‘Stunning’ Scottish whisky hotel named top travel destination by prestigious guide
A Highland hotel known for its whisky bar has been named as one of the best by the Michelin Guide.
The Michelin Guide inspectors are known for travelling the world and awarding the best restaurants stars and bib gourmands. But since 2024, the prestigious guide has awarded Michelin Keys for the most exceptional experiences.
In a start-of-year round up of destinations to inspire travel in 2026, the inspectors have chosen their favourite hotels from around the world - and one is in Speyside.
They said: “But these, newly found in the final months of the year, aren’t just some of the best-executed and special places in the world: Their particular settings — whether national parks, working farms, small towns or major cities — make reams of research irrelevant.”
From Japan to Norway and Australia, the list included the family-run Speyside hotel, The Dowans, which was added to the Guide in September 2025.
The Michelin Guide inspectors said of The Dowans: “This one’s all about the whisky. Dowans is a family-run, 16-room treasure in the Speyside region, where The Macallan, Glenfiddich, Glenlivet and many more distill their spirits.
“The hotel has two charming bars: the MBar, where whiskies are fashioned into cocktails both classic and contemporary, and The Still, home to the hotel’s 750-strong whisky collection featuring some seriously impressive bottles.
“Sip a dram in here when you’re not on never-ending tasting tours throughout the region, and return in time for the afternoon tea service from the hotel’s own in-house baker.”
The hotel has been run by the Murray family for 13 years, and, since 2012 the family has overseen a programme of restoration and refurbishment, transforming the listed building into a modern, character-rich venue while retaining its historical features.
Commenting on the hotel’s addition to the Michelin Guide, Lauren Murray, managing director of the Dowans Hotel, said the accolade marked the culmination of years of commitment.
She said: “This recognition has been 13 years in the making. From the day we took on the Dowans, our goal has been to build something special here in Speyside.
“We are incredibly proud of our team, past and present, whose creativity, commitment, and hard work have helped shape the Dowans into what it is today. Most importantly, we want to thank our guests, the whisky community, and our local community, who have supported and inspired us throughout this journey. This achievement belongs as much to them as it does to us.”
Other hotels in the list are: Petals Hotel in Tokyo, Japan; Hattvika Lodge in Ballstad, Norway; The Sanctuary at Alba Thermal Springs & Spas in Fingal, Australia; The Oberoi Vindhyavilas Wildlife Resort in Tāla, India and Quercus in Georgia, USA.
The Michelin ceremony to announce new stars and bib gourmands for the UK and Ireland will take place on 9 February in Dublin and the Michelin Keys will be announced later in the year.
Scotland has 11 Michelin Star restaurants as per the 2025 Guide and 15 hotels with Michelin Keys.
Find out more via the Michelin website.
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