Richmond Arms

The breakfast cost me £17, plus £5 in fuel to reach it. It's harder to put a price on the frustration of what I saw as a breach of a verbal agreement. The wine was £24. I expect a response within seven days, by 30 Oct. If there's no satisfactory reply by then, I'll stop trying to get one. I'll be back in your area before the end of the year and will come to see you to seek satisfaction. I promise. When I arrived, I gave the owner a bottle of wine and asked him to chill it in a fridge. He said he'd put it in one of the bar fridges. Two days later, when I was near Tomintoul, I went back, but the doors were locked. The number on the invoice was out of use. The mobile worked, though the owner said he wouldn't be back on the premises until late afternoon. Someone unlocked the door ten minutes later. I went in and called out, but nobody answered. I checked the fridges behind the bar too, and my bottle was nowhere to be found. I can picture the owner saving a few quid by not paying the chef or buying breakfast ingredients. I was annoyed, then placated with £10 off. But was he going to sit and enjoy my bottle of wine? What do you say to that? There was no response. I had arrived that day thinking the place was wonderful and the owners made you feel at home, though my own home isn't nearly as posh. I even planned to book at least two more days. I should have waited until I left before writing a review. Breakfast was supposedly served until 9 am. I got to the dining room at 8:50 and was told it was over and the chef had gone home. I was starving and not happy. I complained to the lady there, who said she'd pass it on. On checkout, I got a £10 discount, but there was no other breakfast available at any price for many miles.

I cancelled my April 2024 reservation in May 2024, following the terms and conditions. Even so, the hotel charged me for a stay I never used, then asked how I had enjoyed it. I sent them all the necessary documents, but after a year and several requests, I still haven't got my money back. I find the hotel's handling of the reservation incomprehensible and want other customers to know about these practices.

We came for dinner on two nights with a group of friends. The food was great, the prices were reasonable, and there were good options on the menu. Amara looked after us and was lovely, polite, friendly and helpful.

The hotel and bar have a really cozy feel, and the restaurant and bar are well worth a visit. We stayed for one night while passing through, and it was one of the best evenings of our Scotland trip. The rooms are a little dated, but clean, spacious, and great value. I'd definitely visit again.