The Royal Hotel
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Summary of reviewsThe Royal Hotel in Portree garners praise primarily for its exceptional location and friendly staff. Nestled by the harbor, the hotel offers stunning sea views and easy access to local attractions, making it a prime choice for exploring the Isle of Skye. The central location is repeatedly highlighted as a significant advantage, enhancing the overall guest experience with both scenic and practical benefits.
The breakfast service at The Royal Hotel is largely commended for its hearty, delicious offerings and variety. Guests appreciate the freshly prepared dishes and generous portions with many noting the efficient and pleasant service. While there are some inconsistencies in quality and occasional complaints about waiting times, the breakfast generally provides a delightful start to the day.
Dinner experiences at the hotel also earn positive feedback with many guests enjoying the fresh, tasty dishes and diverse menu. Specific dishes like the duo of salmon receive particular acclaim. However, issues such as slow service, high demand leading to reservation difficulties and occasionally disappointing dishes are noted. Despite these drawbacks, the overall dining experience remains largely favorable.
The rooms at The Royal Hotel are praised for their spaciousness, cleanliness and comfortable atmosphere. Many guests appreciate the modernized bathrooms and scenic harbor views. However, the dated decor and occasional maintenance issues such as poor air circulation and non-functional fans are points of concern. Despite these, the rooms provide a satisfactory stay with good facilities and comfort.
Cleanliness at the hotel is usually commendable with many guests finding their rooms tidy and well-maintained. Housekeeping is praised for its thorough and friendly service. Some inconsistency in cleanliness standards is noted with occasional issues like dirty carpets or mold in bathrooms, but generally, the hotel maintains a clean and pleasant environment.
The staff at The Royal Hotel are frequently highlighted for their friendly and helpful nature, enhancing the guest experience with their professionalism and attentiveness. Specific staff members receive individual praise for their excellent service. However, some guests reported mixed interactions with occasional instances of perceived indifference or rudeness from the staff.
WiFi at the hotel receives mixed reviews. While some guests find the service to be reliable and free, others experience weak connectivity, particularly in public areas. This inconsistency points to a need for improvement to ensure better connectivity throughout the hotel.
Families find The Royal Hotel accommodating with spacious family rooms and a pleasant atmosphere suitable for both family vacations and business trips with children. Helpful staff and comprehensive packages further enhance the positive family experience.
The comfort of the beds also receives positive remarks with many guests finding them cozy and big. However, there are inconsistencies in comfort levels with some guests encountering hard or worn-out mattresses and thin pillows, suggesting a need for better maintenance or upgrades.
Reflecting its three-star rating, The Royal Hotel provides a blend of classic charm and areas needing modern updates. Some guests feel the decor is dated and the quality could be improved for the price. However, the hotel remains a reasonable choice for those seeking basic, adequate accommodation with a touch of charm.
Accessibility is mixed with praise for ample parking and the hotel's convenient location, but significant concerns about the lack of an elevator, which poses challenges for guests with mobility issues. Despite these challenges, the staff is noted for their helpfulness in accommodating guests' needs.
Overall, The Royal Hotel offers a pleasant stay characterized by its prime location, friendly staff and generally comfortable amenities with areas for improvement mainly in room updates, service efficiency and accessibility enhancements.
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The breakfast service at The Royal Hotel is largely commended for its hearty, delicious offerings and variety. Guests appreciate the freshly prepared dishes and generous portions with many noting the efficient and pleasant service. While there are some inconsistencies in quality and occasional complaints about waiting times, the breakfast generally provides a delightful start to the day.
Dinner experiences at the hotel also earn positive feedback with many guests enjoying the fresh, tasty dishes and diverse menu. Specific dishes like the duo of salmon receive particular acclaim. However, issues such as slow service, high demand leading to reservation difficulties and occasionally disappointing dishes are noted. Despite these drawbacks, the overall dining experience remains largely favorable.
The rooms at The Royal Hotel are praised for their spaciousness, cleanliness and comfortable atmosphere. Many guests appreciate the modernized bathrooms and scenic harbor views. However, the dated decor and occasional maintenance issues such as poor air circulation and non-functional fans are points of concern. Despite these, the rooms provide a satisfactory stay with good facilities and comfort.
Cleanliness at the hotel is usually commendable with many guests finding their rooms tidy and well-maintained. Housekeeping is praised for its thorough and friendly service. Some inconsistency in cleanliness standards is noted with occasional issues like dirty carpets or mold in bathrooms, but generally, the hotel maintains a clean and pleasant environment.
