Castlebay Hotel

8.2
Excellent
(227 reviews)

The Square, Castlebay, Isle of Barra HS9 5XD, United Kingdom

+44 1871 810223

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Hotel Description

Nestled in the heart of the charming Isle of Barra, Castlebay Hotel offers a warm and inviting retreat for travelers looking to explore the beauty of the Outer Hebrides. Located at The Square, Castlebay, Isle of Barra HS9 5XD, United Kingdom, this quaint, 19th-century building is just a short walk from the Castlebay Ferry Terminal, which links the island to other parts of the Outer Hebrides and the mainland. A mere 6-minute stroll from the hotel brings guests to the ferry terminal for Kisimul Castle, an 11th-century island fortress perched on a rocky outcrop in the bay. With its traditional design and cozy ambiance, Castlebay Hotel blends the comfort of modern amenities with the charm of its historic setting. The hotel is the perfect base for exploring the local sights and enjoying the natural beauty of the island.

The hotel's rooms offer a welcoming atmosphere, with classic furnishings and all the essential amenities for a relaxing stay. Each room comes with an en suite bathroom, free WiFi, and tea- and coffee-making facilities, making it ideal for both short and extended stays. Guests can unwind in front of the TV or enjoy the comfort of their private room after a day of sightseeing. For those seeking a little extra luxury, upgraded rooms are available, featuring Jacuzzi tubs for ultimate relaxation. A Scottish breakfast is included with every stay, ensuring guests start their day on a delicious note.

In addition to its comfortable accommodations, Castlebay Hotel offers a range of amenities to make every guest's stay as enjoyable as possible. The hotel features a cozy restaurant serving classic fare, where visitors can savor traditional Scottish dishes in a relaxed setting. The cocktail bar is a perfect spot for guests to unwind with a drink after a day of exploration, and the hotel also offers half-board options for those who prefer to dine at the hotel. As one of the few hotels in the area with a bar and a full-service restaurant, Castlebay Hotel provides guests with a convenient and comfortable dining experience.

The hotel is well-connected with public transport options, making it easy for guests to explore the surrounding area. The Castlebay Ferry Terminal is just an 11-minute walk away, offering easy access to other Hebrides islands. For those traveling by air, Barra Airport is a short 18-minute taxi ride from the hotel. The hotel’s central location also allows guests to easily explore nearby sights, such as the 15th-century Kisimul Castle, just a 6-minute walk away, and the Hebridean Way Start Point, which is a short 14-minute drive.

In terms of health and safety, Castlebay Hotel prioritizes the well-being of its guests. The hotel is smoke-free and offers essential amenities such as Wi-Fi, a front desk, baggage storage, and housekeeping services. Guests can also enjoy the convenience of parking and a kid-friendly atmosphere. The hotel’s attentive staff is always ready to assist with any needs, ensuring that guests have a comfortable and safe stay.

Visitors to Castlebay Hotel will find plenty of things to do in the area. Popular activities include exploring Kisimul Castle, hiking along the Hebridean Way, and enjoying the island’s stunning beaches, such as Traigh Mhòr, a white-sand beach popular with cockle collectors. Guests can also visit Eriskay, a small island with hiking trails and a pub with live music, or explore the island’s scenic beauty at Barra Island.

Nearby, guests can enjoy a variety of dining options, such as Cafe Kisimul, a Punjabi restaurant just a 1-minute walk away, or Joan's Barra Pizza, a pizza takeaway only 7 minutes by taxi. Other dining options include Heathbank, a local restaurant 12 minutes away, and The Politician, a cozy eatery located about 1 hour and 25 minutes away. For a more casual meal, Croft and Cuan, a takeaway, is a 1-hour and 56-minute taxi ride from the hotel.

Castlebay Hotel offers a wonderful opportunity to experience the beauty and tranquility of the Isle of Barra, with its rich history, comfortable accommodations, and friendly atmosphere. Whether you're visiting for a relaxing getaway or an adventurous exploration of the Outer Hebrides, this welcoming hotel is the perfect place to call home during your stay.

The Most Outstanding Trait

1. 6-minute walk to Kisimul Castle, a historic 15th-century island fortress

2. One of the few hotels in the area with a restaurant offering traditional Scottish fare

3. Guests have praised the hotel’s Scottish breakfast, providing a great start to the day

4. A cozy cocktail bar where guests can unwind after a day of sightseeing

5. Kid-friendly environment and family-oriented amenities available

6. Free WiFi throughout the hotel, ensuring guests stay connected

7. No fitness center, but the surrounding outdoor activities, including hiking and walking, offer excellent fitness opportunities

8. No pets allowed, ensuring a pet-free environment for those with allergies

9. Conveniently located within walking distance to Castlebay Ferry Terminal for easy access to other Hebrides islands

10. Smoke-free property, maintaining a healthy environment for all guests


9.0 Exceptional

Location rating

Top sights

Kisimul Castle
6 min
The Hebridean Way Start Point
14 min
Eriskay
1 hr 23 min
Traigh Mhòr
19 min
Barra Island
4 min

Nearest locations

Cafe Kisimul
1 min
Joan's Barra Pizza
7 min
Greim at Grinn
11 min
Heathbank
12 min
Fishbox Kitchen
27 min
The Politician
1 hr 25 min
Croft and Cuan
1 hr 56 min
Grianaig Guest House & Restaurant
2 hr 3 min
See more Interesting locations

