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The Glenburn Hotel
Mountstuart Road, Rothesay PA20 9JP Scotland
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Avg. $134 /night, 11/4 - 11/5
$139
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4.0
#2 of 4 hotels in RothesayLocation
Rooms
Value
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Set in a prime position atop terraced gardens, The Glenburn Hotel commands fabulous views overlooking Rothesay Bay and the Cowal Peninsula. This grand and elegant 3 star hotel on the Isle of Bute and was originally constructed in 1892 as a hydrotherapy retreat. Guests staying at the Glenburn Hotel have a great choice of accommodation for their hotel break in Rothesay. Each of the bedrooms are spread over 20 to 30 square metres to ensure a comfortable stay and many of the bedrooms offer stunning and uninterrupted views of Rothesay Bay. The bright airy Ettrick Restaurant seats up to 200 whilst the smaller Pattersons Grill is great for the special occasion, looking out over the bay. Relax with a drink in the welcoming bar or enjoy the hotel's terrace which is the ideal spot to soak up the stunning views across Rothesay and Cowal.
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Property amenities
Free parking
Free High Speed Internet (WiFi)
Bar / lounge
Restaurant
Pets Allowed ( Dog / Pet Friendly )
Meeting rooms
Outdoor furniture
Shared lounge / TV area
Breakfast buffet
Complimentary tea
Sun terrace
Room types
Non-smoking rooms
Good to know
HOTEL CLASS
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
HOTEL STYLE
Business
Mid-range
Location
Mountstuart Road, Rothesay PA20 9JP Scotland
Getting there
Somewhat walkable
Places to stay are graded on a 0-100 scale. The higher the grade, the easier it is for travellers to find restaurants and things to do within walking distance.
Grade: 56 out of 100
56
25 Restaurants
within 1 kilometer
Reviews
4.0
199 reviews
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Reviews summary
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The Glenburn Hotel enchants with its traditional charm and comfortable, antique-laden atmosphere, although it does show signs of wear. Nestled in a prime location with lovely views, the hotel's amenities, including its grand public spaces and selection of food, are well-regarded.
However, guests have called out the need for room updates and cleaner standards. While the service receives mixed reviews, the general consensus is that the hotel falls short on value for money.
Location
Convenient
Atmosphere
Charming
Rooms
Dated
Value
Expensive
Cleanliness
Mixed
Service
Inconsistent
Amenities
Satisfactory
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Detailed Reviews
We visited for two nights on a 5pm Big Deal. The deal was for bed and breakfast plus one £40 voucher for drinks and food. I upgraded to a superior sea-view room and paid a supplement of £30 per night direct to the hotel.
On-site car parking is available but fairly limited. The hotel was by no means full but the car park was by early evening. Luckily we had no problems with parking.
Our room on the first floor was spacious and clean. Facilities were as described and the twin beds were firm but comfortable. The view over Rothesay bay was excellent.
The day we arrived was sunny and the room was very warm. Imagine our surprise when we discovered that the central heating radiator beneath the sash windows was warm! We pointed this out several times to the receptionist, who promised to have it looked at. The radiator remained warm during the days.
We had expected to dine in the restaurant, but only bar meals were being served. The food was fairly average but the service was efficient. We didn't eat in the hotel on the second night.
On our first night, the people in the next room returned at around 10pm. They were quite noisy and, as they moved around, my twin bed felt as if it was being bumped. It only happened a few times, but was a bit unnerving until I realised that the movement was being transmitted via the floor. After about an hour all went quiet, apart from snoring that could have been coming from within our room.
The buffet breakfast was disappointing, given the excellent quality of food available on the island. The sausages, both links and sliced, were completely tasteless. The potato scones were over-fried and hard. One plus point was that the conveyor belt toaster made a decent job with a single pass.
We used to have a flat on the island but we sold it and hadn't been back for a number of years. We enjoyed rediscovering old haunts but our hotel experience was somewhat underwhelming.
On-site car parking is available but fairly limited. The hotel was by no means full but the car park was by early evening. Luckily we had no problems with parking.
