Isle of Eriska Hotel, Spa & Island

Had the most fantastic stay, would highly recommend the Hilltops to anyone looking for a break away as a couple or friends. My friend and I often enjoy a couple of days away to enjoy some peace and ideally a massage or two. The views from the Hilltops are stunning and we literally only left the hot tub for a treatment in the spa, a wee wander to visit the animals and a snack. Staff were delightful, and friendly and just what we needed.

(Note : I went in May 2023) I had been to Eriska 3 times before this, the las one for 8 days in 2011 while competing at an orienteering competition. That is -why I thought o staying for a couple of nights before travelling home using Caledonia Sleeper Service from Fort William. Compared with my previous visits when it was run t the Buchanan Family, it was most disappointing lacking he personal service they used to give. From when I I=arrived it was different: 1. I had to carry my luggage from the car to reception - it used to be taken to my room automatically while I signed in. 2. The evening "a la carte" evening meal was unacceptable, it was not possible to order vegetables for one without paying far too much for large quantities all which I then could not eat, while the quality had dropped from when it was all served to you personally from a heated trolly in the dining room. I cancelled my booking for the next evening in favour of afternoon tea, which used to be offered to you as part of your stay. 3. The morning call used to be a man with a tea tray who offered to pour your tea for you (a couple of chairs and a table appeared on the balcony during my first day to put my tea on) Now you just get the phone call like any other run of the mill hotel. 4. On the morning I was leaving at the end of my previous visits a note was left: " Don't break house rules. We will take your cases to your car" No such luck this time! The magic I used to get from a of a stay at Eriska was missing. Yes, it was expensive, but he swimming pool, gym, sports facilities etc you can get at many hotels and Spas, but not the genuine personal service that used to be the trade mark of Eriska (When I came back from a particularly muddy competition and asked where I could wash my kit, they washed for me!) while their money making a la carte arrangements in the evening are totally unsuitable for a single person. I was looking forward to my stay at Eriska, but it fell short and was disappointng . I suppose I should have realised when they said that bookings for evening, bed & breakfast were not being taken.

First of all, I have stayed in some fabulous 5* hotels, home and abroad such as Chewton Glen, which are truly the finest standard you can imagine. I expected the same from the Isle of Eriska after having paid similar money of £650 per night. Sadly, this wasn't the case. CHECK IN - Very quick and efficient. I had originally booked lunch 2.45 to allow my wife to have her spa treatment at 3.30, but had phoned to change lunch to 2.15 and spa to 3.15. The lunch booking was messed up, and we were served lunch at 2.50 and had to rush this as the spa at 3.15 was fully booked with no movement - not ideal. AFTERNOON TEA - was very nice, but I cannot say it was worth the money. 8 finger sandwiches, 4 scones and 4 bite-sized cakes for £80? Not worth it by a long way. ROOM - not the Spa suite as advertised on the website, the room was nice, but nothing like the advertised room. I found it very disjointed, like there were many bits of other rooms put in this room, and nothing matched. Plastic chairs at the glass table and desk? 5* nope! It was nice enough, but if I had seen this before I booked, I wouldn't have booked it for this type of money. We're talking £650 per night - I think it certainly wasn't worth this, perhaps £400 at a push, taking into account the hot tub. Too many small things overlooked - lots of chipped paintwork, cracks in the ceiling, really shabby wallpaper repairs, a control missing for the media wall fire, dressing table seen better years under the glass cover - a little bit of paint repair? Bedside cabinet, the same - a little bit of TLC. True 5* hotels don't miss these small things. When you pay top dollar, you expect the best. Eriska disappointed. Management needs to be hauled over the coals, big time. BATHROOM - Quite excellent, beautiful. Great shower and rolltop bath. HOT TUB - Private hot tub was fully prepared and ready to go, very clean, excellent. BAR - Very well run by Jordan, I believe. Wonderful staff member, great way of working with the clients and working the room. Top class. RESTAURANT - Kiaran, the restaurant manager, is the star of the show, an absolute credit to the hotel. Superb personality, charisma and way of interacting with guests is second to none. An absolute cut above any other staff member I've encountered elsewhere. He made us feel very comfortable and, more importantly, feel special without being OTT. The real lasting impression I leave Eriska with is his chat and character. A superstar. SPA - I never had treatments, but my wife did; she said it was right up there with the best she's had. Faultless. FOOD - Main house 1* Michelin menu - It was utterly superb, presentation was sublime, food delicious, service top notch. You cannot fault it. 10/10. Waiting staff superb. GROUNDS - very pretty place, great venue. Maps were provided, etc. What must change, though, is the signposting around the map points - it was very poor. Signposts on the route need to be more frequent and better signposted. IE "you are here" MARSHALL SOUND SYSTEM - superb bit of kit, so good I bought myself one upon return. Massive well done to whoever decided on these in the rooms!!!!! OVERALL. Honest opinion? I had high expectations due to price, and as I mentioned, I benchmark all on Chewton Glen now. Eriska fell way short on rooms, way short. With some TLC and better maintenance, this would have changed many of the bad aspects - management needs to walk through each room and open their eyes every week. The Sage suite we were in wasn't a 5* room. Perhaps visit the likes of Chewton Glen to see the minute details that are being missed here? If you charge the same prices, you need to provide the same standard. This needs to be addressed, rather quickly, I would suggest. Work to be done. Staff are great and holding this place together. WOULD I STAY HERE AGAIN? At £650 a night? No, not worth the money. If they address the issues highlighted, yes, probably. Sort out the horrendous coordination in Sage and any other suites - it looks like a mismatch of all the other leftover furniture.

Super comfortable bed, lovely Manor House sat on a private island “Isle of Eriska”. This place is beautiful. It’s so quiet and relaxing. My wife and I went because she loves to relax and loves a spa experience. I love to walk around and explore surroundings, this place had both. If you love the seclusion of nature in an old manor estate with amazing service, then please go and try this place. The team were amazing, they couldn’t do enough to make sure we had a great experience. We will be back to visit again and would recommend it to anyone asking. Thank you to the team at Eriska!

Poor communication where things are and activities. My son had a shooting activity, we waited at the site, was not told to meet at the main house. Map did not help, signage was also confusing. Meals were ok. Beautiful area. No elevators………..