We took a punt when we booked to stay at Fonab Castle in Pitlochry. We knew very little about it and didn’t know anybody else who had stayed there. It is also expensive; the spa and leisure facilities aren’t yet open and the cheapest rate we could find was £160 bed and breakfast for a Tuesday night.

So when we arrived we were relieved to find a beautiful building combining old and new architecture, a very friendly receptionist who showed us to our room personally, and gorgeous accommodation.

We had chosen a bedroom on the first floor of the modern wing and we were delighted with it.  Not only was it sizeable, with a small lounge area, but the decoration was fabulous and the views from our balcony sublime.  Fonab Castle is next to Loch Faskally and the lookout from the majority of the balconies, hotel brasserie and bar is stunning.  Our bathroom was quite small but adequate and we were provided with some striking Mugler toiletries and soaps.  There was also a Nespresso machine.  Not only did the concierge help us upstairs with our luggage, but he brought us decaffeinated Nespresso capsules and fresh milk too.  The customer service was impeccable.

We ate a light lunch in the bar, which is on the first floor of the hotel. Some visitors were enjoying afternoon tea, with cake stands full of sandwiches and sweet treats. There was a very relaxed atmosphere; we couldn’t help but sit and stare out of the floor to ceiling windows at the loch view and highland landscape. There wasn’t a dinner package available when we booked and I wonder if this might change in the future. Sandemans’ fine dining restaurant offers a nine course or five course gourmet menu from Wednesday – Saturday. On the Tuesday of our visit we dined in the brasserie, which is on the ground floor and below the bar with the same loch views. We were given a lovely table by itself in the corner of the room and even though we ate burgers, chips and onion rings, with the view, candlelight and decor it felt like a special occasion. Some of the other tables for two were very close together, so I would recommend asking for one by itself if you’re hoping for a more memorable dining experience.

Breakfast was an equally fun experience with three courses to choose from, each made to order.  I had a banana and yoghurt smoothie, caramelised grapefruit and a muffin with smoked salmon and scrambled egg, which was delicious.  My husband had pancakes with fresh berries.  It felt like a real treat.

We had a look into the old building, which was charming with its old stone spiral staircase.  There are plenty of bedrooms in there, too.  We also walked around the building and towards the water.  Unfortunately the path around Loch Faskally wasn’t open, but we did have a good gawp at the view from a few different vantage points.  It is absolutely beautiful, especially if you can look beyond the dam, and would make an ideal base for a walking holiday.

The spa and leisure centre is currently being built opposite the hotel and we’d love to come back when it’s open.  I just wonder by how much the price of a stay will rocket, and whether it will be prohibitively expensive.  Fingers crossed, it won’t.

An impressive 4/5.