Val Penny's Hotel and Restaurant Reviews The Traveller's Guide to Hotels and Restaurants around the World

I recently attended the Bloody Scotland Crime Writers’ Festival in Stirling, Scotland. The talks and events took place mainly in the Albert Halls and the Golden Lion Hotel. However, I chose to stay in the 5* Colessio Hotel. I had been to a meeting at the hotel some years ago and was favourably impressed. It is central, and has a wide variety of health and spa facilities.The Colessio Hotel is part of the Aurora Hotel Collection which is a small but growing portfolio of hotels and lodges in Central Scotland.

I was greeted peasantly at reception and taken up to room 115 by a young lady from reception. I was very hot and was delighted to have the benefit of bottles of mineral water in the room. so I sat and relaxed and drank my mineral water and ate a packet of complimentary cookies, which were very tasty.

However, I became increasingly aware of a draft at my back. I got up to check where t was coming from and found a hole in the window. Not just a crack, a great big hole. Luckily, I had not unpacked. So, before going to my first meeting, I explained the issue and requested a room change from reception.I was told the staff had no idea that the window was borken and was asked what kind of room I would like. I asked for one without a broken window! I was re-roomed to room 118. It met my modest requirements. It was disappointing to note that room 115 was re-let to alternative guests. If I were manager of the Colessio Hotel, that would not be acceptable. The staff certainly knew of the broken wndow when room 115 was re-let to those other guests.

That apart, my stay in the Colessio Hotel was very pleasant. Both rooms 115 and 118 are relatively small, but the main building of the hotel is an old Victorian building is a 9-minute walk from the Stirling Smith Museum & Art Gallery, a 12-minute walk from Stirling Golf Club and a 6-minute walk from The Thistles Shopping Centre. However, the rooms are modern and feature flat-screen TVs, free WiFi, and tea and coffeemaking equipment, plus large en suite bathrooms. 

Room 115 is a disabled friendly room with a wet room. The photos here are from room 118.

The staff were courteous and helpful. They could not have been more pleasant. Breakfast in the Colessio Hotel was served as a generous, varied continental buffet. There was also an option of an additional served hot breakfast.

The bar is well staffed and the bartenders are attentive. Evening meals, served in the hotel restaurant are from a wide, varied reasonably priced menu. Several tasty vegetarian choices are on the menu. The reastaurant is pleasant to be in as it features a striking palette of black and white  with designer touches evident throughout.

There is a gym and an indoor pool at the Colessio Hotel, but I did not have time to use them. All in all, the Colessio Hotel is a very nice hotel, but it is not as luxurious as many 5* hotels that I have visited. In none of the others was I offered a room with a broken window.

Valerie Penny