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Summary of reviewsThe Bruce Hotel, situated in Newton Stewart, receives widespread appreciation for its prime location, making it an excellent base for exploring Dumfries and Galloway. Guests appreciate its central position, proximity to local amenities and ease of access to major routes and the Cairnryan port. Additionally, the availability of off-street parking and quiet, spacious rooms enhances the appeal for various travelers, from those on family outings to individuals using it as a stopover for ferries.
Breakfast at The Bruce Hotel is a standout feature, garnering overwhelmingly positive feedback for its hearty full Scottish breakfast, freshly cooked to order with generous portions. Guests commend the quality, consistency and attentive, friendly service provided by the staff, making the morning meal a highlight of their stay.
The hotel's dinner service, however, has received mixed reactions. While some guests have enjoyed excellent meals when the restaurant was operational, issues such as staffing shortages and Covid-19 restrictions have often left the dinner service unavailable. Despite this setback, the quality of the food when available has been positively noted.
Room experiences at The Bruce Hotel are varied. On the positive side, many guests appreciate the spacious and clean accommodations with serene views of mountains or hills, adding to a tranquil ambiance. The rooms are deemed well-equipped for an overnight stop. However, the decor and fixtures are dated and some reviews highlight maintenance issues such as low water pressure, thin mattresses and occasional musty odors, signaling a need for refurbishment to enhance the overall guest experience.
Cleanliness of the rooms is another mixed aspect with many guests noting cleanliness and good size. However, the hotel's overall upkeep shows signs of wear and tear, including peeling wallpaper and lifting carpets. Although the rooms are deemed clean, the aged appearance detracts from this perception, indicating a need for consistent upkeep and deep cleaning.
The staff at The Bruce Hotel consistently shine, earning high praise for their friendliness, helpfulness and warm hospitality. Guests frequently mention positive interactions with the front desk, as well as commendations for individual staff members. This level of service significantly contributes to a pleasant stay, often overshadowing minor critiques regarding room conditions.
One area requiring attention is the hotel's WiFi connectivity, which guests often find unreliable and slow. This issue detracts from the overall guest experience, highlighting an area where improvements could be beneficial.
The condition of the beds is another point of frequent criticism with many guests finding the mattresses old, uncomfortable and in need of replacement. Improving the bedding would greatly enhance guest comfort.
Overall, The Bruce Hotel serves as a budget-friendly lodging option that delivers a fair experience for value-conscious travelers. While it offers a strategic location, commendable breakfast and friendly service, it stands to benefit from refurbishment and updates to fully meet guest expectations. For those seeking affordable accommodation without luxury, it remains a viable choice. Show more
Read review summaries for all categories
Categories
Bed & Breakfast with Free Wi-Fi
Cheap Bed & Breakfast
3-Star Bed & Breakfast
Room Types
Double Room with Private BathroomThis double room has a tea/coffee maker and seating area
Twin Room with BathThis twin room features a seating area and tea/coffee maker
Quadruple Room with BathAll family rooms have 2 bedrooms. The 1st is a double bedroom and the second bedroom has 2 single beds.
Triple Room with BathThe triple room provides a tea and coffee maker, a carpeted floor, as well as a private bathroom featuring a shower and a hairdryer. The unit offers 2 beds.
About The Bruce Hotel
License: 11169742, B
Guest Reviews
7.2
Good
Location
The Bruce Hotel is highly praised for its strategic location, making it an ideal base for exploring Dumfries and Galloway. Guests appreciate the central position in the town, which places them in close proximity to shops, restaurants and takeaways. Its excellent location makes it convenient for accessing Cairnryan port and getting around the local area. The hotel is noted for its off-street parking, spacious and quiet rooms and friendly staff. Travelers find the accommodation easy to find with comforting and stylish decor in parts, enhancing their stay. Whether visiting for family outings or as a stopover for ferries, the Bruce Hotel’s location and reasonable price make it a popular choice among visitors.
Breakfast
The breakfast experience at The Bruce Hotel receives overwhelmingly positive feedback from guests. A recurring highlight is the great and hearty full Scottish breakfast, which many describe as tasty, plentiful and freshly cooked to order. The breakfast menu is also praised for its excellent quality and consistency. Guests appreciate the generous portions and the attentive, friendly staff who serve the meals.
The cleanliness of the dining area and the prompt service further enhance the breakfast experience. The variety on offer, however, could be improved as some guests noted the absence of black pudding and the use of instant coffee. Despite this, the freshness and quality of the food generally left guests satisfied and well-prepared for the day ahead. Overall, The Bruce Hotel’s breakfast stands out as a significant positive aspect, complemented by a welcoming and pleasant staff.
Dinner
The Bruce Hotel has received mixed feedback regarding its dinner services with a significant number of guests expressing disappointment over the restaurant being closed during their stay. Many visitors noted that they had to venture out to find alternative dining options as the hotel was unable to offer evening meals due to staffing issues, including the absence of a chef and Covid-19 restrictions.
