House Of Juniper - The Manse

After picking up supplies at the Co-op, we had everything we needed for a self-catering holiday: a fridge, toaster, oven, microwave, and two-hob cooker. The cabin was clean and well equipped, and The Sprig onsite bar and restaurant served dinner and breakfast too.

The room was beautifully appointed, with a lovely view over the water. We enjoyed the dry and steam saunas on both nights, and breakfast was lovely too. A higher desk chair, bathroom nightlight, and some extra pillows would have helped. Otherwise, I’d recommend it to all my friends.

We stayed in quite comfortable cabins at House of Juniper, which has a fantastic bar and restaurant. From there, it’s an easy walk to downtown, the Coop market for food, and Market Kitchen for breakfast or coffee. Broadford is a great little town to stay in while visiting the Isle of Skye, and a good base for exploring. The cat even waits in line at Market Kitchen for pets or treats.

The room had a lovely sea view, a very comfortable bed with good quality linen, and a pretty, comfortable dining room. Breakfast had a nice selection and the service was very good. The shower pressure and temperature were good too, though I found dirt, grit, and hair around the shower threshold. I spent two nights in the manse, and left feeling the stay was overpriced. The website’s luxury description drew me in for a birthday treat, but the picturesque property and, relatively speaking, the bed were the only parts that felt luxurious compared with other places I stayed in Scotland. The finishes and building materials seemed basic, like something from a building supply store, and the interior felt more like a ferry or boat than chic. There was nowhere handy for toiletries or a toothbrush. The sink was a tiny pedestal, and the shelf above the toilet was too far away to be useful. After nine hours of travel, I had to find someone in the restaurant when I arrived because there’s no reception. They seemed to be covering several jobs, and were clearly busy. Check-in felt rushed and transactional, without the warm welcome or exceptional service I expected at that price. Dinner at the restaurant was fine but bland, and overpriced. The sauna was also fine, but there were no instructions for using the steam room, and no towels, hamper, or place to lounge. It felt like a basic gym sauna and steam room, not a spa. It wasn’t an unpleasant stay, but for the money and the luxury claims, I expected much more. I have buyer’s remorse and wouldn’t stay again unless the value improved.