Did a nice car run over to Ullapool today, so happy to see that The Ceilidh Place was open for business. Superb meal (the smoked haddock chowder is superb), can heartedly recommend this great place for a meal. Just what was needed on a cold but bright January day.

What a great find. The mix of hotel, bookshop, art, restaurant and bar (with or without live music) was wonderful. Superb breakfast and good value evening meals. Even on a very busy (tall ships festival) weekend nothing was too much trouble. Lack of televisions and other mod cons all added to the pleasure. Our four boys thoroughly enjoyed themselves in a bunk room in the separate 'hostel' accommodation.

Recently stayed here for a wedding held in the hotel. The place is simply fantastic. You have to be very clear what to expect though. This is a place to be with friends, go walking, paint, read books etc. In general to relax. There are no TVs. No computers. No spa. No pool. The bar and restaurant are simple. Rooms are very pleasant but several (including the one we stayed in) are not en-suite.

We found the food for the evening reception outclassed that served at weddings we had been to in far more expensive hotels. The breakfast was also tasty and ample. The staff are relaxed and informal and yet very pleasant and helpful. The residents day-lounge knocks the socks off any other similar room in far more lavish hotels. It is not a cheap place to stay, however it is a delightful place to spend a few days and forget the rest of the world.

PS As we were at a wedding, there was a large number of our friends who stayed in other assorted hotels in the town. Every single one of them who had stayed elsewhere regretted their decision.

I decided to book a special night away for my wife and me, so I asked for the best room they had; I was offered a premium room, with a view of Loch Broom, and was quoted £154 for 2, for one night B&B!! That's nippy, so must be really good, I thought......... but it wasn't.

Our room was fairly small, with a windowless, unvented bathroom with no bath, and the Loch Broom view was marginal, sideways looking through some trees! The back yard was the principal vista. I asked for confirmation as we were shown to the room, and was promised that this was the room they always gave to the bride and groom. I guess they don't expect newlyweds to be spending much time looking at the view..........! And the radio in the next room woke us early, so I'm not sure the acoustics are good enough for newlyweds' privacy.

Right enough, the residents' daylounge is fantastic, but no good if you're only spending one night in the place, and it's no real compensation for the poor value of the room. Having been in other hotels in the same town, it seems that Ullapool has a high opinion of itself - it's all over-priced.

In the evening, the dinner food was under-par for the price - didn't fulfil the scrumptious descriptions and portions were small: we left a bit hungry.

To be fair, there is a lot going on, generally, and there's usually a lively buzz about the place. There's a few nice nooks to occupy and enjoy coffee, etc. But I reckon I could have found 2 nights elsewhere for my £210 bill.