Islay House

This was the worst Airbnb home I have ever stayed in: it. This experience was a blatant example of 1) false advertising 2) breach of baseline health & safety standards of a property that is hosting paying guests 3) disappointing hospitality and customer service. I would not recommend this home to anyone and strongly advise Airbnb ban this host from their platform or at the very least, update the listing to accurately reflect the state of the property. See below for a detailed overview of why the Islay house offered no version of the “comfort of a large home,” “consistency of a luxury hotel” or “conveniences of a 5 start hotel” as outlined in the Airbnb listing. 1. FALSE ADVERTISING - The Airbnb listing spelled out a number of amenities that were not available and oversold the state of the “luxury” historic home. Examples include: a) private beach, b) breakfast baked for the guests, c) Big Kitchen used as a bakery, d) all new heating plumbing, electrics and fibers throughout - Specially on c) the kitchen advertised on the listing was completely inoperable and not even accessible due to flooding and other construction. Instead of the catering size kitchen that was shown in the photos (multiple Arga ovens, counter space, etc), the actual kitchen was a make shift room not a single working oven or stove, leaking commercial dishwasher, dirt and grime on all surfaces, no kitchen knives or prep utensils, and a giant hole in the wall. There wasn’t even a working coffee machine. After raising the issue with the house manager, a new oven was brought in that was also useable due to power issues. The only working device in the kitchen for cooking was a hot plate - Specially on d): there was no heating throughout the common areas of the house, WiFi was barely usable and due to the storm, the power in the dining rooms has gone out. Only upon multiple requests were space heaters provided for the bedrooms and additional lamps provided for some of the working sockets. The only working fireplace to generate heat was a small furnace in the entrance hall 2. BREACH OF HEALTH AND SAFTEY - All throughout the home, the carpets were stained and ceilings cracked throughout due flooding; a number of the bathrooms had mildew, one bathtub leaked and was unusable, and the master bedroom had slugs. I wish the last comment was a joke but beginning on the first night of our stay, we noticed slime trails all over our luggage and sweaters - on the third day, we woke up to a large slug crawling out from under the bed - As mentioned above, the only way to access the advertised kitchen was through a back staircase that had flooded. In order to access the kitchen that was available, one of the entrances led you through a part of the home that the listing describes as “remote, inaccessible and unrenovated.” As such, it was a freezing cold, dark section of the house that incredibly unpleasant to experience as guests who were expecting a safe and light kitchen. 3. HOSPITALITY AND

The trip was amazing such a lovely place I can only really recommend. Although the hotel is getting sold they are still trying there very best to make it a lovely experience. The bedroom was in a neat condition and the bathroom was amazing. We stayed in the masters room and how lovely the view was, really recommended!!!

We stayed here for two nights on a tour of Islay - nice location in Bowmore, picturesque grounds, nice breakfast. Downsides were trying to find the place - google maps routed us to the backside of the estate and even when we figured it out, there was no sign at the main drive off the road. We also had a plumbing leak in the bathroom of our room leading to wet floors and soaked towels for the two nights. Staff was friendly though and comped our bar tab in recompense.

This hotel is being sold. It has no chef and the restaurant is closed which they did not bother to tell us about until less than 48 hours before our stay even though there had discovered that there been been no chef for 3 weeks. There was no apology or offer of a discount. This meant that we were forced to drive to eat elsewhere each night and although they did book us into restaurants there was no offer of a taxi. The overpriced room we stayed in, Bluebell, was small, cold, had nowhere to store your clothes and dirty windows. We had to ask the staff to clean our room on the second day because they had ‘forgotten’. There seems to be a skeleton staff of 3 people maximum. The hotel is poorly furnished and feels unloved and unwelcoming. The only plus points are the exterior and the location.

My wife and I booked two nights at the Islay House at a cost of £520. Our choice was partly based on the gourmet restaurant shown on their and ********** websites and the availability of a room with a bath. We arrived from the ferry at about 1.00 pm and the manager told us to return after 3.00 pm. When we returned, she told us that the restaurant was closed. There was no prior warning: it would have been easy to send us an email so that we could have made alternative arrangements. She gave us a room without a bath and then rang round various local restaurants, none of which had space for dinner. We suspect she had done this for other guests with similar lack of success. She then gave us the takeaway menu for an Indian restaurant five miles away with a one hour waiting time. To pay top rates for a hotel and the end up eating a poor quality takeaway was totally unacceptable. However, we received no apology and no offer of a refund. This hotel is now for sale and it would be inadvisable to stay there.

Dropped into for afternoon tea Wow what a setting, but 2nd only to the service which was outstanding. Jane who waves her magic wand in front of house is a magical person whose team are simply fantastic. We shall return , hopefully before the commercial works implodes

We stayed at Islay house because we needed 3 rooms, and our hotel in Bowmore cancelled on us 3 weeks before we left. As it turns out, it was a blessing disguise because this place was wonderful! The house and rooms were breathtakingly gorgeous, and the grounds were just amazing. We ate at the house one evening, and they were so accommodating, considering that 2 of us were vegan and they found that out at the last minute. Breakfast was wonderful, and the staff were so kind and attentive, I couldn't have asked for a better place to stay, I am so grateful to them.

What a lovely location. A beautiful white house uphill on a large lawn/field with a beautiful view of the bay. The architecture is classic with an elegant circular stair, large wide plank wood floors, grand spaces, etc. The feel is a countryesque Downton Abbey. Our room (Rhuvaal) was spacious and comfortable. Radiant heat is used, so needed to open windows and use a fan at night to cool down. Breakfast is offered each morning and dinner requires a booking by the same morning. The bartender is available in the evening to a certain time, otherwise it is self-service. It is a quiet hotel. Met a few travelers in the bar. Many times during the day you have to check the kitchen or bar for help. Would definitely recommend having your own car or a hired car as you are out from town and driving is required for all points on the island. The location is central to all points on the island and both ferry terminals.

We loved Islay House. Great hotel. Warm welcome, charming staff, beautiful old building. Spacious, comfortable room; good shower; perfect balance of old world charm and modern creature comfort. Cool grounds to explore. I would return and stay here again in a heartbeat.