Name: The Great Western Hotel
Address: Corran Esplanade, Oban, Scotland, United Kingdom, Oban, Argyll and Bute, GB
Price range: $71–$215 per night
Rating: 7.52

What guests think

Across many reviews of The Great Western Hotel, guests praise the seafront location and views, but report an aging, poorly maintained property with frequent room faults, damp and mould odors, and inconsistent cleanliness that undermines the stay.

Many appreciate friendly staff and some plentiful breakfasts, but service can be inconsistent with slow check-in, communication issues, and unresolved maintenance requests. Common problems include limited paid parking with cones, an unreliable or tiny lift, failing showers or hot water, heating problems, sloping floors, and noise in certain rooms. The waterfront setting and sea views stand out. Expect a great location but very dated, hit-and-miss stays.

Facilities

Cleanliness

Rooms

Service

Location

Dining

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AI-generated summary based on recent guest reviews

Facilities

Parking is limited, paid, and often pre-coned for arrivals, so many guests use nearby public lots. The lift is frequently out of order or very small, and while there’s a lounge/bar and restaurant with bay views, facilities feel dated.

Related guest reviews

8

Denise

Sep 17, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

There was no parking available at the hotel.

8

Monica

Oct 13, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Good location with easy walking to the town centre, shops and Oban Distillery. Hotel is old but room was comfortable. Great views of Oban Bay from the bar windows.

8

Karthik

Oct 29, 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Hotel itself was fine, everything was quite old, but everything was functional. Parking is a mess though. They dont have enough parking for everybody, so it is first come first served. If you see a cone in front of an empty spot, it is taken. You will need to use a public lot if they run out. Luckily there are 2 right next door.

6

David

Jan 20, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

It was a bit dated but ok - the surprise was an extra £6 for hotel parking 😕

6

Derek

Jul 27, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Nice hotel although needs a bit of upgrading. Lovely location and worth paying for a sea view. Car park is a challenge. The hotel works a system where you have to book through reception. But many people don’t comply which meant we did not get our allocated space. I felt hotel could have dealt with this better. Worth noting that there are nearby public car parks that are free from 6pm to 9am. So a good alternative option. We had dinner, bed and breakfast. Food was good and a variety of choice. Dining room has lovely views across the bay. I felt reception staff could have been better. It doesn’t take much to welcome you properly, and also say hello when you pass. Slightly redeemed with check out. Waiter on Saturday morning kept telling everyone how management had left him on his own. Not a good image to have staff openly criticising management.

6

Jill

Aug 12, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

I asked to swap my room as I needed a low floor and the lift was out of order . I can’t do many stairs so they agreed and I got room 17 . A No frills room but great view , plaster falling off the walls on the corridor , but bed was clean and I had our dog with us , so we had to pay an extra £30 she tried to charge £40 but I had an email agreeing £30 . The hotel is scruffy so I don’t know why I had to pay an extra charge for the dog . However we had breakfast in the bar with the dog so that was a plus . Brekky was ok a hot selection and croissants etc . The amount of a £150 per night plus £30 dog for two nights , plus £6 a day parking , is daylight robbery considering the state of the hotel . Lots of complaints wen I was checking in and a lady threw her keys at the receptionist telling her she had gone elsewhere . They need to spend some money on this place , we came just after Covid and it was in a right state and nothing much has changed . Take heed the owners as people will eventually stop coming it’s so bad

4

Ann

Sep 21, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Old and worn out. Lift not working. Carpet wet but wet area not near bathroom. Hot water ran out.

6

Bryan

Aug 20, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Quaint, but needs some maintenance. The restaurant food was very good, and there was a perfect view of the harbor from the front window.

6

Robert

Aug 8, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Limited parking..no lifts working and was not good as i have bad mobility in my legs

6

Nancy

Jul 16, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Gorgeous view of the water and less than 0.25 mi from Oban Distillary. Hotel is old and has many, many stairs (there is an elevator but it's creaky and fits only 1 person + 1 bag). Downstairs room reeked of cigarette smoke - property was full so no opportunity to move rooms. Upstairs room was better. Parking was NOT free and spaces are quite small. There is a restaurant onsite. Dinner was good but breakfast was excellent.

