We arrived and first impressions were very positive, with beautiful grounds, immaculate lawns and bunnies on the loose. The red sandstone building was exactly as you would hope for in a country manse style building. Inside, the lounge and bar area impressed with dark wall panelling and leather chesterfield sofas. Our room was somewhat disappointing, with a window which was half open, but impossible to move - we had to get the management to close it after part of the wooden window trim fell off - rotted on the inside. The view was of the back of the hotel - a dark dingy area with a skip overflowing with old carpets, and general building detritus. The bath had obviously been cleaned but a residue of powdery cleanser had been left. The tiles were pretty disappointing, being separated by dark, mildewed grouting in the shower area (rubber pipes attached to taps). Tghe extractor fan did not work. The bed was ok, although the actual divan was threadbare and past its best.The restaurant was very pricey for an indifferent and boring menu. We had the soup and salmon, with the cheeseboard - £30.00 each for a pretty unadventurous and unstunning meal which we could have had anywhere at half the price. Breakfast was plentiful, but all the eggs had gone, and it took quite a while before they were replaced. Very greasy as well.

Overall, the hotel has potential, but needs a huge investment to bring it up to scratch. I would not choose to stay again until a massive refurbishment had taken place.

We are getting married on the 11th August at Crichton, Dumfries and we booked the whole of the Friars Carse hotel for ourselves and guests to stay in the night of the wedding - 16 double rooms, 3 singles, a family room and a twin room. They had a wedding on the next day but we were assured that the night before they just needed the bridal suite. In late June we were told that we could only have 10 doubles and 2 single rooms but they could accommodate 3 couples in cottages. Two weeks before the wedding we were told we couldn't get the cottages but the rest of the guests could be accommodated in another hotel over 5 miles away. Now today one week to the wedding we received a phonecall telling us our whole wedding party was being moved to another hotel in Dumfries as our rooms are being given to the wedding party for the wedding the next day. Not only that but the hotel doesn't have enough double rooms so couples are to be accommodated in twin or single rooms and there is no room for the bride and grooms two toddler children as none of the rooms are big enough for cots.

Would you trust this hotel with your wedding or party or even short break - don't think so.

I am writing this after our stay there on the 30th July.
we had 2 rooms as there was 4 of us we arrived at about 5.30pm on the last stage of our motorcycle tour.
We had read the report about the bad road poor room condition and state of the snooker table ,but were not ready for what we found .
The road is in a good state with no pot holes and is nothing like a lane.
The rooms are in a decent state and are clean and tidy with good beds.
The staff were very pleasant and helpful.
The food was of a decent quality and believe me I know something about food, having eaten with Gordon Ramsey and George Blanc
.
The snooker table was in a decent state of repair and quite playable although if you do play and you have a car ,take your own cue as they only have short cues but they all have tips.
The grounds are very pretty and an ideal place for a wedding.
We wanted for nothing and would be pleased to return
.

Stayed for a 'Summer Madness' weekend break at the end of April. Yes it is an old building and the paint is chipped here and there but we got a brilliant deal on DBB which included a £21 drinks allowance each night! Although the room was a bit tired it was clean enough and adequate. I found the meals very good indeed with good helpings of well prepared food. Breakfasts were cracking, hot and cold buffet style. The grounds are wonderful with the river only a stone throw away. As country hotels go I love this type, old enough to be special but unpretentious and friendly. It certainly has character by the basket full and is well worth staying at.