Kylesku Hotel, Kylestrome, Scottish Highlands

You're unlikely to miss the hotel, lying on the edge of Loch Glendhu a short distance from the unmistakably elegant bridge of the same name on the North Coast 500 route. Assynt is a sparsely populated, wildly beautiful part of Scotland, with dramatic mountains and glorious white sandy beaches. The big draw here is some of the best walking (and climbing) in the country, but there are also painters, potters and all manner of craftspeople selling their wares: Highland Stoneware is enduringly popular.

By car: around 5 hours from Edinburgh, 9 hours from Sheffield and 12 hours from London. There is free parking on site.

They've wisely let the scenery do the talking here, making a virtue of decorative restraint but not at the expense of style or comfort. It's busy and buzzy (although there's a private lounge for residents) but feels incredibly relaxed. Just don't expect super fast broadband (or plumbing for that matter). Do expect to eat well and sleep like a top.

Hosts Sonia and Tanja couldn't be more hands-on, or more approachable, happy to give information and advice and dedicated to the happiness of their guests. Facilities are squarely aimed at the outdoor life, with a laundry service and drying facilities for soggy walkers, and picnics or takeaway meals for the knapsack or beach.

• Restaurant
• Bar
• Terrace
• Pet friendly

• Free parking

• Free Wi-Fi

Because of the way the hotel has grown, room sizes vary wildly but all share the same unifying look: calm, bleached colours with smart accents in tweed and most, but not all, with king or super-king size beds. Bathrooms are bright with clean white tiles and tongue and groove accents. Only three rooms have baths, as well as showers, and two rooms don't have ensuite facilities.

Room types: Rooms 1-11

Key amenities: complimentary toiletries, double bed, TV, tea and coffee-making facilities, free Wi-Fi

Really, you should eat fish, given that you can watch the langoustines being landed on the quay while the boat that brings the mussels is a short stroll away. But you won't go wrong with some local lamb (served with black pudding) or venison with grilled apples and Pommes Anna.

Restaurant: emphasis on local ingredients. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Mains from £9.35

Bar: wide range of single-malt whiskies, local craft beer and locally-distilled gins.