Fonab Castle Hotel

31.01.2025

3.5 star if that was an option. The castle itself is lovely and the grounds are picturesque. The spa is great and always a treat. The rooms are nice and comfortable too. Front of house staff are great, I would give them 5 stars (Mike especially is always friendly and helpful when we stay here). The dining staff are a bit less helpful and this is why I have scored a 3. The waiter at dinner only addressed my husband regarding his meal and at breakfast we had to ask for our fruit 3 times before it was served. Two tables next to us finished their breakfast by the time we were served and they had sat down after us. As this was the final part of our stay it did leave a bit of a bitter feeling on our departure.

26.01.2025

Beautiful hotel set in lovely grounds next to Loch Faskally. The service was 5 stars, as was the room and hotel. We stayed in one of the lochside rooms which was excellent.

15.01.2025

We were staying last weekend and on arrival met Davy who was a character and a great asset to the hotel. We were shown to room 303 which is a lovely room but not quite 5 star although very comfortable both room and en-suite. Maintenance required sofa arm threadbare wardrobe doors need adjusting handle missing from drawer. safe not working and coffee machine didn’t work. Our biggest disappointment was the pool spa area. Outside hot tubs closed as decking slippy come on folks this should easily have been resolved. To sit inside a room full of condensation to have some champagne in the most uninviting room ever was not an option for us, definitely not 5 star. Would we come back - absolutely location fab, staff were amazing and food brilliant. Thanks Davy for the blanket so I could sit outside. Blanket box a must and external heat lamps on bar deck. Hopefully see you all again soon

14.01.2025

Just checked out of this hotel after staying in the UK for one month. Stayed here for one night and it was the worst stay on our entire trip. Dinner service was bad. The food was worse. Stale bread. Over salted steak. Over cooked cauliflower. Breakfast was the same. To end the stay, woman at check out was rude and the concierge “helped” with our bags by rolling 2 out the door and leaving them by the side of the car. He couldn’t be bothered lifting one bag into the car for us. In all of our travels this has never happened anywhere else. Horrible service. And not one person asked how our stay was. So they get to read how it was here. Only good things about this place was Davie at check in, the spa and the pretty view from the bar.

12.12.2024

Wonderful Hotel with very tastefully decorated rooms and everything you need. Amazing location on the Loch with just a short walk into Pitlochery. Friendly, warm staff. Special thanks to the wonderful Davey & Mark. Made the experience very special. Food in the 1892 was very nice. Slight hiccup with bill but was dealt with efficiently. Thank you to all.

08.12.2024

We have just returned from our second fantastic trip to Fonab. The castle is beautiful inside and out. The whole team are warm and engaging, personable but also extremely professional, helpful, conscientious, thoughtful and very sincere with it. It is luxury with no stuffiness and no over the top opulence, whilst indulging yourself in it’s excellence. The place makes you feel special but in a very friendly way. We will definitely be back for many years to come. We must say a special mention to Davey the concierge (and the other two chaps who were equally as welcoming and lovely (and funny!)), Jamie from Sandemans restaurant for being such a top guy when my wife was unwell, thoughtful and understanding, and Kelly in the bar for being excellently knowledgable and having a fantastic palate, as well as being fun!! We can not recommend Fonab enough - the welcome, the team, the location, the views, the food (exquisite), the drinks, the rooms, the decor, the service, the Spa. A very well deserved 5/5. See you all soon!! Mark & Jess

11.11.2024

If you are buying a voucher for others please read this. Strange one to write this but I feel obligated to share and warn others. I bought a voucher for my fathers 50th so that he could stay over for his birthday (Hogmanay) and felt the hotel would give me a small bit of lenience (after a change in circumstance) into the year so that he could stay on the 3rd - 5th instead. They wouldn't extend a voucher and left us in the lurch ("came from the top"). I get what you are probably thinking - well that's silly you bought it for the 31st not the 3rd, however life sometimes gets in the way and you think a business of this standard would cater for that. Update: We visited after not be allowed to move our voucher date and it was a lovely experience if it wasn’t for Davie at the door and tour he provided I wouldn’t have thought twice about updating the original review. I would recommend a visit, it’s lovely, but think twice about buying a voucher as the backroom team (whoever they are) will likely not budge.

17.11.2024

I had a mixed experience at Fonab Castle. The staff were excellent and the views are stunning. But bedroom was not what you'd expect from a 5 star hotel, cracked tiles on bathroom floor and laminate on bathroom door peeling off. There was also no fridge in room but there WAS a sign saying "due to licensing laws guests cannot consume their own alcohol in the room". Have never seen this before in any UK hotel. Biggest challenge was check out, meal vouchers were not applied and spa discount was not applied, though I was told they had. It took persistence to get it corrected and was embarrassing to have to get the circa £100 deducted. In short, I'd visit for a coffee or drinks but won't be staying again.

