Loch Melfort Hotel, nr. Oban

Awesome views at Loch Melfort rear with loch SMALLLoch Melfort Hotel

A stay at Loch Melfort overlooking glorious Asknish Bay is luxurious and tranquil. (Upgrading to the luxury family room in the main hotel is a must if budget allows but the annexe rooms are absolutely fine – especially if you have dogs).

The award-winning Loch Melfort is famous for its stunning views, adjacent Arduaine Gardens, (now owned by the National Trust), its roaring log fires and excellent Scottish dining but nevertheless remains all very relaxed and family friendly as the owners Callum and Rachel have young children. There’s plenty to do in the area especially all those boat rides and nature trips that Oban and the West Coast do so well. Check out Loch Melfort’s frequent seasonal special offers.

Accommodation

All the rooms have loch views but the larger, more expensive and luxurious rooms are to be found in the main house. The Family Suite for example is superb, very well appointed with wide windows to soak up the panoramic views of Loch Melfort. The rooms in the Cedar Wing extension are more standard modern hotel rooms but probably ideal if you are planning to return from long hikes or have a dog.

Food & Drink

Loch Melfort Hotel has a formal dining room Arduaine Restaurant, several lounges with log fires and a family friendly bistro, Chartroom II. Although children are allowed in the formal dining room, there’s a smart casual dress code and respect for the other diners is expected.

Arduaine Restaurant with fantastic views has a deserved 2 AA rosettes and the menu is packed with fresh local produce, seafood is obviously a speciality.  We particularly enjoyed the goats cheese starter but unfortunately missed out on the Loch Fyne oysters due to a ‘Mothers Day’ surge in popularity!

The Bistro is more casual, and in summer opens out into the children’s play area outside. Starters are around £5 and mains around £10 compared to dinner in the main Arduaine Restaurant which is around £40 pp.

Facilities and nearby activities

Definitely family friendly but respect for other guests is expected, particularly in the evening. The staff are extremely friendly and enjoy having kids around. Obviously the West Coast is heaven for walking, sailing, fishing, painting, taking photos, bird watching but for younger kids a Seafari boat trip is probably a must.  Also check out the Scottish Sea Life Sanctuary and Oban Boat Tours. Corryvreckan is the world’s 3rd largest whirlpool…

On rainy days, head to the Oban leisure centre where there is a good pool, soft play, a climbing wall and decent cafes. You could probably spend a whole day here. (We did one cold, wet stormy summers day).

Oban is a 20min drive and packed with thriving cafes, restaurants and bookshops etc.

 USEFUL LINKS

Loch Melfort Hotel – www.lochmelfort.co.uk
Scottish Sea Life Sancturary – www.visitsealife.com/oban

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