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AI-generated summary based on recent guest reviews

Cleanliness

Cleanliness is a recurring issue, with many reports of mould, damp smells, stained carpets, dust, and grimy bathrooms. Some mention clean linen or rooms, but standards are inconsistent.

Related guest reviews

2

Cecile

Sep 22, 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

Photos on Hotels.com suggested a quaint nicely decorated and maintained seaside hotel. Perhaps the water-facing rooms were in better shape but our standard rooms that faced the back weren't. The shower in my brother's room dark gloomy room was covered in black mold that gave him a headache and nasal congestion. A health department in the US would have condemned it. They gave him a better room after he complained the next day, after comparing it with mine which, had a bad ceiling patch but minimal mold and a functioning window. The sole elevator was broken our entire visit. Elderly and movement-impaired guests struggled to climb and descend the stairs, which may have diverted their attention from the rusty, peeling paint onthe adjoining walls. For what we paid for our rooms this was a massive disappointment. The staff did what they could with what they had to work with; I blame the hotel's ownership for letting what clearly was a beautiful hotel in its day sink into decrepitude. Nobody paying those rated should ever be given a room in the condition of my brother's first one.

4

Bobbie

Jul 19, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

This property is old which is fine. However it needs a proper clean and scrubbing. Without the beautiful view I would not recommend this to friends and family or other airline employees.

4

Robert

Jan 17, 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

Original room, windows filthy on the inside with graffiti on them, frames all cracked and peeling paint,needing replaced, 6 plugs connected to one 13amp socket?? mould on ceiling, strange stains on oosey carpets, no soaps in dispensers, cracks in wall, light switches all finger marked, outwith room wallpaper torn off one wall in hallway, at breakfast a large dog allowed in dining room, I don’t like to give negative comments, but this hotel was something else I don’t see me ever returning to it, I love Oban but this establishment is letting it down. I have photographs to back up my comments I’m not just having a moan and to be fair we were given another room but overall very disappointing and cannot recommend it at all

2

Laura

Apr 23, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Extremely dirty and outdated, I get this place is old but these rooms need to be cleaned better. My sheets were stained, there was a booger on the wall right next to my head, red and orange bacteria/mold all over the shower grout, springy mattress that poked into my ribs all night. Looked like someone blew their nose into the window curtains. I should’ve paid $70 for the night instead of $170, will not stay here again.

10

Archie

Jan 21, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

I enjoyed my stay. The staff were all very helpful and friendly. My single room was clean and peaceful with a beautiful view and an excellent en- suite. My preferred breakfast is a bowl of fruit and porridge and was very good.

2

Teresa

Aug 15, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

The rooms were dirty....carpet would crunch under bare feet. Paint flaking off the windows. Mould on shower curtain. Toilet lid would nit stay up and banged off your back while trying to use the loo. I could go on and on. Horrendous hotel

2

Nancy

Aug 7, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Dirty, dated, and not well managed. NOT HANDICAPPED ACCESSIBLE AS stated. Elevator broken. Paint chipped off windows, glass broken out of windows and borded over. Carpets FILTHY. Bugs dead on carpet next to bed. Plaster falling off wall onto stairs. Heater did not work in room. Had to ask for blanket 3 times to finally get one. Shower filthy. Expedia ratings WAY TOO HIGH to be true.

6

Lilian

Feb 26, 2025

·

Stayed 5 nights

Room 21 was ok. I know it was a standard room so ok about being at the back of the hotel overlooking the bins and a falling down shed. The room was good and clean but the window was dreadful. Im not kidding the dirt on it was bad and all the old window frame was covered in dried black mold from condensation. I have never seen anything like it. Ivy growing up the outside wall was half over the window and covering the window sill. There was a mark left on the inside of the window frame where the ivy had managed to get inside. The room on a whole was good. Big and clean just a pity that window has been neglected for years inside and out. I have worked in hospitality and been the cleaner and house keeper. I understand the pressures of being short staffed but that window was beyond anything. It truly hadnt been cleaned in years.

