RichtheBass
Google
This is a mixed review, but I always start with the positives. I've reviewed hundreds of hospitality venues, and always give positives and negatives, because that's what reviews are for. The location is wonderful, up a steep, narrow road, so very private and with lovely mountain views. It's a country house, and run along those lines, so very welcoming as you arrive and enter what seems like a family home, with plenty of public rooms and facilities. The breakfast was superb on both days, and the staff very helpful and pleasant. On the down side, we arrived around 6.30pm, with the intention of getting to our room quickly to settle in, have a bath and then dine before bed. First of all, the hostess was chatting to other guests as we arrived, so although we were of course happy to wait a short time, it became apparent after several minutes that this, almost boarding school type briefing would go on for some time. Once we eventually got to our room, it was very small for a £125 a night (out-of-season!) rate, with barely any room to move around, without brushing up against the bed. There was no bath, although the shower was very good (how about a shelf for shampoo etc?)..and I really don't get why hoteliers think that a larger shower is better than a bath, when you can have a bath (women much prefer baths when away in my experience) and a shower over! We also found the very noisy bathroom door a total pain. Every time one of went to the loo during our two night stay, the door woke the other up, which became very tiresome indeed. Please fix the door, so it can be opened and shut quietly! We also had to ask for more toilet roll, and were asked why! Well, because one and a half small rolls isn't enough for two days and nights. Don't be stingy! Our main reason for scoring this property down is that, despite asking the day before to book in for dinner, we were told that they didn't serve dinner, even on Friday evenings. This is in spite of their 'two nights minimum stay' policy - AND the fact that they never thought to inform us about this strange omission. If you call yourselves a hotel, you should serve evening meals. It was a total pain to arrive, settle in, shower, change and drive into the village, when all we wanted to do was eat, drink and sleep. Not good at all - PLUS the fact that you sent us several messages via Booking.com (check-in times, directions etc) but never thought to mention that you don't serve food on a Friday. I suspect that you deliberately don't mention it because you know it would be very difficult to secure out-of-season, minimum two night bookings, against the competition in the village, who offer both bed AND board. We ate in the Prince Llewelyn on the first night, and at the Tanronnen Inn on the second, both of which were excellent. However, having to drive again (so unable to have a drink) after a long journey to the hotel, was not acceptable. I regret the need to be so critical on this point, but your failure to tell us about the lack of dining on Fridays was extremely disappointing indeed, and made us somewhat more critical on other matters, which we may have otherwise overlooked. However, I feel I have been balanced and fair (Google agrees, hence I'm a Master Reviewer) and even checked this with my partner, who is the kindest and most easygoing of people, so I feel justified in pointing out these aspects of your otherwise very nice hotel. If you advertise as a hotel, then please be one!