Dornoch Castle Hotel

The ridiculously expensive tariff and the name give the impression that this will be an up-market country-house experience, but it isn't. It is at best a very nice pub with rooms. The bar is lovely, as are the staff, but the restaurant menu is based on pizza, and the breakfast is just a continental buffet. For £180 room-only, I was placed in a modest-sized room heated only by a 1980s electric fire that i had to turn on. Yes, there was a complimentary glass of whisky and slippers - BUT NO HOT WATER for my morning shower. Also no milk in the room for tea / coffee! I was told on check-in that this was to cut down on use of plastic (!), and I could phone reception and milk would be brought to the room but the room telephone didn't work. When I raised the water issue I was told it would be fixed within 20mins, and my pizza and breakfast charges were removed from my bill in compensation, but although I waited another hour, no hot water appeared. I will now seek a substantial refund of the outrageous £180 paid. My previous night in Scotland was not far down the road at the Loch Ness Country House Hotel. For less than half the price I had a superb room / suite, and an excellent full Scottish breakfast was included!!

Very nice hotel but a little expensive. Breakfast wasn't brilliant. For the price I expected the food to be cooked to order rather than a buffet. Only bacon & eggs on offer which was also disappointing. The staff however were very good and the room comfy.