The Great Western Hotel

We had a great stay and paid £119 for two nights B&B, including a room upgrade, on one of the special offers they run often. For the extra tenner, we got a huge room with a great sea view, plus a large bathroom with a shower and bath. The bedroom and bathroom had been refurbished, though work on the building’s underlying structure hasn’t been addressed, so that work is already damaged. The breakfast was good, with Haggis and mushrooms, an improvement on the Bespoke Hotel in Fort William. I also appreciated the later breakfast time, though on holiday I’d prefer it to run until 10. The staff were friendly, though they seemed a bit worn down by unhappy visitors. I don’t think complaints about the staff get to the heart of the problem, which lies with the owners. This is a beautiful Grade 2 listed building, but after years of heavy use by coach parties from the counties, it apparently never closed for essential maintenance. It’s now in serious disrepair. In my non-professional opinion, it would take between 4 and 10 million to bring it anywhere near its former glory. The roof leaks, the windows need replacing, and the floors undulate like ocean waves and are still moving. Front-of-house staff can’t fix any of that. It’s such a shame, because the building and hotel are beautiful. The dining room isn’t nasty, as some reviews say, and still has its original stained glass windows. I’d probably move it to the lounge to make better use of the view. Great value for money, but sad to see the hotel in such poor repair.

The reception staff were welcoming and kind. While I checked in, I could hear staff humming along to the music, and I think one was singing at one point. It gave me the sense they were happy at work, which was nice when I was looking for a break. The hotel had good attention to detail, and there’s a section full of information leaflets about things to do in Oban. The rooms have a cool vintage style, and the shower was really warm. It was a good place to unwind. Looking back, I’d give the service five stars, so I’ve updated my rating.

The people were nice, kind, helpful, and the service was good. But the room wasn’t nice. The windows are old, and a lot of cold air from outside comes into the room. The hotel needs a full renovation. The bathroom was disgusting, and the price was...

They wouldn’t publish my previous description of this hotel, so I’ll keep this cleaner. If you enjoy derelict buildings and the thrill of wondering whether your next step might land you in the room below, you’ll love it. The staff were superb. The hotel is, well... yup.