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5.0

Excellent

141 reviews

#2 of 38 B&Bs in Islay

Location

Cleanliness

Service

Value

Travellers' Choice

Nestled in the heart of the pretty Conservation Village of Portnahaven at the southern tip of Islay and only a few steps from the sea, Orsay House is ideal for leisurely weekend or mid week breaks, or spoil yourself and stay longer. A traditional and handsome house, reputed to have been previously owned by a sea captain, Orsay House retains many original features, whilst enjoying modern comforts. Islay is renowned for its friendliness and popular pastimes include whisky, wildlife and bird-watching, walking, fishing and golf. Located on Queen Street, with a well-maintained garden stretching down to the rocks and sea, Orsay House Bed & Breakfast offers uninterrupted, spectacular Atlantic sea views from the decked area in front of the house. where guests can sit and watch the antics of the local seal population and some amazing sunsets. Come and visit us soon and experience Islay's magic for yourself.

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Property amenities

Free parking

Street parking

Free High Speed Internet (WiFi)

Free breakfast

Beach

Hiking

Non-smoking hotel

Outdoor furniture

Wifi

Breakfast available

Complimentary Instant Coffee

Complimentary tea

Special diet menus

Bowling offsite

Canoeing offsite

Fishing

Patio

Sun terrace

Room features

Bathrobes

Housekeeping

Wardrobe / wardrobe

Bottled water

Clothes rack

Flatscreen TV

Radio

Bath / shower

Private bathrooms

Complimentary toiletries

Hair dryer

Room types

Ocean view

Landmark view

Non-smoking rooms

Family rooms

Good to know

HOTEL STYLE

Great View

Languages Spoken

English

Location

8 Queen Street What3words ///cleansed.punks.seagulls, Portnahaven PA47 7SJ Scotland

Getting there

Glenegedale Airport10 miSee all flights

Colonsay Island Airport28 miSee all flights

Car HireSee all Portnahaven car hire

See all nearby hotels

Nearby restaurants

An Tigh Seinnse

16 reviews

1 minBar

The Cake Cupboard At Burnside Lodge

2 reviews

6 min

See all nearby restaurants

Nearby attractions

Islay Celtic Craft Shop

11 reviews

3 minSpeciality & Gift Shops

Rhinns of Islay Lighthouse

3 miScenic Walking Areas

Nerabus Chapel and Carved Stones

1 review

4.9 miAncient Ruins

See all nearby attractions

141Reviews1Q+A27Room tips

Reviews
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Toni W wrote a review Nov 2023

Perth, United Kingdom1 contribution

Could not recommend more!

Hosts Gary and Ali went above and beyond making our first trip to Islay fantastic! Room and house was lovely, well decorated and very clean. Gary made a delicious breakfast each morning, inclusive to diets (vegetarian). Absolutely nothing to fault and could not recommend more, wonderful people, great stay and a beautiful view. Can’t wait to stay again!

Date of stay: November 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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Response from Gary Kaye, Owner at Orsay House

Responded 4 weeks ago

Thank you Toni & Ash for such a fantastic review. We're so glad that you enjoyed your stay with us so much, we do try to make all our guests feel special. That view, no matter what time of year you visit, the view out over McKenzie and Orsay Islands towards Ireland is stunning. Whether turquoise and blue water with playful seals or stormy waves crashing over the islands, it's a picture waiting to be painted (or photographed). Thank you so much for the lovely flowers and card, it was a lovely surprise. We would love to welcome you back again, just book direct for the best prices.

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Ian C wrote a review Sept 2023

Longfield, United Kingdom14 contributions3 helpful votes

An excellent place to stay

An excellent place to stay, cannot recommend the hosts Gary and Ali highly enough, very friendly and helpful with plenty of advice about where to eat and visit. The room was very comfortable and well equipped, very grateful for the upgrade. Breakfast was wonderful, freshly cooked and there was plenty of choice. Superb views of the seals in the bay. Would definitely stay again

Date of stay: September 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple

Room Tip: Book early

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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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Response from Gary Kaye, Owner at Orsay House

Responded 23 Sept 2023

Thank you for your review Ian, we really appreciate it. We are so glad that you enjoyed the room, the views, the recommendations and the breakfasts. We would love to welcome Julie and yourself back to Orsay House if you decide to re-visit Islay.

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

carol137g wrote a review Sept 2023

Neston, United Kingdom2 contributions

We didn't want to leave!

The perfect end to our trip around Scotland. Gary and Aly are great hosts and our room was very luxurious - no detail had been overlooked. They know the island inside out, and their advice on where to visit led us to some stunning off the beaten track places. Portnahaven is a beautiful village, with its small sheltered harbour and the sound of the seals on the island just a few hundred yards away. We can't recommend Orsay House enough!

