Loch Long Hotel

Arrochar, Argyll and Bute

For my final night of the trip I was wanting somewhere on lower end of the West Highland Line. This is the place I found that was the only real place that was under £100. I booked here for £83.11 which given the location seemed very good. Now I was extremely nervous staying here as some of the reviews online was pretty awful: "The property had no running water", "Our hotel room smelt strongly of damp", "tv was off the wall" and so on and on. As it was thought my experience couldn't of been any different. I found my room to be of a very high standard and the overall hotel to be a lovely place to stay.

The bed was very comfy, the room had working air con and the ensuite facilities was spot on. The bath was very deep which allowed for a lovely soak in the evening!

To be honest my stay here was that enjoyable, I have already booked another stay later this year with my partner, and amazingly I have managed to get two nights for under £100 for the both of us!

I found the cheapest rate at Booking.com: https://www.booking.com/Share-DxDdEMq

Claredon Hotel

Oban, Argyll and Bute

I wasn't actually looking for a hotel in Oban, I would of preferred a hotel in Fort William or Mallaig even. But prices in them places was just silly money. I then looked further a field and found this place in Oban for the insane price of only £28... yes Twenty Eight pounds in the summer! Bargain!

Not only was it only £28, it had an ensuite shower room and was literally a 3 minute walk from the train station. At £28 in the summer was actually a little nervous to stay here as it just felt to cheap for the time of year. As it turned out I had nothing too worry about, the room although not the best, was certainly fine for a 1 night stay on a budget.

The bed was comfy enough, the shower was a good pressure and that's all there really is to say. It did the job nicely. There is no getting away with the fact that the room could do with a little maintenance and a better paint job... But it was £28! To put in perspective how cheap this was, the Premier Inn down the road was over £100 more expensive!!! Yes much better offer, but £100 better, debatable!

I 100% would stay here again if I was on a tight budget.

I found the cheapest rate at Hotels.com: https://uk.hotels.com/ho1180895008

Forsinard Suites

Forsinard, Highlands

A place I have wanted to stay since I first visited the station. So when I decided that I should revisit Altnabreac station and go for a walk there staying at Forsinard was the only real option in my head. At the price of £81.35 I considered this to be quite reasonable for the location.

I was a little nervous about staying here as a friend of mine stayed here a few months earlier and had hot water issues and was the only person staying there and said it felt a little odd been in such a big place on his own. Alas, for me it was absolutely fine. I had hot water which meant I could have a lovely bath in the really deep and long bath.

The lounge area was quite pleasant and I was able to sit and chat with other guests about their travels. It was while chatting I decided to make myself a basic dinner of beans on toast in the kitchenette that is provided.

The bedroom was a very nice room with a desk that allowed for views out over the fields and station. The bed was very comfy and I slept brilliantly. I was annoyed I was booked on the 0730 train the next morning. A place I will definitely stay at again. 

I found the cheapest rate at Booking.com: https://www.booking.com/Share-n1O758b

Westmore Bed & Breakfast

Alness, Highlands

I wasn't really looking for a hotel in Alness, I was actually looking for a hotel in Inverness. Hotels in Inverness ain't exactly what you would call cheap. So with that in mind, I looked a bit further out of the city. Looking on google maps I came across Westmore Bed & Breakfast a short 10 minute walk from the station for only £43.95. Bargain given anywhere in Inverness was over £80 more expensive.

The bed was super comfy and I had a great sleep. The room was quite warm with the window open and I was quite concerned having the window been open due to the B&Bs location on the main road through the town. But I opted for the window to be open. It wasn't a problem as it turned out the road was very quiet through the night. The room had everything else it needed really, including a dressing gown (which I didn't need as wasn't my size)

Now for the only downside of this B&B. The shower & toilet facilities was shared. Not usually a problem, and at first I didn't think this would be a problem on this occasion. But the facilities wasn't all that close to the room, in fact they was on a different floor! Which at 4am when I needed to go to the toilet, this wasn't all that ideal. Other than that the shower was pretty good.

Check in for here finished at 10pm. I dropped the B&B owners an email for booking and they was happy to wait up an extra half hour for me as my train wasn't arriving until 2215. Very grateful for this.

I found the cheapest rate at Booking.com: https://www.booking.com/Share-LEbdt7

Grant Arms Hotel

Cullen, Moray

My stay in Cullen came about from a last minute decision to take the scenic route home after a family holiday on the Isle of Skye. I wanted to stay somewhere a little of the beaten track. Cullen ticked that box and thanks to using google maps I found this hotel for £55.20 which given the beauty of the town this seemed a good price, Especially for a Saturday night.

The hotel room was rather nice. You could hear some noise from the bar down below. But this was finished with by 11pm so wasn't a problem with my sleep. To my surprise the room also contained a microwave which was a nice touch. This allowed me to go to the Co-Op across the road and pick up a ready meal which I could stick in the microwave! The only real negative of the room was the curtains was incredibly thin which meant in the morning the light was shining through the curtains from about 4am.

Not sure when I might need to stay here again, but if I was looking for somewhere in Cullen then this would be the first place I look at.

I found the cheapest rate at Booking.com: https://www.booking.com/Share-3zwzBNQ

Four Points Flex by Sheraton (Formally Sleeperz)

Cardiff, Wales

When I booked my stay here it was a Sleeperz hotel, but when I arrived it had changed to a Four Points Flex by Sheraton hotel, part of the Marriott Hotel Brand. I would say this is a great addition to the Marriott brand as I have always found Sleeperz hotels to be high quality with very comfy beds.

It is difficult to fault my stay here, the only thing I might possibly say is the shower wasn't the hottest. But to be honest I like red hot showers so I often find shower temperatures limited to below my liked temperature.

I paid £84 for two nights here. Which given it is a stone throw from Cardiff Central station makes this somewhat of a bargain. I wonder now it's under the Marriott banner it will be that cheap going forward... I will definitely be checking for when I return for Bute Street Station!

I found the cheapest rate at Agoda: Best Price on Four Points Flex by Sheraton Cardiff in Cardiff

Toad Hall Hostel

Machynlleth, Wales

Every now and then you find a place to stay and think I have stumbled upon a hidden gem. There ain't many places you can stay in Wales that only cost £30 a night to stay. For that £30 you get your own private room, access to a fully equipped communal kitchen and shower room. There is also the communal lounge and games area.

I have stayed here twice now and have enjoyed both visits. I have met people here and enjoyed in-depth conversations about travels and have shared advice with other travellers. If you are looking for somewhere that is both basic, but brilliant all at the same time, then look no further than Toad Hall!

Don't be put off by the word "hostel" it is the least hostel like place I have seen.

Take a look here: https://www.booking.com/Share-zucz43hs