Our room on the first floor was spacious and clean. Facilities were as described and the twin beds were firm but comfortable. The view over Rothesay bay was excellent.
The day we arrived was sunny and the room was very warm. Imagine our surprise when we discovered that the central heating radiator beneath the sash windows was warm! We pointed this out several times to the receptionist, who promised to have it looked at. The radiator remained warm during the days.
We had expected to dine in the restaurant, but only bar meals were being served. The food was fairly average but the service was efficient. We didn't eat in the hotel on the second night.
On our first night, the people in the next room returned at around 10pm. They were quite noisy and, as they moved around, my twin bed felt as if it was being bumped. It only happened a few times, but was a bit unnerving until I realised that the movement was being transmitted via the floor. After about an hour all went quiet, apart from snoring that could have been coming from within our room.
The buffet breakfast was disappointing, given the excellent quality of food available on the island. The sausages, both links and sliced, were completely tasteless. The potato scones were over-fried and hard. One plus point was that the conveyor belt toaster made a decent job with a single pass.
We used to have a flat on the island but we sold it and hadn't been back for a number of years. We enjoyed rediscovering old haunts but our hotel experience was somewhat underwhelming.
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Date of stay: September 2022Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We stayed at the hotel on the weekend of 6th May for two nights, the hotel is a little dated but absolutely spotless clean and the staff were lovely and very helpful.
Breakfast was ok but my poached egg was not cooked properly which was disappointing but as the hotel has just reopened I understand that they will be teething problems.
The hotel was advertised as being dog friendly which it was and the hotel charged £15 per night however I was really disappointed that my dog was not allowed in the lounge, only on the outside balcony. The weather was kind and we had no rain but sitting outside on a cold evening was not exactly ideal, my elderly parents just went back to their room. Bar meals were being served which was the reason no dogs were allowed in the lounge. I think it would be a fantastic idea to have a separate seating area that accommodated pets, the hotel has a vast number of seating areas which could be adopted to pet friendly.
I have stayed in the Glenburn Hotel previously and will return again.
Breakfast was ok but my poached egg was not cooked properly which was disappointing but as the hotel has just reopened I understand that they will be teething problems.
The hotel was advertised as being dog friendly which it was and the hotel charged £15 per night however I was really disappointed that my dog was not allowed in the lounge, only on the outside balcony. The weather was kind and we had no rain but sitting outside on a cold evening was not exactly ideal, my elderly parents just went back to their room. Bar meals were being served which was the reason no dogs were allowed in the lounge. I think it would be a fantastic idea to have a separate seating area that accommodated pets, the hotel has a vast number of seating areas which could be adopted to pet friendly.
I have stayed in the Glenburn Hotel previously and will return again.
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Date of stay: May 2022Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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We stopped one night in Rothesay and chose The Glenburn Hotel before going home. What a lovely old building. We had a bit of difficulty booking but all OK on arrival. Friendly receptionist. We were allocated a great big room on the first floor. The bed mattress was hard but comfortable. A lot of trouble had been taken to upgrade and modernise the bathroom and this was really appreciated with a huge bath and over bath shower. A separate room with settee and TV was welcoming as in the heat of the day there was a patio door opening out for cool night air. The food in the restaurant was a bit pub style and adequate. Breakfast was buffet style and the usual bacon, sausage, eggs, beans etc. Breakfast service was friendly but the staged timings for breakfast sittings were a little unexpected. The owners are really working hard to take this hotel forward and I wish them well. The huge downstairs restaurant is a wonderful place to sit and eat with views out to the beautiful bay and mountains. I imagine at Christmas this would be a highlight. Would we go back? Yes in time, and it will be interesting to see how the hotel has been developed. A hotel well worth supporting by just being there and experiencing life in the wonderful surroundings. A lot of hard work has gone into making this place a gem.
