Grange Manor Hotel

The staff made a real difference: they were welcoming, helpful and seemed happy to be there. The whole place was exceptionally clean, though a few spots in the Annexe room were starting to look grubby. The dark wood trim had an old working men's club feel, and the tired furniture and carpets seemed geared more to business stopovers than a holiday. Still, for the price we paid it was acceptable. The bathroom was modern and comfortable to use, despite a few grubby patches. The bed was very comfortable and the room quiet enough for a good night's sleep. We booked the Garden Annexe with a Groupon voucher, which gave us a reason to visit Scotland for the first time. There’s a garden area for sitting outside. It was busy with wedding parties during our stay, and seeing everyone enjoy themselves added to the visit. Breakfast is in a lovely restaurant, and the staff there were great too. You can choose a full traditional breakfast, breakfast baps or continental options. The full breakfast was hit and miss for me. The bacon and sausage seemed good quality, perhaps from a local butcher, but I found the sides disappointing: tinned or oven-baked mushrooms, soggy scrambled eggs and black pudding. That’s personal preference, though. The hotel faces a main road, but it wasn't too noisy, and access to the motorway and other routes was easy. We’d stay again and would like to try the main building next time. They serve Balvine doublewood whisky too, which earned extra credit.

The staff were friendly and helpful, and the room was lovely. Breakfast was good, and there’s plenty of free parking. It’s an easy stop off the motorway. Wi-Fi was poor in the rooms furthest away, in the Garden Wing. We’d stay again.

Breakfast service was good, and the reception staff welcomed us like your mum would when you get home. The motorway is nearby, so the location is convenient. I found groups smoking by the entrance doors unpleasant. I also had to stretch a wire across the room to power my res med, since there were no sockets beside the bed. Other than that, it was OK.

I wouldn't stay here again. Room 206 in the Garden Wing was so dirty I took photos. It was dim and smelled bad, with cobwebs everywhere and dust an inch thick on all the skirting boards. The old sockets by the bed didn't work, and one on the wall nearly came away when I tried to use it. I was close to booking somewhere else, but luckily it was only for one night.