4

Rui

Aug 22, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Only stayed one night and to be honest glad it was no longer. Oban is beautiful and this hotel looks grand on the outside. Inside is a different matter. Very worn, even dirty in places. Short staffed when we arrived and to be honest we felt sorry for the lovely girl on reception who bore the brunt of complaints from disgruntled guests. Very disappointed. At least the bed sheets were clean. Cold tap in bathroom leaked everywhere and towel rail held together with gaffa tape. Black mould on sills and cracks in ceiling. Whole place smells old and musty.

6

Laura

Apr 11, 2025

·

Stayed 4 nights

This hotel is in a great location. It is a big building with spacious rooms. The cleanliness of my room was poor. Thick dust on skirting boards. The bathroom was grimy. Shower door hanging off and the vent. Walls are paper thin. You can hear the conversations from others in the next rooms including their snoring.

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AI-generated summary based on recent guest reviews

Rooms

Rooms are very dated with sloping floors, worn furnishings, faulty showers or heating, and some uncomfortable beds; sea-view rooms can be spacious with great outlooks. Noise from corridors or nearby venues occurs in some stays.

Related guest reviews

8

Monica

Oct 13, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Good location with easy walking to the town centre, shops and Oban Distillery. Hotel is old but room was comfortable. Great views of Oban Bay from the bar windows.

8

Holly

Jul 21, 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

Great location near shopping, restaurants, ferry departure, and castle; excellent views of the waterfront, decent breakfast!, spacious rooms!

8

Elissa

Jun 26, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Great location Old style hotel needing renovation Lift bijou Rabbit ear antenna on tv - had to get assistance & then still issues View looking at building opposite with rubbish bins below No hooks in ensuite to hang clothes Had to put shower bag on floor as no bench /shelf in bathroom

6

William

Jun 25, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Good Seaview from large room. Bed matress requires replacing. As the main purpose of our visit here was for somwhere to sleep for a night, this has to be marked down as bed was terrible.

6

Celina

Apr 24, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Location is fantastic, really needs some TLC though. Beds comfy and slept well until slamming doors below at 6am.

6

Arsr

Mar 21, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

We got basement room. Sea view was covered with cars. Mattress was very uncomfortable. Carpet was very dirty. Mould on the walls. There was a very odd smell in the corridor .

6

Rachael

Sep 18, 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

Location is fantastic!! The hotel is old, but needs much refurbishment. The lounge, entry area and all are pretty, but the bed in our room needs replacement. If I had it to do over I would have paid more to stay on the coast in a similar location.

6

Lynette

Jun 25, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

The property was a bit dated. We were in room 207. The floor has an incline in it, which wasn’t the best. You would get out of bed and feel like you have had to much to drink. I do have a video of it but it won’t let me post it

4

Malcolm

Aug 30, 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

I stayed in a single room at over £100 a night - it was like a cell. Narrow, dark, cramped. If you had been overweight you’d have had difficulty turning round in the “bathroom”. I asked for another room or to upgrade but they said they were full which, to be honest, I didn’t believe. The rest of the rooms maybe ok but I wouldn’t recommend a single

6

Erika

Aug 25, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

The hotel looked a bit tired. The room was fine but the shower didn’t get hot. It seemed to only be a fault in our room. These things happen but it took a long time and a lot of going up and down from reception by us to get another room with a hot shower. We had a brilliant view though.

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Service

Staff are often friendly and helpful. However, several guests reported slow check-in, poor communication or occasional rudeness, and maintenance/housekeeping requests not addressed promptly.

Related guest reviews

2

Christine

Jul 6, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Disastrous from start to finish rude guy on reception called Rhuri needlessly nasty. Didn’t go for breakfast on second morning as it was so poor. Torn curtains in room and stained ceiling where water had been coming in. Very noisy on steps of hotel near smoking shack until after 2am on Sunday morning.Couldn’t get a drink in afternoon at bar as no staff. Is this what you expect from a large hotel chain. We are both disabled so we thought we would be safe and enjoy our stay here - No we didn’t.

6

Duncan

Sep 22, 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

Some staff were excellent:- Bar staff & Night porter. Breakfast lady was a bit angry about everything! Check in receptionist wasn’t very friendly, especially when talking about the parking!

