Ards House

AirBnB found us another place and even refunded 50% of the booking to put toward it, which was a huge help. But this left us scrambling for accommodation halfway through our trip, with excursions already booked and paid for. The owners cancelled two nights at the end of May, which I’d booked and paid for two weeks earlier, saying they had double-booked across several platforms because the calendars weren’t synced. They only sent a very brief message today, two weeks after the booking, which felt deeply unprofessional. The mistake should have been apparent much sooner. I checked other platforms afterward and saw the guest house was still listed for the dates we’d booked. That makes me suspect they may cancel an existing reservation if someone books those dates for more, which would be highly unethical. The place itself looks stunning, but the owners’ handling of this has left a very bad impression. I’m sharing what happened as a warning to others. Edit: This has nothing to do with another recent review I’ve just heard about. It sounds like another guest had the same experience, though, which makes this seem like a repeated and appalling practice. Be careful, and don’t give them your money.

Breakfast was lovely, and the bed and pillows were comfortable. The owner was helpful, and Chris was happy to suggest things to do. It’s a great spot near Oban with some lovely walks nearby. If traffic noise bothers you or you’re a light sleeper, ask for a room at the back, as the front gets traffic noise around the clock.

We had a great base for exploring the area, with Oban about a 10-minute drive away. Parking there can be difficult; a taxi runs £12-£15, or you can take the bus, though it isn’t frequent and can get busy. The apartment has private parking across the road, which can be quite busy itself. The owner met us and showed us around, with suggestions for nearby places to eat and visit. The bay view is brilliant, especially from the kitchen, where the leather sofa and chair face the windows. The kitchen was well equipped and usable. There’s a living room with a TV (we never watched it), a decent-sized bedroom, and a bathroom with a shower, toilet and sink. The one thing missing indoors is a table for meals, though there’s a metal table and two chairs outside.

We spent three nights at Ards House, which was just right for exploring nearby places. The family room was roomy and comfortable, with a comfy bed and really good shower pressure. Breakfast was cooked to order each morning, and the hosts gave us useful tips for getting around. It was a great value stay. We loved being in such a peaceful spot outside Oban, about a five-minute drive from town. Ards House was our favorite stop on our Scotland road trip, and I’d love to return. I recommend booking by phone or email directly with Ards House. We also really enjoyed the three-island ferry trip to Mull, Iona and Staffa.