Good to know

Check-in15:00
Check-out10:30
Location rating9.0
Nearest airportBarra Airport
Travel time to airport18 min

Nightly price (Only for reference price for sample day)

Check-in: Fri, Dec 06
Check-out: Sat, Dec 07
    Official Hotel

    $156


Location

The Square, Castlebay, Isle of Barra HS9 5XD, United Kingdom

Airports:

Tiree Airport

Taxi: 3 hr 39 min

Transit: 33 hr 41 min

Benbecula Airport

Taxi: 2 hr 36 min

Transit: 3 hr 8 min

Barra Airport

Taxi: 18 min

Transit:

Co-Op

Walking: 1 min

Post Office

Walking: 3 min

Castlebay Barra Ferry Terminal

Walking: 11 min


Nearby locations

9.0

Exceptional Location

In a quaint, 19th-century building, this low-key hotel lies a 4-minute walk from the Castlebay Ferry Terminal (linking Isle of Barra to other Outer Hebrides islands and the mainland) and 6 minutes from the ferry terminal to the 11th century island castle of Kisimul.


Amenities and Facilities

Pets

No pets

Parking & transportation

Parking

Policies & payments

Smoke-free property

Food & drink

Restaurant

Bar

Breakfast

Wellness

No fitness center

No spa

Children

Kid-friendly

Internet

Wi-Fi

Pools

No pools

No hot tub

Rooms

No air conditioning


Reviews

100% reviews from partners and customers booking on Dinogo

9.6

10 reviews

Wonderful
8
Excellent
2
Good
0
Below Average
0
Not Good
0
H

Happiness34014980901

4/5
What a nice experience. This is a traditional hotel but you can see that the new owner is adding her personal touch and style to the place. The art and ceramics in the public areas are lovely. The staff team were warm and friendly. …

MM

Marilyn M

5/5
A very good hotel near the port. A very warm welcome on arrival. The room was large with a comfortable double bed and a single if needed. There was plenty of storage. The room had tv , wifi and tea and coffee making facilities. …

LE

Louise E

4/5
I stayed in the Castlebay Hotel 5 years ago and at that time I’d have rated it as OK. Returning last month I was so impressed with the upgrades. The view continues to be the best in Castlebay. …

Cover Image for C B

C B

5/5
A sweet hotel with such beautiful personal touches - loved the hand made mugs and dish’s used in the restaurant and interesting artwork on display. Stunning sea view from the bedroom I was in, had crisp sheets and as a light sleeper, the room was comfortable. Good location if you need easy access to the ferry and short distance (bike ride) to lovely spots on the island. Being unfamiliar with the island, the owners gave me lots of helpful tips about things to see and do. Highly recommend.

Cover Image for Fiona Inglis

Fiona Inglis

5/5
We stayed in a beautiful big room with space for our family. The additional beds were all set out on our arrival, and the room had an incredible view of the castle and bay. The staff were all lovely, very friendly and helpful. The front lounge is wonderful and homly, and the conservatory the ideal space to relax and enjoy the view, or read from the interesting selection of books on the local history. The dining room and reception area is beautiful, it seems the hotel is going through an update. We sadly did not have the time to eat in the restaurant but the menu looked fabulous, and we overhead other residents complimenting the meal. The breakfast was fabulous, we had delicious yogurt and stewed fruit, croissants, a fried breakfast, fresh coffee and toasted fresh sourdough. It was the perfect start to a day exploring an incredible island! Would recommend

L

LizFDerby

5/5
Good food and service, very, very welcoming place.|Scallop starter is generous and delicious, and the belly pork was excellent. …

Cover Image for Maureen Ives

Maureen Ives

5/5
Lovely stay. Delightful staff. Really good to see the young people of Barra serving and doing a great job.The food was excellent too. Lovely local seafood which I indulged in as often as I could. The only hotel on Barra that does a lunchIt is very healthy option from the many cakes offered all over the island.The propriety is very versatile. She is very present at the hotel turning her hand to anything. Nothing is a bother. Your meals are served on her own hand crafted pottery. If you look carefully you'll discover that she is an artist. Her sister has also painted the many beautiful abstracts that adorn the walls. There is also a bar at the hotel so if you are needing a pint of guiness and a pie to sit and enjoy the view you don't have far to go. Thoroughly recommend this hotel

C

Curious37834052001

5/5
Lovely hotel. Great views. Comfortable beds which is extremely important. Cosy lounge and sun room. The staff were very helpful. Loved that the local teenagers were working and doing a superb job. Very comfortable beds and great food. …

Cover Image for Josephine Wright

Josephine Wright

5/5
Definitely the place to stay when visiting Barra. Only 4 minutes walk from the ferry terminal and close to the bus stop to get you around Barra and to the beautiful beaches of Vatersay. The hotel was cosy and warm even with the howling wind and rain outside. Beautiful views from the conservatory too. The food was excellent and the staff so helpful and friendly.

K

Karenreiver

5/5
We went to the Castlebay Hotel for lunch. We had cream of mushroom soup and carrot and coriander soup. We had cheese and ham toasties with chips. The bread was absolutely amazing. …