Dunollie Hotel

The hotel's most notable feature is its waterfront location, offering stunning sea views that many guests find memorable, especially from the dining room and select rooms. It serves as an excellent base for sightseers and tour groups looking to explore the Isle of Skye, providing convenient access to local attractions. While opinions vary, many guests appreciate the overall cleanliness of the accommodations and the efforts of the staff to be helpful and welcoming. The room comfort receives mixed feedback, with some finding beds comfortable and others too firm. This hotel is well-suited for couples seeking scenic beauty and families needing a convenient hub for island adventures, despite some rooms being on the smaller side. To enhance your stay, consider requesting a room with a sea view, as these are highly praised, and be prepared for potential challenges with on-site parking, which is often limited, requiring use of nearby public lots.

Facilities & Amenities
The hotel offers various facilities, though some aspects receive mixed feedback. A significant point for many guests is the absence of a lift, meaning luggage must be carried up stairs, which can be challenging for those with mobility issues or heavy bags. The bar area is generally well-regarded for its atmosphere and friendly staff, providing a pleasant space for relaxation and socializing, though some guests find the drink prices to be high. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the property and typically reported as reliable and fast, allowing guests to stay connected. Rooms are equipped with televisions, though these are often basic, offering only local channels, and some guests report them not always working consistently. While rooms generally have adequate heating, the bathrooms are frequently noted as lacking heating, making them uncomfortably cold for some, and there are no air conditioning units, which can be an issue in warmer weather.

Cleanliness & Room Comfort
Guest feedback on room cleanliness is generally positive, with many describing rooms as clean and tidy. However, some isolated reports mention issues such as dog hair on bedding, dirty carpets, or a persistent musty smell in certain rooms. The comfort of the beds is a highly debated topic; many guests find them comfortable, ensuring a good night's sleep, while a significant number describe mattresses as "rock hard" or "too firm." Room size also varies, with some guests finding them spacious and others noting them as small or cramped, especially for multiple occupants. Bathrooms are often praised for being recently refurbished and clean, featuring good showers, though a common complaint is the lack of a full shower door or curtain, leading to water flooding the floor. Additionally, bathrooms often lack heating and sufficient hooks or shelves for towels and toiletries. Noise is a frequent concern, with thin walls and creaky floors allowing sounds from neighboring rooms and corridors to disturb rest, particularly from early morning tour group departures.

Dining & Food Quality
Feedback on dining experiences is quite mixed. The breakfast is typically served buffet-style, with many guests finding it good and offering a decent variety of hot and cold options, including traditional Scottish items like haggis. However, some guests express disappointment with the quality, describing items as basic, not hot, or lacking flavor, with specific mentions of watery eggs or tasteless sausages. The dinner menu and food quality receive more critical feedback; many guests describe meals as poor, bland, overcooked, or resembling microwaved fare, with some finding them overpriced for the standard. Conversely, some guests have positive experiences with specific dishes like fish and chips or quiche, and the bar food is sometimes preferred over the main restaurant offerings. The restaurant itself is often praised for its stunning views over the water, though it can become noisy and crowded due to large tour groups. Drink prices at the bar are consistently noted as being expensive by many visitors.

Location & Accessibility
The hotel's location is consistently highlighted as a major advantage, serving as an excellent base for exploring the Isle of Skye. It is conveniently situated right on the waterfront, offering picturesque views, and is within easy walking distance of essential amenities. Guests appreciate its proximity to a Co-op supermarket, a petrol station, and local eateries like a chippy and other restaurants, making it easy to access daily necessities and dining options. Public transport is also accessible with nearby bus stops. However, parking is a significant and frequently mentioned challenge. The on-site parking is described as very limited, small, and often full, especially when tour buses are present. Many guests report having to park in a public car park located a few blocks or half a mile away, which can be inconvenient, particularly when handling luggage.

Staff & Service
Guest feedback on staff and service is notably varied. Many guests consistently praise the staff for being friendly, helpful, attentive, and welcoming, highlighting their efforts to accommodate requests and provide assistance, even in unexpected situations like medical emergencies. The check-in process is generally described as quick and efficient. However, a significant number of reviews report instances of staff being perceived as rude, uninterested, monotone, or brusque, particularly at the reception desk or in the dining room. While some commend housekeeping for maintaining clean rooms, others mention issues such as unemptied bins or missed cleaning. The bar staff often receive more consistent positive feedback for their friendliness and efficiency, contributing to a pleasant atmosphere in the lounge area. Overall, the quality of service appears to be inconsistent across different departments.

Additional Information
The hotel frequently accommodates coach tours, which significantly impacts the guest experience, leading to crowded common areas, noise, and sometimes affecting food service and parking availability. The hotel maintains a pet-friendly policy, which is appreciated by guests traveling with animals, though finding suitable outdoor areas nearby can sometimes be a challenge. Many reviews consistently describe the property as old and dated, suggesting it is in need of a comprehensive update or refurbishment to modernize its appearance and facilities. While some guests find the hotel offers good value for money, a considerable number feel it is overpriced for the standard of accommodation and services provided, especially given its age. Guests should also be aware that rooms use traditional physical keys rather than automatic lock systems, and there was one reported instance of a room being left unlocked by housekeeping, leading to a privacy concern.