Two hotels in the United Kingdom share the name “Great Western Hotel” but deliver very different guest experiences. The Newquay property in Cornwall earns strong ratings around 8.2 out of 10 on major booking platforms (Expedia), while the Oban seafront hotel in Scotland scores closer to 6.6–6.8. This comparison examines what each property offers, helping you decide which location fits your needs and budget.
Last checked: 2026-09-05
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Newquay Property: Kids club, meeting rooms, terrace, 24-hour reception · Oban Property: Bay views, free Wi-Fi, restaurant, bar · Price Indicator: Newquay from €52/night · Platforms: Listed on Booking.com, Kayak, TripAdvisor
Last updated: 10 February 2026
How we researched this
Last checked: 2026-09-05.
Sources reviewed: official hotel booking platforms (Expedia, Hotels.com, Booking.com), review aggregator (Trivago), guest review platform (TripAdvisor), travel blogger review, employer review site (Indeed), regional tourism board site.
No on‑site visit, no staff interview, no direct pricing verification with the properties.
Great Western Hotel at a glance
- Aggregate guest rating: 8.2/10 (Expedia) (Expedia)
- Cliff Road, Newquay TR7 2NE (Expedia)
- Aggregate guest rating: ~6.6–6.8/10 (Hotels.com) (Hotels.com)
- Corran Esplanade, Oban PA34 5PP (Hotels.com)
- 10‑room bed & breakfast (TripAdvisor) (TripAdvisor)
- Price range: £68–£178 per night (TripAdvisor)
- €52/night at Newquay property (Kayak)
Key facts: Great Western Hotel properties
| Property | Location | Key amenities | Price indicator |
|---|---|---|---|
| Newquay | Cliff Road, Newquay TR7 2NE | Kids club, meeting rooms, terrace, 24‑hour reception | From €52/night (Kayak) |
| Oban | Corran Esplanade, Oban PA34 5PP | Bay views, free Wi‑Fi, restaurant, bar | Not disclosed in sources |
| Paignton B&B | Paignton, Devon | 10 rooms, limited breakfast (self‑served toast/cereal), no bar/restaurant | £68–£178/night (TripAdvisor) |
The Great Western Hotel Oban
Situated on Corran Esplanade overlooking Oban Bay, this property is primarily a budget‑conscious choice for travellers who prioritise sea views and a central location over modern interiors. On Hotels.com it carries an aggregate rating of about 6.6–6.8 out of 10 (Hotels.com). Trivago, aggregating 7,822 ratings, reports an overall score of 6.2/10 and notes that the hotel “is frequently noted for its older condition” (Trivago). Sub‑scores on another platform show location at 7.5, amenities and service at 6.6, and cleanliness at 6.3 (Trip.com).
What this means: the Oban property delivers on location and staff friendliness, but guests consistently cite tired decor, peeling paint, and damp patches. It suits travellers who value a waterfront address and are willing to accept basic room standards.
What amenities are offered?
According to Hotels.com, the Oban Great Western Hotel provides free Wi‑Fi in public areas, en suite rooms, a restaurant, a bar, and 24‑hour reception. No mention of a kids club or meeting spaces in the available listings.
Great Western Hotel Newquay
The Newquay property on Cliff Road earns notably higher reviews. Expedia reports an aggregate rating of 8.2/10, with about 346 out of 850 reviews rating it “excellent” (10/10) (Expedia). Hotels.com corroborates the 8.2 score, adding that a subset of recent reviews pushes closer to 9.0/10 (Hotels.com). Guests frequently praise staff helpfulness, the food, and the location.
Multiple 2026 reviews mention newly refurbished rooms, though some note ongoing renovation work. Parking is limited, but the hotel’s proximity to Newquay railway station partly offsets that constraint. Amenities include a kids club, meeting rooms, a terrace, and 24‑hour reception.
Great Western Hotel Aberdeen
Specific details about a Great Western Hotel in Aberdeen are scarce in the available research. No verified ratings, address, or amenity lists were found from tier‑1 or tier‑2 sources. The name appears in related search terms, but without corroborated data we cannot confirm a distinct property there. If you are searching for hotels in Aberdeen, consider checking general booking platforms for properties under that name, but treat any listing with caution until verified.
