As of July 2010 this hotel is closed at present, until futher notice.

I booked this hotel for myself and 2 colleagues for 3/4 nights. My first thoughts on arrival were "my god, why did I pay in advance," second thoughts were "my colleagues are going to kill me!!"

Horrible entrance with an ancient old carpet which looks like it's been there since they built the place. Signs on the doors advising any stains on the carpets must be paid for. I arrived approx 8.30pm and my colleague had already checked me in and gave my my key when I got there.

The bedroom was just big enough, very fussy outdated wallpaper everywhere and a horrible upside down beige lampshade which meant even with the main light on the room was very dull. Tiny wooden open cupboard as a wardrobe with a selection of every shops hanger to choose from. The bathroom was quite big and seemed very clean (apart from a bar of soap left in the soap dish from a prior guest with prior guest's hair still attached.) I settled down for the night but as could only get channel 3 on my tv decided to have an early night. Unfortunately although it's a reasonably good location (and not the fault of the hotel,) the fact that you've got boy racers roaring up and down the street all night and parking directly opposite my bedroom window (which isn't double glazed), made it extremely noisy and difficult to get to sleep!!
Breakfast was nice and is when we met Margaret, Pat and the chef who were all very accommodating and friendly. At breakfast I mentioned I'd had only the one channel and my colleague advised he'd had the same problem and when he asked the barman, the barman produced a 2nd remote for the sky box and advised, "we don' t leave them in the rooms because people steal them." Not sure why we were not told this on arrival but have suggested to Margaret guests are given the control on check in!

All in all, the place did grow on me, the staff were nice and friendly and seem to be making the best of a bad lot.

I should mention my colleagues did eat in the restaurant a couple of times and the chef proved to be very knowledegable and helpful and they say the food was lovely.

The Crown is a small 14 bedroom hotel which has an excellent restaurant and a lively bar.
You are made most welcome by the Manageress Margaret who is vey obliging.

Recently taken over by a young couple who have started a long overdue redecoration of the hotel. The couple couldn't have been more pleasant. Our dinner on Saturday was excellent and I would recommend the Crown Hotel, Castle Douglas to anyone who wants an excellent meal. I am sure that when the decoration is complete this hotel will be worth an Excellent. Godd luck to the new owners they deserve to do well.