STAY : Inchyra MacDonald Hotel and Spa, Falkirk
Last year I visited the Inchyra Macdonald Hotel and Spa to try out dinner at their Scottish Steakhouse. This time I was back for an overnight stay and a Cher Tribute night.
LOCATION
Falkirk lies approx 30 minutes from Glasgow and Edinburgh. Once you reach the Kelpies, you know that your destination isn’t far.
The hotel is situated close to the industrial mass of Grangemouth but once you turn the corner into the hotel grounds, you soon forget its even there. It is very central and easily accessible, only 5 minutes from the M9 motorway.
The Inchyra Macdonald hotel and spa is set on 44 acres surrounded by great grounds. It has a superb large conference/events room at the back of the hotel, attached but with a separate entrance from the hotel (great for noise and sound as it wont disturb the guests too much).
The hotel is a former manor house that has been extended over time and just last year, I believe they refurbished around 100 bedrooms. When Macdonald Hotels took this over they added the spa facilities and swimming pool, which is possibly the one thing most people come here for.
I never tried out the spa, but word of mouth and on-line reviews are very favourable and it is highly recommended.
INCHYRA MACDONALD HOTEL AND SPA ROOMS
Check in was a very simple, easy and straight forward process. The staff are very welcoming and explained everything you need to know about the hotel. We took our key and made off in search of the elevator.
Our bedroom, was in what I would say was the newer extension of the building. The lift was the first thing that you notice needs upgraded - it was small, rickety and rather un-nerving but alas we arrived on the 4th floor with a pleasant and loud ‘ding’.
Our room was large, comfortable and clean. Absolutely wonderful bed, lovely crisp, clean white bed sheets and amazing pillows.
In the room itself it has a large dressing table and mirror, a massive built in wardrobe in which hang fluffy bathrobes and where the safe is located.
A large flat screen TV stands on a separate table. The room is large enough to accommodate a cute sitting area with table.
There is no tea or coffee in the room, which I thought odd, but we did receive a fruit basket and bottled water.
The bathroom is a great size. Decent sized bath with a good power shower over the bath. A big sink and plenty of space to put out your toiletries.
The spa downstairs is an Elemis Spa and it was a nice touch to be able to use these products in the room.
The hotel comes with a 20m swimming pool, a well equipped gym with all the latest equipment from Technogym and 8 treatment rooms. You’ll also fine a Sauna, Steam Room, Ice Fountain, Rasul mud therapy room, Thermal suite, Relaxation room, Massage showers and Heated pool loungers. Is there any need for anything more?!
Download the Spa Treatment brochure here
INCHYRA MACDONALD HOTEL AND SPA BREAKFAST
After a thoroughly restful sleep, we headed down for breakfast. It’s busy and the staff seem a little rushed off their feet but were able to deal with the chaos.
Tea and Coffee ordered, we pondered over what to have for breakie. There was the Continental Breakfast bar with everything on offer from pasties to cereals, cold meats and cheese or to go for the cooked breakfasts.
We’d both had a wee drink or five the night before and knew that only eggs and a good cooked breakie would suffice.
I ordered the Full Scottish breakfast with scrambled eggs. Portions are a little on the skimpy side - cutting the mushroom in half and one slice of bacon does make it look mean. However, the food was tasty and hot.
Carmin opted for the Eggs Benny, two poached eggs on an English Muffin. To me the eggs needed runny yolks and needed cooked for 30 seconds less. No matter, it was scoffed down in a matter of minutes.
A nice variety of juices on offer too but we stuck with tea and coffee.
VERDICT
The rooms here are comfortable and clean and you are guaranteed a great nights sleep (bonus that the curtains close completely for a well blacked out room). They are in need of a refurbishment only because they need modernised slightly and some of the furniture is a little outdated (time to move away from the dark wood decor and bring in something new and sleek) but I loved the touches of tartan throughout.
This is wonderful hotel for conferences and large groups staying over, attending the tribute nights or as a treat for some R&R, but it needs some techy mod-cons. The Wi-fi is decent throughout the hotel, but it needs some USB ports or even plugs next to the bed stands and access to Netflix or Amazon Prime and defo a nice Nespresso Coffee machine wouldn’t go amiss.
The staff are all very friendly and helpful, but they have alot of young staff especially in the restaurant/conference services that could do with further training - they do seem a little inexperienced which comes across as nervousness or uncertainty.
Would I stay here again? Yes, I certainly would and I would try out the spa.
Inchyra Macdonald Hotel and Spa, Grange Road, Falkirk, FK2 0YB. Tel : 0344 879 9044 www.macdonaldhotels.co.uk/our-hotels/scotland/stirling/macdonald-inchyra-hotel-spa
My Spoon Award : Bronze Award - 7/10
Room - 8
Ambience/Decor - 6
Service - 8
View/location - 7
Food - 7
I was invited by Inchyra Macdonald Hotel to review their hotel. Food and accommodation were complimentary but the views are very much my own.