The Royal Hotel

If this is the only hotel available in Portree or Skye, please please do NOT be tempted. Even if I paid £30 per night, I would feel ripped off. It's a grim, thoroughly unwelcoming and miserable place. There is nothing good to say about it. As a business traveller, seeing a few tourists in there, trying to make the best of things, but never smiling was telling. When the bars and restaurants in Portree are full to bursting point, and the bar and restaurant in this place have a couple of folk huddled round in the bleak, harsh surroundings, with it's 1970s tired decor and a massive TV constantly playing BBC News, even at breakfast time, you maybe get the picture. This is not a place where good memories are made. It's embarrassing. Skye has much to offer, it is amazing, but you might very well ruin your trip by staying here.

Booked this hotel as it is the only one available at the time of checking, at first didn’t realize it is so bad. Reception is rude - no cleaning service available if you’re a 2 days stay, didn’t specify at booking. Asked for more towel and got refused. The rest - just look at the picture, tells it all. If you don’t want to ruin your isle of skye stay - book something else.

We booked into the Royal way back in June and asked for a family room We got a double which I did not want . For medical reasons I like to sleep in my own bed . OK so that was just something we had to put up with . The reception staff were ok but told us there was nothing left available . Breakfast was not what I expected we both found the food overcooked The bacon was tough as were the sausage and the black pudding , even though it was a Stornoway one was greasy and soft . It was lashing down with rain so we just stayed in the room and watched TV . The Evening meal was pretty ordinary The staff were in Jeans and T shirts and were obnoxious and rude and acted like they didnt want to be there I ordered Chargrilled chicken and chips and a salad The chicken was overcooked and dry the chips were OK but still greasy and the salad looked like it was bought from the coop . At the start of the meal I asked for a scotch and dry the young male waiter didnt know hat that was We stayed 3 night and didnt go back for a meal I asked reception 3 times if they would plug my lap top into the tv so we could watch Netflix they didnt do it , that pissed me off Finally after the third nigh I checked out The receptionist carried my luggage to my car which as a big help as I am disabled .Due to my disability I had fallen out of bed and quickly realized I would not be able to drive my friend to Kyle railway station So she took a taxi £80 and I stayed 1 more night I was tired and sore when I left I doubt if I'll be back

A review by a Travel professional. 

 Hotel is in a glorious location and in fact the only 3 star hotel of size in easy walking distance from town centre. The rooms and beds are really comfortable and we enjoyed lovely sea views from the rooms. Reception were always obliging but also often busy. Breakfast was fairly rushy ( as is the case in most of UK when there are orders taken at the table ) but the mostly-European staff were always doing their best ( although often eggs orders were under or overcooked ). 

B OOKING PROCESS : 5/5. Very straightforward as we eventually booked online through a 3rd party given this was cheaper and with a far more generous cancellation period. 
BREAKFAST / RESTAURANT 4/5 : The mostly European staff were always rushing and doing their best although one fellow looked lost and depressed all the time. After a nice chat he was fine. They were let down a little by consistently wrong cooking of eggs. ( some were raw once ). A coffee machine with beans would be great. We did not try for dinner, but was always busy and others said the food was great. 

 Reception & Concierge : 4/5. Reception staff - mostly Jessica and Paul - were aways friendly and assisted whenever possible. 

LNo concierge or lift. Location : 5/5 . Outstanding location overlooking the sea. 
Housekeeping : 4/5. A bit of confusion about whether we wanted rooms serviced as they had us down as ‘no service’ for some reason. Really bright happy team who sorted out that misunderstanding. 
 Room : 4/5 . Rooms are upper end of 3 star and beds super comfortable. Just nudged over the line for a 5 star ( based on overall high standards and some latitude given especially for a 3 star hotel ).