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Date of stay: August 2022
Value
Location
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We were delighted to find somewhere that advertised being pet friendly so booked and paid an extra £15 per night to bring our dog. Upon arriving we were told that dogs aren’t actually allowed in any areas that serve food (turns out that was actually everywhere apart from the outside balcony). You are also not allowed to leave pets unattended in your room. This meant that just to have the breakfast that we’d already paid for we had to go one at a time and sit out in the cold balcony. Other guests with their dog found the same issue as us. We ended up having much nicer meals in a local pub that was dog friendly, inside and out, complete with dog water bowls and treats!
The hotel staff were friendly and accommodating in most other areas.
Sadly the breakfast wasn’t great - many of the warm items were over cooked or sat in grease and if you order a coffee it’s just instant granules.
The hotel staff were friendly and accommodating in most other areas.
Sadly the breakfast wasn’t great - many of the warm items were over cooked or sat in grease and if you order a coffee it’s just instant granules.
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Date of stay: July 2022Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We stayed overnight last weekend in May and were pleasantly surprised by the facilities and very friendly staff. Nothing was too much bother and all staff were very attentive and made us feel so welcome.
The hotel has just opened after being closed through the pandemic. The room was clean bright and decorated to a high standard. The views were stunning looking out across the water and the sunshine made our visit to Bute really out of this world.
There are definitely some improvements to be made in the upgrading of the hotel since reopening but this does not reduce the overall customer experience whilst staying here.
The food was delicious and was served by really friendly staff who really cared that we were comfortable and enjoying our stay.
If you are considering booking then don’t hesitate. You won’t be disappointed. We are already planning our next visit.
The hotel has just opened after being closed through the pandemic. The room was clean bright and decorated to a high standard. The views were stunning looking out across the water and the sunshine made our visit to Bute really out of this world.
There are definitely some improvements to be made in the upgrading of the hotel since reopening but this does not reduce the overall customer experience whilst staying here.
The food was delicious and was served by really friendly staff who really cared that we were comfortable and enjoying our stay.
If you are considering booking then don’t hesitate. You won’t be disappointed. We are already planning our next visit.
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Date of stay: May 2022Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I’ve looked at the Glenburn since I was a child. Up on the hillside in Rothesay you really can’t miss it but this has been my first opportunity to stay there.
We had a sea view room ( extra £20 per night) but worth it. The room was not overly large but perfectly adequate. The shower ( over bath) however is dreadful! Very small shower head and poor water flow made it all but impossible to get a decent shower!
The food is excellent both in quality and quantity though be quick for breakfast as things run out! You can’t beat a full Scottish breakfast! Bar prices are typical hotel, way too high!
The staff are very friendly and helpful though trying to get through on the phone can be a challenge, I’d avoid lunch time.
Now for my usual gripe, hotels in general skimp on cleaning but folks, the floor in the bathroom goes from wall to wall, including the bit behind the door and alongside the bath, please clean ALL of it! Sitting doing whatever I don’t like looking at grubby bits of floor or piles of fluff!
The outside of the building needs a lot of money spent on it but the inside is ok.
By the way guys, if you replace, or re-putty a window, clean it, don’t leave it covered in large putty marks, and if you drill holes in the bathroom tiles then don’t use them, fill them in, it’s all about customer perception!
Having said all of that, I’d go back anytime!
P.s. there’s not a lot of parking.
We had a sea view room ( extra £20 per night) but worth it. The room was not overly large but perfectly adequate. The shower ( over bath) however is dreadful! Very small shower head and poor water flow made it all but impossible to get a decent shower!
The food is excellent both in quality and quantity though be quick for breakfast as things run out! You can’t beat a full Scottish breakfast! Bar prices are typical hotel, way too high!
The staff are very friendly and helpful though trying to get through on the phone can be a challenge, I’d avoid lunch time.
Now for my usual gripe, hotels in general skimp on cleaning but folks, the floor in the bathroom goes from wall to wall, including the bit behind the door and alongside the bath, please clean ALL of it! Sitting doing whatever I don’t like looking at grubby bits of floor or piles of fluff!
The outside of the building needs a lot of money spent on it but the inside is ok.
