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The Islay Hotel

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Traveller (210)
Room & Suite (79)
Dining (46)

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Prices are provided by our partners, and reflect nightly room rates, including all taxes and fees known to our partners. Please see our partners for more details.

About

#1 of 1 small hotel in Port Ellen
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Value
Recently rebuilt on the site of the old Islay Hotel, offering 13 excellent bedrooms. From standard rooms with walk-in showers to extra large rooms with Jacuzzi bath and separate shower we can accommodate all requirements. Fantastic restaurant with a great selection of Island landed seafood dishes along side our Game supplied by local estates and Argyll Beef and Lamb. Our bar has one of the best collections of Islay whisky on the Island. The hotel is open all year around and are ideally situated next to Port Ellen Harbour and Ferry terminal. We are the nearest hotel to Laphroig, Lagavulin and Argbeg distilleries.
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Property amenities
Free private parking nearby
Free High Speed Internet (WiFi)
Wifi
Free breakfast
Bar / lounge
Pets Allowed ( Dog / Pet Friendly )
Baggage storage
Non-smoking hotel
Restaurant
Breakfast buffet
Kids' meals
Special diet menus
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Room features
Room service
Coffee / tea maker
Flatscreen TV
Bath / shower
Hair dryer
Room types
Ocean view
Non-smoking rooms
Family rooms
Good to know
HOTEL CLASS
4.0 of 5 stars
HOTEL STYLE
Harbour View
Ocean View
549Reviews5Q+A99Room tips

