The Isle of Skye is a spectacular Scotland destination, well worth adding to your Scotland itinerary. But if you’re wondering where to stay in Skye, it can be tricky knowing the best accommodation on the Isle of Skye to choose from.
Having visited the Isle of Skye on two different occasions, once in the summer and once in late autumn, this article includes our favourite hotel and the best hotel Isle of Skye has to offer.
But we still like to give plenty of choices for you and your budget, so these are the best places to stay in Isle of Skye for your trip.
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The best time of year to visit Isle of Skye
Of course the summer in Scotland is the best time to visit Isle of Skye. The summer in Skye brings the most reliable weather in which you can take advantage of the outdoor activities – hiking, swimming, walking and exploring everything the island has to offer.
However if you’re looking for a more affordable experience with less crowds and you don’t mind the possibility of unpredictable weather, the shoulder seasons are a great time to visit – April, May and early June, September, October and early November.
Having visited Skye in July and August, the crowds are surprising! Not so bad if you prefer to head out on off the beaten track trails or multi-day walks, however in the popular spots like Old Man of Storr, Portree, Fairy Glen -these spots can get very busy!
Our second trip was at the end of October, early November and we got lucky with the weather – cold but almost no rain and relatively clear for our trip – so it is possible to get lucky with the weather.
However a lot of places to stay on Skye do close for the winter season, so be aware of this when you’re planning your trip.
Most of the hotels we looked at were closed or closing the weekend after we left in early November.
The best area to stay in Isle of Skye
If you’re considering where best to stay on Skye, most people do gravitate towards Portree because it’s the main town on Skye, it has the most amenities – shops, restaurants, bars, hotels, mobile phone reception, fuel stations etc.
However the island is small and you can easily drive across it in half a day, so don’t let the relative ease of Portree put you off from looking elsewhere on the island.
The West Coast is a much less-visited part of the island and consequently is a great area for secluded cottages or remote cabins without wifi so you can really switch off.
The Trotternish Loop follows a road from Portree that loops around the northeast side of the island and there’s plenty of accommodation options in this area as it’s home to famous sights like Old Man of Storr, Quiraing, Fairy Glen and Portree itself.
Where to stay in Isle of Skye, Scotland
The best place to stay in Isle of Skye
If you’re looking for the best Isle of Skye hotel then look no further than the Skeabost House Hotel.
This boutique hotel sits in its own private grounds, idyllically situated on the edge of Loch Snizort.
The hotel is just 10 minutes easy drive from Portree so you have the perfect balance of seclusion and remoteness on your own Loch, but you’re just a short drive from all the conveniences of the main town on Skye.
After long days of exploring the island, this was the best place to stay on the Isle of Skye, to come back and relax with a restaurant, bar, roaring log fire in the common room, modern rooms, large ensuite bathrooms and grand, dark wood entrance, staircase and billiard room. The hotel also offers a large, free private car park on site so you don’t need to worry about finding parking!
The Skeabost House Hotel is a beautiful mix of historic and modern, with wonderful staff and there are even additional amenities like a 9-hole golf course!
Where to stay in Portree, Isle of Skye
If you’d prefer the ease and convenience of staying in Portree itself, there are plenty of great accommodation options for your stay.
Affordable option – where to stay in Portree, Scotland
The Coolin View is a great option with affordable rooms and beautiful views of Portree’s colourful harbour. With cosy rooms, free parking if you’re driving and an optional breakfast, this one is a great option for your stay in Portree.
Mid-range option – where to stay in Portree, Skye
The Portree Hotel is located in the central square in Portree and has one of the highest number of positive reviews in the town. Although there’s no parking with the hotel, there is a car park in the town square right outside the hotel.
Luxury option – Luxury accommodation Portree, Isle of Skye
The Cuillin Hills Hotel has almost 2,000 reviews on Booking.com with 9.4 out of 10 – a pretty awesome option if you’re looking for the best hotels in Portree, Skye. The Cuillin is a great choice if you’re looking for luxury hotels in Skye, with stunning contemporary rooms, breakfast included, beautiful views of Portree bay and harbour and situated in private grounds with plenty of greenery, outdoor seating and free parking on site.
A little further out the centre of Portree but still within easy walking distance is the very well-reviewed Skye Inn.
Or perhaps you’ve heard of the famous Sligachan Hotel offering spectacular views over the mountains and surrounded by many great walking routes. You’ll be pleased to know that it’s just 9 miles from Portree and you’ll pass it on the road from the Skye Bridge to Portree. You can book here.
Best places to stay on the Isle of Skye – alternatives outside of Portree
For alternative places to stay on the island of Skye, here are some options elsewhere on the island.
Places to stay in the South of Skye
The beautifully situated Toravaig House Hotel is just 6 minutes from the beach and is surrounded by spectacular views. Prices start from £192 per night.
For a more budget friendly option with charming decor, check out the Hotel Eilean Iarmain in the south of Skye.
Another affordable option is the Broadford Hotel starting at £107 per night with beautiful interior furnishings, free parking and each of the rooms is based on one of the many Drambuie tartans.
Places to stay in the North of Skye
The Hotel Greshornish House Hotel is very well reviewed on the north coast of Skye and not far from the beach. Although prices are slightly higher starting at £240 per night with breakfast included.
Places to stay in the West of Skye
The Western side of sky seems to be the place for quirky places to stay in Isle of Skye or unique accommodation options on the Isle of Skye.
Check out these glamping pods with a beautiful sea view or these quirky eco cabins!
Cheap Accommodation – Isle of Skye
If you’re planning where to stay on the Isle of Skye on a budget, that’s no problem either – there’s plenty of Skye budget accommodation options to choose from.
Portree Youth Hostel is a great option for cheap accommodation on the Isle of Skye and so is Portree Independent Hostel. Both have accommodation options from around £50 per night and are well-located in Portree.
Where to stay near Isle of Skye
If you’re planning perhaps just a day trip to the Isle of Skye and would prefer to stay on the mainland, Kyle of Lochalsh is situated right by the bridge that takes you over to the Isle of Skye.
For the most convenient option, check out the Kyle of Lochalsh Boutique Hotel.
If you’d prefer a self-catering option which is a short drive from the bridge and also a short drive from the charming village of Ardelve (where you’ll find the famous Eilean Donan Castle) then Creaggan Ard Guest House might be for you.
Summary: Where to stay: Isle of Skye
As you can see, there are plenty of options when considering where to stay when visiting Isle of Skye. But the best advice is to book early if you’re planning to visit during the peak summer season – especially if you want to find the most affordable accommodation option and the best places to stay in the Isle of Skye for your trip.
Pin this for later to plan your future trip!
