The Waterside Hotel

I recently stayed at this hotel and it was an enjoyable stay as I was celebrating my partners birthday. I would definitely recommend this but there were a few issues. Our cups, glasses and spoons within bed space were dirty. There was also a powercut in the morning which meant we were unable to have breakfast ( cereals were provided along with fruit ) but we did pay to have breakfast included and we did not receive this. I completely understand that a power outage is out with their control but given the price we paid for our stay and what we received was a little disappointing. The view on the other hand was absolutely amazing.

We stayed at the Waterside for an overnight in July 2025. The room was lovely and stylish. Infact the full building is stylish and different. We stayed in room 321 which is a sea view room with a small balcony. We didn't have dinner in the restaurant however the breakfast was really good. The quality of the food was excellent. I would definitely stay again. Excellent value for money.

As locals, we have tried the Waterside for meals and coffees several times after a walk on the beach. Sadly it never quite makes the mark. Yesterday we waited 25 minutes for 2 iced coffees. The scones were hard as bricks. The only positive was a delightful young server called Ava who did her very best. Sge is new here and we were very impressed. Not so with the rest of the staff.

The Waterside was truly perfect for us. We had a seaside room with a Juliette balcony that overlooked the Isle of Arran. Loved the location and all of the nearby services and options for exploring all Scotland has to offer within reason. We embarked on a 3 and a half Scotland tour and this was our last nights accommodation and one of the few reviews I will leave. Main reason for this review is because of the warmth and the hospitality we experienced from a staff member and I would say a friend named  Patrick! He is a truly exceptional host and brought so much joy and passion to his duties! He got us in and we felt as if he treated us like family! He made us feel special even in a short stay. Truly a great individual to represent your company! I will 1000% return solely because of how positive he made our stay at the Waterside. We had an early flight and Patrick wouldn't let us travel on an empty stomach, he went the extra mile and had breakfast waiting for us before it was even open. He was a bright star on a sad day of leaving glorious Scotland. However, he made it so much easier on us with his warmth and hospitality. I wish him the very best and can't wait to return! Thank you!!! This review was not sponsored.

First of all, check in was flawless and the staff were so helpful, the room was lovely l, but we had been allocated an accessible room, that we don’t require, so the bathroom wasn’t ideal, but manageable. We were booked DBB, dinner was absolutely delicious, our server was very attentive, but our wine was just “deposited” on our table , with “there’s your wine”, not great. Breakfast, well here goes!, we arrived at 9.40am and at 10.10, I had to ask for our order to be taken, the food when arrived, was lovely, but after sitting for 55mins , we really had no appetite. The staff were lovely, but there was no direction from the Duty Manager, at 10.30 I asked for another glass of juice, which I got, but your manager basically blamed us for coming down at 9.40, I told him our order was taken 30 mins after arrival, again his answer was, I’ve only 2 staff, we saw, including him, 4 members of staff. I did say on numerous occasions, this isn’t a complaint, but honestly he had an answer for everything. His attitude wasn’t conducive to hospitality. We did raise this with reception as we were pushed for checking out, who apologised and told us to take our time. Would we come back?, yes, but a little bit of staff training in etiquette and manners wouldn’t go amiss.

Good We had room and it was excellent, very clean, really big and spacious with opening doors, with sea view, no air con bit there was a fan in room so it was okay. The room was great and the staff on arrival were really friendly. Our TV did not work so I visited reception and they gave me new batteries, still didn't work and it was late so we gave up at that point, I am sure if we had gone back down to reception they would have tried to help, not what you want after a long drive. Bad - Breakfast - dont go if you are in a rush.... Morning Breakfast totally lets this hotel down, we were seated next to a wall side by side, like school children, on the right hand side of 2 tables pulled together and another couple sitting face to face on the other end, and there was no room to get past them unless they moved which wasn't right, given that there were lots of empty tables. Yes we could have asked to move but we didn't want to bother the other couple or cause a scene. The couple on the table had been sat for at least 15 minutes and their order was not taken, together we waited 1/2 an hour for our order to be taken, and this was only after the other couple asked to take their order. There was no juice left, I heard another couple asking for juice and they were told that breakfast finished at 10 am, and it was 10.20, but they had been waiting since 9.30, the Managers RUDE response was, I only have two staff, no apology apart from blaming her for being late, which she wasn't, he just told her breakfast finished at 10am, well if that is the case why did we have to wait until 10.15 for them to take our order? His short staff issue is not a customer issue and to be fair there were 4 staff including himself, in a small dining room and they all seemed to be hanging about without direction. In the time were were there none of the tables were cleared, and when we left every table in the room had dirty dishes on. It is a real shame that this part of our stay totally let the hotel down, as apart from that the rooms and book in were seamless.