I booked this, our first trip to Scotland ,as a treat for my husband for Christmas, it had been brought to my attention via a weekly email I receive from a company that looks around at special deals. It was sold as 5 star luxury albeit at a bargain price. We arrived on the afternoon of 28th February for our 2 night bed and breakfast stay. Our first problem was with finding the place, the direction I had gained from the website took us down the old road which had no obvious entrance into the hotel grounds. The car park was full so we had to park along the road side.

On the plus side if you ignored all the scaffolding and building materials/equipment to view out to the Loch was superb, everything one could have hoped for.

It was dark and gloomy when one entered, but that was ok felt it was quite atmospheric and a fab roaring log fire was on the go. Having signed it we went to our room, Lochy, on the 1st floor. This is when our disenchantment started to set it. Our room overlooked scaffolding, where workmen were perched having a cigerette break (so no open windows possible unless you wanted the room to stink), the scaffolding was at the end of a flat roof which the workmen climbed over and came towards our room on, so lack of privacy. I looked at the bed and the coverlet, a quilted affair was well past its sell-by date with a good proportion of the top edge quite literally thread bare, I then checked the furniture, which was old and scratched in places, it was thick with dust as were the fixtures and fittings, the tea tray had 2 cups and saucers and there was sugar on the tray and one saucer, the carpet near the bathroom had a large bleach stain on it and the light by the entrance/wardrobe did not work. I was very embarressed that my treat had turned out to be so third rate, so I called reception,their attitude left a lot to be desired and she didn't think anything could be done to move us to another room because of the price we paid. I offered to bring the cover to reception and that prompted a response that she would get the duty manager to come and see us. Eventually he did turn up but again, although he admitted to being embarressed by the state of the coverlet, stated that he was unable (he thought) to move us as the hotel was busy and because of the price we had paid for the room and that we could only have a non refurbished room (not mentioned at all in any of the pre-booking information). We went for a long walk and were supposed to have been contacted to be updated on the situation, eventually it started to rain so we had to go back reegardless, when we got there the receptionist was new and no one had informed her of what was going on, she did call the manager who said our room had been cleaned and that was the entire message, no one came with us or followed through to make sure all was in order. There was no note of apology or complimentary drink. I wrote to their customer services department over a month ago now and I have not heard anything back. I felt we were treated like 2nd class citizens, so if you want to go be prepared to pay the overpriced full price or be looked down on. I had to ask at reception where we should go to take meals even though I had heard the people booking in next to me being given an explanation.

The food in the grill was ok, but way overpriced £103 for a 2 course meal with a bottle of water and bottle of wine (cheapest red they had), the breakfast was missing both the haggis and oatcakes on both days and the decor was ok up to the point of the ceiling looking like an industrial unit had been used. The staff in the Grill, The Claret Jug and Golf Course were friendly enough however. As were the concierge staff at the hotel.

I am deeply disappointed with the standards that I have been shown by the De Vere group and would certainly hesitate to use this or any other of their hotels again, for business or for pleasure.

We have stayed at Cameron House for the last seven years and this year we were amazed and delighted by the changes to the decor. I have to say that we went not knowing what to expect after reading some of the recent reviews. Yes the wood panelling is dark and yes much use is made of candles but this all adds to the feeling of a Scottish Country House. We used the Cameron Grill and were delighted by the informality and quality of the food.
The newly re-ordered bar is a great improvement on the previous one. The complimentary car service between the Hotel and the Carrick is a great idea especially for those who want to eat at the Claret Jug and have a drink. Cameron House has one of the most idylic settings of any hotel and the management should be applauded for the imaginative and extensive alterations and refurbishment. It is never going to be easy to make massive changes to a Hotel without some disruption to the guests, but I believe that the finished result so far is stunning. We will be back again next March and will be looking forward to seeing the new leisure centre.

