The Old Coach House Hotel

I was meant to stay for two weeks for work, but after four nights I moved to Elgin. There was a microwave and kettle in the lounge, but no working kitchen or bar, and no food or breakfast. Apparently those haven't been operating for a year or two, so finding that out after a nine hour drive was very disappointing. Buckie has a few takeaways, though some places weren't open in the evening, and Subway is open 8-5. The first room was a small, tired single with no space for bags. The owner moved us to a double after we spoke, but it wasn't much better: the bed was uncomfortable, two lumpy pillows had been stuffed into one pillowcase, and an opened shower gel from the previous guest was left in the shower. A lolly pop stick was propping up the shower head. Every floorboard creaked and wobbled, even in other rooms, so you could hear people moving about at night. I was very disappointed. Maybe bearable for a night if you're just passing through.

For an affordable base between Inverness and Aberdeen, this worked well for me. It’s a budget hotel with parking, and takeaway places are nearby. The owners are friendly, and the rooms were very clean with all the basics. It’s about 400 metres from the sea, right in central Buckie. If you want a decent, clean place with a bit of comfort for a few days, especially at a low price, it’s a good enough option for getting around the area.

The bathroom smelled of smoke, and there were cigarette ends in the toilet when I arrived. Most surfaces had a thick coating of dust, and I had to wait ten minutes for the shower to heat up. Unfortunately, one of the worst places I’ve stayed. I wouldn’t recommend it.

The host was incredibly friendly and let me book at very short notice. I had a great time over my two nights and would recommend it if you want good value and aren’t after luxury. The room had a TV, and while it was a bit dated, everything was very clean. The sheets and towels were spotless, the bed was comfortable, and the bathroom did what it needed to.