Islay Accommodation

The Isle of Islay is a popular holiday spot off the mainland of Scotland and forms part of several islands in the Inner Hebrides of Scotland. Many people looking for accommodation in the Inner Hebrides choose Islay as their base, thanks to its close proximity to the Scottish Mainland and the Outer Hebrides. Islay accommodation is extremely luxurious and lavish because of this, offering amazing accommodation in a quiet location.

The Isle of Islay only measures around 25 miles by 15.5 miles, so you can cover plenty of ground during a week’s holiday. It’s a quick hop over to the island of Jura, too, via the Port Askaig ferry terminal. The Isle of Islay is a great spot to choose for luxury self catering accommodation, luxury holiday cottages, and fantastic hotels.

There are tons to do on the Isle of Islay during your stay, and whisky tours are especially popular on Islay. Bird watchers love the island too, with a visit to the RSPB Loch Gruinart nature reserve a necessary activity. Even if you aren’t an outdoorsy person, taking a walk through the beautiful Isle will always be a favourite pastime for visitors.

Before you can explore, though, you’ll need to arrange your Islay accommodation. If you want to know where to stay in Islay, Scotland, then check out our list before you do so.

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Islay Accommodation – Cottages

Self-catering accommodation Islay options are plentiful, and holiday cottages are the self-catering options to go for if you want a home away from home. Relax in your own private space for the week (or longer) in one of Islay’s lovely cottage selections.

Cottages on Islay range in price and location, so be aware of where you want to visit when picking places to stay on Islay. No matter if you want to stay near a picturesque village on Islay or near the Isle’s gorgeous coastline, there are plenty of options to choose from.

Try some of these self-catering cottages for size. Perhaps your perfect and idyllic cottage accommodation on the Isle of Islay is here. Beautiful cottages in Islay are perfect for those who desire privacy and the freedom to arrange their day as they wish.

Fairy Hill Cottage Islay

One of the Islay cottages with an incredibly charming name, this Islay cottage accommodation is situated in Kildalton. Three famous whisky distilleries are nearby, including Ardbeg. Well within staggering home distance after a whisky tour or two.

The cottage boasts three luxurious bedrooms, two bathrooms, lovely relaxed decor, and all the mod-cons you’d expect. It’s perfect for a family holiday on the Isle of Islay if you’re passionate about wildlife.

Private parking is provided outside the cottage, along with plenty of peace and quiet – how cottages on the Isle of Islay should be. The garden boasts its own stone walls, along with superb views of the beautiful beaches near the fairy-tale cottage.

Islay Old School Cottages

If you’d like to take advantage of a luxurious self-catering cottage on the isle of Islay, choose one of three well-appointed Old School Cottages offering accommodation on the same site.

Out of the beautiful cottages, Beinn Mhor offers four double bedrooms, while Beinn Bhan offer traditional double bedrooms and a luxuriously furnished lounge. Finally, the Beinn Bheigeir accommodation offers five bedrooms in a beautiful house made from stone, sleeping nine people. Each option has its own character and appeal, and has all the mod-cons for self-catering accommodation.

All the Old School Cottages are in Port Ellen. This beautiful fishing village is on the southern end of the isle of Islay. Three of the best whisky distilleries on the island, including Lagavulin, are within easy reach to the east of the self-catering cottage accommodation on Islay.

Lagavulin Hall Islay Accommodation

Just up the road from Port Ellen, you’ll find Lagavulin, its whisky distillery, and the glorious Lagavulin Hall. Its appearance gives away its former use as a parish church, and today, it is catering to many guests looking for a different kind of self-catering cottage accommodation on Islay.

Boasting tons of character, the Hall has retained many original features. The cottage offers two luxurious double bedrooms, a twin room, and a sofa bed in the dining room if required.

Lagavulin Hall is near the coast, offering plenty of potential for days out walking, visiting the distilleries, and perhaps bringing back a nip of whisky to keep you warm.

Dundonald Cottage

If you’re hunting for a holiday cottage on the Isle of Islay that lies close to a loch, this one fits the bill. The cottage is right by the harbour in Bowmore. This also puts it close to Bowmore Distillery. Not only do you get amazing views of Loch Indaal, you also get views over to Jura.

This well-appointed holiday cottage in Islay offers all the luxuries you could hope for – and more. Two bedrooms, a large sitting room, parking right outside, and a quick stroll to the nearby pier. You’ll find yourself right in the heart of the village, too.

Rowan Cottage

Rowan Cottage offers ample room for up to six people to enjoy a break on Islay. Modern furnishings, a rustic garden, and all the facilities you would expect to see in this type of accommodation are there.

The cottage is set back from the coast on the Isle of Islay yet offers spectacular views over Loch Indaal. It is also almost halfway between Bowmore and Port Ellen, making it an easy trip to get to either along the high road between the two.