David Crouchley

Windermere,

UK

Stayed for 3 nights in lodge, had high hopes had heard good things. First impression was good, lodge was spacious and extremely well kitted out. Tie backs missing on curtains and one curtain missing completely in bedroom but renovation work is in progress across the hotel.
The spa is fantastic - the booking had got a bit 'confused' - this was rectified quickly and with no fuss.
Ate in the Grill on the 2nd night. It looked fantastic, interesting to see in the kitchen and the butcher area. It all started to go wrong though - they didn't have scallops or rack of lamb. 4/6 steaks were cold and 3 served with wrong sauce. The side orders were all confused - too many of some and none of others. 1 steak sent back to get correct sauce - they put the cold medium/rare steak back on the heat and then re-served it black, well done and with black, acrid obviously burnt garlic butter..... I have never ever had this level of service anywhere, much less a hotel that claims 5 star status.
Meal at the Claret Jug at the Carrick was fine, although same menu as at the spa.
Afternoon tea has to be the best value - however waiting an hour for it to be served is far too long.
Then on the last morning I went down with a tummy bug - I suspect food poisoning as no-one else has become ill. Not the best end to the weekend.

This was our second visit to the Cameron House, having previously been in 2006. We remembered it as a well run, country house feel hotel, beautiful views of Loch Lomond and relaxing lounges to sit in with portraits on the walls etc. It had all the modern facilities such as the pool and gym and good restaurants but retained the Scottish country heritage and character it was about -----

Oh well. Sadly that has all been stripped away and everything is dark, black and very depressing.
We understood talking to the staff that the "enterpreners" who own the Malmaison Hotel chain have bought the De Vere Deluxe chain. Cameron House being one of those hotels.

We walked into reception after a long journey. The reception staff seemed stressed and the whole reception area is like walking into a funeral. Everything is dark with candles burning everywhere on a long dark table that looks like a coffin.
Although we were booked on DBB rate they could not fit us in the main Cameron House Grill for dinner and we had to go the 2km down the road to the Claret Jug which is part of the Carrick Golf Resort and Spa. The Claret Jug was OK but the staff just seemed tired.
The room----- well Black is the word I would use. Black wallpaper, black lampshades, absolutely hideous.
The corriders are dark and gloomy, the pictures on the wall on the way to the Cameron Grill would give people nightmares.

The Restaurant at the Marina is closed at present for a re-furb so
it was either the Cameron Grill or Lomonds (the fine dining restaurant) for Dinner on our second and third nights.
To be honest the Cameron Grill is so dark and BLACK it is just too depressing to have a nice evening meal in, the open pipework in the ceiling just doesn't add any ambiance whatsoever. Breakfast was enough time to be spent in there.

There was hope -- Lomonds restaurant had a glimmer of blue lighting on the first evening we went in there- sadly interior designer went in the following day and demanded blue lighting be turned to subdued dark orange.

After all that I'll try to be up-beat ---- the service in the Grill and Lomonds was good. Although the staff rarely smile (who can blame them working with those colours) they did their very best to look after us. The Scott Bar is more light and airly and just about works. The best room in the entire hotel.
The Spa at the Carrick was wonderful (different colour scheme totally) and very relaxing.

If you are looking for a Scottish hotel with some history, character and relaxing, inspirational style this is not the place for you.
The Cameron House is now devoid of colour, history, character.
The only thing they have not messed with (yet) is the Loch view.
They are building a block of suites so you never know.

We came away with the impression that this decor has been designed by a man for male golfers. There is absolutely nothing to give any feminine detail or appeal to women --- shame really as I paid the bill.
I really don't think it was worth the money when I compare to the following 3 days we spent at the Balmoral Hotel in Edinburgh.
The bills came to roughly the same amount --- Balmoral was streets ahead in professionaism, ambience, rooms etc etc.

If you really are intent on going here ---- give it a few more months. You'll have a better choice of restaurants and you never know someone might have gone round with a paint pot and brightened it up again. I would ask at check in for a non black room (not sure they exist) but at least you might sleep better than we did.

On reflection --- just very sad that a wonderful hotel so full of character has been stripped of anything that it stood for. Change is always happening but sometimes keeping traditional features needs to be balanced with modern times.