Dining at Great Western Hotels
Among the properties with available dining information, only the Oban hotel explicitly lists a restaurant and bar. Guest reviews on Hotels.com for Oban mention the restaurant but do not specify menu items. For the Newquay property, Expedia and Hotels.com references include “food fantastic” in some reviews, but no dedicated restaurant page or menu is available in our sources. The Paignton B&B offers only a limited self‑serve breakfast of toast and cereal (Agoda). Travellers seeking a full‑service dining experience will find the Oban property the most reliable option among the three.
Alternatives: Oban Bay Hotel and other hotels in Oban
The Oban Bay Hotel appears as a related search term when researching Great Western Hotel Oban. According to Hotels.com, the Oban Bay Hotel is a separate property on the same esplanade, but detailed ratings and comparisons are not available in our research notes. For travellers considering Oban, other hotels in the area—such as the Oban Bay Hotel—may offer higher room standards, though at potentially higher prices. The Great Western Hotel Oban remains the most budget‑friendly waterfront option, with the trade‑off of dated facilities.
Beyond Oban, the Great Western name appears in Paignton (Devon) as a small bed & breakfast, in Swindon (near the railway station, noted for noise from a beer patio) (The Wandering Passport), and in Taunton (with a policy of verified‑stay reviews) (Hotels.com). None of these share a common brand or ownership with the Newquay or Oban properties; they are independent businesses using a historical name.
Pros and cons
Great Western Hotel Newquay
- Pros: High guest ratings (8.2/10), recent refurbishments, kids club, terrace, near railway station.
- Cons: Limited on‑site parking, ongoing renovation may cause minor disruption, no restaurant menu details available.
The Great Western Hotel Oban
- Pros: Central waterfront location, bay views, free Wi‑Fi, restaurant and bar on site.
- Cons: Low guest ratings (~6.6/10), dated rooms, cleanliness concerns (sub‑score 6.3), no kids club.
The Great Western Bed & Breakfast Paignton
- Pros: Affordable rates (£68–£178), clean rooms, friendly staff, railway‑themed decor.
- Cons: Limited breakfast (self‑serve only), no bar or restaurant, renovation work reported in 2025 reviews.
Best for segments
| Traveller type | Recommended property | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Families | Great Western Hotel Newquay | Kids club, lower starting price (€52/night), higher ratings. |
| Couples | Great Western Hotel Oban | Bay views, restaurant/bar, central location for exploring Oban. |
| Budget travellers | Great Western Hotel Newquay (lowest rate) or Paignton B&B (£68) | Both offer value; Newquay for lower absolute price, Paignton for very low base rate. |
| Convenience seekers | Great Western Hotel Newquay | Near railway station, 24‑hour reception, meeting rooms if needed. |
Pricing band block
The lowest nightly rate found across all Great Western properties is €52 at the Newquay hotel, according to Kayak. The Paignton B&B ranges from £68 to £178 per night for a standard room (TripAdvisor). No consistent pricing data is available for the Oban property from the sources reviewed; it likely sits in a similar budget range given its lower ratings and older condition.
Our pick recommendation
Our pick for most travellers: Great Western Hotel Newquay. It combines a strong guest rating (8.2/10), recent refurbishments, a kids club, and the lowest found rate (€52/night). The trade‑off is limited parking, but the station proximity and 24‑hour reception soften that drawback.
For couples who prioritise views: The Great Western Hotel Oban offers a scenic location on Oban Bay, but be prepared for dated rooms. If room quality matters more than the view, consider alternatives such as Oban Bay Hotel.
“Absolutely fantastic from entry to leaving, staff really helpful, food fantastic, views magnificent, all round brilliant.”
– Stephen, guest review, Hotel guest at Great Western Hotel Newquay
“Property is in need of renovation (parts currently underway) but still a very enjoyable stay.”
– Unnamed guest review, Hotel guest at Great Western Hotel Newquay
Frequently asked questions
How much does a night at the Great Western Hotel Newquay cost?
The lowest rate found is €52 per night, according to Kayak.
Does the Great Western Hotel Oban offer free Wi‑Fi?
Yes, per Hotels.com, free Wi‑Fi is available in public areas.
What amenities are available for families at the Great Western Hotel Newquay?
A kids club, meeting rooms, and a terrace are listed on Kayak.
Is there a restaurant at the Great Western Hotel Oban?
Yes, a restaurant and bar are on site, according to Hotels.com.
What are the views like at the Great Western Hotel Oban?
Guests consistently mention magnificent bay views; the hotel’s location on Corran Esplanade overlooks Oban Bay.
How close is the Great Western Hotel Newquay to the railway station?
It is listed as being near the Railway Station, per Kayak.