Cullen Bay Hotel

We came to Findochty to bury our mother and discovered this gem of a village. The staff were patient, kind and understanding with our family, especially Chloe and Mark. The accommodation was clean and bright, with views that take your breath away, and the beds were soft and warm. We enjoyed the delicious food, including the haggis quesadillas, and it’s a short walk to the beach. Dogs are welcome too. Thanks again for the patience and service, I can’t wait to come back.

We really enjoyed our meal at the Cullen Bay Hotel, and the staff’s excellent service made it even better. Taylor, our waitress, deserves a special mention for being professional and attentive. She clearly knows how to look after a table.

The best thing about this hotel is the unrivalled view over Cullen Bay. It sits just outside the lovely little town, about a pleasant ten-minute walk along the coastal trail. The old period building must once have been attractive, but it now suffers from unflattering modern additions and a lack of upkeep to the building and grounds. Inside, the two dining areas are both in the veranda overlooking the bay, with a bar at the back. There’s also a lounge, though it felt rather uninviting and probably doesn’t get used much. The areas looked recently decorated and were spotless. The restaurant menu was reasonable but uninspiring, though it drew a steady crowd of people who weren’t staying at the hotel. Neither restaurant has soundproofing, so both get very noisy when busy. Breakfast in the veranda was basic but adequate. Our room was clean and had gorgeous views through the bay window, but the room itself was dated, basic and very overpriced at £166 per night for B&B. Calling it spacious is a stretch, and I wouldn’t want to try one of the rooms described as standard. You pay extra for a sea view, and without one there’d be little reason to visit. There’s no lift or help carrying bags up the narrow stairs. It is dog friendly. We found it reasonable as a no-frills place, but the price felt above what it offers.

We asked for a larger room so there’d be space for the two of us and our big lab. It had a desk with two chairs and a small sofa for watching TV. The food was excellent, especially what we reckon is the world’s best Cullen Skunk. The location is fantastic, just outside Cullen with views across the golf course and sea. Across the road you can join the old railway line, walk over a viaduct like something from Harry Potter, or head to Portnockie to see Bow Fiddle Rock. We definitely recommend Cullen Bay Hotel. We had