The Cross Keys Hotel

I received a warm welcome into this clean and comfortable hotel which is in a beautiful part of Dumfries and Galloway. Yes, it is old fashioned, and it could possibly be classed as ‘quaint’ but what is wrong with that? I and six friends were part of the team running a motorsport event in nearby Forrest Estate, and that involved early starts and late finishes. The weekend which we chose was one selected by our host to be a ‘bed and breakfast only’ weekend with the restaurant and the bar closed throughout the day except for breakfast. The breakfasts were delightfully cooked to order, and for those who had to be out even earlier than breakfast time our host volunteered to provide a packed brunch with fruit, cereal bars and a bottle of water. It was left out the night before and could be collected when leaving for the day’s activities. Many places, if they did provide a packed breakfast, would not have been so generous with the contents. I couldn’t get the TV in my room to work and because I had to be away well before the hotel opened for the day I simply emailed reception during the night and when I got back in the TV was on and working! The only drawback for me and my LandRover friends was the lack of a large car park although there is a small private car park at the rear of the hotel. On-street parking is available but there is competition to get a place if you arrive late. There is a public car park but it is not as close as I would like. The ‘ Bed and Breakfast Only’ situation which existed while we were there suited us very well and as a bonus it allowed us to eat in a variety of local establishments. The hotel is dog friendly and there are two hotel dogs who ensure that they get the attention that they think that they deserve!

We stayed here for one night when visiting for the British MTB champs in Kirroughtree. We are used to camping and caravans so we are not expecting the Ritz but this hotel was shabby and nothing worked. No one was manning the reception desk so we had no one to even raise issues with. Staff were friendly enough but we felt like we were a hindrance when we arrived rather than being welcomed. Last thing you need after a 5 hour car journey. TV in room was like something from the 1970s. Even if it had worked (which it didn’t) you would have struggled to see the screen it was so small. The heaters and heated towel rail didn’t work so we had wet clothing from biking which we were unable to get dry. Cold also from a wet day biking, we couldn’t even get a hot shower as the temperature was stuck on luke warm. The toilet roll holder fell off the wall when I used it. The Wi-Fi didn’t work so we couldn’t even use our laptop. There were no sockets beside the bed other than one which a lamp was plugged into which was jammed behind the bed and you couldnt reach. The socket was actually dangerously loose so you probably wouldn’t want to touch it! The beds were awful with one being so loose it was more like a water bed it shook so much and you had a fear of actually rolling off it! Everything was just shabby and in need of repair/decor. Breakfast was actually decent enough. Cheapest of the cheap condiments though. Don’t expect Heinz or even brown sugar for your coffee! Hopefully no one will need to raise the fire alarm from the dining room seen as the glass alarm raising button is stuck behind a large sideboard unit. Plus points - friendly staff, cute dog, decent breakfast Negative points - basically everything else. Probably was a nice hotel at one point but it’s been left to deteriorate and just needs some work