Date of stay: September 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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Response from Gary Kaye, Owner at Orsay House

Responded 17 Sept 2023

Thank you for taking the time to write us such a great review Carol, we really enjoyed host Iain and yourself at Orsay House. After travelling around the NC500 and staying in various places we feel quite honoured that you felt that your stay with us was the perfect end to your trip. We love our little corner of this country and enjoy nothing more that sharing some of it's "secret" places with our guests, places that you won't always find in the guide books. And what could be better than sitting on our decking (weather permitting!) and watching the fishing boats and counting the seals. We would love to welcome you back to Orsay House if you visit Islay again.

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Andrew E wrote a review Sept 2023

2 contributions

Great Place, With Charm and Character

We decided to take a 5-day trip in Scotland to include specifically one of the southernmost Scottish Islands (After the Isle Of Arran). The Isle of Islay is home to some of the most wonderful scenery and people and certainly is home to some of the best Whisky Distilleries in the UK. We booked a 3-night stay at Orsay House in Portnahaven a very picturesque and small fishing village. The hosts were exceptional from the moment we arrived to when we left. We haven't stayed in too many B&Bs in the past and the ones we have were very basic, run-down, and little offered to make your stay welcome. However, Orsay House like the island and the people on the island has plenty of character, and a warm welcome and is situated in an excellent position overlooking the sea and clifftop with the (still working) lighthouse which to me added that special something that you dream of when you stay in on a Scottish Island. Myself, and my Wife have travelled, to some places around the world and stayed at some authentic hotels in places such as San Fransisco. I felt Orsay house was up there with the best of those because of It's authentic charm. On our Journey, we also stayed in a (so-called) 5-star luxury Golf Resort and Spa I mention this because the breakfast we had as part of our stay was (for me) one of the best breakfasts I've ever had and, that 5-star hotel's breakfast in comparison couldn't even match it. We aim to visit that area of Scotland again and plan to stay at Orsay House again whilst on Islay as the Location was just about right, not in the bigger villages or towns on the island but didn't need to be being a short journey to other places.…

Date of stay: August 2023

Value

Location

Service

Trip type: Travelled as a couple

Room Tip: Plan your first night of arrival if arriving late PM for dinner in the nearby pub (two doors...

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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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Response from Gary Kaye, Owner at Orsay House

Responded 12 Sept 2023

Wow Thank you for such an amazing review Andrew Hopefully your experience at Orsay House will prompt you to try some other B&B's and Guest Houses, just check out their reviews on TripAdvisor first! Not all B&B's are like the typical post card "seaside landlady" establishments! 😁 Your comment about the breakfasts here surpassing those at the 5 star spa hotel you stayed at reassures us that we are offering our guests the best and most satisfying breakfast to set them up for a strenuous days whisky tasting, bird watching, walking or just relaxing. We appreciate that getting to Islay isn't easy or cheap and we want our guests to feel that it was worth the effort and that they have had good value for money. In fact, according to TripAdvisor, we are the second best value for money B&B on Islay and the third best overall accommodation out of 78 places to stay! We would love to welcome you and Diane back to Orsay House If you every fancy exploring the rest of Islay, just give us a call! Once again, Many Thanks

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Andrew J wrote a review Aug 2023

Mansfield Woodhouse, United Kingdom1 contribution

What a great place to stay

This is a gem of a place, Gary and Ali have thought about every detail and provide everything you need. The rooms are clean and comfortable and the beds are great for a good nights sleep. The breakfast is exceptional and you get a good selection to meet all tastes. The hosts go out of their way to make your stay enjoyable, including giving good advice regarding booking meals at various restaurants which was essential to avoid disappointment. We would definitely stay again and recommend without any reservations.

Date of stay: August 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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Response from Gary Kaye, Owner at Orsay House

Responded 20 Aug 2023

Thank you for choosing to stay with us and for your review Andrew, it was a pleasure welcoming Luke and yourself to Orsay House and we're glad that you enjoyed your stay with us. We believe that a good hearty breakfast is an essential way to start the day on Islay and we pride ourselves on ensuring that our guests leave satisfied and ready to face the day ahead. Whether it be visiting distilleries , walking, spotting wildlife or just chilling on our deck. We would love to welcome you back again on your next visit to Islay, just give us a call or drop us an email.

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Rocky M wrote a review Aug 2023

6 contributions

The Best

It was amazing the hosts were so kind and generous the room was perfect very big comfortable bed with everything a five star hotel would provide. They looked after us like kings and queens the location was so beautiful. Beach views and sun area to sit and watch the seals. 100% recommend this for a stay!!!

Date of stay: August 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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Response from Gary Kaye, Owner at Orsay House

Responded 15 Aug 2023

Thank you for your fantastic review of your stay with us, we really appreciate it. Islay is many things to many people, although whisky is often right up there as a reason to visit, and we know that getting here is not always the easiest so we want to ensure that our guests feel that it was worth the effort. People don't often come to the Western Isles for the weather but when the sun shines our decking area takes some beating and, as there is usually a gentle breeze we don't suffer with the "Wee Beasties" (midges) like the rest of Scotland. It was an absolute pleasure hosting you both and we hope to see you again in the future.

