The Royal Dunkeld Hotel

We visited the Royal Dunkeld Hotel in early August 2005. The reception staff were very helpful. We only wanted to stay for one night and were offered one of the lodges, which are just behind the main hotel. These are twin-bedded, but fine for one night and have a shower room, tea and coffee making facilities etc. My main gripe was with the service in the bar and restaurant. The bar service was painfully slow. In the restaurant, we ordered a lasagne with salad and a steak pie with potatoes. We got a lasagne and chips and a steak pie... more

Stayed for 3 nights and the room, although small, had everything you would expect. The problems lie with very indifferent staff in the restaurant and bars. The lounge bar, Gargoyles, is more reminiscent of a tea room, seems to have no permanent staff and you have to wait until they've finished chatting in the bar before serving you. A bar meal was described as having 'salad and coleslaw' but arrived without. And that was the theme of the whole weekend; at every breakfast someone in our party had to ask more than once for an element of... more

My wife and I are on a fast tour of Scotland and wanted somewhere central from where we could explore the countryside. We booked at the Royal largely because of the good reviews here. We were slightly concerned by the one bad review, but it was reassuring to see all the others were positive. We were swayed by the fact that they have Max the Bernese Mountain dog, and we have one also that we miss whilst away and we both wanted out Bernese fix. Max was a treat, as was his new friend Midge who is five months old, but sadly they are both... more

My wife and I have recently returned from a three night break at the Royal hotel in Dunkeld. Having chosen at random we knew nothing of the hotel or Dunkeld itself before we went but on both counts we were delighted with our choice. The hotel staff were particularly welcoming (especially Max) and our accommodation and the other facilities were first class. We were pleasantly surprised by the quality and variety of the food in the dining room and the waiting staff were friendly and helpful. Dunkeld is a great centre for walking and the... more

The Royal Dunkeld Hotel is positioned in the centre of the attractive old Perthshire town of Dunkeld, famous for its half ruined cathedral beside the River Tay with antiques and interesting little shops. Built in 1815 as a coaching inn, the hotel still retains some of the atmosphere of that era. A large central staircase, complete with tartan carpet leads to 25 bedrooms; there are also 10 lodge rooms behind the main hotel providing more basic, but popular, accommodation. The Royal Dunkeld, under new private ownership for the past three... more

Just returned from weekend break. Can't agree with bad review. Found hotel to be very welcoming and comfortable. Suited all requirements. Restaurant was very good but liked the idea of quality bar meals as well so the weekend could be as cheap or as expensive as you want it to be. Room was slightly on the small side but this was reflected in the price. Staff were very friendly and efficient. We wouldn't hesitate to come back. D & J Robertson

The food and service at this small hotel are excellent, the rooms are comfortable and cosy. The staff are quick to offer advice on local events and are most helpful. We have stayed at the Royal Dunkeld on several occasions, especially in the Winter time when the area is covered in snow, there is a roaring fire to return to and a welcome in the bar which is frequented by visitors and locals alike.

Myself and my wife visited this hotel last year, in an area of outstanding natural beauty and well located for the Central Highlands etc. However, whilst the room was fairly cheap, it was tiny, overloaded with lurid flowery patterns, tatty and fairly uncomfortable. The restaurant was poor also, but still premium priced. I had never complained about service etc. before, but I checked out at 9pm so disgusted was I with the levels of service and standards. I urge you not to book this hotel, there are others close by which are measurably better.