The staff at The Royal Hotel are frequently highlighted for their friendly and helpful nature, enhancing the guest experience with their professionalism and attentiveness. Specific staff members receive individual praise for their excellent service. However, some guests reported mixed interactions with occasional instances of perceived indifference or rudeness from the staff.
WiFi at the hotel receives mixed reviews. While some guests find the service to be reliable and free, others experience weak connectivity, particularly in public areas. This inconsistency points to a need for improvement to ensure better connectivity throughout the hotel.
Families find The Royal Hotel accommodating with spacious family rooms and a pleasant atmosphere suitable for both family vacations and business trips with children. Helpful staff and comprehensive packages further enhance the positive family experience.
The comfort of the beds also receives positive remarks with many guests finding them cozy and big. However, there are inconsistencies in comfort levels with some guests encountering hard or worn-out mattresses and thin pillows, suggesting a need for better maintenance or upgrades.
Reflecting its three-star rating, The Royal Hotel provides a blend of classic charm and areas needing modern updates. Some guests feel the decor is dated and the quality could be improved for the price. However, the hotel remains a reasonable choice for those seeking basic, adequate accommodation with a touch of charm.
Accessibility is mixed with praise for ample parking and the hotel's convenient location, but significant concerns about the lack of an elevator, which poses challenges for guests with mobility issues. Despite these challenges, the staff is noted for their helpfulness in accommodating guests' needs.
Overall, The Royal Hotel offers a pleasant stay characterized by its prime location, friendly staff and generally comfortable amenities with areas for improvement mainly in room updates, service efficiency and accessibility enhancements.
3-Star Hotel
Located in the center of Portree, this hotel offers a beautiful harbor view. It features clean, well-presented bedrooms and helpful, friendly staff, with plenty of restaurants nearby, including the hotel's own.
Family Friendly Hotel
Business Hotel
Accessible Hotel
Guest Reviews
Nestled in the heart of Portree, The Royal Hotel boasts an exceptional location, making it a prime choice for visitors to the Isle of Skye. The hotel occupies a convenient spot right by the harbor, which provides stunning views of the sea and charming colored buildings nearby. Its central location ensures that everything in Portree is just a few steps away, from the bustling pub and bus station to shops and restaurants.
Guests have repeatedly praised the hotel for its perfect positioning, ideal for exploring both Portree and the wider Isle of Skye. The waterfront rooms offer picturesque views of the harbor, enhancing the overall experience.
Whether it's for the accessibility to local attractions or the idyllic scenery, the location of The Royal Hotel consistently receives acclaim. It is ideally situated, providing a superb base for travelers aiming to delve into the beauty and culture of Skye with ease.
The breakfast experience at The Royal Hotel receives predominantly positive feedback from guests. Many reviews highlight the quality and variety of the offerings, describing the breakfast as hearty, delicious and freshly prepared. Guests appreciate the substantial range of options, which include freshly made dishes, a well-stocked continental buffet and personalized hot dishes available to order. The portions are generally considered generous and filling.
The breakfast service is also frequently praised with mentions of professional and pleasant staff, contributing to an overall satisfying experience. Diners have noted that the breakfast is efficiently served and the inclusion of breakfast in room rates is seen as a reasonable and valuable addition.
However, not all feedback is glowing. Some guests have remarked on inconsistencies in quality and service. Issues such as waiting times, the cleanliness of the breakfast area and the occasional overcooked or average dish were pointed out. A few reviews mentioned that the breakfast did not meet their expectations in terms of variety and taste with specific complaints about tough bacon and dry Haggis.
Despite these occasional drawbacks, the majority sentiment leans towards satisfaction with the breakfast described as a delightful start to the day for most guests. The pleasant setting and the hotel's prime location further enhance the breakfast experience, making it a noteworthy aspect of a stay at The Royal Hotel.
The Royal Hotel's dinner experience is generally well-regarded by guests, who frequently highlight the delicious and fresh quality of the dishes served. Many reviews praise the food as being very good, excellent and tasty with top choices available on the menu. The restaurant has been commended for its variety of dishes and the wonderful, fabulous food it offers. Specific dishes, such as the duo of salmon, have received particular acclaim.
Despite the positive feedback on the food itself, some guests have encountered issues with service and the dining experience as a whole. There are mentions of slow and inattentive service, poor quality of some dishes and issues with making dinner reservations due to high demand and limited staff. Additionally, the restaurant's ambiance has been described as non-welcoming on occasion and several reviews note that it closes early or has limited operating hours, which can be inconvenient.