By the way guys, if you replace, or re-putty a window, clean it, don’t leave it covered in large putty marks, and if you drill holes in the bathroom tiles then don’t use them, fill them in, it’s all about customer perception!
Having said all of that, I’d go back anytime!
P.s. there’s not a lot of parking.
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Date of stay: August 2022Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip: Limited parking at the hotel - way in is via the side of the old swimming baths and up a steep hill.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We visited the Glenburn Hotel while we were having renovations done on our house, we had booked to stay for 4 nights. Firstly I have to say the location and grounds of the hotel are beautiful, it has the most incredible views and we found the interiors to be lovely too (if a wee bit dated). We brought our 3 dogs with us and while we were alerted to the fact that they were not allowed in eating areas, we didn’t realise this would mean the entire hotel except the balcony which is plagued by wasps! The dogs also weren’t allowed to stay in the room unattended. The first night, we asked if we could take dinner up to our room and a helpful waiter said he would take it up for me… unfortunately he was told after we had ordered that he wasn’t allowed to help, which meant I had to carry a heavy tray full of food and drinks up to our room, putting the tray down and picking it up again every time I opened a door. Our next issue was that the room was poorly ventilated, it was so hot it was unbearable in the peak of Summer and when we asked for a fan we were told this wasn’t possible - a heater can be provided apparently but not a fan….
There are no bins around the property for you to dispose of any dog waste which is an additional issue for a property which claims to be “dog friendly”. We paid £45 per night for our dogs to stay in the hotel, which is drastically over priced considering they have to be confined to the room.
The Wi-Fi is abysmal… we were both supposed to be working and had to end up scheduling time off as the reception in our room was so terrible.
Finally, the service is painfully slow during lunch time. My husband waited 45 minutes for a sandwich before giving up.
Such a shame, this hotel could be spectacular if some effort was put in but I don’t think we will be back, certainly not with our dogs!
There are no bins around the property for you to dispose of any dog waste which is an additional issue for a property which claims to be “dog friendly”. We paid £45 per night for our dogs to stay in the hotel, which is drastically over priced considering they have to be confined to the room.
The Wi-Fi is abysmal… we were both supposed to be working and had to end up scheduling time off as the reception in our room was so terrible.
Finally, the service is painfully slow during lunch time. My husband waited 45 minutes for a sandwich before giving up.
Such a shame, this hotel could be spectacular if some effort was put in but I don’t think we will be back, certainly not with our dogs!
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Date of stay: August 2022Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The hotel itself was very nice and we had a comfortable stay here. The views are lovely and it is just a short drive from the main centre of Rothesay. The main issues we came across were the limited vegan options on the menu and the fact they say they are dog friendly but we found this not really to be the case. Dogs are allowed in certain rooms in the hotel but they are not allowed in any of the public areas including the bar. So if you wanted to have a drink or eat at the hotel you either had to leave your dog in your room or your car or eat/drink outside in a covered terrace. Even in August it was very cold in the evening so sitting outside was not pleasant – this area was also used for guests who wished to smoke, there were also a lot of wasps around (not that the hotel can control that aspect). I completely understand that you can't have dogs in the dining room/restaurant but most hotels we have stayed at allow dogs in the bar and guests can take their breakfast or evening meal there with their dog. The staff we encountered were friendly and professional but unfortunately we wouldn't return as we prefer a hotel where we can sit in the bar in the evening with our dog after a day exploring.
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Date of stay: August 2022Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The reason the hotel got as high a rating is because if the staff if not for them it would be much lower
They were amazing except for lady on reception on Monday 19th who was not helpful and I felt as if I was disturbing her, More on that later.
Waiting staff could not do enough for you and they were run off their feet.
Hotel room was good, bit dated but in character with building, en-suite needed a complete refresh.
Beds very comfortable and we had a lovely view.
Booked hotel via itison 2 night stay including £40 food and drink credit and as it was advertised as dog friendly we could take our very well behaved dog.
We had a meal the first night and the food was good. But had to eat outside, ok as weather was good, but could be a problem.
