Ardanaiseig Hotel

Visit ruined by out of control children We selected this hotel because it looked luxurious, and we assumed well run due to the price point and general ambience coming throgh the text and photos. However we tried to enjoy the drawing room but the loud noise of children throwing the pillows off the furniture and running in and out, up the stairs, outside, back in etc, proved too much so we moved to the Bar. There we noted another couple were also irritated by the out-of-control kids. Why the parents - one assumed the three women were mothers - could not ask their kids to behave was a disappointment. Why did they stay at this hotel if they didn't 'get it'? We asked the hotel to revise our dinner time later by one hour to avoid dinner being affected too, and noted this as the reason. This is when our concern switched away from the parents to a hotel with a bad attitude. The woman who took my call ignored the reference to the revision reason. When I stated it again due to being rudely ignored she said 'they are not my children'! Such awful service, of course they were not her children but the hotel is supposed to be in charge and most people go to an old-fashioned hotel by a loch for peace and relaxation, and an appropriate response would have been to a, apologise and b, assure us they would speak to the parents to ensure other guests were not distrubed by their selfish behaviour. Other issues included the following: 1. we clearly stated our preferred room with a roll-top bath and it was available on ordering and we stated its room title and an accompanying explanation. However we were given a different room, with no bath. The hotel website name each room and encouraged you to select a specific room, yet apparently cannot offer what you order. 2. The room had a moth in it. 3. The shower sounded like a jumbo jet when the automatic fan started. 4. Hot water took 10 minutes to arrive. 5. The Tunnocks wafer was old and stale 6. The window was partly obscured by white streaks on the outside Of lesser importance: - The garden view was dull, just a mass of dense trees - At breakfast both glasses of grapefruit juice had a midge in them - The scallops were drenched in a weird nutmeg sauce, not a classic dish at all, not made clear prior to ordering - The duck at dinner was way too tough

I sincerely hope this hotel reopens with the same ambiance and staff as were there when we stayed. The room was lovely, the staff couldn't have been better despite knowing they were being made redundant. The food was superb as was the location. Great value for money. The whole place was spotlessly clean. It was lovely and peaceful while we were there though I imagine they had great parties there.

This sadly may be our last chance to write about this wonderful hotel. We found it last year and have returned three times since. Many have called it magical and romantic and quirky and it is all those things. It is also wam friendly personal and yet professional; a genuinely unique place to stay and a privilege to have that opportunity. It is also of course exceptionally beautiful both as a building and in its position on Loch Awe. What however we will take away is the kindness of all and our regret that such an extraordinary establishment may close.