Balmaha, Stirlingshire (01360 870 162,
www.loch-lomond-waterfront.co.uk)
THIS luxury development of five-star self-catering lodges overlooking Loch Lomond is set amid 18 acres of beautiful gro
unds. The interiors are elegant and spacious with well-equipped kitchens, en-suite bathrooms and a hydrotherapy steam shower. Some have balconies and external hot tubs on the patios, and all have fabulous views across the loch.
Getting there From Glasgow, take the A81 to Bearsden/Milngavie, then follow the A809 to Drymen and then onto the B837 to Balmaha, a drive of 35 minutes. From Edinburgh, follow the M9 to Stirling, then the A811 to Drymen and finally the B837 to Balmaha, which will take around an hour.
Room service Our tastefully decorated bedrooms were on the first level and both had balconies from which to absorb the breathtaking scenery. Some of the lodges are single level and have 'living eco roofs' made from sedum alpines. On the ground level of ours, the open-plan living area was equipped with a widescreen TV and DVD player and had a mixture of comfortable leather sofas and fabric chairs. French windows opened out onto a patio with a hot tub - perfect with a glass of bubbly or two, but beware this is midge country and perhaps is better enjoyed earlier in the day.
Out and about For those who want to pack in as much as possible, there is sailing, water sports, mountain biking, a variety of cruises, golfing, fishing, kayaking, walking, cookery courses and cocktail making. We opted for a more relaxing mailboat cruise around the islands, which conveniently docked yards away from the buzzing Oak Tree Inn where we enjoyed afternoon tea.
Alternatively, if you wish to do absolutely nothing but eat and chill, I would recommend the wonderful Claire Crawford, a holistic therapist, who gave me one of the best Swedish massages ever and all in the privacy of our own lodge. There is also a variety of places to eat in the area, and an excellent on-site café bistro.
Bed test The king-size bed matched the luxury of the bedroom both in terms of comfort and in the quality of the linen. There were proper deep-filled pillows, too.
Little extras Rod Nisbet, both manager and chef, is a vivacious and entertaining host with boundless energy and enthusiasm. If you're lucky, he may even make you his sublime Durban chicken korma. The café-restaurant menu offers both traditional Scottish cooking and dishes with an international twist.
The bottom line For a seven-night break, prices range from £670 to £1,480 depending on the time of year. Shorter stays are also available.