08.11.2024

My family and I recently stayed at Fonab Castle for my partner's 40th Birthday. The hotel was lovely and the location is beautiful but we did have a few issues during our stay. I booked a spa treatment for my partner for Saturday 2nd Nov at 10.00am. My partner arrived just before 10am to check in and was asked to take a seat until her therapist arrived. At 10.30am my partner decided to come back to the room as the therapist had not shown up for the appointment. We did receive a phone call later in the day to come back for a treatment but we had already left to go out for the day. No further appointments were offered during our stay. Quite disappointing as the treatment was partly the reason for staying at Fonab Castle. On Saturday night we booked one of the pods for dinner at 6.30pm. When we arrived we were told we could not have a high chair in the pod even though this was requested a couple of weeks prior to the booking and also when I confirmed our booking on the morning of our reservation. So instead of being able to have our 1 year old daughter in a high chair she had to sit beside us on the seat which made the evening a little trickier to navigate. We then waited 45 mins for someone to come and take our order. It felt like we had been totally forgotten. The phone that was in the pod did not work so we could not get anyone's attention. We then asked about the lighting and were told that the lighting was actually broken and we could not adjust it via the remote control. Ths meant we could not see the view due to the reflection of the lights on the windows. The F&B manager was very apologetic and did her best to make up for this but it's not what I expected having paid £75 just for the use of the pod at a 5 star hotel. One of our friends had called the hotel to order and pay for a bottle of champagne for our Pod Experience, which was there on arrival. Unfortunately, when we were checking out this champagne had been added to our bill. I am not sure why, as our bill should not have been a part of this process. A disappointing experience for a weekend that cost over £1300. Fonab Castle have yet to repsond to my email which was sent 3 weeks ago. They did instantly reply to an email regarding a booking for a family of 4.

18.11.2024

Overnight stay in castle room was darkly lit & crammed with furniture. No decent lighting to apply makeup. Hostess tray poor with 1 kind of tea & assorted coffee pods but nothing else. In the bar, spirits are reasonably priced but wine prices are ridiculous. In restaurant you hard pushed to find anything under £40 per bottle. Restaurant is badly organised with all different staff arriving at your table to deliver & remove plates even when still eating. Waiter banging dishes down & wine slopped on table. Steak arrived on cold plate with a dirty steak knife. No apology offered. At breakfast was asked if we wanted juice tea coffee before even sat down or looked at menu. Lukewarm tea & coffee arrived & had to ask for milk! No attention to detail. Extra service charges are applied with no prior notice. Very overpriced. No way this is a 5 star hotel, we have stayed in far better 3*. Special mention & thanks to Davie the concierge though!

07.11.2024

Fonab Castle is an absolute dream! From the moment we arrived, the stunning architecture and beautiful surroundings took our breath away. The staff was incredibly welcoming and attentive, making us feel right at home. Our room was luxurious and impeccably decorated, with breathtaking views of the landscape. The dining experience was exceptional, with delicious, locally sourced dishes that delighted our taste buds. Whether relaxing in the spa or exploring the grounds, every moment was pure bliss. A perfect getaway for anyone seeking elegance and tranquility! Highly recommended!

02.11.2024

Fantastic hotel

23.10.2024

Fantastic food and great service.

07.11.2020

My Husband Arthur took me for afternoon tea this afternoon couldn't fault a thing probably the best I've had , fantastic staff and service topped off by a stunning location

06.10.2024

The restaurant was very cold and the portions were too small. It's a shame as it looks very nice and the views are amazing. For 5 star they really need to up their game

