The fact that i have never been compelled to write a review before speaks volumns, and not good ones i am afraid. My partner took me to Knockinaam for a couple of nights for a bit of r and r and i feel very disappointed that such a lovely gesture has left such a bitter taste in my mouth. We are big mountain bikers and there was a good bit of patter on the website about what great routes there are, so we were kinda expecting the staff to know a wee bit about the best places to go, however when we enquired (bearing in mind we lugged both bikes through from Edinburgh), we were stared at as if we had asked if the sea was warm enough to bathe in. Being told that we could have a bit of a cycle round the local roads didn't really suffice. Of course, if the receptionists aren't cyclists then perhaps we shouldn't have presumed that they'd be able to help, but if would have been helpful to have been told that there is a Tourist Information and bike shop in Stranraer rather than us wasting our afternoon driving about aimlessly. It was there attitude, rather than lack of knowledge that most annoyed us.

The rooms are lovely - nice toiletries! However no tea and coffee facilities and i kinda assumed (bearing in mind the price) that when asked if we would like a cup of tea in the morning, that it was complimentary. Er, no. Costs about £4. Each. Oh and another £3.50 if you would like a shortbread biscuit each.

We enjoyed the food, although there is no choice, which my partner likes. It is very rich, but tasty.

When i asked in the bar (over my £7.50 g and t) if i could have some crisps, i was told there weren't enough and you could only have them with the pre dinner drinks!

The staff were generally very unhelpful, snooty and uninterested - not at all what we have come to expect in small luxury hotels, which we frequently visit.

On top of the above, there is not much to do locally, the local towns don't have much to look at or do, and decent cycling is some distance away. All in all, so disappointing.

Please don't go to this hotel - there are so many amazing places to stay in Scotland and this one just doesn't deserve your money.

I’m a frequent visitor to small luxury hotels around the UK and abroad and I don’t think I’ve come across a more overrated hotel. The setting is pretty but on closer inspection of the private shale beach, you need to tread carefully amongst the dog dirt and litter. Staff would benefit from going on a customer service course as there was a distinct lack of friendliness, help or knowledge from most of them – when asked what time breakfast is served or what the dress code is for the dining room, guessing is not a sufficient answer. The resident black labs pester you for attention when out walking and when one took a dislike to me for no apparent reason, I was treated to a snarling and barking demonstration which was rather frightening. On complaining to the staff and eventually the owner about this I was told their dogs don’t do that, it must be a guest's dog and it was dismissed, which I found quite incredulous.

I decided never to visit again and dinner then confirmed my decision. I was told I would be having a ‘tasting menu’ - I’m used to tasting menu’s but generally like to be given the choice of that or a la carte. I’ve eaten in a number of Michelin rated restaurants in the UK and I have no idea how the honour came to be given here. This was bland, boring and basic. Cordon bleu cooking is one thing and you expect small portions as the richness of the food fills you, but in this case the portions were miniscule and the size of which you would expect in a 10 course tasting menu.

I will not be returning!

I took my fiancee here for a birthday surprise. The food is excellent, if a little focused towards maintaining the Michelin gong at the expense of its Scottishness. The room (we stayed in Churchill) was exceptionally nice and well-equipped.

But for what's charged - we paid over £500 for one nights DBB with a bottle or two of wine - you'd be entitled to expect perfection and it seems fair to point out a few shortcomings. Nothing is too much trouble but nothing's free either and it certainly seems as if they're used to couples on romantic breaks where no man will want to be seen quibbling over the bill! Being asked to pay a few quid for a jar of jam on leaving struck me as a bit niggardly given the overall cost of our stay. A timely reminder that business is business, I guess.

The location, while delightfully relaxing and remote, doesn't offer outdoor activities or coastal walking of the same standard as other parts of rural Scotland and if you're heading there from central Scotland, you'll probably have to go via one of Scotland's dullest roads, the A77, with only a minor detour (well signposted) at the end. Because of this, I'm not sure it would merit more than a night or two at a time. But if you want to impress and don't mind the cost, it's a good place to go!

We have just returned from yet another stay at Knockinaam - our sixth in just over two years, and it is still as good as the time we first went there. The staff are always so welcoming, friendly and attentive. The room (we stayed in Whin) is very comfortable, decorated to a high standard, and the en suite bathroom is enormous. The food as always is "to die for". Allergies and dislikes are accommodated, and even reflected in the printed menu you receive. We'd throughly recommend Knockinaam for its tranquility, the lovely garden grounds, and walks along the seashore.