Crinan Hotel

We’ve read many or the previous Trip Advisor reviews and can see fair points in all of them, however our experience was excellent. Yes, the hotel is old and slightly tired but it’s very charming. It’s expensive but where else are you going to stay in that area? It could do with a refurbishment but it has character and we certainly wouldn’t want it to close down and be lost forever, nor bought over by a big chain and be stripped of its unique qualities. Our room was clean, however a few points are deducted for omitting to service our bathroom properly. We stayed for three enjoyable nights. Service was patchy on the first night but improved greatly. The season was just getting underway and we suspect some newer staff members were still finding their feet. The staff were generally delightful. Food was mostly excellent. Breakfasts were highly enjoyable with a great view from the dining room. Drink was reasonably priced by hotel standards. The vibe in our opinion is a mixture of Agatha Christie meets Fawlty Towers and is all the better for it. Quirky, quaint and curious, in a stunning setting. If you’re expecting perfection then go elsewhere but if you appreciate people trying hard to give you a memorable experience in a wonderful part of the world then you’ll be just fine. Thanks to Frances and staff for a pleasant, happy and quite special experience.

Perfect stay for any traveller. I travelled solo and had a great experience. Cosy and clean accommodation and flavoursome food available. If a guest at the hotel, breakfast is hearty! If you are coming for lunch or dinner, there's lots of choice. I would say that it is a seafood lovers dream as fresh means flavoursome and I had some excellent seafood at dinner. Exceptional staff who are very attentive, informative and made my trip a complete success. Beautiful areas to walk and the canal path is worth all 9.5 miles!

We have visited this hotel many times over the years and have just returned from yet another wonderful experience. Hotels tend to talk about their ‘guests’ although more often than not we guests tend to feel like customers.. At Crinan you truly feel like a welcome, wanted and invited guest and feel totally at home! The hotel is pure joy and relaxation, the staff are wonderful, the food and ambience faultless, the views spectacular and the homely stylish vibe irresistible. Frances’s artwork fills the hotel and brings it to life… she also has wonderful taste in coats…!! Whenever life feels stressful this is where we head and immediately feel better.

Just to say - how great Jamie was! We stayed for one night (our second time at the hotel) with our 9 month-old and he made it all so easy. A high chair upon arrival, heating up our baby food - asking the kitchen to make her some delicious mash with veggies from scratch for us to take with us! Washing her bib & utensils was above and beyond, another great waiter whisked it away despite my protest. Bringing us a second crib after the first appeared a tad rickety. And we enjoyed a DELICIOUS dinner (bouillabaisse!) while our daughter slept one floor up, thanks to speedy wifi on the baby monitor. All the staff made it feel welcoming - in no way put upon even as we left extra (!) crumbs despite best efforts. It was just as funky & wild a place as the first time we were there back in 2021. Thank you so much.

This is our second visit to the Crinan hotel for my husband to go deer stalking. On arrival we were very warmly greeted by a delightful guy called Eiden (unsure of correct spelling) who actually remembered our visit two years ago. We had an excellent, very large room overlooking the sea with a super-kingsize bed and beautiful bed linen. The room was extremely warm; which was a great plus due to the cold weather we experienced. Dinner in the seafood restaurant is outstanding and offers an excellent menu of many choices. Breakfast served in the dining room was also excellent and plentiful. We had the great pleasure of meeting Mrs Ryan, the owner of the hotel, who was equally welcoming and friendly and who is a very talented artist with many of her paintings shown around the hotel. The coffee shop is also a ‘must’ to visit, offering home made cakes etc. We’re so looking forward to returning to the Crinan Hotel next year and there is only one word to describe The Crinan as “Faultless “.

This place is a rare gem. If you want marble and shiny chrome, it is not the place for you. It is a charming, family run hotel, with staff who really look after you. It is quirky and homely, stylishly decorated by Frances Macdonald, the owner, with many of her paintings on the walls. The food is wonderful - freshly landed seafood. The best oysters my husband has ever tasted. All this plus stunning views. We stay there whenever we go to Scotland.