JA Mar Hall Scotland

The bar service was fantastic. The person behind the bar knew their stuff and looked after us really well. The rest of the service, though, was nowhere near the standard of a big 5-star hotel, even if the prices were. The renovations are spectacular and it’s clear they’re trying to compete with other big 5 Stars, but we left thinking about the service problems rather than what an amazing place it could be. There were mistakes at every meal: bread frozen in the middle, dishes we hadn’t ordered brought to the table three times and us having to “be sure” we hadn’t ordered them, and the wrong wine. One of us ordered the raw beef starter prepared at the table, but the other starter arrived while that was being prepared, so it was cold by the time we ate. At breakfast we waited 15 minutes for tea and coffee, then had to ask where it was; the eggs were cooked wrong too. The room was far away, and at first we weren’t taken there and got lost. I left my phone charger in the room, my fault, and realised within 30 minutes of checking out. I called to say exactly where I’d left it and asked them to put it at reception, but when I returned the next day it hadn’t been found. I gave feedback in person while collecting it, but reception glossed over everything and reminded me how beautiful the renovations are. We paid £455 for dinner, bed and breakfast. At that price the menu was restricted, so we paid more for the full à la carte choices, and spent a lot more on wine and cocktails. We were in the first-level, least costly room.

The hotel was beautiful and luxurious while still feeling relaxing, with a lovely atmosphere and plenty of shared places to sit. Staff were wonderful and always happy to help. We came for a three-day Christmas break and had a lovely time, so we’d certainly visit again. We had a garden spa room because our little dog was with us. It was lovely and well appointed, though more storage would have helped. The hotel is peaceful and the location is great, although maintenance was ongoing in some areas. With the outdoor spaces open in spring and summer, it should look stunning. There was still a little work needed on heating in the common areas. The food was first class, apart from the cooked buffet breakfast, which was a bit underwhelming for a 5-star hotel. One thing to note if bringing a dog: the hotel is dog-friendly and has plenty of bedrooms for dogs, but there aren’t many areas where you can take one, really just one room. That could be improved.

The staff were warm, welcoming and attentive without being overbearing, and the food and drinks were lovely, with everything feeling thoughtful and high quality. I had a gorgeous, comfortable bedroom, immaculately presented, with stunning views. The public spaces and rooms all seemed carefully designed and very well maintained. Mar Hall is one of the most beautiful hotels I’ve stayed in. The grounds are peaceful and immaculate, with gorgeous scenery and incredible views, and the hotel is conveniently close to the airport. The design and decor are stunning, and the luxurious atmosphere never felt stuffy. From arrival, the place felt special. It’s easily one of my favourite stays, and I’d love to return. I couldn’t recommend it highly enough.

The festive season at Mar Hall was delightful from start to finish, with great food, lovely hotel surroundings and friendly service. The staff were consistently helpful, clearly enthusiastic about the hotel, and told us a lot about the renovations. I was able to completely switch off from work there. I didn’t open my laptop once, which is unusual for me. There aren’t many places where I manage that. Mar Hall did it for me. I’d strongly recommend visiting and experiencing it for yourself.