AGJ        Crerar Hotels                        Written 28 December 2006

I am only going to certify the hotel and the room I had in Scotland recently over Christmas.  But it is a fair guess that if the other hotels of the chain will be of a similar high standard.  I booked a Christmas break with Skills Coaches (see page AGH.htm)  The coach ride was a bit of a trauma as on the way out we picked up at Bulwell and Wolley Edge Services on the M1.  We had to change coaches at Wolley Edge, but the luggage was handled by the two drivers.  Another two stops en-route to Strathpeffer in Rossshire.  We arrive at about 7.15 pm.  From the outside the hotel looked a bit like Dickens' Bleak House, and on entering the front door, it was a little dowdy; but it was warm; more than could be said of the yard outside.  Before we disembarked the driver read out our room numbers;  mine was number one.  It went through my mind that the place may have been run by the Macdonald's and they had laid on a special reception for me
(see page  ADA.htm).  But all was well as I discovered when I asked a receptionist why I had been allocated Room One.  "You asked for a ground floor room, and number one was vacant."

There were two trips out during our stay; one to a local town and the other to see the scenery; I didn't go on either as I felt tired.  I go on such trips to have a rest and some good food.  I certainly got both at the Ben Wyvis Hotel.  I have emailed the head office of the company in Edinburgh.  I don't tell lies as a rule, and I told them that I think it was the best hotel I have ever stayed at.  My only real complaint was that it was a shattering journey from here in Nottingham.  Skills Coaches are as good as any operator, but I have a weak bladder and two gammy feet, so up and down to the very cramped toilet was a real chore.  But the coaches are modern and warm, and didn't have the problem I found with National Express (see page AEY.htm)

Before I went I was tasked by my daughter to find out when it is correct to wear the kilt and when should one wear trews.  Nobody I spoke to, including a guest who was wearing his kilt, knew the answer.  So that part of my visit was wasted, but good food and superb staff made the place to be highly recommended.  If you are interested in the company, see www.crerarhotels.com for the other hotels of the chain.  They are all in Scotland.  Over Christmas, this one had a package costing £27.50 for one night including dinner and a glass of mulled wine.  During the year, the prices are close to what any decent hotel charges.  The reason was probably that we were the only guests in a 120 room hotel.

I have only one complaint: each hotel uses an 0870 scam telephone number.  Had I looked at the brochure on the internet, I would have passed over this company without looking further.  It is beyond my understanding why a reputable business needs to scam its prospective customers.  I am sure that they are not that naive as to believe the spin about giving customers an easy number to use.  But if you look at page AAP.htm you will see that things are changing.