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Summary of reviewsNo. 1 Charlotte Street in Port Ellen on Islay is consistently praised for its exceptional location, providing stunning waterfront views and easy access to key attractions such as nearby distilleries. Guests appreciate the hotel's convenient distance from the ferry terminal and the quaint, walkable nature of Port Ellen with its assortment of local eateries and pubs. The scenic seaside vistas enjoyed from the hotel's lawn or common areas enhance the overall experience.
The hotel's breakfast offerings receive high marks for their variety, quality and delicious, freshly made selections, including traditional full Scottish breakfasts. The dining room's pleasant ambiance and the attentive staff contribute to a delightful start to the day. Dinner, while not offered on-site, is facilitated by helpful staff who provide recommendations and assist with bookings at nearby restaurants, allowing guests to explore the local culinary scene.
Rooms at No. 1 Charlotte Street are described as clean, comfortable and well-appointed with some boasting stunning bay views. However, room sizes vary with single rooms often being smaller, which may be a concern for guests with a lot of luggage. Despite size variations, the rooms are generally well-furnished and equipped with modern amenities, although noise levels and views can vary.
The hotel's exceptional cleanliness is frequently highlighted with spotlessly clean rooms and communal areas contributing to a comfortable stay. The staff also receive consistent accolades for their friendliness, helpfulness and accommodating nature, ensuring that guests feel welcome and well-cared-for throughout their stay.
WiFi quality is generally good with most guests finding it fast and stable, though some issues have been noted with connectivity in specific areas, such as the top floor. The hotel is working on improvements to address these concerns.
Bed comfort at No. 1 Charlotte Street receives mixed reviews. While many guests find the beds cozy and comfortable, some have encountered issues with firmness and mattress quality. Despite these occasional complaints, the overall sentiment towards bed comfort is largely positive.
In summary, No. 1 Charlotte Street is a favored choice for travelers seeking an idyllic retreat in Port Ellen, thanks to its prime location, stunning views, cleanliness, helpful staff and delightful breakfast offerings. Show more
Read review summaries for all categories
Luxury Hotel
Hotel with Free Wi-Fi
Room Types
Small Double RoomThis double room features tea/coffee making facilities.
Double RoomThis double room features tea/coffee making facilities.
Deluxe Double or Twin Room with Sea ViewThis double room features tea/coffee making facilities, and offers guests additional living space.
Twin RoomThis double room features tea/coffee making facilities.
Single RoomThis double room features tea/coffee making facilities.
Double or Twin Room with BathroomFeaturing free toiletries, this twin/double room includes a private bathroom with a shower and a hairdryer. The twin/double room features a coffee machine, a carpeted floor and heating and chocolate is offered for guests.
Guest Reviews
8.8
Excellent
Location
No. 1 Charlotte Street enjoys a prime spot in the charming town of Port Ellen on Islay, drawing consistent praise for its exceptional location. Guests regularly highlight its proximity to key attractions, including the nearby Laphroaig, Lagavulin and Ardbeg distilleries, making it an excellent base for whisky enthusiasts. The hotel's setting by the sea also earns admiration, providing stunning, unobstructed views of the bay and easy access to the beach, which makes morning swims a delightful possibility.
Visitors appreciate the hotel's convenient distance from the ferry terminal, allowing for straightforward travel connections. The central positioning also means guests can enjoy the quaint, walkable nature of Port Ellen with its assortment of local eateries and pubs. Many reviews mention enjoying meals, such as breakfast, while taking in the scenic seaside vistas from the hotel's lawn or common areas.
Aside from its enviable location, the hotel is commended for its beautiful building and cozy, well-appointed rooms with several reviews noting the cleanliness and fantastic views available from the accommodations. The staff frequently receive compliments for their friendliness and helpfulness, further enhancing the overall experience for guests.
In summary, No. 1 Charlotte Street offers an idyllic retreat in Port Ellen with its waterfront views, helpful staff and proximity to Islay's famous distilleries, making it a favored choice for both relaxation and exploration within this picturesque corner of Scotland.
Breakfast
No. 1 Charlotte Street consistently receives praise for its breakfast offerings. Guests highly regard the breakfast, frequently describing it as great, amazing and superb with notable enthusiasm. Reviewers commend the variety and quality of options available, highlighting the delicious, freshly made selections and the inclusion of traditional full Scottish breakfasts.
The breakfast dining room earns accolades for its ambiance, contributing to a delightful start to the day. Guests appreciate the generous portions and the ability to customize their meals, often noting that the hearty breakfasts set them up well for the day's activities. The attentive and friendly staff ensure that orders are swiftly and pleasantly executed, further enhancing the dining experience.
Some comments mention breakfast options being extensive enough to cater to different tastes, including ample continental selections. The consistently positive feedback emphasizes that the breakfast at No. 1 Charlotte Street is not only a highlight of the stay but a defining feature of their hospitality.
Dinner
No. 1 Charlotte Street offers a unique dining experience that leans heavily on the vibrant local culinary scene, albeit without an in-house evening meal service. Guests have the flexibility to bring in food or takeaways, which can be enjoyed in the thoughtfully equipped guest lounge featuring dishes and cutlery. This arrangement allows visitors to savor world-class local pizza or very good Chinese cuisine, both conveniently located just a short stroll away. The hotel staff is particularly helpful in recommending and booking nearby restaurants, a necessity given the limited dining options in Port Ellen which tend to book up quickly. Despite the absence of evening meals, the bar provides a lively atmosphere with a great whiskey selection and pool tables, although some note it can be noisy or busy at times. Guests praised the excellent breakfast service and the overall helpfulness of the staff, but many expressed regret that dinner isn't offered on-site. This nuanced dining approach ensures that while No. 1 provides cozy accommodations and a welcoming bar, guests can also explore the local dining scene.
