Cringletie House

A Sunday Gourmet treat for my husband's birthday. The hotel itself is the epitome of a Scottish baronial mansion (castle). Very grand and also very comfortable and with the added bonus of a lift. The staff were all welcoming and instantly put us at ease. Our room was splendid and very well appointed. The nine course tasting menu was delicious from start to finish as were the paired wines. Each course and wine was explained and staff were happy to answer any questions. The breakfast was simply superb ! Staying here was indeed a special treat. We reflected that given the standard of accommodation, food, wine and the outstanding staff, it was good value. I do not doubt that we'll be back.

Lovely settings driving up. Receptionist was extremely lovely, Harriet was very bubbly and a great front of house welcome. We stayed one night in Ardean cottage with hot tub. Harriet showed us everything we needed to see and settled us in. Although we had seen pictures of the cottage before we arrived we were a bit disappointed with the cottage. We are a well travelled couple and have always stated that the front entrance of a building can say a lot. This wee cottage could do we a touch of stainer on the wooden entrance of the cottage to keep up with the ambience of the estate as it looks quite grubby. The main problem we had on entry was the overwhelming smell of dampness which stayed with us. The decor would be best suited in keeping in tow with the main house itself as it’s a little dated and not very luxurious compared to the main house rooms/suites. We have stayed in many luxurious places hotels, lodges, castles etc and for the price charged found it to be a bit on the high end for what we received. On the other hand everything we required was available. The hospitality tray had shortbread coffee hot chocolate tea milk and something we haven’t experienced before 4 small miniatures of whisky, a very welcoming touch. The hot tub I have to say was the best we have ever used even compared to Forest Holidays. The morning of breakfast was a great pleasure yet again a mention to Harriet, she was very bubbly attentive an amazing at her job. We would go as far as saying the best service we have ever had, and that’s a very high compliment. The breakfast was beautiful. Next time we may stay in the suites but not the cottage which is a great shame as it’s set in such a beautiful estate

My daughter and I stayed at Cringletie with a group of friends while in the area to ride horses, and we have all agreed that our stay at Cringletie was an absolute delight worthy of a return visit. We enjoyed our lovely room, walks around the walled garden and nearby trails, sitting each afternoon in one of the lovely bars or sitting rooms, an nice cup of tea from the coffee and tea service in the room and a fine breakfast each morning in the dining room. Our final evening we enjoyed the 7 course meal in the dining room and found the menu to be both creative and delicious. I have heard more than one of our friends saying they would like to return for a stay in the colder months. We can only imagine how lovely it would be at Christmas time.

As always, Bill Croft & his staff couldn’t have been more helpful and friendly. The hotel had a recent refurbishment, rooms are well decorated and furnished and meals are literally to our preference. It is only a half hour journey from home and a taxi would be cheaper but we also enjoy the breakfast! Smoked salmon & scrambled eggs for me and brioche for my wife set the day off to a good start.

My husband and I recently stayed for an overnight at Cringletie as one leg of a 10 leg trip in Scotland. We also stayed for a night last year in August, near the end of a trip through the UK, Wales, and Scotland. We continue to be pleased with our experience at Cringletie. We've stayed at many other refined establishments in GB and feel fairly well versed in identifying special qualities at those places and we must say that Cringletie was exceptional among them. I think it's important to praise what is done well, so here we go: Cringletie is very clean throughout. Thank you. It's difficult to feel luxurious when there are splotches, stains, crumbs, huge marks on the walls, etc. Not only are the rooms clean at Cringletie, but the whole estate is well cared for and guests absolutely do notice that. Mr. Cross was the only owner/manager to have a presence and attempt any communication with guests at the many hotels we've stayed at. Beyond a lovely handwritten note (a fantastic touch) in the room, he also came to speak to us during dinner and greeted us on a morning walk on the lawns...even greeting my husband by name. The little things: no other house supplied homemade yummies in the room; it was only packaged store shortbreads. Having a fan in the room was also super important, thank you...especially during summer heat. The rooms had bottles of sparkling and still water and accoutrements for tea/coffee and some other treats. The woman at the front desk who helped wrap up our artwork purchase was very lovely and personable. She was funny and welcoming. Thank you to her - and sorry we bought the sheep art you loved so much! The dinner staff maintains the decorum one expects of the caliber of meal service offered. The young man who handled the bar and portions of our table service was pleasant and you could tell they were all actively taking care to provide refined service. The food was delightful as always. We have yet to finish all courses in the tasting menu (we had to throw in the towel last time, too!) but only because each course was so good that we ate every bite. The food was refined and delicious and, I believe, and was among the very best of every restaurant we dined at, regardless of how many rosettes they boasted. Similarly related to dining: Cringletie was the only place in our 10 leg trip to serve quality toast at breakfast. Every other house offered only bland packaged mass-produced bread. As someone who doesn't enjoy breakfast but who sits for it while on vacation for her husband's sake, something as trivial as toast quality does make an impression and adds to the pile of finer details that have a synergistic impact. The bedding is lovely - comfortable. Room had everything one would need. The artwork sprinkled in the house is great. Not only does it promote and support local artists but it is so much more authentic and aesthetic than looking at countless mass reproduction posters that have been slapped in a frame. We even e

We spent a wonderful Hogmanay at Cringletie House. The hotel had a special Hogmanay program with guests arriving on the 30th December and departing on the 2nd January. All the meals were included, with a lovely dinner each evening preceded by a cocktail reception hosted by the owners of the hotel, Bill and Ann Cross. Each day also had its own activities including archery, falconry and a cookery demonstration. With only 14 rooms the hotel has an intimate feel and you certainly got to know your fellow guests, particularly when practicing for the ceilidh on New Year's Eve! This is not an "all singing, all dancing" hotel, for example, there is no gym or spa, but it is run more like a "house party" with the focus on personal attention and a warm welcome. Most of the fellow guests were couples although there were two families, including ourselves, and while this is perhaps not an obvious destination for younger guests the activities did manage to span the wide range of ages. Perhaps the best recommendation is that many of the guests were regular visitors to Cringletie House, and indeed by the time we left on the 2nd January half of the rooms had already been booked for the next Hogmanay!