The master bedroom includes an en suite, while two further bedrooms each have twin beds. There is also a master bathroom, including a bath and shower for convenience.

The property is set in one acre and boasts its own bog garden! You can look across the remote and stunning location from your relaxing spot on the patio. This is one of the newer entries on our Islay accommodation list and a worthy one too.

B&B Islay

A bed and breakfast Islay option is better suited to some people. A bed and breakfast will set you up for the day ahead, exploring the Isle of Islay (and perhaps going in search of whisky). Bed and breakfasts can also leave you free to dine out or eat indoors when you return (or opt for a takeaway). The Isle of Islay has some marvellous options to choose from.

It’s a good idea to note the position of the B&B you are thinking of booking. It means you can work out whether that Islay accommodation option gives you easy access to shops and restaurants for eating out during the day and evening. A little planning goes a long way when you choose the bed and breakfast option for your Isle of Islay accommodation.

Tarbert House B&B

This accommodation on Islay takes full advantage of its position in Bowmore. The town overlooks Loch Indaal and is also home to the Bowmore whisky distillery. Its position on a map reveals you can follow the road around to the north side of the loch for magnificent views, too.

Now, down to the accommodation. Tarbert House on Islay has a double bedroom and two twin rooms, perfect for a family holiday on the island. The accommodation includes tea and coffee-making facilities along with well-appointed rooms. Comfortable beds are a must when you return to rest at night, and they’re guaranteed at this accommodation option.

You’ve also got the advantage of being a short walk from Bowmore, the main village on Islay. This gives you easy access to everything you might need during your stay in this charming accommodation option.

Orsay House

Situated midway between the twin picturesque fishing villages of Port Wemyss and Portnahaven sits Orsay House, a lovely cottage bed and breakfast home on the south west Islay coastline. You can enjoy gorgeous views out to the West Coast while enjoying amazing accommodation options like an a la carte breakfast.

Orsay House is one of the best options for couples, and the two-storey cottage has even won awards like the ‘Good to Go’ award for its many amenities. Its a quiet getaway that is within walking distance of several amazing stores and restaurants between Wemyss and Portnahaven.

So, if you’re a couple looking for the next B&B hotspot on the Isle of Islay, then Orsay House is a superb place in an excellent location.

Dha Urlar B&B

This bed and breakfast option is less than a mile outside Bowmore. Offering just four bedrooms, it is quieter and more relaxed than many other B&B accommodation properties you could choose. Yet you’re still just a few minutes’ drive from Bowmore village if you need anything. It’s practical, appealing, and relaxing.

All rooms include an en suite shower room and facilities for making tea and coffee. A full traditional Scottish breakfast is included, or you can go continental if you prefer. I’d need to alternate between the two to get my fill, I think.

The position of this accommodation on the quiet Cruach road puts you within easy reach of Bowmore, the pier, and Loch Indaal. Alternatively, you can head to Port Askaig to hop on the ferry to Jura for the day. Jura has many of its own whisky distilleries to offer, aside from the superb scenery. And of course, you’ll return to relax in your B&B accommodation at the end of the day.

Cala Sith Guesthouse

Are you intending to fly to Islay? If so, this guesthouse accommodation is ideal thanks to it being centrally located and just three miles from the airport in Port Ellen. The four-star accommodation offers free breakfast and stylish, relaxing rooms to stay in.

Bedrooms offer double beds, twins, or a single-double combination. The cosy dining room is the perfect place to start the day with a hearty breakfast. The accommodation provides plenty of parking too. You are also within easy reach of the beach to the east of the guesthouse, the Port Ellen community garden, and The Green.

Islay Camping

Self-catering on Islay could be as simple as finding somewhere to pitch your tent. There are also plenty of campsites that welcome caravans and campervans if you are travelling in style. Make sure the campsite you choose welcomes whichever option you are considering if you decide on this type of accommodation.

For some, this is the ideal Islay self-catering experience. If you are searching for a cheaper alternative to Islay holiday cottages, these camping accommodation options are worth looking at.

Be aware that a price per night is charged for the accommodation, with additional charges for other services in many cases. For instance, an electric hook-up is typically extra. You can find out about availability in advance or turn up on the day; each campsite has its own recommendations and rules.

Port Mor Campsite

This self-catering option is available from early March until the end of November each year. You can book a spot for a tent or arrive with your caravan or camper – just be sure to book in advance.

The campsite is located on the western side of Loch Indaal in Port Charlotte. You can visit the on-site cafe or head into the village to eat out at one of the nearby Islay hotels. Self-catering is made easier thanks to the SPAR grocery shop just outside the campsite for all those essentials.

