Gatehouse of Fleet Hotel – near Castle Douglas
Boutique hotel in the heart of Dumfries & Galloway
Located in Gatehouse of Fleet, by the coast and close to sandy beaches we are also on the edge of the Galloway Forest Park. We are ideally located for all the attractions in Galloway being close to Castle Douglas & Kirkcudbright. Furthermore our hotel is conveniently located near to the ferry to Ireland and we offer early check-ins / late checkouts and early breakfasts.
Award winning Hotel, Restaurant & Riverside Beer Garden
In 2024 we were judged Best Hotel Experience for South of Scotland in the prestigious Thistle Awards while also winning Best Restaurant (D&G) in the Scottish Business Awards.
Whether you’re a lover of the great outdoors, a food lover, or simply seeking a romantic break we have it covered.
Furthermore we have a riverside terrace garden and summer house for relaxed dining and drinking in the warmer months.
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Winner Best Hotel Experience 2023 & 2024 South of Scotland / Regional Finalist 2025
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Winner Best Restaurant 2025 Dumfries & Galloway (Scottish Business Awards)
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Warm, friendly welcome and relaxing riverside gardens
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Fantastic value rooms from £99 when booking direct
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On request early checkins / late check outs / breakfast pack or packed lunches available
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Amazing quality & choice for breakfast
Sustainability
As a UNESCO certified business we are focused on improving sustainability; The hotel’s restaurant serves fantastic local produce much of which we are proud to source locally from our amazing suppliers. Moreover, across our operations we try to minimise our carbon footprint as a business through a series of measures – read about our sustainability initiatives in Eco Friendly Stays Dumfries and Galloway.
Pet Friendly Hotel with Self Catering Accommodation
At The Ship Inn, we provide a range of short stay accommodation in Gatehouse of Fleet, including charming self-catering facilities located close by. We have The Ship’s Cabin which is ideal for those with limited mobility & the Ship’s Mill cottage our 18C listed mill cottage.
Traveling with your furry companion? We are a dog friendly hotel that ensures a comfortable stay for you and your four-legged friend. Experience the warm hospitality of The Ship Inn while enjoying the company of your furry friend. While being Dog friendly hotel pets are only allowed in certain rooms (as advertised) to balance our guest expectations. We pride ourselves on maintaining cleaning standards regardless of the room being dog friendly or otherwise.
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Two pet friendly self catering cottages
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Unique Ship Inn doggy bag for all pets
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Pet free rooms available
EV Chargers
In addition to free parking we have 2 onsite available for guest use and 12 across the bridge 150 yds away in the community car park
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2 EV chargers (7.7Kw) onsite and a further 12 across the road
Hotel for cyclists
For the cycling enthusiast seeking the ultimate destination while enjoying a comfortable stay we offer the best hotel welcome for cyclists and we go out our way to make your stay perfect!
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Secure Asgard lock up for 14 bikes / hot and cold taps with hose spray
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Packed lunches / Drying room for your kit / Cycle maintenance facilities available
Central location for exploring
Our Gatehouse of Fleet hotel is located right in the heart of Galloway offering easy access to a variety of attractions as detailed in our Things to See & Do page.
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.
The Perfect Base to Explore Galloway Forest and Coast
Click below for information around things to see and do or for further inspiration visit our BLOG
Dumfries & Galloway | VisitScotland
Or to book the best hotel in Castle Douglas click the booking links above.
“It’s worth staying in Gatehouse of Fleet simply for the Ship Inn, a delightful boutique hotel. “
THE TIMES NEWSPAPER 2023 (REVIEW OF THE 10 MOST UNDERRATED ESCAPES IN SCOTLAND)
Best Hotel in Castle Douglas
You are assured a warm welcome at the Ship Inn. We are family-owned and so we try our best to serve up a fantastic stay.
Close to Castle Douglas, Kirkcudbright & Newton Stewart we are perfectly located for a romantic break in relaxed coastal surroundings yet on the doorstep of the Galloway Forest.
Award Winning Restaurant
As a UNESCO Biosphere certified business we focus on sourcing local.
Grobdale of Girthon supply pork reared through low intensity farming
Ballards butchers supply our meats while & Galloway Smokehouse our smoked produce.
Fresh fish from Fleet Fish. Cream o’ Galloway ethical dairy supplies our cheese while the bakery in Castle Douglas provides amazing potato scones.
Laggan provide our farm fresh eggs.
Things to See and Do
Galloway is a walking & cycling paradise.
The 7 Stanes mountain bike trails and more recently the creation of The Gralloch has made Gatehouse a cycling mecca.
Located on the Solway coast close to some amazing sandy beaches accessible from the Ship Inn by bike or on foot. Stunning castles and historic sites brought to life by our national bard Robert Burns, Walter Scott, John Buchan and our very own Dorothy L Sayers.
