Pitbauchlie House Hotel SureHotel Collection by BW

The room TVs weren’t connected to the internet, so none of the apps worked. Netflix showed a fault code, and looking it up suggested the app needed updating and an internet connection. The breakfast spread had good continental choices, but the hot food was poor, with greasy bacon and hard sausage. At the entrance there’s a smoking area about 30 feet away, yet cigarette butts cover the floor by the door. I have a blue badge and was told there are designated bays, but the hotel doesn’t enforce them and anyone can park there. What’s the point of reserving those spaces if anyone can use them? The bar felt like a canteen, with several TVs playing old dramas and huge subtitles like you see in hospital waiting rooms. We had one drink and didn’t go back during our three-night stay. The foyer looks pleasant at first and the staff were cheerful, but beyond the guest area door the hallway felt dated. The room furniture was old, like something from an elderly person’s home. The walk-in shower was a welcome surprise, and the bathroom was bright and modern. Then we moved the bed runner and found marks, what looked like boot prints on the pillowcase, and body hair on the sheets. I showed photos to reception, who brought the manager. He was disgusted and said he’d upgrade us. We checked the new bed and it was clean, then moved our things over in several trips, only to find the showerhead didn’t work. That bathroom was dim and tired, with a shower over the bath and a curtain. I couldn’t see how that was an upgrade. We took everything back to the original room and explained. The manager confirmed the shower was broken. I was tired and angry and asked for clean bedding, saying I’d change it myself, but he refused and changed it himself. They apologised, but offered nothing complimentary for the first night’s inconvenience. I don’t recommend this hotel. It seems geared toward contractors staying away from home, judging by conversations I overheard in the breakfast room. Why aren’t rooms checked and faults reported after guests leave?

Simon at reception was the highlight. He was funny, friendly, accommodating and knew a lot. He had us laughing. The room was cosy and clean, with nice hot water, comfortable beds and decent amenities for the price. The walls are a bit thin, and our neighbours were noisy, but Simon sorted it out.

The Chef made me a new favourite, Bang Bang Cauliflower, so I’ll definitely stay again whenever we’re over from Australia. Pitbauchile House Hotel is a tremendous place, and nothing was too much trouble. All the staff were helpful, amiable and professional. Special thanks to the kitchen and restaurant teams, particularly Liz & Kylie.

The windows are old and draughty, so the rooms cool down quickly. In winter, that made the heating problem especially frustrating. It was hit or miss, mostly miss, and we were lucky our radiator worked at all. There was no wall thermostat: you had to turn a dial on the radiator, which was hidden by furniture. I know to look for that because I’m from the UK, but I kept turning it and usually got no heat. Maybe it’s linked to a central boiler that only runs at certain times. When the radiator did come on, the room heated up very fast, so I didn’t want to leave it running while we were out and return to a sauna. At night the central system seemed to be off, so there was no way to warm the room a little before bed after getting back late. It seems odd that guests have so little control over the temperature in their own room. I wouldn’t stay again because of the heating. In an old building with draughty windows, it’s bizarre to me that you can’t turn the heat on when you want. If you’ve booked for winter, bring an electric heater or hot water bottle. The rooms also aren’t well soundproofed, and you can hear people in the corridors.