Blackbull Hotel

The photo gallery does not do justice to the restaurant - its not soulless despite how it looks in the photos. The food was very good and the staff were excellent - we ate at the restaurant on two nights after our first meal was so good that we decided to eat there the second night of our stay rather than bothering to drive somewhere else or find a taxi - both meals were very good value. Meat provided by a local butcher including the steaks are excellent and the portion sizes more than ample. For the size of the restaurant its a very good offering of options. Excellent friendly service from the staff in the restaurant and the bar and the locals in the bar gave us a friendly welcome as well. The breakfasts are cooked to order - again good quality produce used and well presented with a friendly greeting. Rooms might be a bit on the small side but they are clean, warm and great showers - for the price paid the quality is hard to beat and included the breakfast. When we had been out all day visiting attractions in the area it was all that was needed. Allow yourself to get past the austere looking exterior and you'll find this hotel is a little gem working hard and succeeding in providing top quality food and reasonable accommodation with a warm welcome and a smile on their faces.

This place could be so much better. The food in the restaurant in the evening is excellent and good value, as is the hotel itself. But anyone expecting old world charm will be disappointed as the hotel built next to the pub (which operates completely separately to it) is very modern and lacking in character. We booked the family room as it was the only one available and it was essentially a characterless grey box with a cot taking up a lot of floor space. The second bed was a single, not queen size as described. Other amenities are minimal. However, the room did have everything we needed more or less and we got a good night’s sleep as the hotel was quiet. The reason for this is that the hotel closes at 9pm on a week night and the only way to exit and enter is via the fire exit. The reception desk is usually unmanned, as it was in the morning when people were checking out - and the front door of the hotel was still locked. We had to say the night before when we wanted breakfast, with last serving at 9am. When we turned up the next morning, no-one was around, so eventually we sat down at a table which was laid with a breakfast menu. Ten minutes later we went to the kitchen entrance to find someone - some minutes later a lady in a tabard appeared and rudely told us to move to another table. Still no-one took our breakfast order. Another couple arrived and asked if they would be able to sit with another couple who were due to appear and they were told by the same lady that as they hadn’t requested this the night before, they couldn’t! When it arrived, breakfast was fine although the buffet was very minimal indeed and there was only one type of tea available. All in all, it feels like the hotel is expected to run itself and there really needs a better approach to their hotel guests. They need more presence of staff and the attitude towards guests at breakfast is pretty poor.

Went to the restaurant with my husband, daughter and granddaughter (who has special needs). We had a fabulous time, food was excellent at an unbelievable price and staff couldnt do enough for us. I've eaten in some fancy places but this was unbelievable tonight so a huge thank you to everyone involved - it isn't often I have such high praise for somewhere but this honestly was beyond belief for value, taste and service.

I had a terrible experience staying at the Black Bull Hotel, Tarbolton whilst visiting the area for work in nearby Troon. Upon arrival I was a little dissapointed with the size of the single room that's extremely small. That night I got no sleep whatsover due to it being extremely hot. To be clear this wasn't due to the weather but because a radiator had broken and was stuck on its highest temperature which could not be turned down. This along with the constant traffic noise all night meant no sleep whatsover and so not a great start. To be fair, on complaining about this the following morning they did get a plumber in to fix this issue. Breakfast that morning was fine, ( I have Coeliac disease) and so if they get this wrong i am in trouble. The following morning they did just that giving me normal toast as opposed to gluten free toast. This resulted in me spending the rest of that day vomitting, loosing a days work. I was so unwell that colleagues very almost called an Ambulance for me. Upon making a complaint that evening it was put back on me with staff saying 'Well didn't you realise you were eating normal toast as opposed to Gluten free'. Needless to say I wasn't very happy with the way they dealt with this and as I had booked 3 nights and was worried about being unwell again had to buy breakfast elswhere the next morning. I have tried several times to get in touch with the Hotel since to complain to managment with a promise that someone would call me back - Nobody has. We all make mistakes, I get that but I believe its how you deal with these that makes all the difference. If managment had got back to me and said sorry then I would not be writing a 1-star review across all platforms. A terrible experience and terrible customer service. Anyone with food allergies I would be very careful eating here. I am also putting in a complaint to food standards / Environmental Health. Paul.

Absolutely amazing food, atmosphere & staff! Would definitely recommend whether as a couple or for group gatherings and very reasonable priced. Good selection of food choice on menu & nothing was a trouble. If in the area don’t bypass as you will not be disappointed!

Great overnight break bought through itison, room spotless, comfy bed. great wee Bar cosy and prices very reasonable, Food in restaurant excellent & staff helpful(had scampi /beef burger)and very large portions.Would return again Thanks.