Isles of Glencoe Hotel & Leisure Centre - Ballachulish

jaromano2015

We stayed at the Isles of Glencoe Hotel for just one night, but it left us with memories that will last far longer. Nestled between the looming mountains and the still waters of Loch Leven, this hotel was the perfect place for a quick family escape from the city.||||From the moment we arrived, we were greeted with genuine warmth. Check-in was easy and friendly, and the staff went out of their way to make us feel welcome—especially our daughter, who was thrilled to find they had her own cozy bunk-bed nook in the room, complete with a small TV just for her. It felt like a secret hideout, and she was absolutely delighted.||||Our room looked right out over the loch, and even though the weather was moody (as it often is in the Highlands), the view was breathtaking. The stillness of the water, the surrounding hills—it felt like we’d stepped into a painting.||||After settling in, we made our way to the indoor pool, which was a highlight for everyone. My kid splashed happily while we took turns enjoying the sauna and the hot tub. Everything was clean and relaxed, and for that brief hour, it felt like time slowed down.||||Dinner in the hotel’s loch-side restaurant was another surprise. The food was better than we expected for a family hotel—local, hearty, and satisfying. The children’s menu was simple but well thought-out, and they cleared their plates without complaint (a rare achievement). As the sun dipped behind the hills, the whole dining room took on a soft, golden glow.||||That night, we all slept soundly. It’s a quiet spot, and the beds were comfortable. Waking up to loch views and Highland air was such a treat. We filled up on a generous breakfast before taking a short morning walk along the shoreline—a peaceful end to our stay.||||If we had stayed longer, we would have explored nearby Glencoe or tried some of the on-site outdoor activities like kayaking or archery, but for a short stay, this hotel gave us just what we needed: a relaxing, family-friendly base in one of Scotland’s most beautiful places.||||We’re already talking about coming back for a full weekend.

Nick L.

A great location and base for checking out Glencoe and the surrounding area.
As there aren’t many other options, other than a well stocked Co-Op across the road, the menu offerings are on the medium price range. That being said, the food, drink and service was fantastic. The rooms were quiet and we also took full use of the little swimming pool, sauna and spa bath.
There is also an outdoor sports activity center next door so it is a great venue should you want to make some memories.

The hotel does look to have conventions and larger groups in which means you get quite an eclectic mix of languages being used. I loved it 🙂

Asara K.

We had booked lake view room. The view from 3rd floor room was like a dream. One of the best views.
No elevator, carrying bags up the stairs is a challenge.
Food is very average.
Staff is a mix lot. Check in front desk officer (she) insisted we pre-book everything that we intend to use in the hotel inducting breakfast, swimming pool, etc. She was very kind to share information on local visit-worthy places.
Water in was not hot and very little pressure. We were informed it is the peak time and that we need to wait.
Checkout officer (he) was very gentle and gave us some very good tips for the onward journey.

Isla S.

We came here during the Easter holidays for 4 nights and it never got overly crowded although it was quite busy on the first few days.
The rooms are lovely, with bunk beds for the kids in an alcove in the room. Although the room had a bit of a smell, it was still comfy and well equipped.
The restaurant dinner menu has changed since we were last there and is now overpriced and very posh food. (You can't just get a simple filling meal like normal fish and chips). The kids menu was great and the staff are lovely and really helpful and friendly.
The pool was one of the best things about our trip, it is warm and clean and isn't usually too busy. There is a sauna and clean changing rooms and showers.
The views and surrounding area is stunning and there is nearby cafes and a shop.
Would recommend for families to come.

mareike W.

This review refers exclusively to the restaurant: Waters Edge Restaurant. We were able to get a table at short notice, which we are grateful for. Reservations are only possible with a credit card.
The food was okay, but very expensive for the quality. The portions were quite small. The service was friendly and quick. The view was beautiful. There is ample parking.

darcherd

This hotel has arguably one of the most scenic locations in the world...absolutely stunning, with great walking paths and outdoor activities. The food in the restaurant was delicious; I had a steaming bowl of the best mussels I'd ever had for dinner. The wait staff in the restaurant was friendly but inattentive, though. I waited over 20 minutes for my check after dinner as waiter after waitress walked by completely ignoring my attempts to catch their eye (I finally had to simply leave without paying and ask the front desk to charge it to my room) and had to ask twice for a pot of tea at breakfast. ||||My other issue was a problem with every Scottish hotel I've stayed at this trip and not limited to the Glencoe hotel: the bedding consists of a thick duvet and an extra blanket, which would be appreciated were it below freezing outside. But in summer, I've struggled to get cool enough to sleep in these rooms, even with the windows open. Thank goodness the Glencoe Hotel provided an electric fan, which made it bearable. But seriously, how hard would it be to provide the beds with a top sheet that would be perfectly adequate to sleep under in warmer weather? And it would help keep the duvet cleaner, too.||||This hotel has a sophisticated, centrally managed heating system which had my room at 23C (stifling to me; they insisted the system was set for 21) but they were able, on my request, to set my room down to 19, which would have been good to know at the outset.||||I also paid in advance for dinner for my family, which turned out to be nothing more than a GBP 125 credit to be applied to my final bill. I don't recommend using this feature when you register. It just ended up causing a great deal of confusion and delay upon my checkout.||||The bottom line is that this hotel is the ideal base from which to explore all the Glencoe and Ben Nevis region has to offer, provided you are prepared to deal with a few inconveniences.

K S.

Such a beautiful setting! The view from the dining room is fantastic! Also, we arrived just a few minutes before the kitchen was to close and they happily got our orders in and we didn't feel rushed at all. Service was top notch! We had Lorant as our server both evening and morning. He was excellent!

Meredith N.

Had a wonderful dinner at the Waters Edge. Our waiter Manu was wonderful. Very professional and courteous. I loved speaking to him about Rome. The food was very good. You absolutely cannot beat the view! Bravo!