10

sally

Jun 17, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

The staff were very friendly and helpful

2

Helen

Aug 6, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Old and very much in need of repair. Asked to check in early but receptionist was extremely uncooperative. Making us wait until 3pm. And then gave us a room that hadn’t been cleaned. The cleaning staff explained that there were rooms available from much earlier and that they had told the receptionist what rooms were not ready, yet she gave us an unfinished room. I think she just wanted us to have the worst room it had a view of a slate roof, broken sink taps and every floorboard squeaked. Needless to say we won’t be back!!!

4

Andrew

Sep 17, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

This stay was not good at all. When I checked in there were two operatives on the desk, it took just over 40 minutes to check in as Yes there was a queue of one person in front of me but still check in was far too slow. In addition there was a problem with the gas or something which which meant that a full cooked breakfast was not available. This was not only disappointing but there was no reduction on the price of the stay offered to residents for the inconvenience of no full cooked breakfast. I am not a happy customer.

4

John

Apr 13, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Room not ready at 16:00. 17:30 given key and previous guests laundry on the floor in the middle of the room. Receptionist came down 10 mins later into the bar area with sheets tucked under her arm. “That’s you eh”. Not a word of apology or even an offer of a drink on the house. Very expensive for somewhere that is really a coach tour venue. Breakfast well below average quality wise. Do they care? They do not. Plenty more coming along after us. Stay again. Not at those prices.

10

Marcia

Sep 18, 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

Amazing place !! From the front desk with Ruaridh and Rylie ( actually they are the most helpful receptionists very attentive and friendly) to the breakfast staff superb! I felt comfortable and relaxed and definitely will come back!

10

William

May 10, 2025

·

Stayed 4 nights

Friendly, efficient reception staff. Great service from barman Finn. Views across Oban bay fantastic.

10

Lee

Sep 1, 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

What I enjoyed most about the Great Western Hotel was the friendliness of the Staff. They were all friendly and kind, and Amy went above and beyond any hotel personn

8

Riona

Mar 28, 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

The property was a bit dated, but clean and comfortable. The staff were a huge bonus! Every one I was in contact with was unfailingly warm, friendly, polite and eager to help.

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AI-generated summary based on recent guest reviews

Location

Waterfront setting with sweeping bay views and an easy walk to Oban’s centre, ferries, and the distillery is widely praised. A convenient base for short stays.

Related guest reviews

8

Monica

Oct 13, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Good location with easy walking to the town centre, shops and Oban Distillery. Hotel is old but room was comfortable. Great views of Oban Bay from the bar windows.

10

Lucille

Sep 22, 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

Grand old hotel for a weekend stay. Walkable from train and ferry terminal.

10

Mrs Sharon

Apr 2, 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

Excellent central location overlooking the bay, few minutes walk from ferry terminal, bus and train stations. Hotel good with professional, helpful and friendly staff.

10

Mark

May 23, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Good location

10

Callum

Mar 14, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

I had two nights at the Great Western. Wonderful views of the surrounding Harbourside. I could see various boats coming and going. Quite scenic. The bar also has a great view of the water. It’s a 2 min walk to the centre of Oban. Nice pubs, shops and cafes in town too. My room was comfortable, good hot water pressure and it was quiet at night. 👍

8

Mark

Sep 30, 2024

·

Stayed 7 nights

The hotel is located a short five minute walk from the centre of Oban with magnificent sunset views across bonnie O an Bay.

8

Karen

Oct 14, 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

This is a grand hotel that has aged, but retains its charm. I loved the location in Oban, the amazing view over the Bay, the ease of walking to the town and to Dunollie Castle, and the friendly and highly competent staff. The lounge had lovely views as did the dining area. Breakfast was good, although not great. I would return for the views, the location, and the staff. It is at least good value for the money and carries a sense of the glory of better times. On the slightly down side, the hotel is aging. Carpets are worn, furniture is mismatched, windows don't shut all the way and some are badly warped. Basically, the hotel needs to be renovated and upgraded. That costs a lot and would require shutting down areas for work. Doing so reduces revenue stream, so this could be a downward spiral. Our experience was so excellent I urge others to stay there and support them as they try to make improvements.

