Guest User
June 30, 2025
The couple who run this B&B are very polite and efficient. Though surrounded by housing, the B&B has a sizeable garden plus allocated parking spaces round the back. The standard generally is good though the room price, particularly for solo guests, is more like hotel prices than for B&B. For the price, I expected more than the normal provision of comfort. While the small double room was clean and the bed was comfortable, the extra special things like locally produced Scottish toiletries (there are some lovely Scottish companies which supply businesses as well as individuals), better quality tea/coffee/biscuits and a choice of pillows rather than all the same squishy down-filled type (which not everyone likes, especially people with allergies). These things may sound trivial but together they can make a stay that bit special. Whereas the toiletries and teas etc. supplied at Brucegate come from an bog-standard large UK hospitality suppliers and I was personally disappointed to see them. Additionally, the property's description says CD & DVD player, radio and TV provided in the rooms. Our tv was small and basic, the remote was worn and unreadable, the channel options were limited and it was a faff to get radio stations, via the tv guide button. There was a dvd player, presumably you were expected to play your CDs on that, but I couldn't get it to work. There was no separate radio, only a basic large digital bedside clock. I think all of that needs upgrading in order to help to make it "Boutique" standard, as I don't feel it is special enough at the moment. The breakfasts were fine, care was taken to deliver what individuals wanted and cooking procedures explained (!). We would have appreciated some fresh fruit salad, rather than a fruit bowl at the side of the buffet table which had some old bananas and a few pieces uninspiring fruit in it. However, the provision of a fresher fruit plate on the landing was appreciated and the cooked breakfast was carefully and cleanly presented and freshly made. The buffet cereals, juices and other offerings like sliced bread toast were unremarkable, just the usual you get anywhere. In all, I think it's a good B&B with rooms and touches that could be more special than they presently are, the owners clearly want to please and they are nice people eager to help.