Royal Hotel, Stornoway

We had a nice room with a sea view, where we watched seals in the water and a heron. The hotel itself was nice, though the TV was small. It was a lovely touch to leave Scottish tablet sweetie in the room. The food at the HS1 restaurant was very good, and the restaurant staff were lovely.

The staff were friendly and helpful around the clock, and made us feel very welcome. Our twin room was a great base for exploring Lewis and Harris, close to the ferry port, and the beds were the softest and most comfortable we'd had on our vacation. We enjoyed dinner and breakfast at the hotel restaurant, then tried the other restaurant next to or attached to the hotel on our second day, which was great too. The Sticky Toffee Popcorn Sundae was amazing. There's no lift, so anyone with mobility issues will have to manage the stairs. Otherwise, we loved the place.

The room and ensuite were clean, and the location is brilliant, which is why we keep booking here. Still, on my second business trip I hoped for a port view and instead got a tiny room looking onto the car park and AC units. There was barely room to unpack. With the curtain or window open, anyone walking past or parking could look straight in, so there was no privacy.

The room was a little dated, but comfortable and spacious. I loved how kind the people at the hotel were, whether helping get a corkscrew to my room or securing a restaurant reservation. They were quick to help, always with a smile or a hearty laugh that made me feel cared for. The hotel restaurant was one of the best I tried in town, with plenty of choices, fresh ingredients, and well-executed dishes. Great location too, central to town, opposite the Lewis Castle, with views of the water and the castle.