Scotlands Spa Hotel

Our 60th birthday celebration is one to remember, thanks to all the staff. My friend was on crutches, and everyone was kind, welcoming, and so helpful. They handled every request promptly and efficiently, and went above and beyond to make our stay special. I’d definitely recommend the place, and we’ll be back.

The £100 charge for parking in the hotel’s own private car park is the reason for this low rating. My appeal was rejected. I accept that I missed the terms and conditions on a sign somewhere outside, but reception didn’t tell us about any parking rules or permits when we arrived. The charge may technically be correct, but it didn’t feel customer friendly. It’s hard not to think the hotel makes more from “illegal parking” penalties than from running the spa. If that’s the business model, enjoy the quick buck. We won’t return, and I don’t recommend this place. We visited for a spa day in December. The facilities were as advertised, clean, tidy, and generally pleasant. Afternoon tea was fine, nothing special but nothing awful. The experience itself was okay.

At £151 for one night, the experience didn’t match the price. The staff we met were friendly and polite, but I emailed the hotel with my feedback and never got a reply. I stayed on 21 February, booking a deluxe double for £131 and paying another £20 for early check-in so I could make the most of the pool. Our ground-floor room faced the car park and looked straight at the skip area. I know it’s a three-star hotel and wasn’t expecting a luxury view, but people sitting in parked cars could see directly into our windows, so we had to keep the curtains closed. Noise made it the worst night’s sleep I’ve had in a hotel. We could hear shouting from the bar late at night. Because the room was opposite the breakfast room, staff moving around, scraping tables, and general activity woke us from around 6am, followed by other guests arriving. The pool area felt dated and not especially well maintained. The steam room in particular didn’t seem clean, so I chose not to use it.

The location was the best part, and I loved the festive look of the lounge and spa area. My kids had a great time in the swimming pool, and the breakfast had a brilliant range of food for every taste. Service was friendly, and everything was clean. The building is old and does need some repairs, though. We had a pleasant stay. Thank you!