Fort William, Sheriff Court House High Street56.815405,-5.114937(Show on Map)
Checkin - Checkout dates
1 Room2 Guests
Info
Summary of reviews
Garrison Cells, located centrally in Fort William, stands out for its prime location and convenient access to local attractions and amenities, making it a favored choice among travelers. Its position, just minutes from the train and bus stations and short walking distance to the high street, adds to the ease of exploring the town and nearby hiking spots like Ben Nevis. The charm of its modern hotel setting combined with the availability of free parking further enhances its appeal.
Guests have consistently praised the breakfast, highlighting its variety, quality and deliciousness with options ranging from continental fare to delightful items like smoked salmon bagels with scrambled eggs. Despite some finding the cost of £15 a bit high, many felt it was justified by the excellent taste and generous portions. The cozy breakfast room and friendly staff further added to a positive start to their day.
The dining experience at Garrison Cells also earned commendations for the high-quality food and great staff. Guests enjoyed the well-curated selection of beverages in the bar area, although some expressed a desire for more dinner options at the Bistro.
The hotel offers a unique experience with its prison-themed rooms that maintain a quirky charm despite their compact size. While the small rooms, often equipped with bunk beds, might be best suited for solo travelers or those not requiring much space, they are noted for their cleanliness, modern amenities and comfortable bedding. The thoughtful reuse of historical prison cells offers a distinctive and memorable stay, albeit with some minor concerns about space and occasional musty odors.
Cleanliness is a standout feature at Garrison Cells with guests frequently commenting on the immaculate condition of the rooms, bathrooms and common areas. This high standard of hygiene contributes significantly to a pleasant stay.
The staff at Garrison Cells receive high marks for their friendliness, efficiency and exceptional service. Guests consistently mention the warm and welcoming atmosphere created by the team, making their experience both comfortable and enjoyable.
While the WiFi service has received mixed reviews with some guests experiencing slow or non-existent connectivity, others found it reliable and satisfactory. The availability of free tea and coffee added a positive note to the overall stay experience.
Parking at Garrison Cells also garnered mixed feedback. While some found the free on-site parking convenient, others noted the limited availability, often requiring use of nearby paid options. Nevertheless, those who managed to secure a spot appreciated the ease of access.
For outdoor enthusiasts, Garrison Cells proves to be an excellent base with its proximity to skiing options, mountain walks and Ben Nevis adventures. Minor improvements like a drying room for hiking gear could further enhance the experience for avid explorers.
In summary, Garrison Cells offers a unique and charming stay with its prime location, excellent breakfast, clean environment and friendly staff, making it a noteworthy choice for travelers in Fort William despite a few minor drawbacks.
Categories
Cheap
Offers hotel accommodation in Fort William. It provides a convenient base for exploring the town without exceeding a budget.
Ski
Small
Room Types
Twin Room with Private External BathroomProviding bathrobes, this twin room includes a private bathroom with a walk-in shower, a hairdryer and slippers. This twin room provides a flat-screen TV. The unit offers 1 bed.
Double Room with Private External BathroomFeaturing bathrobes, this double room includes a private bathroom with a walk-in shower, a hairdryer and slippers. This double room features a flat-screen TV. The unit has 1 bed.
Guest Reviews
Review Summaries
Location
Garrison Cells boasts a prime location that has repeatedly impressed its guests. Situated centrally in Fort William, the hotel is conveniently close to shops, restaurants and pubs, making it easy for guests to explore the town on foot. The hotel is perfectly positioned at the end of the West Highland Way and offers a short walking distance to the high street and other key amenities.
Its proximity to public transport is another highlight, being just minutes away from the train and bus stations. This makes it an ideal base for both leisure and exploration, including climbing Ben Nevis, which is a mere short drive away. Guests appreciate the combination of the hotel's central placement and the availability of free parking, adding to the overall convenience for those arriving by their own vehicle.
The location also stands out for its accessibility; it's described as easy to get to and perfectly situated right in the town center, at the top of Fort William High Street. The charming and modern hotel setting further enhances its appeal with many guests noting the cleanliness, friendly staff and the unique atmosphere of the establishment.
In summary, the Garrison Cells' strategic and central location makes it a standout choice for travelers looking to be in the heart of Fort William with easy access to local attractions and activities.
Breakfast
Guests have shared predominantly positive feedback about the breakfast at Garrison Cells. Many highlighted the variety and quality, describing it as excellent, delicious and even exquisite. The breakfast offerings include a range of options from continental fare to cooked dishes, including delightful items like smoked salmon bagels with scrambled eggs. Guests also noted the generous portions and the ability to customize their breakfast from a menu.
Despite the praise for the food, some guests found the price of £15 to be on the higher side, which might deter some travelers. However, others felt that the quality and taste justified the cost. Even though breakfast is not always included in the room rate, those who opted for it found it well worth the expense, noting that it can be purchased without pre-booking.
The cozy and clean breakfast room, along with friendly staff, further enhanced the dining experience. Overall, the breakfast at Garrison Cells comes highly recommended with many guests considering it a standout part of their stay.
Dinner
Garrison Cells offers a delightful dining experience with great staff and high-quality food in both the restaurant and bar. Guests appreciated the bar area for its well-curated selection of beverages, including beer and enjoyed spending time there in the evenings with drinks and bar snacks. However, some visitors noted a lack of dinner options and expressed a wish for evening meals to be available at the Bistro. Despite this, the overall dining standards have been highly regarded.
