This is a question we are asked regularly, and so much depends on when you’re visiting the island, what standard of accommodation you are looking for and how much you are prepared to pay.
Thankfully, Skye is not host to a plethora of international hotel groups. In fact, the vast majority of accommodations could be classed as highly individual or boutique, offering a personal experience and in many cases, you are hosted by the owners.
So here are a few thoughts and recommendations based on our personal experiences and those of our clients.
DUISDALE HOUSE HOTEL
Sleat – Isle of Skye – IV43 8QW – Scotland (https://skyehotel.co.uk/duisdale/)
This is a beautiful Victorian mansion that has been transformed into a stylish boutique hotel with stunning bedrooms and you can choose from Cosy, Standard, Deluxe, Seaview and a fantastic Master Suite. There are also luxury lodges and a cottage in the grounds, all with super comfy beds, great cottons and monsoon showers.
Public areas are lovely too and offer stunning views out over the Sound of Sleat to the Knoydart Peninsula. The restaurant is excellent and offers a fresh daily menu with a focus on locally sourced and foraged food, good wine list and not overpriced. Staff are excellent too, from check in to check out.
This is a Sonas Group hotel who also own and manage two other properties on the Island, Toravaig House Hotel and Skeabost House Hotel.
Pricing from – Low season £125 – High season £275
What do we really like: the lodges in the gardens are superb, restaurant and staff are excellent.
KINLOCH LODGE
Sleat – Isle of Skye – Scotland – IV43 8QY (https://kinloch-lodge.co.uk/)
Home of the Clan Macdonald and it’s been here since the 1600’s, and as a hotel for over 50 years now run and managed by Isabella Macdonald, daughter of the 8th Lord Macdonald. This is a timeless classic, sympathetically developed from a shooting lodge into its current form. Staff are all knowledgeable and friendly. Rooms are split between the main building and a lodge in the grounds.
Suites and luxury rooms are traditionally furnished with large beds and many with fantastic views over Loch na Dal and out to the Sound of Sleat. They have a great cocktail bar and make an excellent G&T, and hold a good selection of whisky too.
The Restaurant is more formal than casual, and the dinner is excellent selected from a daily changing menu.
Pricing from – Low season £175 – High season £325
What do we really like: Traditional country house vibe, and “old school” in a very good way – they also mix a superb Manhattan!
CORUISK HOUSE
Elgol – Isle of Skye – IV49 9BL – Scotland (https://coruiskhouse.com/)
Located in Elgol that sits in the south west of the island, this is best described as a restaurant with rooms, and a cottage. It is owned and managed by Iain and Clare, offering a wonderful romantic spot with accommodation for couples only. The welcome and personal service is more like being guests in their home rather than a hotel.
There are only four rooms two of which are suites, and they are all tastefully decorated and fitted out with great beds, cottons and toiletries, the suites have rolltop baths. The Cottage sleeps three people.
The restaurant is excellent offering a four-course set dinner, all ingredients locally sourced with preparation and presentation first class.
Pricing from – Low season £200 – High season £200
What do we really like: the peace and quiet and views of the Cuillin Ridge from Elgol
TORAVAIG HOUSE HOTEL
Sleat – Isle of Skye – IV44 8RE – Scotland (https://skyehotel.co.uk/toravaig/)
This is a small country house hotel with only eleven bedrooms, and it has received several accolades in recent years, including “Scottish Island Hotel of the Year” at the Scottish Hotel Awards.
There’s something that we really like about Toravaig, it oozes personality, and the staff are excellent. Lovely bedrooms recently refurbished with great bathrooms too.
Breakfast and light lunches are available in the hotel, and dinner is taken in Duisdale House their sister hotel 5 mins up the road. A complimentary return transfer is provided.
Pricing from – Low season £130 – High season £390
What do we really like: The homely feel and location. It would be ideal for a big family reunion or corporate get away.
MARMALADE
Home Farm Road – Portree – Isle of Skye – IV51 9LX (https://perlehotels.com/marmalade/)
Once the home of the Honourable Iona Macdonald, who it was said grew oranges on the property, so the hotel is aptly called Marmalade. It’s an unusual mix of boutique fit out within a traditional Georgian building. There’s a strong white, grey and mustard colour scheme throughout the rooms and they’re comfortable with great showers and our room had a Nespresso machine and Bose speakers.
Great outside deck to relax and enjoy a glass if the midges aren’t out and about! Food is locally sourced, we enjoyed oysters, scallops and venison and they were nicely cooked. Breakfast was also very good.
