East Lothian Romantische Hotels

"Carberry Tower is a magnificent property with rich history and beautiful grounds — but the hotel itself feels unloved and poorly cared for. Staying in the Royal Suite, I expected grandeur with character; instead, I found tired décor and clear neglect. Chandeliers had dead bulbs, one bathroom light was broken, the headboard and bedposts were broken and worn, and the paintwork was shabby and scuffed. Doors throughout were battered, and the stair carpets were shockingly dirty. A listed building can’t always be modernised, but cleanliness and basic upkeep are not restricted — just overlooked. At check-in, I was told to book dinner as the restaurant would be “average busy.” It wasn’t — fewer than a third of the tables were ever occupied. Yet service was painfully slow, and the bill included an automatic 10% service charge (happily removed when challenged). Breakfast was dreary, the food uninspired. When we left, reception simply wished us a good trip — no interest in how our stay had been, no opportunity to give feedback. This beautiful property deserves better management and pride in presentation. Right now, it’s running on past glory, not present care. Regrettably, I won’t be back."