Having rapidly checked out of the Hotel Acarsaid and Lodge (we left after 20 minutes) we needed somewhere to sleep in Pitlochry in a hurry. We rang the Dundarach. "Have you a room that can sleep two people tonight please"? "Yes" was the answer. After the thundering disappointment at the Acarsaid we asked if we could please inspect the room before we checked in. "Yes, of course you can" came the helpful reply.
My first impression of this hotel was that it was warm with good quality carpeting. Nothing jawdropping or to really wow your socks off - it's a clean decent hotel. Our room had a "to die for" view from the window of the mountains, which you could also enjoy whilst sitting up in bed drinking tea. It was clean and well furnished with a reasonable shower. They provided plenty of decent towels (both in size and quality) and the hair dryer was not attached to the wall (what a difference that makes).
It would be fair to say the breakfast was adequate. Not a terrific choice of cereals, fruit etc. I chose boiled eggs and they were cooked to perfection and I was delighted to find squeezy marmite was available. My other half went for the full cooked breakfast. After the hearty breakfasts of the Aaron Glen (Edinburgh) and the Camo Estate (St Andrews) the full Scottish breakfast at the Dundarach was fairly spartan by comparison. (I was really glad I chose the boiled eggs). If there is one area this hotel could look at instantly improving, it is the breakfast. They serve the bare minimum.
However you cannot apply the same value to the service here. The service at this hotel is great. We had an attentive waiter at breakfast who had humour, was fast and unobtrusive. The receptionist was also helpful and polite.
The hotel is nicely located for the main town. You simply cross the carpark and find the white gate. After crossing the railway turn left and you are in the centre of town after a few minutes walk. It's also v. handy for the Blair Atholl Distillery.
In summary, this hotel didn't wow or charm us. We needed a reasonable place to sleep for one night. As a last minute fix, this did the job and the Dundarach would be more than fine for a travelling rep.
- Dundarach Hotel Pitlochry
