The Normandy Hotel

Breakfast was lovely and the staff were great. The rooms are small, with nowhere to store things if you’re staying longer. Bathroom workmanship is poor, and the shower swings between blistering hot and lukewarm. The place could do with a refurb.

The breakfast buffet had a good spread, including a full Scottish selection, and the hotel has a decent bar and reception area. Drinks cost what you’d expect at a hotel with a captive audience, but weren’t outrageous. It’s close to the airport, and I found out they offer parking and transport for much less than I’ve seen elsewhere. That’ll be useful for a future flight. I stayed one night for a birthday party in one of the suites. My room was on the small side, but had everything needed for a short stay: bed, desk, pull-out bench, wardrobe and ensuite. It was clean, though the bathroom could use a refresh. Not quite a Premier Inn, but close, and I’d return.

The staff were friendly, and the car park deal was good for travelling abroad. But the rooms are really bad. In the morning, I found none of the plugs worked, so there was no hair dryer or phone charging. The TV looked about 17-20 inches. There was a bathroom mirror in the room?

The staff were fab and couldn’t do enough for us. The refurbished room had a crack and chip in the sink, which was disappointing, but the bed was really comfy. The food at this year’s Christmas party night was mostly awful, so take snacks if you’re going for the party. Soup was fine and pudding was okay, but the chicken was tough and dry, and the vegetables were awful. I’ll come back next Christmas and might recommend it to someone staying nearby.