Port Charlotte Hotel Restaurant in Argyll & Bute

It was an extremely cozy stay! First time in Islay and Love the entire experience

What can I say? The folks at the Port Charlotte Hotel are nothing short of wonderful. We took the ferry to Islay and as we were making our way to the hotel, we got a flat tire. This meant we were without a car until the tire could be replaced. Not only was the hotel flexible with us on the length of our stay, they also went out of their way to help us secure another car to hire in the meantime. The food and atmosphere are also fantastic. Try the posh fish and chips. This is a place we plan to visit every time we visit Islay.

Food was bland and uninteresting. Staff were confused when we came in expecting to eat at the restaurant - "They have decided they want to eat in the restaurant tonight".The venison jus had 0 flavour and we passed this on to the server.

Excellent meal in a lovely cosy setting with friends. Warm welcome and great service all round. Try the posh fish and chips out; it's delicious. The sticky toffee pudding is also 👍 The bar is very well stocked with all local whiskies and gins, and they have Islay ales IPA on tap, too.

We spent two weeks in Islay in May, and explored much of the south part of the island. We stopped in for lunch at the Port Charlotte Hotel, and it was just wonderful! Warm and friendly, cosy and welcoming. My in-laws had the langostinos - a magnificent production if you like some drama with your lunch. My daughters had the carrot and coriander soup which they enjoyed so much, they (7-years-old at the time) asked if we could make it at home. The kind people shared some tips on making the best soups! I am just about to make it again to remember our days in Scotland, during a snowy winter here in Canada.If you ever find yourself in Islay, make sure to stop in here.

One of the highlights of a week on Islay. Great atmosphere and amazing selection of drinks. Although you can expect London prices in the Restaurant side, the bar is a wonderful place to spend a few hours or if the weather is kind there are a few seats outside. Staff were brilliant and immediately welcoming, knowledgeable on the vast whisky selection and happy to help out with some pictures for Instagram. The next chance I get to return to Islay I will be straight here once off the boat.

Allergy sufferers, light sleepers and those who like warmth beware: feather cushions and pillows are standard, strongly scented detergent is used on bedlinen and the wind whistles through the draughty windows making Room 6 very cold. There is only a partial see -through net curtain on the bathroom window which overlooks the public road and has houses looking in. The step-up into the oddly positioned bath/shower is a hazard, yet no safety bath mat is provided. The incessant banging shut of the main hotel door would waken the dead.The helpful receptionist did her best to resolve Pillowgate and Bedding gate: an hypo allergenic pillow was found and she would convey my request about not using scented (Persil) detergent to the Hotel Manager, but I slept 2 nights with no bedlinen and a stained duvet.The Hotel Manager, Isabelle, did nothing. No offer to discuss, no apology and no offer of a discount or credit (although I booked directly with the hotel).Isabelle avoided asking me how my stay was when I checked out and simply wished me a pleasant trip home. I would call this doing an ostrich trick, others would call it Very Poor Customer Service. Most disappointing.

Dining at the restaurant was an odd experience. Hoping for a seafood platter we reluctantly accepted a 5pm booking. We arrived 15 mins late for which we we were scolded, only to find a totally empty restaurant and a table under the staircase on offer by a sour waiter. I was told not to hit my head. Not a good start. Then we were told no seafood platters. Having turned down other island dining delights this was not a great outcome. Another diner was also pretty peeved. We had no option at this point but to power on and make the best of it. Bad decision. The food was ok in bits but inedible in other other bits. Fish ok potatoes cooked yesterday. Chips hideous. Oysters great, no thanks to the kitchen. And for the money, a joke. Then, for the coup de grace: a couple waltzed in and were served a (you guessed it) seafood platter. Apparently you have to pre-order. Nice to know. No, Port Charlotte, this is 2021. You have a wonderful location but rubbish decor, stupid prices, bad service and you can and should do much better!

Food was good but found our scallops starter a little cold when served. Mains were delicious and everyone in our group enjoyed them.Service from Isobell was great and we really enjoyed the whiskies on offer.

Had a lovely meal in the bar area. Food was delicious and service was very good.Menu had a good choice as has the drinks menu especially for whisky lovers.Very comfortable seating area with beautiful views over Loch Indaal.Would definitely recommend.