While the majority of reviews lean towards the positive, highlighting the great dining experience and the well-served, tasty meals, there are a few critical remarks about the dinner being uninspiring, expensive and occasionally disappointing. Some guests also reported specific issues like incorrect orders, undercooked meals and a high cost of drinks.
Overall, dining at The Royal Hotel's restaurant is mostly a positive experience with excellent food, though improvements in service efficiency and reservation handling are needed to enhance the overall guest experience.
The guest reviews for The Royal Hotel reveal a mix of experiences with the rooms with a notable emphasis on the spaciousness and cleanliness that many guests appreciated. Rooms are frequently described as large, comfortable and well-lit with some offering beautiful views of the harbour or bay. Several reviews highlight the newly renovated rooms and modernized bathrooms, which add to the overall comfort.
However, the decor and furnishings appear to be dated with many guests indicating that a refresh is needed to bring the interiors up to modern standards. Some recurring issues include the rooms being quite hot without the ability to open windows, poor air circulation and occasional cleanliness and maintenance problems like detached toilet seats and non-functional fans.
Despite these concerns, many visitors found their rooms to be comfortable and cozy with good facilities and a suitable atmosphere for a traditional Scottish lodging. The hotel's location also received praise for its convenience, allowing easy access to town amenities and scenic views. Overall, while there are areas for improvement, the spacious and generally clean rooms provide a satisfactory stay for many guests.
The beds at The Royal Hotel receive largely positive feedback from guests, highlighting their comfort and size. Many reviews describe the beds as comfortable with some noting they are very comfortable, extremely comfortable or even cozy and big. The hotel offers queen size and single beds, which are often mentioned as neat and comfortable. Several guests appreciated the pillowtop addition, contributing to the overall positive experience.
However, there are some inconsistencies. A few guests found their beds uncomfortable, citing issues such as hard mattresses, inner springs and lumps. Occasional remarks about worn-out or cheap mattresses suggest that not all rooms have been equally updated. The size of the beds also varies with mentions of tiny or small beds contrasting with descriptions of large and comfy ones. Additionally, some guests noted thin or worn-out pillows, which detracted from the otherwise good bedtime experience.
Overall, while most guests find the beds at The Royal Hotel to be very comfortable, the quality and condition can vary, implying some rooms might need better maintenance or upgrades to ensure a uniformly positive experience.
The Royal Hotel offers a generally clean and comfortable stay for its guests with numerous positive remarks highlighting the cleanliness and spaciousness of the rooms. Many reviews note that the rooms are attended to daily, providing a pleasant and tidy environment. Housekeeping is praised for being timely and friendly each morning, ensuring that rooms are spotless and comfortable.
Guests often found their rooms to be very clean with plenty of space and modern amenities. The hotel's overall brightness and neatness add to its appeal, offering a refreshing atmosphere. The breakfast room, in particular, is frequently commended for its cleanliness.
However, consistency in cleanliness seems to vary with some guests encountering issues like dirty carpets, mold in shower stalls and hair in both bathrooms and beds. Some bathrooms require renovation and common areas could benefit from more attentive cleaning. Despite these occasional drawbacks, the hotel generally maintains an acceptable level of cleanliness, adhering to Covid regulations and ensuring a reasonably hygienic environment for its guests.
The Royal Hotel's staff has garnered a range of responses from guests, though the majority of comments are strikingly positive. Many guests highlighted the consistently friendly and helpful nature of the staff, particularly mentioning individuals who went out of their way to ensure a pleasant stay. Paul, a notable staff member, received specific praise for his helpfulness. Guests frequently reported that the reception team was attentive and accommodating with the morning and check-in staff often mentioned for their efficiency and warm welcomes.
Dining experiences were enhanced by the niceness and attentiveness of the breakfast and restaurant staff. The room service staff were also characterized as being particularly helpful and pleasant. Guests noted that the hospitality staff, in general, were excellent, enhancing their stay with professionalism and kindness.
However, there were occasional remarks about staff who were perceived as indifferent, tired or even rude, leading to mixed experiences in some instances. Specific comments included unfriendly reception staff, slow breakfast service and a few isolated instances of rudeness. Despite these less favorable reviews, the overall sentiment leaned towards a positive appreciation of the friendly and efficient service provided by most of the hotel’s team.
In summary, while there were a few instances of less than satisfactory interactions, The Royal Hotel's staff largely contributed positively to the guest experience, being described as friendly, helpful and accommodating across various areas of service.
