How I used Hilton points to stay at a real Scottish castle
Did you know you can stay in a castle using hotel points?
Like an actual, real-world castle where Queen Victoria once stayed, with a private loch on a 500-acre estate in the Scottish Highlands near Fort William. A castle castle.
Well, you absolutely can stay in a castle on hotel points, and we just did it. We booked a stay at the 17-room Inverlochy Castle Hotel, which starts at 110,000 Hilton Honors points per night. That may sound like a lot of points, but since cash rates start around $1,000, it's actually a very solid use of your Hilton Honors points, especially considering it is a castle after all.
Related: These are the best ways to earn hotel points
As you might expect, the grounds of the castle hotel are exquisite. With 500 lush acres nestled in an area known for mountains and glens, you'll want to budget some time to get outside and enjoy.
The inside of the castle feels like you've stepped into someone's centuries-old estate that's been passed down for generations, which is not usually my vibe. However, this is a castle, so the decor works for the setting and helps you pretend you're living out a few episodes of "The Crown" while on a Scottish summer holiday.
Booking rooms in Inverlochy Castle on points
We booked our rooms (which had a maximum of double occupancy) when they were a smidge less expensive, at 105,000 Hilton Honors points per night.
Pro tip: You can earn up to 175,000 Hilton Honors points via a welcome offer for a Hilton card or transfer points to Hilton (sometimes with a transfer bonus) from programs such as American Express Membership Rewards and Chase Ultimate Rewards.
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When staying on a standard number of Hilton points, the room options are either in the main castle or the separate walled garden. I stayed in the main castle, but because we needed multiple rooms, we also had one in the garden area, where you'll find an additional eight rooms. The garden rooms do look a touch more modern and have bigger bathrooms, so there are benefits and drawbacks for each option. That said, I'd probably pick the main castle if given the choice.
Here's a look at the garden room, which was about a five-minute walk from the main castle.
And here is a selection of photos from the two rooms we had in the castle itself. Just know that if you are traveling as a family like we were, you're probably going to have to book multiple rooms, so plan in advance, as occupancy really is limited in a castle.
Dining in the castle (sometimes free, thanks to elite status)
As Hilton Gold members (by virtue of having the The Platinum Card® from American Express; enrollment required), we were told that a full breakfast was included. It was a delicious treat with a small buffet table with continental options (locally sourced, when possible) and a list of cooked-to-order entrees such as a full Scottish breakfast, whisky-cured sea trout and pancakes.
Like everything at the castle, it wasn't just what you were served, but how it was served — upon charming china sets and surrounded by flowers in this case — that really stood out and made it special.
We skipped the fancy multicourse dinner you can book in the evenings with one set timed seating, but we did enjoy tea and a more casual meal with soups, burgers and sandwiches by the fireplace with a live pianist in the background after that formal dinner was over.
Even if you don't eat a meal at the Inverlochy Castle (though you should!), I highly recommend making time for a cocktail, mocktail, or glass of wine or whisky as the selections are lengthy and the ambience just can't be beat.
Getting to Inverlochy Castle
If you're wondering how you actually get to the property, nearby Fort William is accessible via the Jacobite Steam Train, made extra famous by the "Harry Potter" film series. So, if you were so inclined, you could experience that iconic train and this castle in the same trip.
Otherwise, the castle is a scenic drive from both Edinburgh (about three hours) and Glasgow (about 2 1/2 hours) if you choose to rent a car after flying into either of those cities.
Is it worth staying in a castle?
Between the high ceilings and chandeliers, the live piano music, the historic and vibe-y billiards room, the immaculate grounds, playing chess by the fireplace, and cozy heated towel racks, the entire experience of staying in a real Scottish castle on Hilton points was an opportunity way too special to pass up while we were on a larger trip to Scotland.
Sometimes you just need your hotel points for a convenient overnight somewhere, but sometimes, the stay can be a memorable part of the experience all on its own. Inverlochy Castle is definitely in that latter category for us, and there's no question this was absolutely worth the Hilton points it took to book our memorable stay.
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