Golspie Inn

The bed was really comfortable, and the bathroom was neat. The furniture was quite worn but still usable. Staff were very helpful, and there’s a garden at the back for sitting outside. It’s a lovely old building, well placed a short walk from the village, shops and beach. Tea and coffee are provided with a kettle.

Breakfast had a good selection, and I enjoyed the smoked salmon, black pudding and poached eggs. The breakfast room was freezing, though, despite having three radiators, none of them warm. The chef served us and brought butter, but there was no toast, and although glasses were set out for juice, none was available or offered. About 20 minutes after breakfast, there was still nobody at reception, only the chef around, so no one seemed available to help guests with issues. The hotel seems to run with very few staff, and the building is showing its age and needs updating. We booked with an Itison voucher and paid an extra £25 for a large double, room 8, which was awkward to find. Jocelyn checked us in and Alix seemed to be covering reception, the bar and waiting tables. They were both welcoming and friendly. The room was warm, and at first glance seemed fine. We had a reasonable evening meal in the bar, but later found one of the supposed comfortable chairs was completely broken and unusable. The bedside lamps didn’t match, and the mirror shown in the hotel photos was missing from the dressing table. There was no hotel Wi-Fi in the room and no mobile signal. The en suite had a large shower, but the next morning there was no hot water. We ran the tap for ten minutes, gave up and took a cold shower. For the extra room charge, I didn’t expect a broken chair, mismatched lamps and no hot water. The staff were lovely, but the accommodation fell short of other places offering similar Itison deals.

Our waitress was friendly and it was only her second shift, but service was very slow. Drinks took half an hour, then the food arrived after an hour and twenty minutes. We were chatting and planning our NC500 trip, so the wait didn’t bother me too much. My meal came with chips instead of mash, though, and my wife’s pheasant stew wasn’t fully hot. I’d avoid the place until they hire more staff.

We pass by most days, and my wife and I finally stopped in for a meal. The food was great and the staff were a good laugh. That featherblade beef with mash really needs to stay on the menu. I’d go back just for it, and my wife, who helped me finish mine, wants a plate of her own too.