Lews Castle

Talk about accommodation befitting the location – it's hard to beat the special statement made by Lews Castle, which lords it over Stornoway harbour on the Isle of Lewis. This mid-19th-century Gothic Revival pile is set in community-owned woodland, parkland and gardens, and following a sumptuous restoration now features a wide range of luxury, self-catering apartments and suites on the upper floors, tucked in amongst the turrets and towers.

It's an amazing location and the interior stylings do it justice – these are classy, contemporary lodgings in largely muted colours, with swish, locally sourced, designer furnishings and luxurious bathrooms. There's a wide choice available, from some basic en-suite rooms with limited views (though only 'basic' in the context of the rest) to deluxe three-bedroom apartments with high ceilings and glorious harbour panoramas. The cheaper bedrooms don't have a kitchen and might be tucked into a hideaway space or two, but you still get an en-suite bathroom and tea- and coffee-making facilities. By the time you're looking at two- and three-bed apartments, you're getting individually styled en-suite bedrooms, a fully equipped kitchen with washing machine, a grand family bathroom, and views that make it seem like you've virtually in the harbour with the boats. Really, you need to consult the website and floorplans to get the best idea of what would suit your needs – whether that's a freestanding bathtub in a room that might otherwise only have partial rooftop views, the one pet-friendly apartment, or a huge open-plan living space.

The rather lordly style continues in the public areas, from restored ballroom to fancy whisky bar, and there's a smart daytime cafe on site that serves locally inspired dishes. Beyond the gorgeous grounds, with their walks and views, it's a short way down to the town and harbour, or a drive out to remote, white-sand beaches, standing stones, whisky distilleries, craft workshops and isolated harbours – all the things that make Lewis an extraordinary destination, now with spectacular accommodation to match.