Marriott Dalmahoy Hotel & Country Club

The Pentland hills enfold this upscale country club in a verdant embrace, yet Edinburgh is close enough for you to see its castle on the skyline. Those with a serious golf habit are kept busy by two courses woven into a thousand acres of wooded parkland, and the glorious Georgian mansion is now kitted out with all the requisite gym and spa action you could ask for as foreplay to dining in the glossy Pentland restaurant. A split-level layout means that everyone gets a piece of the glorious hilly backdrop, while splendid Scottish ingredients take a bow in uncomplicated modern dishes. Pan-fried scallops on cauliflower purée with lemon-dressed pea shoots might precede a delicate fillet of plaice with white wine, mussel and parsley risotto. To finish, Drambuie crème brûlée and shortbread hits the spot.