Rooms
Garrison Cells offers a unique and quirky hotel experience, leveraging its history as a former prison to create an atmosphere that guests find both fascinating and novel. The decor reflects this heritage with modern, stylish touches that maintain the prison aesthetic while providing essential comforts. However, potential guests should be aware that, true to their origins, the rooms are very small and compact, often described as tiny or cramped. These rooms, often equipped with bunk beds, are best suited for solo travelers or those not bothered by limited space.
Despite the size, the rooms are generally well-designed and functional with modern amenities, cleanliness and comfortable bedding being consistent highlights. Some rooms come with additional perks like fans, robes, quality tea and coffee and even Tunnock’s teacakes, making the stay more enjoyable. Separate shower facilities are available and while not always adjacent to the rooms, they are described as clean and modern.
A few concerns such as musty smells, lack of space for luggage and occasional warmth seem prevalent. Yet, the quirky, cell-like environment contributes significantly to the hotel's charm, catering to those seeking a distinctive and memorable stay. The experience, while not spacious or luxurious, is celebrated for its uniqueness, cleanliness and the thoughtful reuse of historical prison cells to create a budget-friendly accommodation option.
Beds
Garrison Cells offers a mixed experience when it comes to the comfort of their beds. The majority of guests find the beds comfortable with many highlighting descriptions such as very comfy, super comfortable and extremely comfortable bunk beds. Some reviewers appreciated the fluffy duvets and tidy furnishings that added to the overall comfort. Guests staying for just a couple of nights often found the beds to be fine, while others mentioned that the bunk beds were surprisingly cozy.
However, there are several reviews that mention less favorable experiences. A few guests found the beds to be hard with some describing them as rock solid or incredibly uncomfortable. The use of thin mattresses and narrow double beds were also noted as drawbacks, particularly for those who prefer more spacious sleeping arrangements. Additionally, some stayed in rooms without windows, leading to stuffy air which affected their comfort. Despite these issues, the general consensus leans towards the beds being comfortable for a short stay with many guests praising them as a highlight of their visit.
Cleanliness
Garrison Cells stands out for its exceptional cleanliness, receiving numerous commendations for its immaculate environment. Guests frequently highlight that the hotel is modern and clean with rooms and bathrooms consistently described as very clean, spotless and well-maintained. The accommodation is also noted for its clean and comfortable beds, fresh and clean towels provided daily and an overall atmosphere of neatness and tidiness.
The hotel's facilities, including the bar area, are praised for their cleanliness and the toiletries offered are often referred to as luxurious and fabulous. Although a few reviews mentioned issues such as stuffy air in some areas, moldy smells and the occasional unclean ceiling or shower, these appear to be exceptions rather than the norm.
Visitors appreciated the hotel's clean and comfy beds and the clean, well-stocked rooms that contribute to a comfortable stay. Overall, Garrison Cells maintains a high standard of cleanliness, ensuring a pleasant and sanitary experience for its guests.
Staff
The reviews for Garrison Cells consistently praise the hotel's staff for their exceptional service. Guests describe the team as polite, efficient and incredibly friendly, contributing to a warm and welcoming atmosphere. The reception staff is particularly highlighted for their amicable and knowledgeable approach, making check-in experiences smooth and pleasant. Many guests note the staff's attentiveness and readiness to assist without being intrusive.
The hotel staff, including the night porter and restaurant employees, receive high marks for going above and beyond to ensure guest comfort. With staff characterized as lovely, kind and accommodating, it's clear they play a significant role in the hotel’s appeal. The consistently friendly interactions and their willingness to help with any issues make guests feel valued and cared for.
Overall, whether it's a friendly greeting upon arrival, helpful local tips or exceptional service throughout the stay, the staff at Garrison Cells leave a lasting positive impression, enhancing the overall guest experience.
Wi-Fi
Guests at Garrison Cells have expressed mixed experiences regarding the hotel's WiFi. Many have found the internet service to be reliable and satisfactory, describing the WiFi connection as good and brilliant. However, there have been numerous complaints about the WiFi being slow, frequently non-existent and often unusable on various devices. Some guests mentioned persistent issues where the WiFi did not work at all, while others reported weak connectivity or free WiFi not functioning most of the time. Despite these issues, the hotel does offer constant access to tea and coffee, which adds a positive note to the overall stay.
Parking
The reviews about parking at Garrison Cells present a mixed picture. On the positive side, guests appreciated the availability of free parking on the premises with some noting that it was great or provided right outside the entrance. There were mentions of ample and private parking spaces, which were deemed very useful. However, several reviews highlighted significant limitations. Many guests found the on-site parking to be extremely limited, often necessitating the use of paid public car parks nearby. Some described the parking area as small, difficult and not ideal due to limited capacity with a few mentioning the near impossibility of finding a space. Despite these challenges, those who were able to secure a spot appreciated the close proximity to the hotel. Overall, while the parking situation at Garrison Cells has its advantages, it may require some luck or the willingness to use public facilities.
Ski
Nestled near Ben Nevis, Garrison Cells offers an idyllic base for outdoor enthusiasts. With a ski slope right next door and easy ski equipment rental, winter sports are a breeze. Its prime location also makes it perfect for mountain walks and Nevis range adventures. If hiking or climbing Ben Nevis is on the agenda, the hotel's proximity ensures convenience. Although the addition of a drying room for hiking gear would be a welcomed improvement, Garrison Cells remains an excellent choice for those eager to explore the surrounding mountains and outdoor attractions.
FAQ
No, Garrison Cells doesn't have any pool.
No, a spa isn't available at Garrison Cells.
No, Garrison Cells doesn't allow dogs.
No, parking facilities aren't available at Garrison Cells.
