Port Charlotte Hotel

The Port Charlotte Hotel was a big part of our three-night stay on Islay. All of the staff go out of their way to be helpful, whether casually chatting with you about the local points of interest and whiskies, leaving you to quietly look out the window at dawn breaking over Loch Indaal, or helping you plan getting back to the mainland after popping a tyre on your rental late in the evening. The Port Charlotte was the home we came back to every night whether we spent the day on Islay's beautiful beaches, or ferrying across to Jura to see the red deer. Despite not planning it, we had dinner at the hotel every night. There was so much on the menu to try, and everything was delightful: a special mention to the Loch Gruinart oysters and the traditional fish and chips. The bar's whisky list is comprehensive, but there's a great selection of wines as well. Though we came to Islay for the sights and distilleries, meeting locals turned out to be a significant part of our trip, and Lorna from the Port Charlotte is a wonderful person to talk to if you get the opportunity. We will fondly remember our stay until the time comes to return to Islay and enjoy the Port Charlotte's special hospitality and atmosphere anew.

Fell into it on a gruelling cycle last Saturday. Best pint of lager shandy ever Went back for dinner and it was a hot. The staff are superstars. I had the Gruinart oysters to start. I’d also had them at The Oyster Shed on the island and they are sensational. My pals had steak and they were drool worthy. Location is the star too though.

This hotel is pricy, but well worth it. We had a lovely room overlooking the bay. Outside the hotel there is a seating area which leads out on to a small beach. The food is very good, especially the seafood - scallops and crab were particularly tasty. We stayed 4 nights and found that that was adequate to explore the island. There was a live band in the bar on Sunday, which was a bonus. All the staff were friendly and helpful, especially, Kate, Lorna and Marianne. Throughout the hotel there is an eclectic mix of paintings on the walls. One bugbear of mine is the pillows in hotels. Frequently they are like lumpy bricks. However, these were lovely and soft and could be moulded to the shape required. We had a good nights sleep after all the good food and wine.

Great dinner with my pal he had not dined here before and it was great he enjoyed it. Loved all my dishes beef carpaccio and pork and rice pudding is yummy. Will be back when it’s sunny as outside is great to sit and enjoy the view. A traditional feel in the bar that is lost in modern bars.

This was a fantastic place to stay for our multi-day whiskey tasting tour on Islay. It is located on the water and offers beautiful views of the bay. There's a place to swim if you are brave enough. The rooms are very comfortable, good-sized and well appointed. The staff was incredibly welcoming and helpful with a few small requests -- i.e. packing tape to box up our whiskey! We chose the hotel as it had a restaurant on-property--and were glad we did. We ate both our dinners and breakfasts at the hotel. The food and service were outstanding and they have a fantastic wine list.

We called in at the Port Charlotte for a drink on the way back to Bowmore. I ordered a pint and a half of very average ale and nearly dropped my glass when asked for ten pounds! The server noted my look of incredulity and said 'you're not drinking in Wetherspoons here you know'. I have a feeling that's not the first time he has had to use that line. He was quite right too - the beer in Wetherspoons is usually better too.