Glenburn Hotel

The beds and bedding were fantastic, and I had the best night’s sleep I’ve had in a while. The staff were friendly too. Some parts of the hotel look tired and could use fresh paint and a thorough clean, though I think a few reviews have been too harsh. The bar area is lovely, the gardens are great, and the views make it worthwhile.

The receptionist was really cheerful, and the room was clean and tidy. Still, there was a sour milk smell from the mattress, and the shower didn’t work, so I had a bath instead. It’s a quirky place in a strange way, with a great old building that feels stuck in the past. It reminded me of The Shining. A little history about the building would’ve been nice. Town is about a 10-minute flat walk away. It was okay overall.

The views from the front are spectacular, and the service is friendly. Breakfasts are good, the bed is very comfortable, the room was warm, and there was plenty of hot water. The ground floor public areas look good, but the hotel is dated and in the middle of refurbishment. Our bathroom still looked very 1970s, and upstairs the carpets are worn and the doors need repainting. It isn’t easy to get around if you have mobility issues, and I wouldn’t choose it for a special occasion at the moment. It is large enough to host bus tours, but parking is limited for a hotel of this size. The hotel sits high up, so getting there on foot means taking a steep side road or climbing around 90 steps from the pavement. Be ready for a workout, and don’t take the stairs if you have luggage.

We’ve stayed here plenty of times, though our recent visit was just for drinks and food. The location is good and the staff are nice, but the cocktails were a huge letdown. We ordered a Margarita and an Old Fashioned at roughly ten pounds each, and both were watery and tasted nothing like they should. When we raised the poor quality, the waitress said, “I know, everybody says the same.” They’re bought in bulk, premade cocktails, apparently, but that isn’t mentioned on the menu or when ordering. With a full bar available, you’d expect basic cocktails to be made there. At the very least, they should say they come out of a can.