Athol House

Duncan is a fantastic host, helpful and funny, and always makes you feel welcome. The rooms are very clean, and the other guy who works here is helpful too. He’ll get you anything you ask for.

I travel a lot, and this was the worst place my partner and I have ever stayed. After reading the reviews, I honestly don’t agree with them at all. The whole place felt filthy and badly in need of a complete makeover. It was dreary and tired, with a horrible boiled-cabbage smell everywhere, perhaps from carpets that looked as if they’d never been cleaned. Our room was a decent size, but it was just as tired as the rest. The mattress seemed very cheap, with springs poking through. The shower was hot, which helped with the smell, but even our clothes picked it up. Duncan may be a nice guy, but he spoke to us condescendingly, like children, and gave me a lecture about how a door worked. I’m 53, I’ve opened doors before. We said we wanted breakfast at 10am, but he said no and we ended up haggling over a time that suited him better. If breakfast times are advertised, paying guests should be able to choose. We paid for breakfast, but when we came downstairs earlier than the time Duncan had agreed, there was nothing on the doors to show where the breakfast room was. After trying a few, we found it. A man asked if we were looking for Duncan, but we’d come for breakfast. The table was covered in food crumbs, so we decided not to eat there. The hygiene in the dining room matched the rest of the place, and I wouldn’t risk eating there. We even paid extra to upgrade to a room with our own shower, only to find the shower rooms were communal, tucked away without that being clear. It was vile, like the rest of the place, and £75 was not cheap for such a miserable evening. At least we avoided eating anything. The reviews seemed completely misleading to me, and I’m making a complaint to booking.com for the first time. Please don’t book this horrible place. You’ll regret it.

Duncan was polite, friendly and a real gentleman. We stayed two nights while visiting family, and we’ll definitely come back. Our en-suite room was huge and comfortable, with a small fridge, tea and coffee facilities, soft fresh towels, toiletries, plenty of sockets, bedside touch lamps and a big warm radiator. The shower had great pressure and plenty of hot water. Breakfast was freshly cooked for each of us, with cereal first, then a full English for me and scrambled eggs, beans and toast for my wife. We also had fresh orange juice and coffee. We usually choose small independent businesses over hotel chains to put something back into the community, and this was outstanding value for money, worth more than the price.

Duncan was a wonderful host, always ready to help. The place felt secure for the kids, and everything was clean and fresh. It was lovely and warm in the evening too. The location was handy, not far from anything, and breakfast was great, freshly cooked. One small suggestion: a slightly bigger mirror would make it easier to see our outfits and do our hair and makeup up close. We loved our stay and will visit again soon. Great job, Duncan.