The Best Hotels in Dumfries
The Ship Inn is voted No.1
The Ship Inn is a boutique hotel in the heart of Gatehouse of Fleet, near Dumfries. We are family-owned and we strive to offer award-winning hospitality in the heart of Galloway. Whether you’re planning a romantic coastal escape, an outdoor adventure, or a stopover near Cairnryan ferry, we’ve got you covered. We have a cosy log burner and guest spaces in the lounge and outside by the river to relax after dinner. Our Gatehouse of Fleet accommodation is relaxing and modern with sumptious bathroom suites. Half our rooms are dog friendly and the restaurant and communal areas are pet friendly unless stated otherwise.
Fantastic Location & Nearby Attractions
Our hotel sits along the dramatic Solway coast, close to sandy beaches, with golf courses and tennis courts on our doorstep and of course the UK’s largest forest park – Galloway Forest. In addition with a number of excellent parks and the Cally Palace woods on our doorstep there is plenty to keep you occupied. Explore nearby towns like Kirkcudbright and Newton Stewart, or take advantage of walking and cycling trails starting right from our front door.
We have Cardoness Castle the ancestral home of the McCullochs at the end of the road. Close by we also have Threave Castle and Threave Gardens which is operated by the National Trust for Scotland.
In nearby Kirkcudbright there are a number of galleries, museums and another NTS property Broughton House.
There are fantastic mountain, road and gravel bike routes right from our doorstep and we are located on the NR7 cycle route and the C2C Kirkpatrick MacMillan route.
The Ship Inn was home to Dorothy L Sayers while on holiday and she wrote several books while staying with us. Our national bard Robert Burns has a strong connection to Gatehouse of Fleet and the surrounding area.
Luxury B&B Accommodation
Fantastic value rooms from £99 when booking direct though our website. Early check-ins, late check-outs, and packed lunches available. Beautiful riverside terrace garden and summer house for relaxed dining.
Bountiful Breakfast
A wide selection of locally sourced breakfast items awaits catering for the vast majority of preferences and dietary requirements. Our full Scottish also has the option for Haggis meat or Vegetarian, Stornoway Black pudding and includes butchers sausage and bacon as well as tomato, mushroom and home made potato scones. We also offer smoked salmon and scrambled eggs or Eggs Benedict/ Royale. This is in addition to cereals, fruit salad, toast and juices served alongside tea or coffee.
Excellent food & Riverside Beer Garden
Enjoy locally sourced dishes in our award-winning restaurant or unwind in our riverside beer garden. Breakfast is a highlight – fresh, varied, local produce and of course full of flavour.
Eco-Friendly Boutique Hotel
As a UNESCO-certified business, we prioritise sustainability. From sourcing local produce to reducing our carbon footprint, we’re committed to eco-friendly stays. Learn more in our Eco Friendly Stays Dumfries and Galloway section.
Dog-Friendly Coastal Hotel & Self-Catering
Travelling with your dog? We offer pet-friendly rooms and two charming self-catering cottages:
The Ship’s Cabin – ideal for guests with limited mobility
The Ship’s Mill Cottage – an 18th-century listed property
Pet-free rooms are also available for guests who prefer them.
Free Parking. EV Charging & Cyclist Facilities
EV Chargers: 2 onsite (7.7Kw) and 12 nearby in the community car park. Plenty free parking outside.
Cyclists Welcome: Secure bike storage, drying room, maintenance facilities, and packed lunches
Great location for exploring
Our Gatehouse of Fleet hotel is located right in the heart of Galloway, close to Castle Douglas, offering easy access to a variety of attractions as detailed in our Things to See & Do page. We are on the coast but also adjacent to the Galloway Forest Park.
Take advantage of the excellent walking & cycling trails that start right at the hotel’s doorstep. Lose yourself in the enchanting forest, breathe in the fresh air, and soak up the unique landscapes of the South of Scotland.
Our beautifully landscaped gardens with a summer house and riverside terrace provide a peaceful retreat where you can relax and enjoy nature.
If you’re planning a trip to Ireland, the hotel’s location makes it an ideal choice being conveniently close to Cairnryan ferry port. We offer early breakfasts and packed lunches.
For information around things to see and do or for further inspiration visit our Travel Guide & News.
Dumfries & Galloway | VisitScotland
Please contact us using this link if you require any further information or call us direct on 01557 814217 Option 1. Otherwise please book amongst the best accommodation in Dumfries and Galloway by clicking on the link and booking direct.
Our Room Types
Spacious Stay Room
Best Hotels in Dumfries
Of all places to stay Dumfries – Book The Ship Inn!
How do I get the best deal when booking the Ship Inn?
The best deal is through our website and that is guaranteed – It is not only cheaper it is more flexible in terms of the cancellation policy and the check in and check out times. As we are not paying out commissions to the Online travel agents we share the savings with you. For Dumfries Hotel offers check this page!
Is this hotel suitable for couples and short breaks?
The Ship Inn has a boutique size, spacious rooms, and excellent food‑led experience making us particularly popular for romantic breaks, special occasions and more generally short breaks. The hotel is quiet as is the surrounding area and so is the perfect escape for those who want to be looked after by a friendly and welcoming team.
What types of room does The Ship Inn, Gatehouse of Fleet offer?
The Ship Inn offers standard doubles (second floor), premium doubles (first floor) and superior doubles; a spacious stay room for up to 4 adults (first floor). All are ensuite and some rooms have standalone baths as well as showers. All double beds are either KS or superking while some of our double bedrooms rm 5,6,8,9 and 10 can be configured with an extra single bed if required.
What room is best for us?
We have 10 rooms. Rooms 4,5,10 are on the second floor and have walk-in showers (rm10 has a standalone bath as well) and we have no lift. All the other rooms are on the first floor up one flight of steps with grab rails nothing too horrific. Rooms 6 and 7 have walk in showers while rm 3 and 8 have both both standalone baths and walk in showers. All rooms are quiet but rms 3,7 and 9 are the quietest.
Does The Ship Inn, Gatehouse of Fleet allow early check-ins and late check-outs?
The Ship Inn allows early checkins at just before 12pm and late check outs at 1pm. There is an additional £20 cost and it has to be arranged in advance of the arrival day. If you are going to a wedding you either pay the late checkin fee or early check in fee or arrive between 3+pm and 10.30pm we make no exceptions so we are being fair to everyone. If you book direct you get an earlier checkin time of 3pm and greater flexibility with check out time.
Do we have free parking and can we checkin 24hrs a day?
Yes we have free parking and you can have a later checkin but let us know in advance.