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Jeffrey E wrote a review Aug 2023

Liverpool, United Kingdom3 contributions

An all round brilliant visit to the Island, Gary & Alison know a lot of people so that was a real benefit

The whole visit was great Gary & Alison really put themselves out , room was great with a lovely view of the bay, and the breakfasts were tremendous with a good selection,also handy was the local pub just a few doors down and do very good evening meals

Date of stay: July 2023

Value

Location

Service

Trip type: Travelled with family

Room Tip: Just be careful on the roads as very narrow, but there are lay-by areas to pass oncoming traffic...

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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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Response from Gary Kaye, Owner at Orsay House

Responded 2 Aug 2023

Thankyou for your review Jeff, We loved having Jean and yourself stay with us for an all too brief visit. As you discovered Islay is bigger than most people think and to see its major attractions you need at least 4-5 days! Knowing people on the island certainly helps with booking tours getting reservations etc (although we can't work miracles, if it's full it's full 😁) .Most of the businesses on Islay know, and support, each other which makes helping our guests easier. The local pub, just a few doors down, is a small traditional pub which does really good food and ultra fresh seafood but it is small and you do need to book to be sure to eat there. Hopefully we'll get to see you both again in the not too distant future.

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Carol D wrote a review Jul 2023

3 contributions1 helpful vote

Amazing

This was our 4th visit to Orsay House and it didn't dissapoint, we experienced the same high standards as previous visits. Gary and Ali really made us feel welcome and treated us to a fabulous Orsay house breakfast. They both have such a wealth of knowledge about Islay to share with their guests. It's such a beautiful place to stay, our room was very clean with a really comfy bed and amazing views of the resident seal population.

Date of stay: June 2023

Value

Location

Service

Trip type: Travelled with family

Room Tip: It's a good idea to plan ahead with either booking evening meals or tours

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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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Response from Gary Kaye, Owner at Orsay House

Responded 20 Jul 2023

Thank you for your review Carol It's a pleasure welcoming you and Dave back again and it's great to hear that our standards are consistently high. So many people comment on the breakfasts that I might have to ask for a pay rise(😂). Seriously we always try to send our guests out with a hearty, quality breakfast that sets them up for the day. Our Super King Room does have an amazingly comfy (huge) bed, our double room has a brand new Memory foam mattress whilst our twin room has quality, comfy beds as well. Our resident seal population is a draw for many people, it's such a shame that you missed the dolphins in the bay. We look forward to welcoming you back to Islay for a 5th visit if you venture north of the border again.

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Ellen P wrote a review Jun 2023

2 contributions

Fantastic view, lovely room and friendly hosts

A wonderful location facing out to the lighthouse and the bay. Our room was great, loved all the purple and the bed was extremely comfortable. Gary and Ali were fantastic friendly hosts. The chocolate brownies were delicious. Breakfast was very good. Would happily recommend to others.

Date of stay: June 2023

Value

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Service

Trip 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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Response from Gary Kaye, Owner at Orsay House

Responded 27 Jun 2023

Thank you for your review Ellen,It's always reassuring when our guests tell us how much they enjoyed the location, views, bed and breakfasts. Portnahaven may be 'off the beaten track' but it has a magic all of its own. Just about everyone that comes to Islay visits Portnahaven, if just to see the seals but the savvy visitors choose to stay here ☺️ We would love to welcome you both back if you ever choose to visit Islay, and we'll make sure that the colour scheme is memorable for you.

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Rochelle L wrote a review Jun 2023

1 contribution

A class act

As much traveling my husband and I have done, this was one of the best B&B experiences of our lives. Ali and Gary pay attention to every detail. They are gracious, generous, and seem to love what they do. They are truly a class act. The rooms were cute and clean with a view of the beautiful Portnahaven harbour. We enjoyed being on the other side of Islay away from the busy Feis Isle festival. We’ll be back.

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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Response from Gary Kaye, Owner at Orsay House

Responded 3 Jun 2023

Thank you so much for your amazing review Rochelle. We so enjoyed hosting You, Tom, Steve & Becky and the house seems almost too quiet after you left us. You certainly hit the nail on the head with your comment about Portnahaven being the quieter side of the Island. Bowmore and Port Ellen can get noisy at any time of the year, especially if you stay in the centre, whereas Portnahaven cherishes its reputation as a 'Sleepy Fishing Village' where there is hardly any noise or disturbance. (except from the fishing boats leaving and returning and the seals and birds) If you do return we would love to welcome you back, just book early and direct just as you did this time. Once again thank you for choosing Orsay House and for your review.

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

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