Great Western Hotel

We had a great stay, and paid £119 for two nights of B&B with an upgraded room on one of the special offers they run often. For an extra tenner we got a huge room with a sea view, and there was a large bathroom with both a shower and bath. The room had been refurbished, but the building's underlying structure hasn't been dealt with, so that work is already being damaged. The same goes for the rest of the hotel. The breakfast was good, with haggis and mushrooms, and I appreciated the later serving time, though on holiday I'd prefer it to run until 10. The dining room isn't unpleasant, as some reviews say, and still has its original stained glass windows. I might move it to the lounge to make better use of the view. It's a beautiful Grade 2 listed building, but years of heavy use by coach parties and no closure for essential maintenance have left it in terrible disrepair. The roof leaks, windows need replacing, and the floors roll like ocean waves and are still moving. In my non-professional opinion, it would take somewhere between £4 million and £10 million to restore it to anything like its former glory. None of this is something the front-of-house staff can fix. The staff were friendly, though seemed worn down by unhappy guests. It's such a shame to see a beautiful old hotel in this state.

The vintage-style rooms were cool, and the shower was really warm. I found the hotel a good place to unwind, with nice attention to detail. The reception team were welcoming and friendly. While I was checking in, I could hear staff humming along to the music, and I think one sang at one point. It gave me the impression they were happy at work, which was nice when I was looking for a break. Oben is lovely to look at, and the hotel has a section full of information leaflets, so there are plenty of things to do. Looking back, I wanted to give the service five stars, so I've updated the rating.

We loved the hotel's old-fashioned feel. My wife and I could appreciate its age, and it must have been a favourite for the gentry in its heyday. The room was large, had everything we needed, and the bed was comfortable. It's right by the sea. Dinner was delicious: we had fish and chips, some of the best I've had in a long time. Breakfast was a plentiful buffet. Overnight parking costs extra, but the price was fair.

The staff were friendly, helpful and attentive, and our spacious, clean room had a fantastic sea view. I'd happily return to the same room. Breakfast was plentiful, and the coffee machine makes a delicious latte. With its high ceilings and cornices, the hotel must have been wonderful in its day. These days it feels tired and needs some TLC.