One Springfield Tain

This was a great find, especially since the main hotels around here all seem to need updating. The owners and managers were friendly and professional, and the continental breakfast was fab, with lots to choose from. I'd definitely recommend it.

The rooms are really nice, with a great view, and there's a lovely garden at the back. Check-in and breakfast are self-service, so we didn't meet any hospitality staff, though that didn't bother us. The breakfast room is cozy and pleasant. I would've liked a few more items: our group of six was first to arrive, but there were only two pancakes in the pastry basket and some things weren't enough. Aside from that, it was perfect for us.

We spent three nights here on our way north and again heading back south. The beds are so comfortable, and the rooms are gorgeous. Ours looked across the road to fields on a relatively quiet street. In town, the cathedral and museum are worth a visit, and you can walk down to the water or up to a forest trail. Those walks are a bit long, and it's best to check military training times and rifle club activity because they can make things noisy. Lovely town!

The room was clean and comfortable, and the small pots of berries with creamy local yogurt were very nice. We booked a seaview room, but could only glimpse the sea through a narrow gap between the houses across the road. We never saw the hosts, so I can't say much about the service. Breakfast was continental, as advertised, and OK, though the croissants seemed pre-packed rather than fresh. It was a good stopover, with the excellent 1864 station Restaurant and bar just a short walk away.