It was the best of times, it was the worst of times... We booked rooms to bookend our road trip around Scotland. As a family of 5 it meant splitting into a 2 and a 3, and on our first night, a Sunday, we were given 3 doubles instead of 2 family rooms. We were told this was due to some redecorating of the family accommodation. I was a little sceptical at first as it would mean our 14yr old having a room to himself, but the 3 rooms we were given were the only rooms in one wing of the building, meaning we could come and go as we needed between the rooms. Rooms 6,7&8 were all doubles, room 7 being noticeably smaller and harder to navigate. There wasn't anywhere to put a suitcase, and I'm glad we only had 1 night there. The decor was fresh and modern, and I was happy with everything else -apart from some lumpy pillows which could do with replacing. Sufficient tea, coffee, milk and some tasty biscuits were welcome. I was optimistic about our stay on the homeward journey. We arrived on a Friday night at about 8.30pm. The restaurant/bar seemed busy. We checked in fine, the rooms were similar decor (grey and white) as our previous rooms, but we had the two family rooms ( 4&5 ) this time. Each was bigger than the doubles downstairs, having an actual cupboard/wardrobe to hang clothes up rather than just hangers on the wall. The doors had a strange wooden footplate (which was broken, for room 4,) and squeeky. It was warm, and I thought a window had been left open as it was quite clear to hear people outside out for a smoke. It wasn't until I went to close the window that I realised it WAS shut, but there was a big gap at the top of each window allowing sound and a draft through. Then came the music. A talented lady singing live in the Corrie...which I'm sure was a bonus to the patrons of the bar, but not a family with children trying to get to sleep. The live music went on until 12am. Phew, I could finally get to sleep ...alas, the DJ started playing club music until 1am, at which point I was finally able to go to sleep...until 2.20am when I was woken by the staff shouting to each other as they cleared away. The pillows were lumpy here too, and a broken bathroom floor seems to have caught a few people out. I managed to kick it with my foot while wearing shoes, my son wasn't so fortunate and did it barefoot. By the look of it, it's a common problem. If we'd stayed out first night on a Friday in these rooms I would have cancelled the follow-up visit, as sleep is a Fundamental for me, and I got a terrible night. Strangely the windows in room 5 were actually broken at the top, making the room noisy and draughty, and I could get my finger into one of the gaps! I would stay again in the doubles 6&8, but not on a weekend.
Very Good
109 Reviews