This is a lovely location, just a few minutes walk from the ferry terminal at Craignure, with views across the bay to Lismore, with its lighthouse and the mainland. It is an ideal position the explore the island.
It is a long low building set among the trees with swimming pool used by the local community, spa and sauna attached. I spent four nights there on a DBB break on a coach trip to the Isle of Mull.
Check in was quick and efficient. Reception staff were always helpful and pleasant. The lounge, bar and dining room are on this level. The bedrooms are on the lower levels and it can be quite a long walk to the furthest rooms. I was lucky and had one close to the main areas.
I was in a singe room described as a ‘budget room’ with a view across the Sound of Mull to the mainland. It was an attractive room with pale cream walls, rust carpet and tartan cushion and bed throw. There was plenty of space with desk with tea making facilities, small table with the TV, bedside cabinet, easy chair and small wardrobe. There was a rack for my suitcase and also a hair drier. A bonus was a tea pot that didn’t dribble.
The bed was comfortable although a trifle soft for me. There were two good pillows and the duvet kept me warm and I didn’t need the spare blanket provided.
Surprisingly there were no fire instruction in the room and just a large mirror on the back of the door.
The bathroom had an over the bath shower. A rubber mat was provided for the bath as well as a towelling mat for the floor. Towels were reasonable and there was a heated towel rail. Soap and shower gel were provided. My only criticism would be that there wasn’t much flow of water from the shower. There could also be noise from the corridor if there was a noisy group.
The dining room is an attractive room with views across the Sound. Being on a special break we had a set menu each night which was basically a simplified choice from the al la carte menu. Portion sizes were a bit smaller, but still ample. There was a good choice from three starters, mains (meat, fish and vegetarian) and deserts. Service was a bit chaotic as different people came round to take orders for the different courses. All were foreign workers and some of them did struggle with English. But they were all pleasant and doing their best. With nearly 50 people to serve, service could also be a bit slow. It was modern cuisine with an emphasis on presentation – meat on top of potato with a few vegetables decoratively arranged around. The food was good and I enjoyed all of the meals, particularly the beef and venison, although I would have appreciated a bit more vegetables. The rhubarb and strawberry fool with a crunchy topping was very more-ish.
Breakfasts were self service and again very good with plenty of choice, starting with fresh fruit, fruit juices, yogurts and cereals. Being Scotland there was a pot of steaming porridge with a bottle of whisky next to it. The cooked breakfast consisted of bacon, ‘proper’ sausages, fried eggs, tomatoes, black pudding and even haggis. Toast was put on the tables and there were white and brown loaves, croissants and pastries. After that I didn’t need any lunch.
Before going, I had read some of the reviews about the hotel (on another review site which I always regard with a degree of distrust) and some were quite negative. I was worried what I might be letting myself in for. I needn’t have worried, it was much better than I expected. The hotel was comfortable and the food good. The bar had a good range of malt whiskies as well as the usual selection of keg beers, lagers and wine by the glass. Staff were always pleasant and helpful. It is also a very good position and central for visiting most of the island.
