Letterellan: a review

 It's the little things that make a difference.

We have just had a short break up in Scotland, staying for a few days beside Loch Tay at newly opened Letterellan Hotel.

I could simply recite the description on the hotel website, detailing the

 charming, loch side location, with beautiful gardens boasting rampant rhodedendrons and flourishing foxgloves and visits from deer and a pine marten; the crisp white bed linen and fluffy white towels and robes; the delicious breakfasts; a selection of Nespresso pods and teas to suit all tastes, alongside Tunnocks teacakes and local shortbread in our room; the welcome drink on arrival and the whisky library.  All splendid and befitting a "boutique" hotel.   

But what set the Letterellan on a higher standard was the attention to detail and the personality of the host.  Jonathan was genuinely warm and welcoming, ensuring we had everything we needed for our stay.  

There was the solicitous enquiry about allergies before bringing us salted almonds with our G&T, the "smoothie of the day" every morning at breakfast, the extra towel when I went swimming in the loch (water temperature 9ºC for those of you who are interested in either wild swimming or my sanity), the can of midge repellent in the room  - Scotland, people! - and the pillow spray to ensure that if the tranquil location, comfy bed, fresh air and complementary tot of Abefeldy whisky were not enough, you were guaranteed a restful night.

There is much to be said about holidays right now and it is as well to remember that a holiday is a privilege, not a right and while we all need a break, we must take responsibility for how we spend that time away from the daily grind.

This was very much a privilege, and it was also a hug treat, greater than the sum of its parts, and whilst only 4 days in total it was a real battery charger.

In contrast the final night of our break was spent less successfully - a coffee machine with no instructions and a choice of flat white or flat white (we both drink black coffee) and a breakfast hamper containing chocolate filled croissants, butter and marmalade 😦, packs of Coco Pops and Rice Crispies and one knife between two of us!.  Putting these, with small cartons of supermarket own brand fruit juice in a wicker basket does not make it a "hamper".  

The contrast could not have been more obvious; a little thought goes a long way.

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