The Gordon Arms Hotel

Unfortunately my checkin was not very smooth, nobody manned in reception and room wasn’t cleaned when I arrived. Room was functional. Included Breakfast was good and was conveniently located in the square in the quaint town of Huntly.

We were immediately informed that the room we had booked was not available due to 'maintenance'. we were then offered bunk-room accommodation which we delined. Eventually we got a double room on the top floor. The cafe was in a bar and did not seem suitable for breakfast.

We just popped in to Gordon Arms as we were exploring Huntly Castle and the area nearby. On a Friday there’s a steak night so we had a go for it. Absolutely fantastic! Quality food the beef medium well with veggies excellent. As for dessert the polite and kind staff recommended to try their mint cheesecake. Just divine, not sweet, exploding in mouth. A very good place, worth a visit when you’re nearby. Good value for money as well.

The hotel is functional. Rooms and bathroom are very small. Housekeeping staff was great and found me a hairdryer as soon as I asked. No one at reception on the weekend so you need to check in at the pub next door. Location, however, is excellent, if you plan on driving the castle trail for the next few days.

Alarm bells should have rung when on their website, the only phone number was a mobile. On calling that mobile, all you get is a slighly startled "Hello?" with no indication you have called a hotel. The person on the phone then said he could not check availability at that time "as he was out". Anyway, booked and turned up. From the outside, the place is very shabby. Paint flaking off the woodword, grass growing in the guttering and lots of cigarette butts lying about from the neighbouring bar. Obviously very grand in its day - Its just that that day was 40 years ago. Check in is in the bar of the adjacent pub, so a long wait to get attention whilst what appeared to be the local darts team got their drinks. Barman was cheery enough though. Back to the hotel which had the atmosphere of the Marie Celeste. On the way to the room, you pass several abandoned function rooms. You also pass lots of flaking paint and general dilapidation. A quick peek into the fire escape to check escape routes was a bit of a revelation. An outside metal stair but enclosed in with a bit of roof. Totally infested by pigeons, with the resulting mess all over the steps to accompany trailing cables for wifi delivery. I guess if it was needed in an emergency, it wold serve its purpose, as long as you were prepared to battle your way out past all the panicking pigeons! To the room, to give it its due, it was clean. Hence 2 stars for the review and not just 1. But oh so dated, especially for the price charged of over £100 for 1 night. It served its purpose, but this is more a £40 a night place, not a £100+ one. To the pub next door for breakfast in the morning, and a decent enough full Scottish served by a cheery lady. Aside from the pub next door, a completely impersonal experience. Aside from the pigeons in the fire escape and the bar staff in the pub next door, I never saw another soul

Stayed 2 nights and was very disappointed the bed and room were clean but the windows are falling out of frames and general decor was outdated and not the best Corrodors had musky smell all time door locks not very good There is no real facilities in the room just kettle Breakfast was ok but served in the bar which wasn’t the cleanest The entrance canopy is about to fall on someone as it’s clinging to building by a whisker In it’s day this must have been a great place but won’t be back Staff were nice but value for money it’s disappointing

Faulty towers makes this place look good! Landline number that is advertised doesn’t exist. Practically impossible to make contact on either of the mobile numbers and when you do you get asked to text to which no response. No response to emails or on messenger either. When the mobile finally gets answered you just get fobbed off by the owner. The rooms are dingy and the hotel in a poor state of repair. The cost of the room considering the state of the place is a joke. The only good thing I have to say is the staff were pleasant and the breakfast decent. Not sure how the owner thinks he can run a hospitality business without any communication. Would definitely not return!

It was outstanding first class.

State of exterior and interior need a good refurbishment throughout.the room we were allocated was more like contract workers accommodation, there was no restaurant for a meal and hotel parking facilities, the parking was on the main square. For the price we paid it was a very big let down.