Reviews
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Ash C wrote a review 16 Mar
11 contributions4 helpful votes
Hotel was very well presented, decorated and in a perfect location for ferry arrivals and the three distilleries walk. Room was just enough space but what let this down was the lack of consideration taken with our milk allergy, which was particularly worrying.
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Date of stay: March 2024Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Debbie M wrote a review Sept 2023
Saint Paul, Minnesota37 contributions38 helpful votes
The room was spacious & comfortable and the shower worked well. The food was excellent at breakfast & dinner in the hotel dining room. Best of all we’re the friendly & helpful staff. One of us had a bad cold & stayed in our room for 3 days &nites to try to recover & not spread the cold. The staff brought up meals & helped us however they could. They made us feel very welcome.
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Date of stay: August 2023
Service
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Vicki T wrote a review Aug 2023
Langhorne Creek, Australia75 contributions37 helpful votes
Dropped in for dinner after harrowing trip on Scottish roads to have one of best meals of our trip accompanied by a great French wine. The only way it could have got better is if the host was convivial and helpful and then we found out he was.
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Date of stay: August 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled with family
Room Tip: Book because this place is not a secret
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Gill B wrote a review Aug 2023
14 contributions4 helpful votes
As we walked around Port Ellen with our dogs looking for somewhere to grab a coffee, we came across this hotel, Emily served us in the bar area and was great. The coffee and cakes were great and she was very helpful when it came to looking for dog friendly places to eat and drink. Thank you Emily
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Date of stay: August 2023Trip type: Travelled with family
Room Tip: Probably one of the only places in Port Ellen that takes dogs if you want lunch or coffee!
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jeff082 wrote a review Jul 2023
Chicago, Illinois6 contributions11 helpful votes
Stayed at the Islay Hotel for three nights in June. Room was super clean and outfitted with vintage furniture. Breakfasts and Dinners were outstanding - definitely get the oysters! Excellent wine selection. Nigel and staff were welcoming and helpful. The Three Distilleries Path (Laphroig, Lagavulin and Ardbeg) is beautiful and starts just a couple blocks from the hotel. Highly recommended!
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Date of stay: June 2023
Value
Rooms
Service
Room Tip: Some rooms on top floor have water views
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Coral P wrote a review Jun 2023
3 contributions
We'd been recommended the restaurant by friends who had been to Islay previously. It sadly did not live up to their recommendation. The hotel itself is beautiful but they won't serve non-residents apart from in the bar even though the restaurant has a lot of tables, so we had to do with a wobbly and small bar table for our group. There's no whisky menu and the whisky on selection felt very over priced when compared to other establishments in Port Ellen, vegetarian/vegan options are extremely limited with a very meat/fish focused menu, long wait times on food/ordering even when the establishment isn't full. There were a few good staff members who tried to mitigate the issues like the lovely pregnant lady who was running around all night looking after us all and the rest of the bar/restaurant, however the majority of staff were more interested in their phones or gossiping together whilst claiming they were short staffed. The food itself was good but wasn't worth the price or the wait to get it, even a simple bowl of ice cream took a ridiculous amount of time to reach the table. I'd personally recommend the restaurant Seasalt if visiting Port Ellen, you can book, the food comes out quickly and even though they have less staff than the Islay they manage to do take away and restaurant very effectively.
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Date of stay: June 2023Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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lance t wrote a review Jun 2023
Ramsgate, United Kingdom8 contributions17 helpful votes
Went to go to the restaurant and was told it was for residents only. If we wanted to eat, it would have to be in the bar. The tables in the bar are intended for drinking, not eating, and look uncomfortable. I asked why this policy existed, when it was introduced, and after another question was rudely told "to go eat some where else". AVOID this hotel, they do not want you. The staff have no concept of customer service. We went to Seasalt Bistro, a few doors away, and had a fabulous meal with courteous efficient staff, very reasonably priced.
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Date of stay: June 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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ColDogMacK wrote a review May 2023
Glasgow, United Kingdom155 contributions66 helpful votes
Well modernised with excellent dining and fabulous whisky bar. Rooms are very well equipped with plenty storage, and desk for working etc. Very warm (with windows for Scottish Aircon) due to the borehole heating under the hotel - great idea. Plenty staff to ensure service was always prompt & efficient.
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Date of stay: May 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Mishi-Moshi7 wrote a review May 2023
Japan20 contributions6 helpful votes
+1
The Islay hotel is now owned by Ardbeg and you can tell Ardbeg influence all over. The dinner menu has lots of dish using Ardbeg whiskies for sauces. I thoroughly enjoyed the Islay venison pie with Ardbeg 19yr whisky sauce. The breakfast was amazing. We got to chose anything from the menu and quality and presentation of the food was excellent. It was like 5-star hotel quality. I would definitely recommend this hotel and we are now excited to visit and join Ardbeg tasting tour today !!!
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Date of stay: May 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled with friends
Room Tip: Highly recommend for anyone who is looking for quality food in Islay.
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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LFK2016 wrote a review May 2023
Louisville, Kentucky82 contributions21 helpful votes
Clean, large sized room. We had a huge bathtub in ours. My only complaint was the price - this was the most expensive hotel we stayed at in our trip to Scotland, but was not the nicest or fanciest. The room was very nice, but not THAT nice. Hotel staff was friendly and the restaurant was good. Proximity to the Port Ellen ferry was great.
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Date of stay: April 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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PRICE RANGE
£158 - £209 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
LOCATION
United KingdomScotlandThe HebridesIslayPort Ellen
NUMBER OF ROOMS
13
Prices are provided by our partners, and reflect nightly room rates, including all taxes and fees known to our partners. Please see our partners for more details.
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THE ISLAY HOTEL - Updated 2024 Reviews, Price Comparison

Frequently Asked Questions about The Islay Hotel
Which popular attractions are close to The Islay Hotel?
Nearby attractions include Three Distilleries Pathway (0.3 miles), The Ardview Inn (0.10 miles), and The Blue Letterbox (Port Ellen) (0.09 miles).
What are some of the property amenities at The Islay Hotel?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include free wifi, free breakfast, and an on-site restaurant.
What food & drink options are available at The Islay Hotel?
Guests can enjoy free breakfast, an on-site restaurant, and a lounge during their stay.
Is parking available at The Islay Hotel?
Yes, free private parking nearby is available to guests.
What are some restaurants close to The Islay Hotel?
Conveniently located restaurants include The Old Kiln Cafe, Sea Salt Bistro &Take Away, and The Islay Hotel.
Are pets allowed at The Islay Hotel?
Yes, pets are typically allowed, but it's always best to call ahead to confirm.
Does The Islay Hotel have any great views?
Yes, guests often enjoy the harbour view available here.