Gleddoch Golf & Spa Resort

The spa itself was enjoyable, and we had a pleasant visit for the most part, but the advertised glass of fizz on arrival never appeared. We’d used gifted vouchers for a spa day at Gleddoch House’s Imperia Spa, and that drink was included in what we’d paid for. We were also sent to a private function room for lunch by reception staff instead of the right dining area. It confused and upset the people in the room, and although we were told someone would take us to the correct place, nobody did. The welcome at reception had already felt rather cold. After we got home, I checked the voucher and emailed politely to flag the missing drink. I got no reply, and a second courteous email nearly two weeks later was ignored too. By March, both were still unanswered. A quick acknowledgement could have sorted this out, but the silence over a reasonable concern has left us disappointed in the customer care and accountability. We’d been thinking about making enquiries to hold our wedding at Gleddoch House after the visit. We won’t pursue that now. Being ignored over a small issue doesn’t give us confidence about how a more important occasion might be handled, and we wouldn’t return.

The reply below is complete nonsense. There’s no information on the TV. We tried every channel, and the email we received contained nothing like what they claim. As I said before, their explanation also conflicts with the times on the website and the check-in card. Even before we arrived, I got a scam WhatsApp message with my booking details asking me to pay through a fraudulent website. I emailed the link to reception before arrival and was told to report it. Where did they get my booking reference and phone number? I use a VPN on my devices, so it must have come from the hotel’s computers or staff. With my many years of hospitality experience in 4- and 5-star hotels, I could say a lot about how badly this place is run. They just don’t want to admit the service is poor. We booked the stay as a birthday treat and had high hopes, but they didn’t last. I’ve worked for years in 4- and 5-star hotels, and I can’t see how this deserves four stars. Room 57 was supposed to be an Executive Room, but honestly felt like a prison. The patio doors had privacy film and no view at all. The room was basic, with no safe or fridge, and the supposedly smart TV barely had five channels. No apps worked, and it wasn’t even connected to WiFi. There was no hotel information, opening times, local guide or menus in the room. The WiFi was terrible, with one bar at best. The bedside lights didn’t work, nor did one of the sockets beside the bed. As we left, we noticed people could see in through the patio doors, so it looks like they were fitted backwards. The layout was awful and the signs confusing enough that we ended up helping other guests find their rooms. We’d booked the spa, but were told on arrival that our booking was for the following week. Once inside, we wished we hadn’t bothered. At 6pm on Sunday it was so packed, probably more than 40 people crammed into a small spa. We had to queue for the facilities, which is hardly relaxing. Nobody showed us around as they have at every other spa we’ve visited, and one man behaved childishly, throwing ice around regardless of who was in front of him. Breakfast had its own problems. Half the continental options were missing, there were no tablespoons or toaster, and when we asked for spoons, we got teaspoons for cereal. The sugar bowls weren’t filled either. We got one pot of tea for two, while other tables had one each. Breakfast and spa hours overlap if you want to use the spa in the morning. Times on the website didn’t match the card we were handed at check-in, and the restaurant menus differed from the online ones. I could go on. This hotel is badly run and needs a lot of improvement. It gets plenty of hype, but it’s the little things that make a four-star hotel, and in my opinion this place shouldn’t even be one star.

The outdoor jacuzzi was wonderful, rain and all, and the spa and massage were fabulous. I went with my daughter in law for a spa day. It was really clean and quiet while we were there. I’d recommend it if you’ve got a few spare pounds.

We had a very good midweek stay, with dinner and a spa visit, and the price was great. The spa was spotless, with an impressive outdoor sauna whose floor-to-ceiling windows looked toward the Clyde and Argyll. There was also a big outdoor hot tub for 8-10 people, an outdoor cold water bucket and even a brass monkey ice bath. The spa bar had a nice selection of drinks to take to the tub, and there were two strong steam rooms with different aromas, plus an indoor sauna. Dinner was excellent, and every staff member we dealt with was friendly and attentive. It’s great to see a place like this doing well on the west coast. Mar Hall is one of the few alternatives, though it might cost quite a bit more. We’ll definitely come back and recommend it to friends and family.