Sleat vs. Portree vs. Trotternish
 

There are just too many great places on Skye to stay in! To recap (because several of you may have seen my previous thread on related issues), my wife and I are spending 3 nights/2 days in August on Skye. Not driving. Want to relax in a lovely location, which is what Skye is all about. Wherever we stay, though; will probably rent a private car + driver for one day to take us around to other parts.

And given those specifics, would greatly appreciate your feedback on the following three hotels:

-- Rosedale in Portree
-- Kinloch Lodge in Sleat
-- Duntulum Castle hotel in Trotternish (this seems really remote and we'd have to eat in on all nights... but it also seems spectacularly beautiful).

thanks in advance for your thoughts,
j

You have chosen 3 great spots so can appreciate your dilemma.

We have stayed at The Rosedale and liked it and the town of Portree very much.

Haven't stayed at Kinloch Lodge but have seen photos and it looks lovely.

On Trotternish we stayed at the Flodigarry Country House Hotel and loved the hotel and location. It is remote but if you want to relax it is ideal.

We did have a car for our trip but if I were to choose a location without driving I think my choice would be Portree. It is nicely situated on Skye and you have the advantage of a town to browse with shops, restaurants etc. should the weather not co-operate.

Whatever you decide I know you will love Skye - a truly magical place.

Arctan, we stopped for a snack at the Duntulm Castle Hotel while we were driving around the Trotternish and thought it was a wonderful setting with spectacular views. Judging by the common areas (and I think this is borne out by other online reviews I've read) the hotel itself is perhaps a bit like some of us...not as young as she used to be. The staff we encountered were very friendly and the guests we observed (other than a few other day-trippers like us) seemed to be families. You could easily spend a few days there, I think, and enjoy some lovely walks right in that area. If you are not looking for a high degree of luxury, and don't mind the risk of a rainy day with nothing else to do, it seems like a good choice.

Kinloch Lodge in Sleat is also in a lovely, lovely location, and you can enjoy some very scenic walking nearby as well. If you are food enthusiasts that might tip the scales towards Kinoloch.

I can't comment on Rosedale, sorry! If you want to forego the convenience of a town, I think you will be very happy with either of the other choices.

I personally think Duntulum Castle would be VERY difficult w/o a car. Kinloch Lodge slightly less difficult. I prefer staying away from Portree - but in your case, w/o a car it makes the most sense.

May I ask - is there a reason you don't want to/can't rent a car? I don't mean for the entire journey - but just for a couple of days on Skye. Driving on Skye is a piece of cake and it is really the only way to see much of the Isle.

thanks, folks! Guess we'll give up on Duntulum... sigh. Toss-up now between the convenience of Portree vs. the location of Kinloch.

Janis: fair question re: our disinclination to drive -- it's just that we both last drove ten years ago, when we lived in the US. Since then, we've been in places where the public transport has been so good that we haven't had to drive at all. So the thought of taking it up once more in a different country.... it's a bit anxiety-inducing.

cheers,
j

It is easy to drive on Skye, but if you really don't want to I'd still hire a driver for one day and you'll need to arrange for pick up/delivery at either Kyle of Lochalsh or Armadale. I wouldn't depend on bus unless you do a through study of bus schedule.

You mentioned in another post the idea of spending the day relaxing at the place you'll be staying and perhaps doing some walks. I do this myself. There are plenty of excellent B&B's and hotels. Have a look at the following:


Sleat Peninsula

1) Toravaig House Hotel

2) Eilean Iarmain

3) The people that run Toravaig have opened a new place just down the road, The Duisdale House. I haven't stayed there yet.


www.skyehotel.co.uk

www.eileaniarmain.co.uk

www.duisdale.com

North of Portree

3) The Flodigarry Country House Hotel near Staffin. I haven't stayed here but have eaten in the pub. An absolutely beautiful spot with walks nearby.

www.flodigarry.co.uk

Thank you, historytraveler! We are going to follow up on your suggestion and rent a private car for a day... now if we could only decide whether to stay in Sleat or one of those beautiful places further up north (like floodigary, or duntulum castle hotel in trotternish).

I suspect the decision will be taken out of our hands soon enough though if we delay any further:)

cheers,
j

That's great - and w/ a car you can stay just about anywhere. Just pick whichever place looks best to you and fits your budget.

Great! If I can drive on Skye, anyone can ;)

The Rosedale, as a hotel, is just not in the same league as Kinloch Lodge. FWIW, if it were me I'd pick Eilean Iarmain, or Flodigarry, or even the Sligachan, before Kinloch Lodge, but each to his own.

Thanks, Sheila. Eventually decided to not go with the Rosedale; staying at Sconser Lodge instead.

And have got past the driving problem with roger's advice on this forum: a guided car tour with Alisdair Ross...

again, thanks everyone for all your help!

j

Alisdar is wonderful! We did a tour of the island with him, and I'll guarantee you'll have an excellent time.

I'm not familar with Sconser Lodge but,IMO, any place on Skye is wonderful.

We just stayed at the Lodge at Edinbane and had a delightful time! It's only about 10 minutes from Portree, in the middle of the 'saddle' and within easy access of just about everything. The advantage is that it has in house food and drink, and the hosts are fantastic. Their cooking is great, and the rooms are comfy.