Hotel recommendations: 2-hrs from central belt on a budget

[a11y_m]

Hi folks

Hoping for collective PH knowledge to suggest a hotel for me and missus to head off for a night:

- anywhere up to 2-2.5hrs north, south, east of west of Falkirk
- up to £100 all-in for the night
- not a big chain hotel, prefer something small and interesting
- a pool would be a bonus but by no means essential
- decent food nearby a bonus
- decent parking essential!

So far it looks like we're probably going here: http://www.craigatinhouse.co.uk/. No idea what it's like, but I'm keen to hear alternatives before I book anything.

[justin220]

Dunblane Hydro?

We stayed there a while back and it was great. Good food, and there is a small gym/pool etc

[S2red]

Stayed here a couple of yesars ago

http://www.barcelo-hotels.co.uk/hotels/scotland/ba...

[VetteG]

An Lochan Tormaukin in Glendevon is excellent, very relaxed, friendly with superb food and not expensive!

G

[scoobyc]

Dakota at the end of the forth road bridge

[John MacK]

a11y_m said:

- anywhere up to 2-2.5hrs north, south, east of west of Falkirk
- up to £100 all-in for the night
- not a big chain hotel, prefer something small and interesting
- a pool would be a bonus but by no means essential
- decent food nearby a bonus
- decent parking essential!

Try the Holly Tree Hotel on the west coast between Oban and Fort William.

Should be easily reached in 2 hours from Falkirk, private family owned, on-site pool, good restaurant, plenty of parking, sea views etc. Will probably be at the top end of your budget, though you should be able to get off-season deals in a few weeks time.

[flipflop1]

We enjoyed keavo (or keavil) house, at crossford, near dunfermline. Excellent parking, pool, food and staff, actually quite a nice walk round the golfcourse aswell. felt like a nice little break altho its only 40mins from stirling.

[a11y_m]

Thanks for the suggestions folks. Undecided about where we're going to go as there's a few of those that appeal!

Always fancied a stay in the Dakota hotel having heard good stuff about them (will check availability later when their website's actually working!). The Holly Tree looks good with the pool and good rates available. We've been for dinner at the Keavil before (my wife's a Fifer) and it's quite nice. Never stayed at Dunblane Hydro but been to numerous conferences with work there, cracking hotel. An Lochan Tormaukin looks good for food especially. And the Barcelo in Troon is full on our date.

Got a few places now we fancy trying which means more weekends away in the car and a bit more

[anonymous-user]

I'm surprised at the glowing reviews of Dunblane Hydro, I've stayed there with the wife and whilst it was grand and imposing as you go up the drive, it was deserted, very shabby and run down internally, and the food was terrible - ended up driving to Edinburgh each night for a meal! Maybe it's been done up, it was 4 years ago.

I'd second the recommendation of the Dakota if you can get it for the money.

[Mr Trophy]

Hi mate,

http://www.prestonfield.com/

Stayed her a couple of times - excellent

[a11y_m]

John MacK said:

Try the Holly Tree Hotel on the west coast between Oban and Fort William.

Should be easily reached in 2 hours from Falkirk, private family owned, on-site pool, good restaurant, plenty of parking, sea views etc. Will probably be at the top end of your budget, though you should be able to get off-season deals in a few weeks time.

We have a winner - cheers for your suggestion John, I've just booked a night at the Holly Tree via laterooms.com at a pretty good rate. Looking forward to our night away now but just planning which driving route I'm going to take to get there. Googlemaps says 2hrs 7mins but I fancy an indirect variation

Ally