Hetland Hall Hotel

My husband, 2 children aged 3 and 5 and myself stayed here for 2 nights between christmas and new year in December and were very pleasantly surprised. There are are some mixed reviews on tripadvisor, but it was the hotel nearest to our family and thats why we chose it. When we walked into our room (2A), we were taken aback. It was huge. Big double bed, sofa and TV area, separate twin room for the kids (which is alway a huge bonus) and a lovely, large modern bathroom with separate shower cubicle. It had two bay windows in the main room overlooking the fields and all the way across to the estuary in the distance. Beautiful. The hotel itself has a couple of very standard public rooms, but the roaring log fires were wonderful, the bar is cosy and the dining room adequate rather than exceptional. We had dinner with our family in the main dining room the first night. It was nicely done, with the staff trying very hard, and almost succeeding in being professional, with some charm. Our orders were taken as we sat with pre dinner drinks and then we went through when the first course was served. All the starters were very good. Our main courses were not cooked to our taste (beautiful scottish steaks cooked medium/well rather than rare as requested) but still good quality produce. Unfortunately, the children's meals arrived as we finished ours, but were piping hot. Desserts were excellent. Coffee served back in the lounge was a nice touch, but with only 3 sofas in the whole place (the rest were tables and chairs?) if it were any busier, it wouldn't be too comfortable. We had no complaints though. There is a little play area for the children out in the hotel grounds which kept them busy for a little while, it would be lovely in summer to sit out there with drinks and watch them play. We didn't get an opportunity to use the spa, pool or gym, and as you had to go outside the hotel to get to it, and I never seemed to have my coat whenever I thought about it, I never managed to even have a look. From a distance it looked great. The second night we decided (after a full day of walking and touring) we would just spend the evening in our room (it was that lovely) and order room service. Everything apart from the a la carte menu, was available and we had fish and chips, burgers and kids meals, wine and dessert. It was all hot and very nicely done, again good quality ingredients. There is coffee and tea making facilities in the room, which is always a good thing. Breakfast was a buffet the first day, and service the second. I'm not sure why, perhaps they put on the buffet if there are more people in the hotel. Both days were very good, although we did order porridge (thinking scottish porridge must be good) and ended up with something that tasted like oats, tapioca and rice pudding - yuk! So stick with the traditional full scottish! It was a pleasant surprise, a very pleasant stay and the next time we visit the family up there, we will definitely stay here again. Room 2A is the only family suite, so if you want the separate bedroom, I guess you need to check if its available, I certainly recommend it.

I am not one for many words, but what I can tell you I held my wedding and reception at Hetland Hall Hotel and will never regret any of it for a single second. I can comment on every espect from the customer service to cost and can only grade the hotel and staff as excellent. We had twenty two guests (including children and disabled) staying for two nights in the hotel, they all ate there and no one had a single complaint. Not even the mother in law.... The staff could not have been more helpful and attended to every wish without question. The photographer we used Alister Lynn & Co were also very good. Overall I was very happy and would recommend it to anyone from my wife and I's experiences.

We stayed at Hetland Hall Hotel 2-4 November, it was relatively quiet, with mostly business guests. Our waiter told us the hotel makes it's money when they host weddings, and some of the past reviews certainly give praise for Hetland Hall as a wedding venue. The breakfasts were lovely, well cooked and flexible when we wanted slightly different things. We didn't dine at the restaurant, £20 for a set menu. But had one evening meal in the bar/lounge where we had fish and chips (which was delicious) and they let us have desserts from the restaurant menu - which were very nice. The location of the hotel is right off A75 near Carrutherstown, but not well lit at night. Unfortunately the hotel is rather grand, with nice frontage and stairwell etc, but situated right next to the A75, so whilst there is 18 acres of land, we could hear the road all night. Our room was okay, shower pressure great. When we checked out the receptionist stayed on a call for about 5 minutes whilst we waited there and took another call as we paid, so didn't impress us! All other staff had been very helpful though. Overall - the room prices are too high for the roadside location and underwhelming room.

Hotel furnishings were lovely. Food was good but not exceptional. Restaurant staff were friendly and efficient. However leisure facilities were very disappointing. We selected this hotel for its steam room, sauna and pool, but we were unable to use them due to the state of their cleanliness.

They are a hardy lot in Dumfries. My room in early May was so cold (central heating off) I had to wear my coat trying to watch TV. Gave up and went down to the bar - much more enjoyable. A lovely building. Super grounds. Reasonable food that the chef obviously cares about. Friendly staff. Clean. Room a good size and well furnished with rural views. Bathroom good. But, along with your coat pack your sunglasses, whatever the weather - the decor demands it. I suspect at its best in mid winter when the central heating is on or mid summer when there is no need. I have to say However that despite the arctic temperature in the bedroom all in all I thought this hotel was not bad value and a pleasant place to stay.

My Wife and I spent one night in the Hetland Hall in a so called Non smoking room which had fag burns on most of the furnishings and the smell of stale smoke. The bathroom was really small and grubby and had mildew. As with most people I found it draughty and the decor very tired and dated. The lesiure facilities were okay and the food was good with polite friendly staff. I might use it again as a stop over but I wouldn`t want to stay very long.

Lovely surrounding and decor totally in standing with the style of the Hotel. The heating in our room did not work but a phone call quickly rectified this, At the time of our stay the steam room was not working and although chilly the fires were not lit although this was an advertised feature. The staff were very friendly and helpful and the food was very good

We visited the Hetland Hall in April 2003 to suss it out as a venue for our wedding - we were very impressed with the friendly staff and the excellent breakfasts and as a result booked our wedding there!! We got married in Sept 03 and the whole weekend was absolutely fantastic. The staff were brilliant, the food was amazing and all our guests disagree with the previous comments about decor - yes it may seem old fashioned but for our guests it gave the hotel a warm, cosy feel giving it a uniqueness and making it special from other chains of hotels. Everyone felt they were treated brilliantly and as the bride I cannot fault the hotel in any way! Definately highly recommended if you want that quiet peaceful break but with the luxuries of staying in a chain of hotels with a great reputation.

Fab building, but i feel i must agree with the previous comments about decor. Hetland could definateley do with a make-over! We did have rather a curious run-in with the duty guy one night.On getting back, (about 1.30) we couldn't get in, and after some knocking a very disgruntled night porter arrived, muttering about special keys(which we knew nothing about), he then said that our room key wasn't behind the desk, which it was.When we went out the following evening we asked about the special key and were told to knock! That was his job-so we knocked.Strange. P.S. We did get in.

The Hetland Hall Hotel is a country house hotel, set in its own grounds. If you're lucky enough to get a room with a view, the vistas are great. The hotel is very tidy and has some impressive architectural features. The food is good and the staff helpful. What really lets this hotel down is the dreadful, bad taste, cheap decor. They really do need an interior designer, urgently!