Best Western Muthu Queens Hotel

The receptionist when we arrived was surly and unwelcoming. We had to take our bags up one flight of stairs, although there was then an elevator from the first floor to the higher floors in the new wing. The rooms were clean and nicely decorated. Housekeeping staff were very helpful and pleasant. The restaurant/bar area is old-fashioned and dark, with huge Chesterfield furniture. We looked at the restaurant menu for the evening meal and it was very limited, a choice of about 4 main courses, so we walked into town to a restaurant. The hotel was OK, but certainly not first rate and there are other hotels along the seafront (when we dropped in for a drink) which seemed to be a lot more up-to-date and better designed. Parking places are extremely limited. This hotel certainly needs some work on communicating with guests, updating decor and generally getting some style. less

We last stayed in 2017 when the hotel was a Best Western. Back then it was typical of the mid-range BW hotels; decent enough, better than a proper budget hotel but not as good as a true luxury hotel and with a personal touch. Since then, the hotel has been bought by Muthu and a lot has changed. The staff were all changed and although they did what they could, our party of 16 or so, completely overwhelmed the 3 people who seemed to be there - 1 receptionist, 1 chef and 1 poor soul who was barman, waiter and everything else. He seemed to be a new starter and I had to explain how to make a shandy to him, which as a barman, you'd have thought he'd have known?! When there's a large group known to be arriving, why stitch the poor soul up when he's totally out of his depth? What made this more frustrating is that this was no surprise - we'd booked nearly a year in advance and reserved places for dinner at least a week before. Catering for such a large group isn't easy but when you have warning, you can plan... but clearly this hadn't happened. Reservations had to be done by Muthu's central reservations, who seem to be based in Portugal and don't actually send any information to the hotel, so most of it needed to be repeated. Parking is still as dismal. If you're lucky, you get one of the ~8 parking spaces out front but if not, you either pay to park on the seafront or you have to park at the sister hotel 200m+ down the road... but why stay here if you have to park there? It's such a pity. This used to be a nice, decent and good value BW hotel. The location is ideal for anyone who is stopping in Oban with lovely sea views from the front of the hotel (though not from most of the rooms) and a nice walk into town. Having just driven up for 10+ hours, it made for a relaxing stopover before we crossed onto Mull. This was our 2nd stay there but I'm afraid there won't be a third on the basis of this experience. less

Room was great with a bay view. The food was excellent and the service in the restaurant was the same. All the staff were brilliant, nothing was too much trouble, we have had such a good stay and a proper good laugh. We will be staying there again next year. less

I stayed here for one night the parking which I asked for was non existence and was left to drive up and down road to find a space. I had asked at reception but nothing only next morning did I find out there is parking at a sister hotel along the road. The single room at the back looking in to a wall cost £160 a night. The small window at the back would not open as it was really hot that night. I would not recommend to anyone. less

We just had one night in Oban as a quick break to recharge our batteries. We arrived too early to book in but the hotel were very happy to let us leave our car on the car park while we went for a walk around the town. (Saved us paying to park) After a lovely day exploring we went back to the hotel we were checked in by the lovely receptionist who was very cheerful and friendly. Our room was large and overlooking the bay (we’d booked deluxe). It was immaculately clean, comfortable and had had the usual tea/coffee etc but also “proper” coffee, Cams of juice, a basket of fruit and biscuits. There was a jacuzzi bath and a shower and plenty of hot water. We ate in the restaurant- the chicken jalfrezi was superb! The quality of breakfast was also really good. We found all the staff to be very helpful and friendly. We will definitely go back less