05.10.2024

Nestled in the heart of Highland Perthshire, Fonab Castle Hotel & Spa is a truly unique five star hotel. Lovingly restored, it draws inspiration from its historic past and breath-taking surroundings whilst adding the odd contemporary twist. Enjoy a drink on the terrace before a 3 AA Rosette awarded meal or simply sit back and enjoy the tranquility of the stunning landscape. It really is ‘beyond the ordinary’. With surroundings as stunning as ours, you simply have to have a bedroom to match. Each of the 42 bedrooms, including the indulgent Penthouse, have been designed to be individual in nature, so that there is a seamless quality to the blend of modern furnishings and original castle features. Our guests adore taking in the breathtaking views from their rooms, some of which include Loch Faskally and the impressive Ben Vrackie. From an evening tipple in the Lounge Bar to 3 AA Rosette awarded fine dining at Sandemans, Fonab Castle has a setting for every mood. Our Brasserie offers laid back loch-side cuisine, perfect for leisurely lunches or a great spot for whiling away the hours. 3 AA Rosette awarded Sandeman’s Restaurant is all about familiar classics with a twist. Savour a mouth-watering seven-course tasting meal from our gourmet menu that boasts dishes that have been prepared to perfection. Our latest addition is luxury Pod Dining. Each Pod offers adjustable heating, mood lighting, personal music system, service button and your very own host to look after you and your guests. Located in its own exclusive building just steps from the main house, the Woodland Spa is a haven for tranquility. Facilities include a 15 meter Swimming Pool, Spa Pool. Sauna and Aroma Relax Room, Thermal Suite, Steam Room and Outdoor Hot Tub. Using the finest ingredients with naturally rejuvenating properties, our experienced therapists provide soothing therapies with a host of benefits. Fonab Castle Hotel is the perfect base to discover the Scottish Countryside. Whether you take to the skies with a helicopter ride, feel like a local by hiring one of the fabulous road vehicles from Land Rover 4×4, experience the thrill of white water rafting, there’s so much to see and do in the Perthshire Highlands.

04.10.2024

Could not ask for better location. Food was excellent. Rooms were very nice and clean. Staff was friendly, attentive and catered to everything you need

29.09.2024

What a beautiful stop on our East Coast tour. A quiet luxurious spot, a quick walk from town just above the dam. The greeting at the door was brilliant. The check-in smooth and easy. Our room was very large (see picture ) looking out over the lawn to the water. The food was delicious both dinner and breakfast. The bar upstairs is often empty despite its professional bartender and amazing view. Excellent for pre-dinner drinks.

19.09.2024

We only stayed one night, but we wish it had been longer because it was an amazing stay!! The castle was gorgeous, the staff was amazing, and the food…we had one of our best meals of the trip at Sandemans. All of the dishes were delicious, but the whole experience was even better because the sommelier was so knowledgable and took our meal to a whole other level. Also, the spa was such a nice bonus. We would highly recommend staying here!

08.09.2024

Easy walking access to the town and a great location. The staff were attentive and made sure that you had what was needed. Very enjoyable and very comfortable rooms

23.08.2024

Common rooms and spa tip top BUT bedrooms (design outdated helas) were very dark (cannot read news papers) with very little lighting. (very low bulb :to be cheap on the electricity costs?). Kitchen service (breakfast, dinner is very very slow>>  go for a buffet, nothing wrong with that. Palace in France do it greatly. So you need to bring a forehead lamp to be able to read and be comfortable in the bedrooms It s a shame because rooms lighting and very slow breakfast hurt the whole experience which would be great otherwise. But fixable hopefully. Would not come back for now.

21.08.2024

Dissatisfied. Standards slipped since pre covid

20.08.2024

Un très très bel endroit. La première impression est confirmée lorsque l'on se rend à la réception où l'on reçoit un accueil vraiment chaleureux. Le concierge (écossais à souhait) nous a fait la visite des lieux, avec cet accent que nous désespérions d'entendre pendant notre voyage. Les parties communes sont magnifiques et le point d'orgue se situe au bar en terrasse à l'étage qui domine le lac tout proche (atmosphère chic décontractée et vue incroyable). Nos chambres se trouvaient dans la partie moderne et étaient assez simples (néanmoins literie très confortable). Je regrette juste de ne pas avoir pris des chambres avec vue sur le lac qui auraient été plus sympas. Nous avons dîné au restaurant plus simple (le 1892 on the loch) : très belle salle de restaurant sur le lac comme son nom l'indique, un service attentionné et sympathique et des plats excellents (fins et savoureux) - le meilleur restaurant de notre voyage. De l'hôtel on peut facilement rejoindre le barrage à pieds (visite très intéressante) et un peu plus loin, le charmant village de Pitlorchry (avec la visite très sympa de la distillerie de Blair Athol). Un beau souvenir de voyage.

26.07.2024

Stunning building, we had dinner at their 1892 on the loch restaurant. Food was just brilliant - crab linguine, venison tartare, duck breast, venison fillet steak and a banana soufflé. Every dish was phenomenal.

17.07.2024

Went for a business lunch, food was excellent

14.07.2024

Very tasteful and classy looking hotel. Location is fantastic, views from the restaurant are extremely beautiful. Just stopped by for coffees being the absolute caffeine addicts who we are, and staff were very polite and welcoming.