Travel: Cameron House, Loch Lomond, review - we try the luxury self-catering at this five-star resort

Our experience at one of their alternative properties

Mansion House Suite at Cameron House

I’ve already had my perfect summer moment.

It was while kayaking on Loch Lomond.

My pea green boat was bouncing off the waves, the sun was out, but there was a cool breeze. I could hear happy chatter drifting from Cameron House’s marina and nearby paddle-boarders, and I thought that this is as good as it gets, file this in the memory bank.

Mansion House Suits at Cameron House view

Not that this was the only great thing about my recent visit to this five-star destination.

There is more to the resort than their original Auld Hoose or the contemporary-looking new Lomond Wing, which has been shortlisted for a Scottish Design Award 2023. You can also stay in their one to four bedroom cottages and lodges that are scattered along the shoreline.

Their residents are allowed to use the 18-hole championship golf course, the pool, cinema, bars, restaurants and gym in the main building. They also get a discounted rate when visiting the Thermal Suite at the Carrick Spa.

That’s not to mention access to the on-site activities, from 4x4 to segway.

Mansion House Suites exterior

According to one of the staff members, there’s a guest who stays in a lodge for 11 weeks every year. I could do that, without getting bored.

We were at their self-catering Mansion House Suites, beside The Carrick Golf Course, The Clubhouse and The Cameron Spa, just a few minutes away from the main hotel, which you can access with the regular shuttle service. The brass plaque in the corridor tells us it was opened in 2006 by HRH The Princess Royal. Now we are gracing it with our presence.

We’re in MacDuff, up on the first floor. It’s an accessible building with a lift, and another for wheelchairs, and the properties have wide double doors.

Our apartment consists of an open plan living and kitchen space, with a dining table for six. The decor is neutral, with some rather cool abstract paintings to jazz things up. We have one double bedroom and a twin, both with en-suites, one of which has a bath and both with walk-in showers. And there are three loos in the building, since nothing says luxury more than never having to queue for the cludgie.

For the best view, go out to the stone balcony, where you can see the loch through the trees and also watch golfers struggle with a punishing hole that’s flanked by four bunkers.

It’s an extremely luxurious base, though you might not be indoors for long.

We followed the neighbouring path, which leads to a pebble beach and pier, where we stand and wave to wild swimmers. We also spot some equally intrepid baby frogs that are trying to make it to the nearby pond.

Before we thought about kayaking or other strenuous activities, we had an appointment at The Cameron Spa. After the dash (and wobble) to their rooftop infinity hydropool, we perched at the edge of the water, looking down on the oystercatchers, who appear to love pecking at the manicured greens.

Among other things, this space features a hammam, a sauna with views, aromatherapy steam room, infrared sauna, tropical showers and an entire afternoon’s worth of other attractions. I experienced one of their classic 55-minute treatments - a mix of a back massage, and mini facial - using ESPA products.

That worked up my appetite for a tour of Cameron House’s dining options. We saved the incredible Tamburrini and Wishart for the final pit-stop, to make checking out a bit easier.

The Clubhouse is two minutes walk away from the Mansion House Suites. As well as lunch and dinner, this place serves a good breakfast, with dishes like eggs Benedict and avocado on toast.

For dinner, Cameron Grill, where there are smart dishes and surprisingly big portions, has relaxed evening vibes. We tried their house cider cured salmon, before moving onto a roasted lamb rack with Dauphinoise potatoes and corn fed chicken breast, pak choi, coriander and chilli.

On our final evening, we replaced the calories burnt through paddling and mountain biking, at their waterside venue, The Boat House. It’s painted pale blue, which threw its guests’ sunburn into stark relief, and has views out to the 234-berth marina and its resident yachts.

The focus in this restaurant is pizza and pasta, and I imagine the crowd-pleasing menu makes it a popular spot for families. We both tried the cod with smoked garlic and rosemary butter, and are glad we resisted the lure of a Margherita.

That made for another summery moment

Cameron House may as well sign me up for the entire season.

Mansion House Suites start from £249 per night at Cameron House, Loch Lomond, Alexandria (01389 312210, www.cameronlodges.com)