Stayed here for 1 sunday night with spa pack and 3 course dinner included through a 5pm deal. Due to the deal price we paid we had a pleasant enough stay, however we wouldn't pay the full price rates to come back.
Positives : good breakfast. great staff and service. Lovely grounds and scenic setting. Vast amounts of info on things to do in thr grounds and locally. Nice arran aromatic bathroom products plus thick robes and branded tea/coffee in room.
Negitives : the interior decor in rooms and main level are tired and could do with updating. Feels like it was last refurbed in the 80s to look like a banal hotel chain and they've not replaced or maintained since.
We were lookin forward to using the spa pack. However seeing that our bath was clean but old and stained with mildue stains on the ceiling put us off the idea.
We were also looking forward to the 3 course dinner. The silver service trained staff were good however the food was not to their standards. Felt like it came from a event catering kitchen instead of a restraunt. Starters came out seconds after ordering and even the lettace and plates were freezing cold, highly suspect they are prepped before service starts and kept in large chill to take out. My main risoto was like wallpaper paste and salmon was dry. Pretty average food. Plus the dining area is set inside the conservitory area with vast windows overlooking the scenery, however at night heavy curtains are drawn so the potentually magical backdrop (if they got some outdoor lights) is ignored. No atmosphere either as there is a cd of lift music on a loop in the background (also played during breakfast)
Overall: I understand their usual client is probably retired couples with some money. However if they spent some money on a refurb and a new head chef they could widen the client base and have a truely special product to visit again and again.
They're standard rate charges £110 per room per night, we've stayed in 5 star hotel rooms in central edinburgh for that price with high decor, spa baths with separate showers and sky widescreen tv.
They're standard rate for our dinner charges just under £60 for two ppl without drinks. Again we've had vastly better meals for that price. Wed suggest having a relaxing stroll down to pitlochery and dining out there instead.
- Atholl Palace Pitlochry
- Atholl Palace
- Hotel Atholl Palace
