Luxury is at the forefront of Greystones boutique bed and breakfast, along with intricate attention to design detail and original features. An avant-garde twist and design-led focus is hugely apparent, within this, one of Oban’s oldest buildings, perhaps unsurprisingly, as the owners are both architects.
Originally the town’s first maternity hospital, sitting quite majestically over the town, Greystones is a prime example of Scottish baronial architecture and commands fabulous panoramic views over Oban, the bay and the islands beyond, from turreted bedroom suites and expansive public areas.
First impressions; everything is large at Greystones; a towering facade, elegantly adorned by ivy and framed by two stone pillars emanating nostalgia, lead to a warm, relatively traditional welcome hall, finished with elegant cornicing and original stained glasswork.
Moderate, yet relevant furnishings attract the eye, yet don’t detract from the obvious history and sympathetic care to restoration which has taken place to this fabulously impressive building.
The stylishly contemporary hallway leads off to a guest lounge, with library, where guests may enjoy a pre-dinner sherry and browse through the reading material on offer. I chose instead to continue to be awestruck by the view and comings and goings in the Bay below. A sweeping and lovingly restored staircase gives way to an expansive landing; flooded in light from an impressive, stained glass window; and the five luxury rooms beyond.
Chic, voguish bedrooms offer light in abundance and a bright relaxed space; expansive in size, extreme in comfort and equipped with all the conveniences of modern day living; still the focus of attention is drawn automatically to wonderfully picturesque views and the stunning seascape beyond.
Far from a necessary addition, Greystones’ bathrooms are a work of art, palatial in dimensions and with lavish fitments and luxurious accessories there is an inclination to idle away indulgent hours in the not so wee room!
Indeed, guests need not venture far from the haven of Greystones’ luxury at all, yet venture they should as a host of award winning seafood restaurants lie a small, grey stone’s throw away; Ee-Usk, The Seafood Temple and Coast; all boasting supreme seafood menus and the freshest of produce, hauled from the sea, literally feet away.
Breakfast, however, may be enjoyed at Greystones – a leisurely experience, framed with the backdrop of Oban Bay. Locally sourced produce, a large choice and nice to see a few unique items on the menu; Frittata with spinach and parmesan being one I had not come across before. Taking full advantage of their western seaboard location, fresh seafood such as haddock and smoked salmon also appear on the breakfast menu at this gem and very affordable treat.
Guest liaison skills are perfected by Mark and Suzanne, who, having previous experience in the industry, manage that elusive balance of attentive yet unobtrusive in a meticulously considered approach to their hosting. They have brought together a love of old buildings and a passion for architecture and manifested their own chateau within Oban’s town centre, delicately and lovingly crafting a wonderful, polished diamond from the rough grey stones.
http://www.greystonesoban.co.uk
