Rivendell

This place has changed in recent times and most public rooms have been converted into bedrooms. All that remains is an old reception which is used as a dump and the breakfast room. The house is unmanned apart from around breakfast time and check in is by phone. A unfriendly lady is on the other end but it was quite easy to access. Our overpriced 'Superior' room was scruffy with flaky paintwork, the bed and pillow were uncomfortable and the bathroom was poor. It was tricky on the toilet due to a loose seat. The room instructions gave an incorrect password for the Wifi. The owner came to check and seemed to make it my fault in an unfriendly way. The TV remote was faulty even with a change of batteries. The hall and staircase carpets were worn out, dirty around the doorway and verging on unsafe on the stairs. Our room windows were in a shocking state and one pane of glass was cracked. Our bed sheets were clean. The bedroom and the bathroom were superficially clean as it is impossible to clean properly in the shabby state they both are. Bathroom door would not stay shut without locking. Breakfast on Friday morning was cooked and served by a young man who clearly was untrained and inexperienced. The only fruit on offer was tinned oranges which tasted tinny and rancid. Our served scrambled eggs were very overdone and hardly edible. We did not intend having breakfast before leaving on Saturday but on seeing that an alternative chef was on duty we thankfully did. He served us with a very good breakfast with a smiling face. He deserves better. The TA rating on this place is only because of old reviews probably under a previous ownership. Most recent reviews show similar problems to those we had. Note the Caledonial Dumfries is under the same ownership and many recent reviews show similar problems. .

Self check-in...maybe update notice on door as there is nobody on site at all except breakfast time. Room 3, needs some TLC, curtains dirty and torn. Shower extremely mouldy and flooring lifting where it's been wet. Please don't put bath mats on floor as it looked dirty. Window sash broken and paint around windows needs repainting. Outside paintwork in desperate need of redoing...overall does not look like it's being cared for. One night stay, wouldn't stay again. One plus ..breakfast room very nice and breakfast excellent.

Nice place, building with many special details, neat room en suite , good breakfast.