Why? We know that the restaurant in this hotel is first rate and were keen to enjoy a romantic night away which included dinner. We explained all this to the hotel just a few days beforehand (special anniversary, loved the dinner we had here last time, etc, etc). They were most accommodating over the phone, arranged a room with sea view and quoted an all-inclusive DBB rate. We were excited at the prospect.

When we arrived, we asked, innocently enough, whether we needed to book a time for dinner or whether we could just turn up when we felt like it. "Oh no, you can't eat in the restaurant tonight - there's a ceilidh on....big party. You can eat in the bar if you like".

We were completely bemused. We saw no evidence of preparations for a ceilidh in the restaurant and never did find out if there really was one. When the receptionist let slip that we were the only two people booked in for dinner that night (so, we were booked in, then?), we just couldn't help wondering whether the chef had given himself the night off.....

We declined to take the room and drove the two hours back home. Pity....that restaurant really is first class but the words "again" and "never" are alll that now spring to mind.