The Bruce Hotel

The staff were welcoming and friendly. I think it was because of Covid that some corners had to be cut. For example, we arrived on a Sunday afternoon. We had already discovered that the restaurant would be closed that evening and on the Monday also because of staff shortages, but the person we spoke to by telephone, a few days before our arrival, suggested that we book a table at a hotel a couple of doors away. The meals at that hotel were really good. Another staff shortage problem - I assume - was that the room was only serviced once during our stay, but we were able to get extra supplies of tea etc from Reception on request. On the evenings that the hotel restaurant was open the food was good - as was the food at breakfast time. In both cases the menu was limited and the same throughout the week. We had no complaints about this - the £400 cost for five nights bed and breakfast was excellent value and you can't expect perfection for that price. The first-floor room we booked was large with a single and a double bed plus a good sized bathroom. There was a pleasing view from the large window and the bathroom also had a window - a welcome change from most other more modern and more expensive places we've stayed at. The decor is now quite tired looking, but the chairs and beds were comfortable. There were also plenty of electrical sockets. A kettle was provided with supplies of teabags and coffee sachets plus sachets of skimmed milk and a couple of biscuits. We supplemented these by a couple of trips to Sainsbury's - a decent sized branch is quite close, as are Aldi and the Co-op. The location was on one of the town's main streets and was only a few hundred yards from a roundabout on the main A75 road from the M6 motorway to Stranraer. There was limited parking behind the hotel reached through a narrow - very narrow - stone passage.

The wi-fi was low speed and needed regular re-booting. We were never able to get hot water from the over-bath shower fitting, so we had to use the bath. Th Television has only a small screen with limited channel availability.

1972 haggis breakfast & welcome

seeing a good film from 1972 billed as 'restored' in further tatters pointlessly displayed with missing scenes we all know exist. As assistant director to Robin Hardy and appearing in at least 6 scenes as Brit Eklands costar/ Summerisle's son, I and my son and traveling companion were disappointed not to have seen the restored film (a 35mm internegative copy of which my friend Christopher Lee paid £4,000 to have made in 1973 ) i.e. there is no reason all should not view the full version now) Thanks Callum a great stay we both enjoyed all the same.

We were greeted like an old-friend. Smooth, simple, speedy check-in. We asked where we could park the hire-care - on-street, or in the car-park. As we were assured there was no car-crime, we parked outside. No issues what so ever. The room was clean, comfortable - with a lovely view of the hills. Breakfast was very tasty, served nice and early so we could get a good start with our travels.

Not a complaint - but there was no evening food available. However plenty of choices in the town. The closest being less than 1 minutes walk away. Internet speed could have been faster ...

All members of staff were very friendly and helpful. Spotlessly clean in all areas of the hotel.Breakfast spot on. The bar served excellently chilled beer and lager which was much appreciated in the hot weather we were having. Good value for money for our stay. Newton Stewart was a good base for visiting Isle of Whithorn which was our aim

Shame the restaurant is not available for meals other than breakfast.

The staff are really attentive, and it was good to see the hotel being invested in with new carpets and extensive decorations Very flexible staff too - they will go out of their way to help Had a room to the back of the building with magnificent views over the hills of the Kirroughtree Forest

Water pressure in shower. Small TV in room. Otherwise it was quite pleasant, although drivers of luxury German automobiles will find access through the narrow pend to the private car park somewhat 'exciting'

Rooms were adequate and breakfast was lovely.

I had pre-booked dinner (by e-mail following our booking) with Calum, unfortunately, the hotel lost its chef a few weeks prior to our arrival. As the lead member of the group, I was not informed by Calum that the hotel was no longer serving dinner and whilst Calum did book us into another establishment for dinner, this was a 20 minute walk away in what turned out to be the wettest night of the year. Sadly, this took the shine off out stay

The staff were amazing and could not have done more to help us. My daughter has coeliac disease and we arrived to find a menu telling us which were suitable options. Dinner in the restaurant was excellent as was breakfast the next morning. When we said we were going to the Dark Park, the wonderful staff offered to fill up a Thermos flask with tea so we could have a warm drink. It made looking at the milky way even more enjoyable! Such a lovely, friendly wee place to visit. We will definitely go back and advise others to do so as well.

That we only booked for one night and so could not enjoy more of the incredible hospitality.

Good sized twin room, tea/coffee, biscuits and milk. The breakfast was fabulous. Great choice of cereals or porridge, toast, full scottish breakfast, Several beverages, fruits, juices and yoghurts. Very pleasant young staff. Very good service. Very clean and spaciously aware. Plenty of on site parking. Several places to eat within walking distance. It was the cheapest night we had and one of the best.

Unfortunately stairs are a bit of an issue and no lift, also the shower was over the bath. Fine if you are fully mobile but I am not, but I just about managed with my husband's help! The restaurant was shut as the chef had a day off!

Old-fashioned hotel in a rather old-fashioned kind of place, so that felt right. The view from the window (room 1, but others faced similarly) of the Cairnsmore of Fleet mountains was super. Private parking through an archway. Breakfast was included and very accommodating, with plenty of choice including haggis and more regular items. Pretty free-form really and more than ample. Good location near the centre of everything in Newton Stewart. Great firm bed in a huge room.

Dinner stopped at 8ish, so the once we wanted to eat 'in-house' we were too late! There are picnic tables in the garden and guests are welcome to eat a takeaway there; be warned there are a few sit in options in Newton Stewart, but only a few.

Our room was a good size and was clean with comfortable twin beds. However, as with many hotels these days, it was in need of redecoration. Breakfasts were tasty and all cooked items were freshly done. All staff were friendly and chatty. Overall, for the price we paid, I have no complaints. Hotel is well placed for local amenities as well as for touring a bit further afield.

Narrow entrance to car park, glad my car isn't too wide! Difficult to see when coming out on to the main road as there were always cars parked on both sides.