I've stayed at both and like both places, although there are differences. Both are on the Sleat Peninsula. Ardvasar is just minutes from Armadale and the ferry with beautiful views, traditional, whitewashed exterior,older rooms but generally nice size, great pub. Eilean Iarmain is a bit more upscale and is located on a small rocky bay overlooking the Isle of Ornsay. It's a lovely spot and the hotel has good food and a pub but will be more expensive than the Ardvasar.

Other options in the Eilean Iarmain price range are Toravaig House Hotel and Duisdale Hotel. Last September I had one of the best meals ever at Toravaig, every bit as good as The Three Chimneys. Had a lovely room with a fanatastic bath. I also stayed at Duisdale. Both are very nice. We had a beautiful room at Duisdale with sea view and lovely grounds.The place is a bit overdone decor-wise for my tastes, but the view is one of the best.

For Toravaig House Hotel www.skyehotel.co.uk

For Duisdale Hotel www.duisdale.com or connect with Toravaig House as they both are under the same ownership.

For Ardvasar Hotel www.ardvasar.com

For Eilean Iarmain www.eilean-iarmain.co.uk

Personally I love staying on the Sleat Peninsula, although it may not be the most convenient. Skye has a plethora of excellent hotels and B&B's in almostt any price range.

Just caught your last request for a scenic drive. Actually all of the drives on Skye are scenic, IMO. All depends on where you're headed and how much time you have. If you answer those two questions I can get more specific.

historytraveler has given you great input. Both are extremely nice - but Skye is a biiiig place an they are at the far southeast end of the island so it will take a lot of time to get to other parts. Like 2+ hours to the tip of the Trotternish peninsula or maybe a bit under 2 hours to Dunvegan. 2-ish hours to Glen Brittle. But only maybe 70minutes to Elgol. Travel on Skye can be VERY slow.

Both would be great places to stay -- but mostly depends on what you want to see and how much time you want to spend in the car.

And, yes - every road on Skye is scenic -- can't avoid scenery if you wanted to

Thanks for that. We will have a full day to drive on Skye and our priority would be the must see locations. We will be entering Skye by the bridge and thought to head north and end up at Sleat at the end of the day. We had thought to use the ferry back to the mainland would that be our best option rather than back track to the bridge.
Many thanks

Assuming you'll be arriving fairly early in the morning and this is your only day on Skye,you could take what I call the Skye Loop . After crossing theb bridge continue on the A87 to Sligachan where you'll catch the A863 to Dunvegan, then the A850 to the short B8036 to A87 again. At Uig it changes to the A855 where you come down the opposite side back to Portree and the A87 to Broadford then the A851 (Sleat Peninsula). This will give you a look at the most popular sights, but it will be a long day taking about 5/6 hours without stopping. If planning to visit any place such as the Talisker Distillery, Dunvegan Castle,Skye Museum, Duntulm etc., you'll need more time.

You could do just the Trotternish Peninsula Loop which still includes some of Skye's most popular views by going to Portree and then going up either side of the peninsula A87 /A855. This would be a good choice if you wanted to do a couple of stops (Leat Falls,Kilt Rock and the Skye Museum which I highly recommend).

Another option is to drive out to Elgol as janisj mentioned ( about two hours out and back). If time allows take a boat trip which will add another 3 hours,or you could do the Ord/Tarskavaig Loop (the loop itself takes about an hour and is one of my favorites) off the A851 (Sleat route) with stops at the Clan Donald center ( great little museum) Armadale Castle (mostly gardens) Knock Castle (ruins) off the A851 and Dunsgiath Castle (ruins) at Tokavaig on the Ord/Tarskavaig Loop.

I hope this isn't too confusing. A good map will make it all very clear. I always use AA Road Watch for time and mileage calculations when in the UK.

As others have said and I agree The Trotternish Peninsula is a fantastic drive, especially the East Coast from Foldigarry to Portree. I would highly recommend Flodigarry Country House Hotel
http://www.flodigarry.co.uk/
or Glenview, where the service is especially personal
http://glenviewskye.co.uk/

Be sure and visit the viewpoint at The Quiraing, Staffin slipway with dinasaur footprints, Kilt and Lealt Falls (the latter is not signposted). Both hotels will give great info on this.
Travel from the bridge to either of these in under 2 hours, explore this jurrasic area then head down to Eilean Iarmain with a detour to Elgol, if time allows.

Thanks for your help. We look forward to having a great time.

Be sure to report back here and tell us what you did. I'm still hoping to make a similar trip.

Really enjoyed our trip and the scenery was stunning. We drove the western loop. We decided to stay at Eilean larmain.Exceptional location and friendly staff. The room was quaint and did not miss the fact that there was no tv as we sat and enjoyed the view. The pub food gets good reviews but we opted for the restaurant which although a little pricey was worth it for the ambience and view.