Marine North Berwick

We arrived at the hotel to check in at 3pm however our room was not ready. We were asked to wait in the already busy reception area. We were not offered a drink or any time scale just that they would let us know when it was ready. We got our keys at 3:25pm. I understand the hotel was busy, however, prior communication about delays could have been notified as we could have made better use of our time. The staff on the front desk did not provide any information about breakfast times, check-out time or spa use. We had to ask about this later on upon realising it had not been shared with us. ||||We were shown to our room by James who helped with our luggage and was very welcoming. Our room was very spacious and clean with a spectacular view. This was just as we had hoped. We did however request a travel cot. This was not in the room and we didn’t have it for the first night. It was delivered and set up on day 2 after asking again. ||||We hoped to eat in the hotel during our stay as we have a 5 month old baby. On the first night we were told there were no tables available until 9pm. This was not suitable for us with the baby. Again, prior communication about booking a table could have helped as we expected, as hotel guests, to be prioritised. We got a table in the bar for food. We were shown to our table and then left unattended for 15 minutes. There were staff available but they walked past us numerous times before we had to ask at the bar ourselves for drinks. We were eventually given a menu and the waitress apologised as she did not know we were in for food. The waitress who seated us should have dealt with this. We got our food quickly and it was pleasant but no where near the standard expected for the price. The burger was very plain and bog standard. This was disappointing and let to us eating in town for the remainder or our stay. ||||On the first morning we arrived at breakfast and stood at the desk for over 5 minutes before anyone acknowledged us. There were plenty of staff, who were busy, however, no one said good morning or that they would be right with us. Eventually we were seated but had to wait a long time to order and then served. The breakfast experience did improve the following mornings.||||One of the reasons for choosing the hotel was the spa facilities as we hoped to take our baby swimming for the first time. We wanted to go this in the morning when it was quiet, however, we heard from another guest that due to “festive hours” children could not be in the pool in the morning. There was only one other guest using the pool at the time so this seemed unfair. Again, this information could have been shared prior to our visit to avoid disappointment. ||||We booked this stay on the Black Friday deal but was still a “treat” due to the price. We stayed in a 5 star hotel in Scotland at the same time last year and unfortunately our stay at the Marine did not compare. This was mainly due to staff attentiveness and lack of information prior to our stay. If this was improved our stay would have been much better. We did not, unfortunately have a 5 star experience and despite paying half price due to the deal, we don’t feel this is justified. ||||Overall, our stay did improve as the weekend went on. However we left feeling flat and disappointed as we didn’t not have the experience we had hoped for.

The architecture and the setting of the hotel was perfect for our weekend getaway in Scotland. I booked a spa treatment and hotel package to indulge in. On the booking receipt, it stated that the spa team will get in contact. They never did and I didn’t think to follow up until the day before we arrive. Sure enough, all the time slots for the weekend were booked. We were only offered slots on Monday morning. Rather than having the massage in the same time with my partner, we ended up having a treatment at 10 am and a treatment at 12.45, then rush off to Edinburgh for our return train. It wasn’t the most relaxed ending to the holiday. As one of our treatment ended up at 12.45 (on the day we were leaving), I asked if we can have a late checkout. We were told the hotel can only extend the checkout to 11.30 (half an hour extension). Frankly, the hotel wasn’t busy, I didn’t really understand why it couldn’t extend our checkout till later. At least me or my partner could be in the room while one of us were getting the massage. Not that it was a big deal, but it would have been a small gesture to acknowledge the booking error.

Currently laying in bed awake at 3am with two fans on full blast (as this is the solution provided), windows wide open and all heating turned off. Rooms are way too hot, it's February so god knows what it's like in summer. Booked spa day as well, only to be told that the only available booking is at 2pm the following day which involves hanging around. Admittedly this could be spabreaks.com fault. Will edit and revert review if resolved by management. Edit: No one has contacted us in a week, I tried ringing and no answer at the spa.

Very very poor service. Forgotten about more than once or twice or 3 times when dining. For the money it was an extremely underwhelming experience. I have stayed at the equivalent hotel in Troon and the comparison is wildly different. Would not stay again. Hotel is nice and if service was addressed it would change the whole experience

We visited The Marine for this year's Hogmanay celebrations. As per usual, the staff were magnificent - all of them - as they always are. However, the real issue with the hotel is the Management who in my opinion, are not doing enough to keep the standards up and are letting their customer-facing staff down badly. A massive lack of investment is also hugely apparent with certain aspects of the hotel becoming tired. Rooms need to be constantly inspected and sorted out - fix the broken tiles; ensure any paintwork and chips to dado rails is rectified; concentrate on the details in keeping with your 5 star rating; make sure there are sufficient staff on duty to adequately support Samuel and Hugo who work so very hard to maintain excellence in the busy bar and restaurant areas. Whilst all of the above will not stop us returning, I sincerely hope hotel executives read the recent comments on this website, listen to your loyal customer base and do what is necessary to support your excellent staff to maintain quality of service and associated reputations.

Totally fantastic hotel! My wife and I got engaged here 10 years ago and we booked to come back to celebrate that and her birthday. We were greeted by James at the front desk who looked after us and also surprised us with Prosecco for the too to celebrate. We then decided to eat at the Lawn and were looked after by Phillipe who went above and beyond and also surprised my wife with a special happy birthday desert. Huge thanks to them both. 10/10 stay and we will be back next year!

The room was very small. Also the decor is very old style and could do with modernisation. It actually made the room feel even smaller. Problem with the radiator that we could not turn off in the middle of the night and had to get reception to cut off the supply. Ate in the rock bar for dinner. Food was average at best. Spa is great Staff were friendly Location and view are incredible Breakfast was really good

Spa facilities and massage very good, but crowded and no lockers on Sunday morning. Service slow and as if they didn't have group booking times. No option given for non alcohol drinks or sparkling wine. No option on type of tea preferences. Scones more like rock cakes. Delicious homemade sausage roll.

Great location located on North Berwick golf course. Pros: 1. Clean hotel (lobby, rooms, garden, spa) 2. Friendly staff. They went out of their way to help. 3. Great breakfast selection to suit everyone's taste. Cons: 1. Small rooms (our Jr. suite was no larger than a regular courtyard room). 2. Bed cover is a thick blanket (no sheets). Sweat for a while, kick off the sheet and be cold for a while. Seems typical in UK. 3. No plug in for a dryer in the bathroom. 4. Spa - Jacuzzi water temp is lukewarm. Steam sauna room had musty odor. Generally a good hotel, but certainly not up to the standards of equal value hotels of US or Asia.

The hotel is in an unrivalled location, minutes from the bustle of the charming town centre whilst remaining quite and peaceful. The rooms are of a reasonable size, the restaurant is surprisingly good and the staff are helpful and attentive. Recommended for one-night stays in what is undoubtedly an unspoiled and traditional Scottish town.

Marine Hotel. North Berwick. May 2nd 2014 ---5pmish Glasses of prosesco and nibbles. Divine!!! Beautiful view of the sea. Wonderful spa. The relaxation room was wonderful. Really may to return. I was a bit miffed though, the waiting staffs' clothes were dirty and unclean. A bit off putting. My friend a glad of prosceco and complimentary nibbles which I would have been happy to pay for. Beautiful location.

Painful. Waiter slammed the wine glass on the table. Host shouted at waiters across tables. Food was average. Service discourteous. If you want to pay for bland food and poor service, this is your place.

Great location, the people were very friendly and attentive. Actually great food, but spotty service at the meals.