Hotel Colessio

“Central hotel”

The hotel is a beautiful old building in the centre of Stirling, full of history as it used to be an infirmary, a bank and a library, and the exterior really reflects that charm. Parking at the front is limited with six spaces plus one disabled bay, and we paid £18 for 48 hours through an app. Ther… more

The hotel is a beautiful old building in the centre of Stirling, full of history as it used to be an infirmary, a bank and a library, and the exterior really reflects that charm. Parking at the front is limited with six spaces plus one disabled bay, and we paid £18 for 48 hours through an app. There is also extra parking up the lane at the back of the hotel. The location is excellent, with the Old Town Jail and Stirling Castle just a short walk away if you head out the front and turn left up the hill. There are plenty of shops, bars and restaurants nearby, including a Wetherspoons and an Italian restaurant within two minutes of the hotel, and the Thistles Shopping Centre and the train station are both right in the town centre, making it very convenient for exploring. If you have a car, Blair Drummond Safari Park is only a 15–20 minute drive away and makes a brilliant day out. The bar, reception, lounge and breakfast areas inside the hotel are nicely decorated and feel modern and welcoming, and bar prices were average, although it was quiet when we visited. Unfortunately, our room (114) didn’t match the standard of the communal areas. The décor was very dated, the bathroom looked newer but the black sink was scratched, the off‑white headboard had turned yellow, and the furniture was scratched. There were no bedside plugs and only two usable plugs in the whole room, which isn’t enough for charging phones, using straighteners or even having the kettle plugged in. The fridge was extremely small and only fit two complimentary tins of water. There was also no mirror in the bedroom, which isn’t ideal for doing hair or makeup, and we found hairs on the wall, toilet and bath, which was disappointing. Breakfast itself was nice, but the blue cloth underneath the food items was stained, and removing it would make the area feel more hygienic. Staff were pleasant and helpful throughout our stay. Overall, the hotel has huge potential thanks to its history, location and lovely public areas, but the upstairs room, especially ours—really need refurbishment. It looks like some rooms online have been upgraded, but room 114 hadn’t been. Would I stay again - in a refurbished room yes.

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