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Summary of reviewsThe Royal Golf Hotel receives glowing reviews for its exceptional location, nestled next to the first tee of the Royal Dornoch Golf Club and surrounded by stunning natural beauty. Guests appreciate the breathtaking views over the golf course and sea, making it an ideal spot for golf enthusiasts and those looking for a picturesque Highland retreat. The hotel's proximity to the beach and Dornoch town center further enhances its appeal as a convenient and scenic base for exploring the Highlands.
Guests consistently praise the hotel's breakfast and dinner offerings with many highlighting the high quality, superb presentation and attentive service. The dining areas, particularly those overlooking the golf course, add to the overall enjoyable experience. Although there are occasional mentions of slow service and specific dishes not meeting expectations, the consensus is that both breakfast and dinner are exceptional.
The rooms at the Royal Golf Hotel are frequently described as spacious, beautifully decorated and featuring large, comfortable beds. The pet-friendly options and modern bathrooms with high-quality toiletries add to the positive guest experience. While most reviews commend the cleanliness and comfort of the rooms, some guests noted issues with noise, temperature control and minor cleanliness lapses. However, these do not significantly detract from the overall positive perception.
The hotel's cleanliness is generally well-regarded with many guests noting the immaculate state of the rooms and common areas. Some specific issues, such as minor maintenance oversights and temperature control, are mentioned but do not overshadow the general praise for the hotel's high standards of hygiene.
The staff at the Royal Golf Hotel are consistently praised for their friendliness, attentiveness and professionalism. Guests frequently mention the staff's efforts to meet special dietary needs and provide personalized service, contributing significantly to the positive guest experience. The welcoming atmosphere created by the staff is a notable highlight.
For golf enthusiasts, the hotel's location adjacent to the Royal Dornoch Golf Club is a major draw. The convenience of being right next to the first tee and the stunning views of the golf course make it a golfer's paradise. Additionally, the hotel serves as an excellent base for exploring nearby attractions like Dunrobin Castle and Glenmorangie Distillery.
The beds in the hotel receive notably positive feedback for their size and comfort, contributing to a restful stay. Although there are some mixed opinions about bed firmness, the overall sentiment is one of satisfaction.
Lastly, the Royal Golf Hotel stands out as a dog-friendly establishment, warmly welcoming guests with canine companions. Special accommodations for dogs, such as treats and personalized attention, enhance the experience for pet owners, making the hotel a pleasant choice for travelers with pets.
In summary, the Royal Golf Hotel excels in providing a picturesque location, comfortable accommodations, high-quality dining experiences and exceptional service, making it a standout choice for visitors to the Highlands. Show more
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Hotel near Golf Courses
Overlooking the Royal Dornoch Golf Club, this hotel provides immediate access to the course. It offers stunning views and is steeped in golfing history, making it a prime location for golf lovers. Sister hotel to the Royal Marine Hotel in Brora.
Dog Friendly Hotel
This hotel is a 4-star property that welcomes pets. The hotel overlooks the first tee of the Royal Dornoch Golf Club, offering stunning views and easy access to outdoor activities for dogs. It is known for being very welcoming and comfortable.
Business Hotel
The Royal Golf Hotel can host meetings for up to 24 people boardroom style and 28 people cabaret style in its bright and spacious private meeting room. The team ensures the smooth running of any meeting and menus are created by the Executive Head Chef. The meeting package includes meeting room hire, mid morning and afternoon tea, coffee and pastries, lunch, projector and screen, pens and notepaper, bottled water, mints, car parking and WiFi.
Hotel with Parking
The hotel features a free private car park on site for all visitors.
EV charging stations
Hotel with EV Charging Stations
The Royal Golf Hotel offers an electric vehicle charging point with 1 device and 1 connector, part of the Tesla Destination network.
4-Star Hotel
Located a mere 30 metres from the first tee of Royal Dornoch Golf Club, this hotel provides a traditional Highland welcome. Many of its en-suite bedrooms offer views of the renowned golf course and Dornoch Firth.
Boutique-style Hotel
Luxury Hotel
Hotel for Honeymoon
Family Friendly Hotel
Romantic Hotel
Accessible Hotel
Room Types
Superior Double Guest Room Featuring free toiletries, this double room includes a private bathroom with a shower and a hairdryer. The double room features a wardrobe, an electric kettle, a carpeted floor, heating and a flat-screen TV. The unit has 1 bed.
Superior King or Twin Guest Room Providing free toiletries, this twin/double room includes a private bathroom with a shower and a hairdryer. The twin/double room provides a wardrobe, an electric kettle, a carpeted floor, heating and a flat-screen TV.
Junior SuiteThe suite features 1 bedroom and 1 bathroom with a shower and free toiletries. The suite has carpeted floors, a seating area with a flat-screen TV, a wardrobe, an electric kettle, as well as heating. The unit offers 2 beds.