6

Steven

May 15, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

The hotel is in a great location with lovely views of the water. It offered parking which was very convenient and the staff was very friendly. The hotel is older and could use an update as everything is pretty tired. Overall it was perfect for what we needed which was a place to lay our head at the end of the day but I would not want to stay there more than a couple nights.

8

Cathy

Aug 28, 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

Excellently situated close to all shops, restaurants etc

10

Abigail

Jun 18, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Great location. An older hotel but it has amazing views.

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AI-generated summary based on recent guest reviews

Dining

Breakfast feedback is mixed, ranging from excellent and plentiful to cold or limited; dinner quality also varies. Dining areas offer pleasing bay views.

Related guest reviews

10

Sylvia

Aug 23, 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

I was only there for one night but it was clean, quiet and comfortable. The staff were pleasant and helpful. Breakfast was a buffet with lots of choice. The hotel has a fantastic situation with wonderful views and is ideally placed for exploring Oban.

2

Catherine

Sep 12, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

A very dated property. We had to ask for toilet paper...showers cold in morning....breakfast was truely awful

6

Virginia

Aug 19, 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

This property was beautiful and in a lovely location at the end of the waterfront. The views from the rooms were spectacular and accommodations, while small, were comfortable, clean, and functional. The one major drawback to this property was the food. We had dinner in the hotel and all three meals were poorly made. The breakfast, something that seemed simple and errorproof, was also bad. The sausage had an odd and unpleasant aftertaste, the potato scones were hard as a rock, the eggs were overcooked and hard. And none of the food at either meal was cheap. We should have ventured out into town for our meals and in the future, we will. I would stay at this hotel again, but avoid the food.

6

Colin

Jun 6, 2025

·

Stayed 5 nights

Bar closes very early; limited selection of beer (No ale on cask or in bottles) Breakfast coffee would be better if there was actual coffee in it! And the way of dispensing it is poor. Reception open late in the evening is a good point.

8

John

Mar 18, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Our rooms were clean and tidy our only fault was the breakfasts were cold and the bacon was inedable

8

robert

Feb 22, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Great room & facilities quiet clean only fault breakfast was very poor for price

6

Ruth

Sep 5, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

The hotel is a grand old lady who has seen better days but is rather tired and frayed. However the view is super, rooms as clean as they can be, breakfast plentiful and varied, and the staff were helpful and friendly.

6

Bryan

Aug 20, 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Quaint, but needs some maintenance. The restaurant food was very good, and there was a perfect view of the harbor from the front window.

8

Kayleigh

Oct 7, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

A very comfortable stay and the breakfast was great. The hotel is slightly dated but you can see that there is investment being put into the hotel and I would stay here again.

6

Nancy

Jul 16, 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Gorgeous view of the water and less than 0.25 mi from Oban Distillary. Hotel is old and has many, many stairs (there is an elevator but it's creaky and fits only 1 person + 1 bag). Downstairs room reeked of cigarette smoke - property was full so no opportunity to move rooms. Upstairs room was better. Parking was NOT free and spaces are quite small. There is a restaurant onsite. Dinner was good but breakfast was excellent.

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AI-generated summary based on recent guest reviews

Month	Average price
January	$58
February	$59
March	$70
April	$94
May	$134
June	$124
July	$130
August	$146
September	$143
October	$95
November	$68
December	$68

Su	Mo	Tu	We	Th	Fr	Sa
		1	2	3	4	5
6 $119	7 $193	8 $138	9 $215	10 $143	11 $134	12 $177
13 $107	14 $186	15 $132	16 $182	17	18 $189	19 $156
20 $108	21 $157	22 $119	23 $167	24 $117	25 $177	26 $118
27 $90	28 $90	29 $90	30 $93

Su	Mo	Tu	We	Th	Fr	Sa
				1 $93	2 $101	3 $110
4 $71	5 $74	6 $71	7 $71	8 $71	9 $104	10 $112
11 $71	12 $74	13 $71	14 $75	15 $71	16 $101	17 $111
18 $72	19 $72	20 $72	21 $72	22 $72	23 $102	24 $111
25 $72	26 $74	27 $74	28 $72	29 $72	30 $102	31 $114

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About this property

Location

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Who stays here?

What guests think

Property Policies

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