Guests who stayed at The Royal Hotel had mixed experiences with the WiFi service. Many found the WiFi to be free and generally good with some noting a solid and stable connection in most areas. However, there were also several mentions of poor connectivity and weak signals in public areas. While the comfort of the rooms and the setting of the hotel were praised, the inconsistent performance of the WiFi was a recurring issue for some guests. Overall, while the WiFi service has its strong points, improvements could be made to ensure consistent and reliable connectivity throughout the hotel.
Families planning a stay at The Royal Hotel will find an inviting and accommodating environment tailored to their needs. The hotel offers spacious family-sized rooms, ensuring comfort for groups of up to four guests. The family rooms are notably sizable, providing ample space for everyone to relax. Guests have remarked on the pleasant atmosphere, emphasizing its suitability for both families and family vacations. Additionally, the hotel's packages are comprehensive, including everything needed for a hassle-free stay. The Royal Hotel is not just family-friendly but also ideal for family vacations or business trips with children, making it a versatile choice. The staff's helpfulness, especially with luggage, further enhances the positive experience, contributing to a welcoming and comfortable family atmosphere.
The Royal Hotel offers a stay that reflects its three-star rating, presenting a mix of both classic charm and areas that could benefit from modern updates. Guests have noted that the hotel has character and provides a relaxed, clean and accommodating environment. Rooms are reasonably sized and comfortable, fitting the expectations of a standard three-star property. While the pricing is aligned with other three-star hotels, some visitors felt that the quality-price relationship could be better, describing the decor as dated and somewhat unattractive.
The property itself has an old-fashioned, downmarket appearance with dim lighting that adds to its somewhat outdated atmosphere. Despite these comments, the hotel remains a solid choice for those looking for a basic but adequate accommodation option, especially when considering the pricing in comparison to similar accommodations in the area. Overall, The Royal Hotel delivers a typical three-star experience with charm and comfort, though it could benefit from some modernization to enhance the guest experience.
The Royal Hotel has received mixed reviews regarding accessibility for guests with disabilities. The parking situation is highly praised with ample availability and convenient locations, both onsite and just around the corner, making it easy for guests to get around town. Additionally, the hotel is hailed for its perfect location, allowing for premium views and amenities.
However, the hotel falls short in a critical area: there is no elevator. This absence is mentioned frequently and poses a significant barrier for guests, especially those with mobility issues, as well as the elderly who find the 37 steps to the second floor challenging. Despite the lack of an elevator, some guests have noted that the hotel and rooms are still accessible with some difficulty, including wheelchair access and specific accommodations for disabled tourists.
While the hotel offers a level of accessibility and friendliness for disabled guests, it is not deemed child-friendly and may be unfit for families. The helpful reception staff and the hotel's general accessibility do earn positive remarks, but the recurring theme is clear: the addition of an elevator would greatly improve the overall accessibility of The Royal Hotel.
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Location
Guests have repeatedly praised the hotel for its perfect positioning, ideal for exploring both Portree and the wider Isle of Skye. The waterfront rooms offer picturesque views of the harbor, enhancing the overall experience.
Whether it's for the accessibility to local attractions or the idyllic scenery, the location of The Royal Hotel consistently receives acclaim. It is ideally situated, providing a superb base for travelers aiming to delve into the beauty and culture of Skye with ease.
Breakfast
The breakfast service is also frequently praised with mentions of professional and pleasant staff, contributing to an overall satisfying experience. Diners have noted that the breakfast is efficiently served and the inclusion of breakfast in room rates is seen as a reasonable and valuable addition.
However, not all feedback is glowing. Some guests have remarked on inconsistencies in quality and service. Issues such as waiting times, the cleanliness of the breakfast area and the occasional overcooked or average dish were pointed out. A few reviews mentioned that the breakfast did not meet their expectations in terms of variety and taste with specific complaints about tough bacon and dry Haggis.
Despite these occasional drawbacks, the majority sentiment leans towards satisfaction with the breakfast described as a delightful start to the day for most guests. The pleasant setting and the hotel's prime location further enhance the breakfast experience, making it a noteworthy aspect of a stay at The Royal Hotel.
Dinner
Despite the positive feedback on the food itself, some guests have encountered issues with service and the dining experience as a whole. There are mentions of slow and inattentive service, poor quality of some dishes and issues with making dinner reservations due to high demand and limited staff. Additionally, the restaurant's ambiance has been described as non-welcoming on occasion and several reviews note that it closes early or has limited operating hours, which can be inconvenient.
