Not Good

In general: It would seem that this 'hotel' is undergoing a slow upgrade, so that some rooms are better than others. The corridors carry an awful smell of sewers. There is very little competition for this place, on Benbecula, so I felt it was a 'monopoly' situation whereby you stayed there or nowhere, and they were making the most of that! This place is not a great advertisement for Scottish Tourism in any way, shape or form. Location and surroundings: The location was great, especially as I was on a 'birding' and 'wildlife' break in a mini-bus with guide. Hotel is approximately 30 minute drive from ferry. Shopping facilities are virtually non-existent - unless you drive to the one and only Co-op, and public toilets are limited to one on the island. Service: Bar man was foreign, and knew nothing about the local whiskey etc., and closed the bar at 10pm, meaning some of the guests could not even finish their drinks. Dining: The dark, dismal bar closes whenever the uneducated staff get bored - often around 10pm with customers not always given time to 'drink up'. I was with a group of people who had paid in advance for 'packed lunches', which turned out to be a sandwich made with stale white bread with very little butter and unappetising filling. The breakfast on first morning was appalling, as a coach-load had demolished most of it, and no fresh stuff was provided. The evening meal, however, was surprisingly ok. Sports and leisure: I was with a group from 'Heatherlea' and we had guides with mini-buses to show us all the wonderful wildlife etc on Benbecula and the Uists. Did not see any indoor activities or spa facilities. Room: In the untouched rooms it is more like a 'motel' from the 1970's with poor bath/shower facilities and some rooms have velux windows full of dust, dirt and cobewebs when opened. The view from those rooms is other roof tops and windows. The Wi-Fi required a password which was not provided, and receptionist was impossible to get hold of by telephone from room. In some bathrooms the shower bases filled to over-flowing, in others the water temperature could not be properly sorted and in some the shower was so cramped the individual could not stand up in it. One of the baths was so old there were rust stains running down it from the old taps. Useful tips: We were able to check-in at 9pm.