Pricing from – Low season £130 – High season £420
What do we really like: good base for exploring Portree and all the town has to offer.
SKEABOST HOUSE HOTEL
Skeabost Bridge – Isle of Skye – IV51 9NP (https://skyehotel.co.uk/skeabost/)
Skeabost is a former hunting lodge dating from the late 1800’s and sitting at the head of Loch Snizort. The hotel was acquired by the Sonas group in 2015 and has been sympathetically and tastefully refurbished with a design that seamlessly blends the old and new.
Fantastic bedrooms, lovely cottons with great baths, some roll tops and monsoon showers. You are also looked after very well, as with all Sonas hotels customer service is excellent without being over bearing.
The restaurant serves very good wholesome locally sourced food and is reasonably priced. It also has its own 9-hole golf course and private salmon fishing on the river Snizort.
Pricing from – Low season £160 – High season £350
What do we really like: The location on the loch is stunning, pre-dinner drinks on the outside deck are a must if the midges are sleeping!! and the deluxe rooms are fabulous.
EDINBANE LODGE
Old Dunvegan Road – Edinbane – Isle of Skye – IV51 9PW (https://www.edinbanelodge.com/)
Home to one of Skye’s best restaurants, Edinbane also has four bedrooms, and they are very nice including two super kings and a junior suite. Classic highland styling with local pottery and works by local artists.
Great beds and linens and there’s a sleigh bed in one of the super kings, and there is also a slipper bath and a roll top. Edinbane is located between Dunvegan and Portree and is a good base for exploring the north of the island.
Pricing from – Low season £150 – High season £220
What do we really like: the super king room with the Sleigh bed, and the restaurant at Edinbane.
THREE CHIMNEYS
Colbost – Dunvegan – Isle of Skye – IV55 8ZT (https://threechimneys.co.uk/sleep)
There are six rooms located in “the house over by” right next to the restaurant. The rooms are split level and offer a very comfortable stay. Big beds and lovely bathrooms and there are some nice touches too, with Bose Bluetooth speakers, smart TV’s and fresh milk every day.
They also offer an attractive discounted dinner bed and Breakfast rate for a two night stay, the restaurant food is excellent.
Pricing from – Low season £300 – High season £475
What do we really like: the view over loch Dunveganand thebreakfast is excellent.
GRESHORNISH HOUSE
Edinbane – Isle of Skye – IV51 9PN (https://greshornishhouse.com/)
This is a wonderful former Lairds manor house in 10 acres of beautiful garden grounds sitting Loch side on the remote Greshornish Peninsula. The property has been sympathetically refurbished to create a wonderful boutique hotel that provides an excellent base to explore the north of the island, and is also in easy reach of Portree, fifteen miles to the east.
The hotel offers ten individually styled bedrooms with great beds, cottons and all en suite.
The Isle of Skye restaurant supports local businesses and there is an excellent a la carte menu. Breakfasts are superb and there is also afternoon tea available in either the drawing room or conservatory.
Pricing from – Low season £80 – High season £265
What do we really like: we love the peace and quiet, it’s a great place to fully relax.
57 NORD
Upper Ardelve – Ross-shire – IV40 8EY (https://57nord.co.uk/)
57 Nord is self-catering, but we had to include it as our client feedback is excellent. It is on the mainland, about a 20-minute drive from the Isle of Skye.
There are two properties, Sky House and Hill House situated on an elevated hill side position just to the west of Dornie with stunning views over Loch Alsh and Loch Duich with Eilean Donan Castle centre stage, and the Glen Shiel and Kintail mountains as a back drop.
These houses are fitted out to an exceptional standard. Sky house sleeps 2 people and Hill house sleeps 2 or 4. There is a minimum stay requirements of three nights.
Pricing (2023)– Sky House 3-night stay from £1295 for two people – Hill House 3-night stay from £1375 for two people or £1525 for four people.
What do we really like: the views are breathtaking, and the quality of the accommodations are superb.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best time of year to visit Skye?
Skye offers the visitor a year-round experience, clearly the spring, summer and autumn see the island at it’s busiest, however the shoulder months of March and November see the volume of tourists drop significantly and this can be a great time to cross the Skye bridge and enjoy the island with significantly less traffic.
When is the island busy?
The tourism season starts building from April and runs through to October. May through September are the busy months, and our advice is to book as early as you can, hotels Inns and B&B’s can be fully booked for their peak months at the turn of the year.
How expensive are the hotels?
Prices rise sharply as accommodation bookings increase, with June July and August the most expensive months. Early season prices can be as low as £80 per night to high season at £500 per night.