Rooms
At No. 1 Charlotte Street, guests can expect rooms that strike a balance between classic comfort and modern amenities. The rooms, often described as clean and tidy, come equipped with everything necessary for a relaxing stay. Many guests appreciated the comfortable beds, nicely decorated interiors and functional room layouts. Some rooms even boast stunning views of Bay or Port Ellen Bay, adding to the overall appeal.
However, travelers should be aware that room sizes can vary significantly. While some guests enjoyed spacious and airy accommodations, others found their rooms to be on the smaller side, which could feel cramped, especially for those with a lot of luggage. This variation in room size seems to be a common theme with single rooms often being notably small.
The hotel does provide good facilities, including well-stocked rooms with appliances, comfortable bedding and clean bathrooms. Some rooms have been recently refurbished, offering a modern design and bright atmosphere. Despite the size differences, most rooms are well-appointed, furnished with thoughtful decor and equipped with cozy amenities.
Noise levels also seemed to vary with certain rooms being very quiet while others dealt with some external sounds. Guests had mixed experiences with the room views and amenities with some rooms offering beautiful vistas of the bay and well-furnished balconies, while others faced fire escapes or had a slightly musty odor.
Overall, No. 1 Charlotte Street is praised for its cleanliness, comfort and the beautiful views available in some rooms. It's a solid choice for travelers who value these aspects, but it’s worth noting the potential for smaller room sizes and occasional noise. Booking directly with the hotel might improve the chances of securing a more spacious and well-located room.
Beds
No. 1 Charlotte Street offers a mixed experience when it comes to bed comfort, according to guest reviews. Many guests found the beds to be very comfortable, cozy and well-equipped with some particularly praising the king-size beds and large comfortable mattresses. Comfortable and comfy appear frequently in the feedback, indicating a generally positive sentiment.
However, there were also some criticisms. Several guests mentioned issues with the firmness and size of the beds with some finding them too firm or too soft for their liking. The foam mattresses received specific complaints for being wobbly and thin. Instances of bed size being too small were noted, along with a lack of comfort for some guests. Despite these issues, many still appreciated the overall comfort of the beds and the well-decorated rooms.
Overall, if bed comfort is a top priority, potential guests might experience a range of satisfaction levels, from superb comfort to noticeable discomfort.
Cleanliness
The reviews for 'No. 1 Charlotte Street' consistently highlight exceptional cleanliness throughout the hotel. Guests frequently praise the spotlessly clean rooms and communal areas with mentions of the cleanliness being top-notch. The property is well-maintained and organized, contributing to a comfortable stay. Rooms are lovingly furnished, neat and tidy, while clean towels and bedding add to the overall appeal. Various facilities are also regularly cleaned and kept tidy, enhancing the guests' experience. The hotel's ability to maintain such high cleanliness standards, even during challenging times, is notable. Overall, 'No. 1 Charlotte Street' leaves a strong impression with its impeccable cleanliness and well-kept environment.
Staff
No. 1 Charlotte Street consistently receives high praise for its exceptional staff. Guests repeatedly highlight the friendliness, helpfulness and accommodating nature of the team. From the moment of arrival, the welcoming, polite and professional staff members make visitors feel at home. The reception team, often singled out by name, provides outstanding service and is noted for going above and beyond to ensure a pleasant stay.
Guests appreciate the staff's readiness to assist in various ways, from carrying bags to offering detailed information. The employees' knowledge and courtesy are frequently mentioned, reflecting their commitment to providing top-notch service. The warmth and personal touch extended by the staff, particularly in making guests feel welcome and comfortable, stand out in the reviews.
Notably, instances of superb, fast and pleasant service further underscore the positive experiences of visitors. The team’s dedication to meeting guests' needs with a smile ensures a memorable and delightful stay at the hotel, reinforcing No. 1 Charlotte Street as a choice destination for travelers seeking excellent hospitality.
Wi-Fi
No. 1 Charlotte Street offers a generally positive WiFi experience with many guests praising the quality as good, fast and stable. In most areas of the hotel, the WiFi reception is consistent, providing good internet speed and adequate connectivity. Guests frequently mention the reliability of the connection, stating that it is generally satisfactory and meets their needs.
However, some guests have encountered issues with the WiFi, particularly noting weak or poor connections in specific areas, such as the top floor and instances where the WiFi did not reach certain rooms. There have also been reports of spotty access and instances where the router was inaccessible, leading to frustration. The hotel appears to be aware of these issues and has scheduled fixes to improve the WiFi service.
Overall, while there are some areas needing improvement, the WiFi at No. 1 Charlotte Street generally satisfies guests' expectations, especially on the lower floors and common areas.
No, No. 1 Charlotte Street doesn't have any pool.
No, a spa isn't available at No. 1 Charlotte Street.
No, No. 1 Charlotte Street doesn't allow dogs.
No, parking facilities aren't available at No. 1 Charlotte Street.