Deluxe King Guest RoomA seating area with a flat-screen TV, a desk and a private bathroom are featured in this spacious double room. The unit offers 2 beds.
Master SuiteThis suite comes with 1 living room, 1 separate bedroom and 1 bathroom with a shower and free toiletries. The suite has carpeted floors, a seating area with a flat-screen TV, a wardrobe, an electric kettle, as well as a sofa. The unit has 1 bed.
Single Guest Room Featuring free toiletries, this single room includes a private bathroom with a shower and a hairdryer. The single room features a wardrobe, an electric kettle, a carpeted floor, heating, as well as a flat-screen TV. The unit has 1 bed.
Double Guest Room Providing free toiletries, this double room includes a private bathroom with a shower and a hairdryer. The double room provides a wardrobe, an electric kettle, a carpeted floor, heating and a flat-screen TV. The unit offers 1 bed.
King or Twin Guest RoomOffering free toiletries, this twin/double room includes a private bathroom with a shower and a hairdryer. The twin/double room offers a wardrobe, an electric kettle, a carpeted floor, heating, as well as a flat-screen TV.
Guest Reviews
8.6
Very Good
Location
The Royal Golf Hotel boasts an exceptional location highly praised by its guests for its proximity to the Royal Dornoch Golf Club and stunning natural surroundings. Nestled next to the first tee, it is the perfect spot for golf enthusiasts. The hotel's setting offers breathtaking views over the golf course and sea, creating a picturesque backdrop that enhances the overall experience.
Many visitors appreciate its easy access to the beach and Dornoch town center, making it an ideal base for a short Highland excursion. Guests are consistently impressed by the superb and scenic environment, highlighting the hotel's beautiful views and lovely setting. The combination of excellent location, comfortable rooms and convenient parking makes it a favorite among travelers.
Dornoch itself is described as a beautiful town, adding to the charm of staying at the Royal Golf Hotel. Whether for a golfing getaway or a relaxing holiday, the hotel's location receives high marks for its perfect blend of convenience, natural beauty and stunning vistas. The professional and friendly staff further enhance the positive guest experience, making the Royal Golf Hotel a standout choice for visitors to the Highlands.
Breakfast
At the Royal Golf Hotel, the breakfast experience is generally well-regarded with numerous guests highlighting it as a standout feature. Descriptions such as excellent, superb and fantastic frequently appear, underscoring the high quality of the offerings. Diners can expect a delectable and varied menu with noteworthy items including freshly cooked dishes and a delightful range of choices.
Moreover, many guests appreciated the stunning views and excellent location of the dining area, providing a picturesque backdrop to their morning meal. The service, often described as attentive and accommodating, adds to the positive experience, particularly for those with special dietary needs.
While the majority of reviews acclaim the breakfast, a few guests noted slower service times and occasional disappointment with certain items, such as the buffet selection or specific dishes like porridge and kippers. Despite these occasional critiques, the consensus leans heavily towards a memorable and enjoyable breakfast experience, amplified by the charming ambiance and scenic views of the golf course.
Dinner
The Royal Golf Hotel offers an appealing dining experience with a strong emphasis on food quality and atmosphere. The evening meal options, available in various settings such as the bar area or a conservatory dining room, consistently receive high praise for their superb presentation and taste. Guests particularly appreciate the meals being served in a lovely dining room overlooking the golf course, which enhances the dining atmosphere.
The restaurant boasts a highly skilled chef, ensuring that the culinary offerings are well-prepared and delicious. Comments highlight specific dishes like the duck, venison and lamb mains as being particularly excellent. Both dinner and breakfast frequently receive accolades for being first-class with several guests noting that all their meals were fantastic and well-presented.
The service complements the quality of food with staff noted for being friendly, helpful and attentive. Despite some mentions of slow service and meals being overpriced, especially for standard offerings, the overall sentiment about the dining experience at the Royal Golf Hotel remains very positive.
In essence, the Royal Golf Hotel impresses with its high-quality, well-executed dishes and the pleasant dining setting it provides.
Rooms
Nestled in a prime location with spectacular views, the Royal Golf Hotel offers rooms that consistently receive high praise for their comfort, cleanliness and impressive decor. Guests frequently highlight the fantastic vistas, particularly those overlooking the first tee and the golf course. The rooms are described as spacious, beautifully decorated and featuring large, comfortable beds. Pet-friendly options are appreciated and modern bathrooms with good quality toiletries add to the overall experience.
While the majority of feedback is positive, mentioning superb cleanliness and functionality, some guests noted issues with noise and temperature control in certain rooms. Nonetheless, the general consensus underscores the excellent room size and the exceptional views as standout features. Coupled with friendly and attentive staff, as well as quality dining options, the hotel maintains a strong appeal for visitors seeking a comfortable and visually pleasing stay.