However, when the restaurant was operational, guests who managed to dine there enjoyed excellent meals with some highlighting the breakfast as a standout experience. The food was appreciated for its quality and reasonable pricing, contributing positively to the overall stay. Despite the sporadic availability of evening dining, some reviewers indicated their readiness to return, signaling a level of satisfaction with other aspects of their visit.
Rooms
The rooms at The Bruce Hotel offer a mixed experience for guests. On the positive side, many reviews highlight the spaciousness of the rooms with several mentioning the large, clean accommodations and lovely views, often overlooking mountains or hills. The quiet location adds to the tranquility, providing a restful stay. Additionally, rooms are generally described as having all the necessary amenities for an overnight stop with some guests noting freshly decorated spaces and comfortable beds.
However, numerous guests found the decor and fixtures to be dated and in need of refurbishing. Complaints about low water pressure in showers, thin and uncomfortable mattresses and musty odors indicate areas that require attention. Some rooms showed signs of neglect, including cobwebs, uneven floors and even indications of recent flood damage. Despite these drawbacks, the hotel's central location remains a significant advantage for travelers.
Overall, while the size and cleanliness of the rooms are definite strengths, the aging facilities and occasional maintenance issues suggest that a refurbishment could greatly enhance the guest experience at The Bruce Hotel.
Beds
The Bruce Hotel faces significant criticism regarding the condition of its beds. Many guests have shared experiences of discomfort, mentioning that the mattresses are old, worn out and in need of replacement. Specific complaints include feeling the springs through the mattress, hard beds and general unease when sleeping. However, there are a few mixed reviews with some guests mentioning that they found the beds to be comfortable. Despite these occasional positive remarks, the consensus highlights an urgent need for the hotel to update its bedding to improve guest satisfaction.
Cleanliness
The Bruce Hotel presents a mixed experience when it comes to cleanliness and overall upkeep. On a positive note, many guests have appreciated the cleanliness of the rooms, describing them as clean, spotless and of good size. The friendly and cheerful staff also contributed to a pleasant atmosphere and the hotel was commended for having good facilities and providing a warm, comfortable stay with lovely hot water.
However, the hotel appears to suffer from significant wear and tear. Several reviews highlight that the decor and fixtures are dated with mentions of peeling wallpaper, lifting carpets and areas not being vacuumed thoroughly. Some guests noticed grime and staining in showers and baths, suggesting a need for deep cleaning and refurbishments. Despite the rooms being described as clean, the tired decor and furnishings gave some the impression that cleanliness standards were not up to par.
Overall, while the Bruce Hotel boasts clean rooms and helpful staff, it clearly requires updates and maintenance to meet guests' expectations fully. The dated appearance and some areas showing neglect have impacted the perceived cleanliness, emphasizing the need for renovation and consistent upkeep.
Staff
The Bruce Hotel consistently receives high praise for its staff, who are described as friendly, helpful and welcoming. Guests frequently highlight the warm and fuss-free greetings they receive upon arrival. The front desk staff stand out for their exceptional guidance, even assisting late arrivals in finding dining options. Individual members of the team, including the manager and staff like Calum, are particularly noted for their friendliness and helpfulness.
The hotel staff's pleasant demeanor contributes significantly to the guest experience with many reviews mentioning how accommodating and supportive they are, whether assisting with specific needs or providing vegetarian breakfast options. The team’s efforts to ensure guests feel welcomed and taken care of are unmistakable, making a positive impact on those who stay at the hotel.
While there are minor critiques about room temperatures and bathroom conditions, these are overshadowed by the overwhelmingly positive feedback regarding the team's service. The rooms themselves are noted for being clean and freshly decorated, further complementing the friendly service that defines The Bruce Hotel. Overall, the staff's dedication to hospitality remains a standout feature of the hotel, enhancing the stay for many visitors.
Wi-Fi
Despite its many charms, The Bruce Hotel struggles with reliable WiFi connectivity. Guests frequently report that the internet connection is either nonexistent or cuts in and out, especially within the rooms. The speed often leaves much to be desired with some guests indicating it’s not worth using at all. Regular reboots are necessary for maintaining any semblance of a stable connection and it performs marginally better during off-peak hours like early morning or late evening. Improvements in the hotel's internet services would greatly enhance the overall guest experience.
3 Star
The Bruce Hotel, situated in Newton Stewart, offers a budget-friendly lodging option tailored to travelers seeking value. Guests generally find the hotel adequate for the price paid, although it is undeniably basic. Some highlight the need for a refresh, noticing that the rooms and bathrooms could benefit from an update. The hotel has a somewhat dated appearance, fitting in with the broader aesthetic of Newton Stewart. For those needing a place to stay without expecting luxury, it stands as a viable option. However, it’s worth noting that the hotel is in dire need of a comprehensive refurbishment, as it appears to have not seen significant updates since the early 1980s. Despite its worn-out charm, those looking for an affordable crash pad could certainly find worse alternatives. Overall, the Bruce Hotel delivers what it promises as a moderately priced establishment, providing a fair experience for budget-conscious travelers.
No, The Bruce Hotel doesn't have any pool.
No, a spa isn't available at The Bruce Hotel.
No, The Bruce Hotel doesn't allow dogs.
No, parking facilities aren't available at The Bruce Hotel.