The Caledonian Hotel

I wouldn't recommend this hotel or come back. The music from downstairs was pounding through the walls at 11pm and kept us awake. The receptionist hung up before I could speak, then raised her voice even though I was calm. Parking is hit and miss too. The shower leaked all over the bathroom floor, making it a serious slip hazard, the drawer front came off in our hands, the bed light didn't work, signs in the corridor were unclear, and the handrails were dangerously loose. Who refurbished this place, and who's running the events? It doesn't seem accessible for anyone with a disability, with lots of steps to manage, and breakfast would be a challenge. Breakfast was poor: anaemic sausages, hard eggs and soggy mushrooms. Someone was playing Christmas music on a food phone right beside us, with a really annoying tinny sound. They managed to play music last night, so they could at least connect it to a decent sound system. Reviews mention noise and kitchen heat too. I can hardly bring myself to give it a star, but Google requires it. This hotel is bad. I'd drop two stars from its rating.

We went for a baby shower. The room was nicely decorated and the two course meal was tasty. It felt a bit chilly at first, but the electric heaters warmed it up nicely once we switched them on.

The attached bar was handy for evening drinks, and there were other bars nearby. Our room was on the second floor and we didn't have noise problems. It was spacious, with a clean, spacious bathroom, plenty of room, and a comfortable bed. We found parking at the side of the hotel, though it's first come, first served and really depends on luck. The big problem was the heat. I'm usually cold and love warmth, but this was unbearable and we couldn't breathe. We arrived around 8.20pm and asked how to turn down or switch off the heating. We were told it was on a timer and would go off at 9pm. Opening the tiny windows and hotel door barely helped. We went out around 9.20pm, came back about 11.30pm, and the heating was still on. We both slept badly and woke with very sore throats. Also, I used the room iron on a white blazer before going out, and pressing the steam button sent out a load of brown sludge that stained it. I cleaned it as best I could but couldn't get it all out. The water inlet had no lid either, so water spilled out if the iron was moved too quickly.

The rooms were as usual, clean and nice, with a good bathroom and decor, and reception was great. But the breakfast situation on this second stay in eight months was a mess, and it's down to the lack of support from the owners or whoever is responsible, not the staff member who was doing her best. Around 8am one girl was taking hot food orders, carrying them to the chef in the bar area, and trying to fill the smallest coffee jug for everyone. I saw no tea or coffee out, and when I got the dregs of what was left, that was it. There was no hot food buffet, and you couldn't help yourself to toast, so it might arrive or it might not. People at the tables were looking around wondering what was going on while she tried to look after everyone. She couldn't have done more. Last time, there was a decent hotplate buffet in the bar, but I was told that was temporary while the dining room was being done up. I've still never seen that dining room, and it doesn't look like I ever will. If people are eating by the windows, someone could easily clear the huge cobwebs off the sash window with a quick pass of a long duster. I love the hotel, but this breakfast chaos is unnecessary. Put at least two people on breakfast, get it organised, and clean the place.