The Colonsay Hotel

This hotel has a great location, great staff, great food but very overpriced for alcohol. The downstairs of the hotel is great. Clean and very functional. Unfortunately our room this time was a massive let down. Whistlers. As it was last time too when we stayed in Pigs Paradise(I think that’s what it was called). The hotel has changed hands I believe since we were last there but nothing else seems to have changed. While the bed itself was comfortable the decor left much to be desired. Very tired and a TV would have been good. The shower in particular was in need of a deep clean. The carpet in the bedroom desperately needed a good Hoover and clean. Definitely not worth the £153 asked.

Terrible service. If you wanted a definition of anything to make life more difficult for the customer then this hotel would be the perfect choice. From not answering their phone for days (and not having the facility to leave a message), having to book a table for dinner online, demanding an online pre-checkin form be completed before arrival (which required unnecessary information such as make and model of vehicle), being asked to take a seat and wait when trying to check-in and not being able to charge items to your room. We reserved a table for 7pm but we were not served until 7.53pm. Ordered a desert and were told 25 minutes later that it had not been started. To top it all you will pay premium rates for your room, food and drinks. On the plus side the staff are very friendly and pleasant and the food is very good. The dining room has a lovely view of the harbour, but the bedrooms don't. The Jura hotel is much better, so perhaps go there instead.

Booked to stay here on a cycle tour in June but sadly had to cancel because I was involved in an accident and fractured my elbow. Despite cancelling eleven weeks in advance the staff showed no compassion or good will and refused to refund our 40% deposited of £126. So be warned, they are only interested in making money. Read the small print and make sure you are well insured. The experience has put me off visiting the island and I would certainly never give the hotel any future custom.

We ate at the restaurant, July 2022. We have been here many times before and had wonderful experiences. However, on this occasion it did not deliver. At best our visit may be described as disappointing. The location continues of course to be undeniably beautiful and the hotel itself is beautifully presented. Whilst 50% of our food this evening was delicious the other 50% was not. The fish was dripping with grease and resembled a banana fritter rather than the delicious fish expected and which had been recommended by staff. The rare steak ordered was over salted and over cooked. More medium well than rare. We are not particularly difficult or fussy customers and by no means foodies. However, we do know how fish and chips in a nice restaurant and a rare rump steak should be. There was no offer to replace the fish and chips or offer an alternative, we had to ask for this. There were no check backs, we had to chase to highlight issues. There was no offer of second drinks. It took 2 and 1/2 hours this evening with a total of 3 other tables in the restaurant and an empty bar (one person on a laptop). The young lady who served us was lovely, polite and friendly. However, she clearly had very little training and absolutely no support. The hotel itself has lost its locals and passing trade from holiday makers checking into rented accommodations. Along with them they have lost the buzz and all atmosphere. The bar had one customer and all other lounges were completely empty. Overall beautiful but lacks substance. I worry for the hotel and hope it can find its way back. Pop in for a day time drink or light bar lunch but skip for dinner. Better service and quality at The Pantry.

We were booked to stay at the Colonsay Hotel in June 2023 on a cycle tour. We had to cancel our booking because I was involved in a cycling accident and fractured my elbow. The hotel refused to refund any of our 40% deposit of £126 despite us cancelling eleven weeks before our trip. They showed no compassion about my injury and were obviously only interested in making money out of someone’s misfortune So be warned and make sure you are well insured before you make a booking.

Colonsay is absolutely beautiful and this is probably the best place to have dinner. We did not stay at the hotel- but had dinner a few nights and drinks. My personal favourite dishes were the tagine and the bread and butter pudding- to die for! Drinks were overpriced and service was slow at times- the serving staff work both the bar and the restaurant tables. Had to ask for water quite a few times. Do not recommend the mackerel pate- although it tasted great, it had bones in it on two different days. Overall a good experience, and would definitely be back! Atmosphere was beautiful.