Ooters at The Mariner

When we're working away, we've had a hard time finding somewhere decent to eat near our bed and breakfast without driving. Ooter's turned out to be a great find, especially the bar. The staff are helpful and keep the pints coming, served in frozen glasses every time. The food arrives hot, with generous portions and good quality, so if you're hungry, you'll be fed.

We were glad to see this place open again. Seven of us, from young to old, enjoyed well-priced drinks and great food, and the staff were friendly and helpful. The restaurant was a bit chilly, though, and service was slow. With seven at the table, the first person had nearly finished by the time the last meal arrived. It's early days, so hopefully those little issues get sorted. We'll be back. If you're local, pop in and support the business.

The quirky retro Elvis decor gives the place a fun, laid-back feel, and there's a pool table now. The bar and restaurant staff were welcoming, attentive and helpful all evening, as usual, and the cocktails were fun. We had wine, drinks, nachos and a special chicken platter at the bar, then special ribs and macaroni pie in the restaurant. Everything was delicious, freshly made and served in big portions. I saw it's dog friendly now, too, so we'll come back with our pooches.

THE HOTEL IS CLOSED AND ABANDONED I arrived on April 28 for a night I'd booked a few months earlier, and the place was completely abandoned. I asked the neighbours whether the hotel had just moved, but they said it had closed and the owners had left three or four months before. Please be careful: you could have a hard time getting a refund or finding somewhere to sleep, especially if you arrive late and can't quickly book another night, as happened to us.