Birchtree - Kippford United Kingdom

Stopped in for 2 coffees and 2 hot chocolates after a long walk. Staff were helpful and friendly. Food drinks: Nice coffees and hot chocolates. Service: 5 Hotel highlights: Kid-friendly

We visited the Birchtree for a couple of nights for the first time recently as our family are from Dalbeattie. On arrival we checked in at the bar. The bar staff showed us up to the first floor, and directed us to the staircase to the 2nd floor where are rooms were. (There is no lift at the hotel). We booked 2 double rooms, the Galloway Hills and the Lighthouse Room. I would describe the Birchtree more of a pub with rooms rather than a hotel. The double rooms have a shower and sink in the room, rather than a separate bathroom. The toilet is separate behind a door. There were signs apologising for refurbishment works happening until early November. Unfortunately we didn’t find our room up to standard and were informed they’d been recently refurbished. Rooms: they were quite dusty, shower head was so full of gunk it was blocked (pictured), there was a hole in the wall, no pillow protectors, no headboard so the wall is stained behind the beds, and the mattress protector had large yellow stains. The beds were quite comfortable though and we slept well. You can’t really open the window though due to the noise outside (traffic, river and town hall bell) so a fan is provided if it gets a bit hot. The smaller shower head did work and water pressure was good. The linen (excluding the mattress protector) was clean and crisp. A lamp bulb was not working that we reported but this was not replaced during our stay. We found there was a heated towel rail in the toilet, but nowhere to hang a towel near the sink or shower a small towel loop near the sink would be helpful. Breakfast: we ate breakfast at the hotel both days as this was included in the room rate. We were served by the same young chap both days, I think the staff do their best and our server seemed busy in the kitchen as well as taking orders. We found attention to detail to be poor you help yourself to coffee/tea, juices, cereal and toast. There was no bread, butter, or teaspoons. We had to ask for these as they were not replenished. Tables were not cleaned/reset for new guests, so on the 2nd day we had to ask for cutlery, napkins and a cloth to clean our own table to be seated. The table that was free was also wobbly so had to stick a napkin under the table leg. I think some extra staff at breakfast would be helpful to keep an eye on these things and clean tables after guests have finished breakfast. The food itself was pretty decent, the poached eggs were delicious and bacon seemed good quality. We did not eat our lunch/dinner in the hotel but pic uploaded of the hotel menu it seemed very varied. Friday night was quiet in the bar, but Saturday was very rowdy. This did not affect our sleep but when we came back to the hotel at 9pm on Saturday, some of the punters were shouting/arguing outside so we went up to our rooms rather than having a drink downstairs. I would stay at this hotel again if they rectified some of the niggles with the rooms it was pleasant enough and very convenient for us centrally in Dalbeattie. It has nice views over river as well from the garden. Rooms: 2 Service: 3 Location: 5

Dog friendly, was offered a bowl of water for the dogs Friendly welcome . Food beautiful. We will be back Food drinks: Fantastic soup , toastie. Everyone else’s food looked lovely. Was pretty busy Service: 5 Location: 5

It's ok , nice coffee and friendly staff and dog friendly. Difficult parking around about Resurfacing the town car park at the moment so I assume it's usually better than that. Service: 4 Location: 2

Perfect as always Rooms: 5 Service: 5 Location: 5 Hotel highlights: Luxury, Great view, Romantic, Kid-friendly