The Newport Hotel

Hotel review

At the Newport Hotel, husband and wife team Jamie and Kelly Scott have turned a pub that had seen better days into a cosy haven with four individually-themed rooms. Jamie is a winner of the BBC's Masterchef, and his modern-Scottish menu features dishes like Angus pigeon with cabbage and mung beans, Carnoustie pork with violets and lovage, cold smoked hake and octopus with dill and pork. As for the rooms: choose the 'Scottish' room, which feels almost like a ship's cabin with its reclaimed wood furniture and tweedy fabrics, for the best river view. The 'Canadian' room also has river views from skylight-style windows set into its pitch ceiling. The 'Nordic' has the Scandi looks you'd expect from its moniker, while the 'French' room is all about velvet throws, gilt mirrors, and ornate repro furniture. All four have unfussy but well-designed en-suite shower rooms (no tubs) and tea and coffee-making facilities. Complimentary mineral water is a nice gesture. 'French' and 'Canadian' rooms sleep three, and are billed as family rooms. Tables on a deck overlooking the river are perfect for fine summer evenings, and the cosy bar has a good choice of craft beers and malt whiskies.

Robin Gauldie Review published: 23/10/2018