While the majority of reviews lean towards the positive, highlighting the great dining experience and the well-served, tasty meals, there are a few critical remarks about the dinner being uninspiring, expensive and occasionally disappointing. Some guests also reported specific issues like incorrect orders, undercooked meals and a high cost of drinks.
Overall, dining at The Royal Hotel's restaurant is mostly a positive experience with excellent food, though improvements in service efficiency and reservation handling are needed to enhance the overall guest experience.
Rooms
However, the decor and furnishings appear to be dated with many guests indicating that a refresh is needed to bring the interiors up to modern standards. Some recurring issues include the rooms being quite hot without the ability to open windows, poor air circulation and occasional cleanliness and maintenance problems like detached toilet seats and non-functional fans.
Despite these concerns, many visitors found their rooms to be comfortable and cozy with good facilities and a suitable atmosphere for a traditional Scottish lodging. The hotel's location also received praise for its convenience, allowing easy access to town amenities and scenic views. Overall, while there are areas for improvement, the spacious and generally clean rooms provide a satisfactory stay for many guests.
Beds
However, there are some inconsistencies. A few guests found their beds uncomfortable, citing issues such as hard mattresses, inner springs and lumps. Occasional remarks about worn-out or cheap mattresses suggest that not all rooms have been equally updated. The size of the beds also varies with mentions of tiny or small beds contrasting with descriptions of large and comfy ones. Additionally, some guests noted thin or worn-out pillows, which detracted from the otherwise good bedtime experience.
Overall, while most guests find the beds at The Royal Hotel to be very comfortable, the quality and condition can vary, implying some rooms might need better maintenance or upgrades to ensure a uniformly positive experience.
Cleanliness
Guests often found their rooms to be very clean with plenty of space and modern amenities. The hotel's overall brightness and neatness add to its appeal, offering a refreshing atmosphere. The breakfast room, in particular, is frequently commended for its cleanliness.
However, consistency in cleanliness seems to vary with some guests encountering issues like dirty carpets, mold in shower stalls and hair in both bathrooms and beds. Some bathrooms require renovation and common areas could benefit from more attentive cleaning. Despite these occasional drawbacks, the hotel generally maintains an acceptable level of cleanliness, adhering to Covid regulations and ensuring a reasonably hygienic environment for its guests.
Staff
Dining experiences were enhanced by the niceness and attentiveness of the breakfast and restaurant staff. The room service staff were also characterized as being particularly helpful and pleasant. Guests noted that the hospitality staff, in general, were excellent, enhancing their stay with professionalism and kindness.
However, there were occasional remarks about staff who were perceived as indifferent, tired or even rude, leading to mixed experiences in some instances. Specific comments included unfriendly reception staff, slow breakfast service and a few isolated instances of rudeness. Despite these less favorable reviews, the overall sentiment leaned towards a positive appreciation of the friendly and efficient service provided by most of the hotel’s team.
In summary, while there were a few instances of less than satisfactory interactions, The Royal Hotel's staff largely contributed positively to the guest experience, being described as friendly, helpful and accommodating across various areas of service.
Wi-Fi
Family
3 Star
The property itself has an old-fashioned, downmarket appearance with dim lighting that adds to its somewhat outdated atmosphere. Despite these comments, the hotel remains a solid choice for those looking for a basic but adequate accommodation option, especially when considering the pricing in comparison to similar accommodations in the area. Overall, The Royal Hotel delivers a typical three-star experience with charm and comfort, though it could benefit from some modernization to enhance the guest experience.
Accessible
However, the hotel falls short in a critical area: there is no elevator. This absence is mentioned frequently and poses a significant barrier for guests, especially those with mobility issues, as well as the elderly who find the 37 steps to the second floor challenging. Despite the lack of an elevator, some guests have noted that the hotel and rooms are still accessible with some difficulty, including wheelchair access and specific accommodations for disabled tourists.
While the hotel offers a level of accessibility and friendliness for disabled guests, it is not deemed child-friendly and may be unfit for families. The helpful reception staff and the hotel's general accessibility do earn positive remarks, but the recurring theme is clear: the addition of an elevator would greatly improve the overall accessibility of The Royal Hotel.
No, The Royal Hotel doesn't have any pool.
No, a spa isn't available at The Royal Hotel.
No, The Royal Hotel doesn't allow dogs.
No, parking facilities aren't available at The Royal Hotel.
No, The Royal Hotel doesn't have a gym.
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