When we arrive the Queens funeral was on which was fine as we wanted to watch it but now starts the issues. My dog was not allowed in any of the communal areas , we had to eat outside, or in room. No room service, and had to take breakfast out to terrace ourselves.
There is plenty space in hotel, the staff were so apologetic about nowhere for us to sit with out dog, except for lady on reception. We also booked a double room was given a twin when I asked to change
The only option she gave me was a much smaller double so I didn’t change.
There was also a hefty surcharge per night for having our dog with us , which was cheeky when she wasn’t allowed anywhere except room.
I believe there is a programme of refurbishment planned but until this happens they should not be advertising as dog friendly.
They were amazing except for lady on reception on Monday 19th who was not helpful and I felt as if I was disturbing her, More on that later.
Waiting staff could not do enough for you and they were run off their feet.
Hotel room was good, bit dated but in character with building, en-suite needed a complete refresh.
Beds very comfortable and we had a lovely view.
Booked hotel via itison 2 night stay including £40 food and drink credit and as it was advertised as dog friendly we could take our very well behaved dog.
We had a meal the first night and the food was good. But had to eat outside, ok as weather was good, but could be a problem.
When we arrive the Queens funeral was on which was fine as we wanted to watch it but now starts the issues. My dog was not allowed in any of the communal areas , we had to eat outside, or in room. No room service, and had to take breakfast out to terrace ourselves.
There is plenty space in hotel, the staff were so apologetic about nowhere for us to sit with out dog, except for lady on reception. We also booked a double room was given a twin when I asked to change
The only option she gave me was a much smaller double so I didn’t change.
There was also a hefty surcharge per night for having our dog with us , which was cheeky when she wasn’t allowed anywhere except room.
I believe there is a programme of refurbishment planned but until this happens they should not be advertising as dog friendly.
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Date of stay: September 2022Trip type: Travelled with family
Room Tip: Don’t take your dog
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Booked this hotel through itison, conditions stated dogs welcome in standard rooms which was fine as we did not want to upgrade. We also arranged to have meals there. On checking in I asked reception where in hotel we are allowed to take our (very well behaved dog) and was told nowhere indoors apart from our bedroom. Dogs are not allowed in bar area and could only eat in room which did not have a dining table and only one chair. We could however eat outside in balcony surrounding hotel but could not reserve a table there to eat. The balcony had a stunning view and was used by guests who wanted to smoke or have a drink there. Our friends were obliged to eat with us in what was a very cold evening. Stay was stressful and not the birthday treat planned for my husband. Would have been a good experience if we did not bring our dog which incidentally cost £45.00
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Date of stay: August 2022Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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PRICE RANGE
$122 - $148 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
LOCATION
United KingdomScotlandArgyll and ButeIsle of ButeRothesay
NUMBER OF ROOMS
134
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Claim Your ListingTHE GLENBURN HOTEL | UPDATED 2024 Reviews & Price Comparison (Rothesay, Scotland) - Tripadvisor
Frequently Asked Questions about The Glenburn Hotel
Which popular attractions are close to The Glenburn Hotel?
Nearby attractions include Rothesay Castle (1.0 km), Ardencraig Gardens (0.9 km), and The Golfers (0.7 km).
What are some of the property amenities at The Glenburn Hotel?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include free wifi, an on-site restaurant, and a lounge.
What food & drink options are available at The Glenburn Hotel?
Guests can enjoy an on-site restaurant, a lounge, and complimentary tea during their stay.
What are some restaurants close to The Glenburn Hotel?
Conveniently located restaurants include The Waterfront, Rothesay, Musicker Cafe, and Helmi’s.
Are pets allowed at The Glenburn Hotel?
Yes, pets are typically allowed, but it's always best to call ahead to confirm.
Are there any historical sites close to The Glenburn Hotel?
Many travellers enjoy visiting Rothesay's Victorian Toilets (1.5 km), Ascog Hall Fernery and Garden (2.4 km), and Ettrick Bay Stone Circle (5.4 km).