We have just spent a very pleasant three nights at The Balcary Bay Hotel with our three little dogs. It is hard to find a hotel that genuinely accepts well behaved dogs and this hotel does just that. They even provided dog poop bags! We stayed in one of the ground floor rooms and it was huge and very comfortable. It was a real treat to let the dogs out onto the lawns overlooking the sea in the morning with my dressing gown on! Admittedly, we were very lucky with the weather which allowed us to make the most of the stunning scenery, lovely gardens and very pleasant walks. The afternoon tea was good ( we sat on the beautiful lawn ) and the food in the evening was of a very high standard. We really could not fault the food, the menus or the wine. Don't fail to have the Galoway beef! The fish was equally good and there was always a vegetarian choice. Breakfasts were varied and generous. We loved the fact that all courses were good, seasonal, healthy and imaginatively cooked and presented. Kirkcudbright and Castle Douglas were great trips out. We went to the former twice and enjoyed the art galleries and The National Trust property very much. The whole area is exceptionally quiet and the people very welcoming and friendly.
I have only one criticism and I'd love the management to address it. The resident's lounge could be improved no end by a rearrangement of the furniture, some coffee tables, books and magazines. At the moment it looks like something out of an old people's home and we did not want to sit in it.

Stayed for one night at start of driving holiday. Our room was beautiful and matched by the view. On arrival we spent an hour or so just looking out to sea. The food was very good as was the table service. It would have been nice to have had the option of some food from the bar, which was only available at lunchtime. I have noted previous negative comments about staff but would have to say that was not our experience in our short time there. We did experience more personal attention at later places but they were smaller and with less guests than the Balcary Bay.

I have been staying here on and off since the 70's and just keep coming back for the peace and quiet, wonderful food and excellant walking in the area.
And best of all we can take our dog who just loves it there.
This is a special hotel in a beautiful area even in bad weather, where you can sit in front of a roaring log fire and just relax .

Why is this hotel not the perfect place for a Scottish getaway? The scenery is breathtaking - a misty morning over the bay with Hestan Island and the ancient tower at the point. The room very comfortable with a lovely en-suite. The food - excellent. Pricey - but memorable food and location.

The management has a terrible attitude to guests - frosty, uncaring. The meals are incredibly rushed. We had an emergency call during dinner from a family member about a hospital admission. The message was passed in a rude and resentful manner. Our first morning at breakfast we had just sat down and the power went off. "Oh" the waitress said "there goes breakfast". It turned out that the staff had known the day before about the planned outage. A warning the night before and guests would have gladly come down a little earlier. Food was served, but a ridiculous lack of courtesy.

This could be one of the finest hotels in Scotland - but not until it is under new ownership.