The Woodside

I’d driven past the Woodside loads of times and assumed it mostly catered to residents. From outside, I thought it might be gloomy, but lunch there today was a lovely surprise. The interior is bright, classy and contemporary, and the staff were friendly and efficient. Best of all, the food was delicious and plentiful. Two of us avoid dairy and gluten, and there were excellent GF and Vegan options on specific menus. They could also adapt several dishes from the standard menu. We all really enjoyed it. Definitely worth a visit.

We slept really well in the comfortable beds, and the atmosphere was relaxing, especially by the fireplace and couches. Staff were very friendly, and there’s parking on site. Breakfast was quite generous: you choose a hot option from the menu, with some included and others costing extra. They also had porridge, cereal, cornflakes, oat milk on request, vegan butter, Marmelade, vegan oat bars, fruit and sourdough bread, so there were options for vegans. The room was a bit small, the bathroom wasn’t completely clean, and there was nowhere to put our things apart from a few jacket hangers. Doune Castle is about a ten minute walk away. It’s a good location, and all in all I’d recommend the hotel.

We stopped at The Woodside for an early dinner, and the cosy, welcoming atmosphere drew us in as soon as we arrived. The staff were lovely and the service was excellent. I was especially pleased by the superb range on the gluten free menu, and the food was delicious. Stirling Castle and Deanston distillery are nearby, particularly if you’re driving. You can book a room or an apartment here. There are Outlander nods and great quotes dotted around The Woodside, along with its distinctive decor. It suits couples and families, and there’s a dog friendly area too. Definitely worth a visit!

The room was spacious, the bed comfortable and the staff lovely. We ate there in the evening and enjoyed the food. Breakfast had good choices and generous portions. A lovely place to stay, definitely recommend.