I Stayed Around Loch Lomond: Real Places, Real Nights

I’ve stayed around Loch Lomond four times now. Different budgets. Different moods. Sometimes I wanted a posh treat. Sometimes I just needed a base to hike Ben Lomond and sleep hard. And you know what? The loch keeps showing off—big views, soft light, and that clean, pine air. If you want the blow-by-blow of each overnight, you can skim my candid diary of real places and real nights around Loch Lomond. But stays here can be hit or miss if you don’t know the vibe of each spot.

Here’s what I tried, what I loved, and what made me raise an eyebrow.

The Fancy One: Cameron House, Balloch

I stayed at Cameron House for a birthday weekend. It felt like a movie. My room faced the marina. I woke to glassy water and a pale sky that looked painted. The bed? Deep and cloud-like. The bathroom had heated floors, which made me grin like a kid.

• What I liked:

  • The pool and steam room were spotless and calm.
  • The Boathouse restaurant had easy food and a relaxed buzz. My fish came flaky and hot. Chips were crisp, not soggy.
  • Staff were warm without being stiff. One porter showed me a shortcut to the path by the water. That was kind.

• The not-so-great:

  • It’s pricey. Not news, but still. Plenty of recent guest feedback backs that up.
  • The main spaces feel busy on weekends. Weddings, families, golfers—lots to watch, but not quiet.

Tip: Ask for a loch-facing room away from the lift. We slept well once we moved one floor up. Also, book a cruise with Sweeney’s from Balloch if the weather plays nice. You get the big views without driving.

The View-Soaked One: The Lodge on Loch Lomond, Luss

Two nights here, and I kept my curtains open. The room had a huge window and a wee balcony. Luss sits like a postcard—stone cottages, a small pier, soft sand. The hotel is right on the beach. I walked down in my sweater, cup of tea in hand, and watched the mist lift. It felt slow in a good way.

• What I liked:

  • The view. It hugs you from bed to breakfast.
  • Big bath, strong shower, and hot water quick.
  • You can stroll to the pier in two minutes. I grabbed fudge from the village and caught a boat ride with Cruise Loch Lomond.

• The not-so-great:

  • It can get noisy during weddings. Music drifted up a bit on Saturday night.
  • Breakfast ran slow at peak time. I waited for coffee longer than I wanted.

Tip: Book a higher floor with full loch view. Luss is busy by day with bus tours, but it turns calm in the evening. That’s when it’s magic.

The Cozy Pub Base: Oak Tree Inn, Balmaha

This one’s great for walkers. I stayed above the pub. My room was snug, clean, and warm. Not fancy. Just right after a muddy climb up Conic Hill. I could see the loch peeking through trees. Downstairs, the fire smelled of peat. I ordered their steak pie and a pint, and I did not share.

• What I liked:

  • Location. You can start the West Highland Way path right there.
  • Big breakfast. The porridge hit the spot. They serve St Mocha coffee next door too.
  • Staff are straight-up friendly.

• The not-so-great:

  • It’s a busy spot. You may hear chairs scoot and folks laugh late.
  • Parking fills up fast on sunny weekends. I had to circle twice.

Tip: Ask for a room at the back if you’re a light sleeper. Pack earplugs anyway. And bring layers—the wind near the water stings.

The Hiker’s Hub: Rowardennan Youth Hostel

I booked a private room here before my Ben Lomond hike. Simple bedding. Hot showers. Drying room for wet boots. The kitchen is shared, and I made pasta while two German hikers planned tomorrow’s route with a map spread across the table. It felt like camp, but nicer.

• What I liked:

  • Price. You save cash for other fun.
  • You step outside, and the trail is right there.
  • Quiet at night, except for the wind and the odd door click.

• The not-so-great:

  • Phone signal is patchy. Wi-Fi worked, but not fast.
  • You need to bring food or buy basics ahead. Shops are not close.

Tip: Pack snacks, headlamp, and blister plasters. Weather flips here. I started in sun and finished in sideways rain.

Cabin Time: Loch Lomond Holiday Park (Inveruglas)

I stayed in a two-bedroom lodge with a hot tub. The deck looked straight at the water. Geese wandered like tiny guards. I set the tub to warm while we grilled dinner on the deck. It felt like a small, happy secret.

• What I liked:

  • Space. The living room had a big couch and a clean kitchen.
  • Hot tub under a pale pink sky. Yes, I’m that person.
  • Good base for the north loch and Arrochar Alps.

• The not-so-great:

  • Midges. They ruled the evening in summer. I wore a head net and still got nipped.
  • You need a car. It’s not a stroll-to-dinner place.

Tip: Bring midge spray, citronella coils, and long sleeves. Trust me. Also, toss a few board games in your bag.

Tent by the Water: Cashel Campsite

I pitched a tent with friends here in late June. We got a flat spot near the shore. The air smelled of wet grass and pine. It rained, then stopped, then rained again. Classic Scotland. We ate cheddar and biscuits and told the same stories twice.

• What I liked:

  • The setting. Water right there. Ben Lomond looming.
  • Staff were patient when our stove refused to light.
  • Showers were hot and clean in the morning.

• The not-so-great:

  • Midges again. Big time at dusk.
  • Wind picked up and rattled the flysheet all night.

Tip: Bring solid pegs, a mallet, and a good groundsheet. If you can, face your tent away from the gusts; the loch funnels wind like a hallway.

Thinking about bending the rules with a cheeky wild camp or a late-night dram on the pier? Give this straight-talk guide on how to fuck around and not get caught a read—it spells out exactly how to stay respectful, dodge fines, and generally keep the rangers off your back so the only thing you take home is a good story, not a ticket.

Heading back toward Glasgow for a livelier after-hours vibe? If the loch’s quiet pubs close too early and you fancy some discreet, adult-only company, a quick detour into the Belvidere area can keep the night rolling; Belvidere Escorts offers a vetted roster of companions with transparent rates and real-time availability, letting you arrange stress-free meet-ups without any awkward guesswork.

Food Bits I Keep Going Back To

• Duck Bay near Arden: busy, fun, big plates. The sticky toffee pudding is a hug.
• The Village Rest in Luss: hearty soups and toasties, quick service.
• The Boathouse at Cameron: pizza for the table, views for days.
• St Mocha in Balmaha: coffee, ice cream, and a shortbread I still think about.

Also, try a boat trip if the water is calm. Some waterbuses run to spots like Luss and Tarbet. If you’re up for kayaking, paddle-boarding or a guided bike ride, check out Can You Experience which operates right on the loch and makes it easy to book gear or tours. It makes the area feel bigger, and somehow smaller too. Anglers, meanwhile, can get the low-down on kit, permits, and the best banks in my brutally honest Loch Lomond fishing review.

What I’d Book Again (And Why)

• For a treat: Cameron House. It’s a splurge, but the pool and service make it feel special.
• For a romantic view: The Lodge on Loch Lomond. Sunsets turn the room gold.
• For walkers on a budget: Rowardennan Youth Hostel. It just works.
• For a group or family: Loch Lomond Holiday Park. Space, hot tub, and easy nights.
• For a pub feel near a great hike: Oak Tree Inn. Simple and warm.

Quick Tips That Made My Stays Better

• Book a loch view room when you can. It changes your mood.
• Bring midge spray from May to September. A head net if you’re sweet-blooded.
• The A82 can be noisy. Ask for rooms away from the road in places near it.
• Weather