Beds
The Royal Golf Hotel receives high praise for its beds, prominently described as very large, massive and comfortable. Guests frequently highlight the comfort of both the beds and pillows, often noting the quality of the bedding. Many reviewers express satisfaction with the spacious and comfy nature of the beds, using terms such as huge, big comfy and super comfortable. Positive feedback also extends to rooms offering scenic views over the golf course and the sea. However, there are some mixed comments regarding bed firmness with a few guests finding the beds too hard or uncomfortable. Additionally, one review mentions that the master suite room was dusty and another mentions a bit of discomfort due to the temperature at night. Overall, the bedding receives mostly positive feedback, contributing to the guests’ enjoyable stay.
Cleanliness
The Royal Golf Hotel has received numerous accolades for its cleanliness from recent guests. The establishment is often described as immaculate, very clean and tidy. Rooms are noted to be spacious, comfortable and spotless with modern bathrooms enhancing the overall experience. Many visitors have appreciated the high standards of hygiene, stating that their rooms were clean and friendly.
However, there are some remarks that highlight areas needing improvement. A few guests have observed issues such as dirty bedroom walls, scruffy woodwork, cobwebs in bathrooms and tiny showers. Some rooms were described as cold with non-functional heating and a few had stains on carpets and walls. There were instances of mould around bathroom tiles and brown stains on bath sides, along with missed spots behind bathroom doors. Additionally, certain aspects of room amenities, such as the cleanliness of the refreshment trays, received criticism.
Despite the general praise for cleanliness, these specific details suggest that while the hotel maintains a high-standard cleaning regime, attention to finer details could enhance guest satisfaction even further.
Staff
The Royal Golf Hotel receives high praise for its exceptional staff, who are consistently described as attentive, knowledgeable and exceptionally friendly. Guests repeatedly highlight the staff's helpfulness and pleasant demeanor, noting that everyone from reception to the dining area goes above and beyond to make visitors feel welcome. Many reviews specifically mention the accommodating nature of the staff, emphasizing their efforts to meet guest needs, such as early check-ins and special dietary requirements.
The staff's warmth and friendliness enhance the overall ambiance of the hotel, creating a welcoming and efficient atmosphere. Individual mention is made of Joyce at reception, who stands out for her welcoming and helpful attitude. Despite one noted instance of rudeness, the overwhelming majority of feedback describes the staff as professional, courteous and a significant contributor to a positive guest experience.
The excellent location and facilities of the hotel are frequently mentioned alongside the outstanding service, making a stay at the Royal Golf Hotel both comfortable and enjoyable. The dining experience is also highlighted with attentive restaurant staff and superb food adding to the overall appeal. Even guests with special needs find the staff accommodating and considerate, further solidifying the hotel's reputation for excellent service.
Golf
Nestled in an idyllic spot, the Royal Golf Hotel draws rave reviews for its proximity to the internationally renowned Royal Dornoch golf course. It's an ideal retreat for golf enthusiasts, as the location next to the first tee and the spectacular views of the greens provide a golfer's paradise. Guests frequently highlight that the course is right on the doorstep, making it incredibly convenient for those looking to immerse themselves in the sport. The hotel also serves as an excellent base for Highlands excursions with attractions like Dunrobin Castle and Glenmorangie Distillery nearby.
Beyond the world-class golfing experience, the staff earn high praise for their friendly and helpful demeanor, enhancing the overall stay. The hotel offers a mix of comfort and direct access to the golf course with some rooms boasting views of the first tee. The setting is perfect not just for golfing but also for walking, as guests enjoy pleasant strolls across the course down to a picturesque beach.
In summary, the Royal Golf Hotel is celebrated for its prime location, exceptional golfing amenities and warm hospitality, making it a top choice for anyone looking to combine luxury accommodation with premium access to one of the world's most revered golf courses.
Dog Friendly
The Royal Golf Hotel shines as a pet-friendly haven for travelers with dogs. Guests consistently noted the warm welcome extended to their canine companions with many recounting how their dogs were not only allowed but genuinely appreciated. The hotel's special accommodations for dogs were highlighted, including treats left for pets and even the option to have a sausage cooked specifically for them. The staff’s friendliness and understanding towards dogs were frequently praised, making the experience comfortable and enjoyable for both pets and their owners. Additionally, the hotel features cozy spaces such as the bar, where comfortable seating is available and dogs are welcome. Overall, the Royal Golf Hotel stands out for its exceptional dog-friendly services and amenities, creating a pleasant stay for all guests.
No, Royal Golf Hotel doesn't have any pool.
No, a spa isn't available at Royal Golf Hotel.
Yes, Royal Golf Hotel welcomes dogs.
Yes, parking facilities are available at Royal Golf Hotel.