West Highland Hotel

Kind, helpful service really stood out, and dinner was a treat. The mussels were the best I’d had in Scotland all summer. The room was clean and comfortable, with plenty of space and a balcony, though the weather kept us from enjoying it. It’s handy for both the train and ferry stations. We arrived with only 45 minutes left of breakfast service and hadn’t realised how early we needed to come. Many dishes had already run out, though what we did have was good, and the dining room was lovely. A wonderful place to stay and eat while travelling through.

The lobby has a cool atmosphere, and this is a good spot for a quick stay. If you’re coming from Isle of Skye, check that the ferry is running before setting off across the water. Google Maps doesn’t account for ferry times, and we ended up driving the long way around, which took three hours. 😬

The staff were friendly and capable. When I asked about espresso drinks, the Front Desk clerk went to the bar area and made me a nice Macchiato. Everything else was clean and tidy, and the King Suite had very nice furnishings, though the bed was firm. The bathroom lighting was poor for doing makeup, with dim lights beside the mirror and an overhead light behind it. The shower has no door, so water splashes out and a draft keeps you cold. Sunday’s buffet was mediocre. The plates weren’t warmed, so most of the food was cold by the time you sat down, and the drip coffee was awful. There were no other places open in town that Sunday morning. Jac-o-Bites Cafe was listed as open, but was actually closed. I’d recommend this for mid-level travellers.

I left and found somewhere else to stay because I didn’t want to spend the night here. The hotel felt tired and run down, with grubby, dated rooms, stinking corridors, and the rest of the place and car park in disgraceful condition. There’s no lift to the upper floors, and it wasn’t worth half the price charged. I got no refund or apology. Read the reviews and book elsewhere.