“Here's Johnny! An experience at Cluny Hills Hotel, Forres”
I was genuinely surprised by this place—I was looking for a budget two‑night stay while working nearby, and upon arrival I thought I’d made a mistake because it didn’t look budget at all. The hotel was built in 1863 as a Hydropathic Hotel, a grand Victorian‑era mansion in the Scottish Barony style, and like many other Hydropathic Hotels of that era it’s now among the finest in the country, so my initial confusion was understandable. It spent years as a college before reopening this year as a budget hotel. The rooms are typical Victorian, with high ceilings, period features, fresh paint, and budget furnishings. The room was clean and the bed comfortable. The place was quiet and oddly deserted—imagine Jack Nicholson in The Shining at the Overlook Hotel, and that’s pretty accurate. Still, it was an enjoyable stay and an experience I won’t forget; I’ll happily stay again. The only downside is the lack of facilities: there’s no breakfast option, and although there’s a commercial‑sized kitchen, it’s not accessible like in a hostel or other budget accommodation. If you want to eat in, bring your own food and eat in your room. Each room has a kettle, tea, and coffee, so a Pot Noodle is about the extent of a hot meal. The lounge is decent in size but not really a place to relax because it’s devoid of furniture. Even for a budget hotel, this place could still be much better, but I think it’s early days after reopening and I hope things improve going forward.
ChrisIl y a 4 semaines