We have just returned from a weeks stay in one of the Clova lodges. They are absoloutely stunning. It's a beautiful place, surrounded by snowy mountains. It is very remote, this is why we booked it. They are immaculate inside, they have under floor heating, hot tubs, sauna. Kitchen and bathroom to a high standard, flat screen TV, dvd player, laminate floors. Couldn't fault it at all.
We did a lot of walking and we were lucky enough to get snow. If you walk up the back of the hotel past the Hideaway lodges you can go on a (steep!) walk up to Loch Brandy. As you face the hotel take the road left (signposted dead end), this road takes you up to Glen Doll where there are some beautiful walks. It's best to drive there. There are a good 5 or 6 walks and because it's the Cairngorns national park all the routes are planned and easy to follow. We did the Corrie Fee walk it was stunning, just like Narnia.
You have to drive about six miles to get a signal on your phone so it's great if you want to get away from it all. There are pay phones at the hotel though.
The hotel itself is lovely - we took a dog so we only ate in the climbers bar where they allow dogs, which is lovely and full of charachter. The food is good too with local produce - venison, pheasant etc. The staff are excellent and really hard working and friendly, especially the lad behind the bar in climbers bar, he deserves a mention!
Kirrimuir is about 15 miles away there is a Coop there, Blairgowrie is a nice drive out too.
Great for a romantic break, book it, you won't be disappointed, we couldn't recommend it highly enough and will definately return.
PS it's best to book directly with glen clova rather than hoseasons, as the week we wanted showed that no lodges for couples were left, but when we rang up they advised that they did a deal where you can have one of the bigger lodges and they just lock the second bedroom/bathroom off.
- Hotel Glen Clova
