilton Honors factors by way of a welcome provide for a Hilton card or switch factors to Hilton (typically with a switch bonus) from applications akin to American Categorical Membership Rewards and Chase Final Rewards.

When staying on a normal variety of Hilton factors, the room choices are both in the principle citadel or the separate walled backyard. I stayed in the principle citadel, however as a result of we would have liked a number of rooms, we additionally had one within the backyard space, the place you may discover a further eight rooms. The backyard rooms do look a contact extra trendy and have larger loos, so there are advantages and disadvantages for every choice. That mentioned, I would in all probability choose the principle citadel if given the selection.

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Here is a take a look at the backyard room, which was a couple of five-minute stroll from the principle citadel.

And here’s a choice of images from the 2 rooms we had within the citadel itself. Simply know that in case you are touring as a household like we have been, you are in all probability going to must guide a number of rooms, so plan upfront, as occupancy actually is restricted in a citadel.

Eating within the citadel (typically free, because of elite standing)

As Hilton Gold members (by advantage of getting the The Platinum Card® from American Categorical; enrollment required), we have been informed {that a} full breakfast was included. It was a scrumptious deal with with a small buffet desk with continental choices (domestically sourced, when potential) and a listing of cooked-to-order entrees akin to a full Scottish breakfast, whisky-cured sea trout and pancakes.

Like all the things on the citadel, it wasn’t simply what you have been served, however the way it was served — upon charming china units and surrounded by flowers on this case — that actually stood out and made it particular.

We skipped the flowery multicourse dinner you may guide within the evenings with one set timed seating, however we did get pleasure from tea and a extra informal meal with soups, burgers and sandwiches by the hearth with a reside pianist within the background after that formal dinner was over.

Even for those who do not eat a meal on the Inverlochy Fort (although you need to!), I extremely advocate making time for a cocktail, mocktail, or glass of wine or whisky because the choices are prolonged and the atmosphere simply cannot be beat.

Attending to Inverlochy Fort

Should you’re questioning the way you really get to the property, close by Fort William is accessible by way of the Jacobite Steam Prepare, made additional well-known by the “Harry Potter” movie sequence. So, for those who have been so inclined, you can expertise that iconic practice and this citadel in the identical journey.

In any other case, the citadel is a scenic drive from each Edinburgh (about three hours) and Glasgow (about 2 1/2 hours) for those who select to lease a automotive after flying into both of these cities.

Is it value staying in a citadel?

Between the excessive ceilings and chandeliers, the reside piano music, the historic and vibe-y billiards room, the stainless grounds, enjoying chess by the hearth, and comfy heated towel racks, your entire expertise of staying in an actual Scottish citadel on Hilton factors was a possibility manner too particular to move up whereas we have been on a bigger journey to Scotland.

Generally you simply want your resort factors for a handy in a single day someplace, however typically, the keep is usually a memorable a part of the expertise all by itself. Inverlochy Fort is unquestionably in that latter class for us, and there is not any query this was completely definitely worth the Hilton factors it took to guide our memorable keep.

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