I booked The Oban Inn for a quick mini escape to celebrate my wife's birthday, and from check-in to check-out, we felt like an afterthought.
The "Second-Class Citizen" Welcome
The welcome was instantly off-putting. The front desk attendant's first response after I gave my name was to announce, "You booked under Expedia, so you don't get breakfast included." It doesn't matter that I wasn't expecting breakfast—it's the tone that matters. We were made to feel like second-class citizens before we even dropped our bags, which, by the way, we had to carry ourselves, as there were no luggage carts anywhere.
Also, not a word of welcome! or happy birthday! Just weird as I had told them over phone and email why we were visiting.
The 4:45 AM Wake-Up Call
The room itself was nice (and clean), but that's where the praise ends. At 4:45 AM, we were treated to hours of loud noise from the room directly above us. When we complained upon check-out, the staff offered a supremely unhelpful, non-committal apology: "Sorry to hear that, it was not us, it must have been the room guest above." In other words, our problem, not theirs.
The Bottom Line
Booking: If you want to be treated like a paying guest, book directly through their website.
Soundproofing: Be prepared for zero sound insulation.
In previous visits to NOTL, we ate at the restaurant and it was very good. So, maybe just go for dinner and book your room somewhere that values all its guests equally.