Kintra Farm

This farm offers a little bit of everything. Self-catering, set in the wilds of Islay, the working farm is close to a beach that stretches for seven miles along the coast of Islay. If you want a rustic stay on a campsite that gives you a wild camping feel, this is the one for you.

You won’t be camping in a field here, though. Instead, you can pitch your tent on the sand dunes behind the beach. What better place to see the sun setting over Islay? Surely the Isle of Islay has never looked better.

Kintra Farm offers basic amenities, including toilets, hot and cold water, and somewhere to shower. While it doesn’t have all the facilities you’d expect from an organised campsite, that is the appeal. Think of it as wild camping with a safety net!

You’ll find the farm on the western side of the island, four miles outside Port Ellen.

Islay Glamping Pods

This delight is more than a step up from a tent! If you are looking for something between camping and holiday cottages in Islay, these pods are the ones for you. This is the spot if you’re eager to indulge in some wildlife spotting during your stay. An unusual type of accommodation, but one that is catching on fast. Of all the accommodation options I’ve given you so far, I’d love to try this one most of all.

Also known as storm pods, there are five options spread around Islay. Lagavulin is one example; Ardbeg is another. You won’t find accommodation on Islay that is as good as this. The pods each contain everything you’ll need to enjoy a luxury camping-style experience. Consider where you would like to base yourself for the week and find the nearest storm pod accommodation to book.

Each one has an outdoor seating area, too, so if the weather is good, you can relax outside and watch the sun go down in the evening. Perhaps a whisky in hand from a local distillery would work, hmm?

Hotels in Islay Scotland

If self-catering accommodation isn’t for you, there are hotels in Islay, Scotland, that might suit you better. Hotels offer the luxury of well-appointed rooms, beautifully decorated with a nod to local styles. Rather than choosing self-catering accommodation that leaves you to do everything in privacy, many hotels provide services to assist you in enjoying a more relaxed stay.

There are plenty of hotels catering to those wanting a relaxed and luxurious stay in this part of Scotland. Hotels, Islay, Scotland… it’s a heady mix and one you can certainly take advantage of when hunting for the right accommodation. Check out some of my top picks for hotels offering sparkling accommodation on Islay.

Islay House

Islay House demands to be noticed. A four-star hotel on the Isle of Islay, the whitewashed building dates from 1677. It benefits from sitting at the innermost reaches of Loch Indaal.

Today, the accommodation offers a host of beautiful rooms, each with a different name. You can stay in Margadale, Saligo, or even Thatcher, named after a certain famous former guest in the house. All the names are associated either with the surroundings, or Islay, or the history of the building.

There are many reasons to stay in this Islay accommodation, but one of the finest must be the nearby Bridgend Woods. Wrapping around the accommodation, the woods offer rushing streams and everything from snowdrops to bluebells, depending on the season. You can also visit the original kitchen garden, now known as the community garden.

The Machrie Hotel & Golf Links

The sprawling buildings of the Machrie Hotel are home to one of the most spectacular golf courses on Islay. The hotel offers a fine selection of rooms, along with some suites and even lodges for a luxurious stay on the Isle of Islay. Some of the room options include their own private terrace.

The lodges provide another self-catering accommodation option, while the rooms and suites enjoy all the finest hotel services. The 18 Restaurant enjoys a view across the final green of the golf course and out across the coast. Classic Scottish cuisine is offered alongside traditional dishes throughout the day.

The hotel benefits from its position on the dunes of Islay. It is situated south of Glenegedale and north of Port Ellen, thus making it easy to explore the Isle of Islay in more depth. Of course, if you love golf, you’ll already have this marked as one of the best golf courses Scotland – and the Isle of Islay – can offer. It’s a great find.

The Islay Hotel

This charming hotel is on Charlotte Street in Port Ellen, overlooking the bay – a pleasantly sheltered portion of the coast in this part of the Isle of Islay. You can choose from Silver, Gold, and Platinum rooms. Alternatively, if you are travelling as a family, you can choose one of the practical family rooms with a sea view.

The hotel also offers a whisky bar and an a la carte dining room. The hotel is famous for its seafood dishes, with fresh daily deliveries from local fishermen to sample. Don’t worry if you are not a fish fan, though – the hotel has a wide-ranging menu with plenty of locally sourced ingredients.

The hotel is perfect for anyone intending to visit the local whisky distilleries. There are also plenty of local walks to tackle, including the trail that takes you to some nearby Standing Stones. This is Islay accommodation at its best.

Other Accommodation Options in the Scottish Isles

• Arran Accommodation
• Brodick Accommodation
• Isle of Harris Accommodation
• Isle of Lewis Accommodation
• Isle of Mull Accommodation
• Isle of Skye accommodation
• Kirkwall Accommodation
• North Uist Accommodation
• Orkney Accommodation
• Portree Accommodation
• Shetland Accommodation
• Stornoway Accommodation