Newton Hotel Nairn

On my recent business trip to Scotland I needed to stay somewhere between Aberdeen and Ullapool, I needed to catch the mid morning ferry from Ullapool to Stornoway.

I looked on Hotels.com and the Newton stood out a mile, seeming to offer all I needed. We arrived after dark, so didn't get the full view of the hotel in daylight. the hotel as no signs at the front and the satnav takes you about 300m away.

The check in was easy, although I was disappointed when my colleague was given the Chaplin Suite and I had a standard room. In all fairness I think I got the better of the deal, his room as stone cold and his shower didn't move above freezing. My room was quite large with a good view out at the side.

 

 

The TV was stowed in a large TV cabinet, it was quite an old TV and had few channels. The WiFi again was OK, I managed to watch a film on my iPad.

The bathroom wasn't the most modern, but it was very clean and had everything you needed. I had an excellent nights sleep and felt refreshed in the morning despite our early start.

The breakfast was a continental affair with everything you could want, there was also a cooked to order hot breakfast, we were in a rush but I managed to get my order in and it came quickly enough. The breakfast was very nice.

Overall  7/10

Check In 7/10

Bar  7/10

Breakfast 7/10

http://www.bespokehotels.com/newtonhotel

Nairn seemed a little quiet this time of year, so we chose to eat at the hotel. We made a reservation at the Reception and placed our order at the bar. We would of quite happily eaten in the bar, however the hotel was fairly insistent we ate in the restaurant. In hind sight, eat in the bar. The restaurant is a little drab, probably better when there are more people there.

I opted for the Cullen Skink for starters, then local haggis sausages and Mash potato for my main. I wasn't disappointed! the Cullen Skink was as good as I'd tasted anywhere and the haggis sausage with its rich gravy was Divine.

I had cheese and biscuits for dessert and very nice too.

Restaurant 4/10

Food 7/10

Service 5/10

Rancho Pancho Dundee

Dundee is a very under rated City, the choice and number of Restaurants never fails to amaze me on my numerous visits.

Tonight, after a good walk around the city, myself and a colleague settled on a Mexican restaurant called Rancho Pancho.

http://www.rancho-pancho.com/

The insides are very tasteful and not trying to hard to be a Mexican canteena like many Mexican restaurants try to be. The bar is well stocked and there is an excellent choice of cocktails.

The menu is quite extensive, with plenty of choice within each style of food. Sadly, I'm so predictable when it comes to ordering Mexican. Starter comprised of Nacho's with Chilli on the top, it was superb. Obviously homemade nacho's and the chilli was just the right amount of spicy, As is sometimes the problem with starters, it was probably a little on the large side, I didn't finish it all.

 

For my main course I had the usual, a chicken Fajita. What was bought to my table was very sizzling and a good portion of Guacamole, Sour cream and cheese. I was disappointed that there were only three flour breads. In all fairness, three was about all I managed to eat and just as I was finishing my third one, the waitress asked if I wanted more so there wasn't an issue.

I didn't have room for a dessert, however on the next table they were tucking in to churrios, they looked superb.

Yes I would visit again, the cost was just over £50 for the two us.

Restaurant 7/10

Food 7/10

Service 7/10

Apex City Quay Hotel & Spa Dundee

This is the second time that I've stayed at the Apex in Dundee.

It is a very modern Hotel set just outside the city centre. The car park is large and more importantly free. Check in was faultless, although I had requested an upgrade which wasn't forthcoming, however I was charged and the room I was given was excellent.

 

 

 

 

The room had an excellent working area, although there were no power points near the bed which is a real bug bear of mine at the moment.

 

The view from the room was very good, looking over the old Dundee Quay itself.

 

 

 

A nice little touch is that the hotel puts a small rubber duck in the room and wants you to take it away and the best picture of it in a location will win you a prize.

 

 

 

The room enjoyed full coffee and tea making facilities, good quantities and very nice biscuits.

 

 

 

Breakfast was a buffet affair, continental breakfast for those looking for something healthy for the start of the day or if you're like me and want a full breakfast then there is ample choice from the hot buffet.

 

When I'm in the area again, I'll definitely stay here again

 

Overall              8/10

 

Check In           7/10

 

Bar                    8/10

 

Breakfast          8/10

 

Room No.         111 







What this blog is about

my job involves me going to all parts of the UK and a fair few occasions I get to stay away.

So, I've decided to keep a blog of all the places that I stay and the restaurants I eat at. I'll rate them out of 10 and were possible include the review I sometimes give on Trip Advisor.

Until the trips begin in the middle of January.....