Originally a coaching inn, (the principal building dates from 1570) the Poolewe Hotel has a long history of providing quality accommodation with the best in Scottish Highland hospitality. During the second world war, senior naval personal were accommodated here, as the great Arctic convoys were assembled in the loch itself before leaving for the ports of northern Russia. The Poolewe Hotel can be found at the head of Loch Ewe where the river Ewe, rushing down from Loch Maree, meets the water of the Minch.
Reviews (10)
Michelle Mallory
Jun 04, 2022
Tim L.
Apr 21, 2022
Colin Carter
Apr 17, 2022
Teddy Grassi
Nov 21, 2021
Anthony Peers
Nov 14, 2021
Fraser Smart
Oct 09, 2021
Unlike many of the other reviewers I stayed in the hotel, though only for one night. The experience was a game of two halves. The good stuff: The service from the bar and restaurant staff was outstanding and we couldn't have been better looked after for dinner or breakfast. We liked that the hotel makes sure there is space for residents to have dinner.
I appreciate that isn't welcome for non-residents but with so few choices in the area it is really important here. The quality of the food was high - we enjoyed fresh scallops (a special on the menu) as well as several other items which were tasty and well presented. The bedroom was spacious (from the plan on the door room 1 appeared to be the largest and included a double and single bed).
The bed was comfy and we had a good sleep. The not so good stuff: The bedrooms have an old fashioned feel but I should emphasise that they are spotlessly clean. The toilet and shower room was small. Again, clean and not a deal breaker. The lock on the bedroom door was a nightmare. It is a traditional lock with a key and the deadbolt caught on the faceplate every time we left the room.
A couple of minutes of fiddling later and it would lock. I can't believe were the first people to have the problem. But the worst part was the shower. I've used many showers in hotels over the years and have always managed just fine. Imagine turning on the water and then as soon as the temperature is adjusted to make it warm the water stops running.
And then multiple attempts later we failed to get warm water from it. In the end it wasn't a big deal since we were heading home the same day but the attitude from the gentleman behind the front desk was unhelpful to say the least. He checked it while we had breakfast though didn't tell us until check out. My wife asked if he had looked at it while we were leaving and his response was that the shower was just fine.
He then demonstrated that the shower head had to be removed from the holder and held below the taps to get hot water to run. All of this was completely unnecessary - we can't have been the first with this shower problem and even so it wouldn't have taken a second to pop into breakfast to explain how to make it work. (And for what it is worth we could hear people showering happily in the room next door so it may just have been our room) It wasn't great value for 170 since we didn't require the third bed in the room but with a limited number of rooms on the NC500 I can't blame the hotel for pricing at a level the market will pay. The food and drinks on the other hand were good value.
I appreciate that isn't welcome for non-residents but with so few choices in the area it is really important here. The quality of the food was high - we enjoyed fresh scallops (a special on the menu) as well as several other items which were tasty and well presented. The bedroom was spacious (from the plan on the door room 1 appeared to be the largest and included a double and single bed).
The bed was comfy and we had a good sleep. The not so good stuff: The bedrooms have an old fashioned feel but I should emphasise that they are spotlessly clean. The toilet and shower room was small. Again, clean and not a deal breaker. The lock on the bedroom door was a nightmare. It is a traditional lock with a key and the deadbolt caught on the faceplate every time we left the room.
A couple of minutes of fiddling later and it would lock. I can't believe were the first people to have the problem. But the worst part was the shower. I've used many showers in hotels over the years and have always managed just fine. Imagine turning on the water and then as soon as the temperature is adjusted to make it warm the water stops running.
And then multiple attempts later we failed to get warm water from it. In the end it wasn't a big deal since we were heading home the same day but the attitude from the gentleman behind the front desk was unhelpful to say the least. He checked it while we had breakfast though didn't tell us until check out. My wife asked if he had looked at it while we were leaving and his response was that the shower was just fine.
He then demonstrated that the shower head had to be removed from the holder and held below the taps to get hot water to run. All of this was completely unnecessary - we can't have been the first with this shower problem and even so it wouldn't have taken a second to pop into breakfast to explain how to make it work. (And for what it is worth we could hear people showering happily in the room next door so it may just have been our room) It wasn't great value for 170 since we didn't require the third bed in the room but with a limited number of rooms on the NC500 I can't blame the hotel for pricing at a level the market will pay. The food and drinks on the other hand were good value.
Ken Frederick
Oct 08, 2021
Stayed here for one night whilst touring the NC500 on our motorbikes. I don't recall any of us having Red faces as mentioned by previous review though. Room was really clean and comfortable, bed comfortable and shower excellent. Evening meal wasn't the best but edible, more puff pastry than steak pie. Staff were all friendly and polite. Breakfast following morning was much better though. Great location and surrounding views stunning.
Graham Weaver
Sep 24, 2021
Room was really clean and comfortable. A little on the small side but had everything we needed. Shower was nice and powerful with plenty of hot water. Great bar with a large selection of beers, wines and spirits. Staff were really good, and really helpful. Nothing was too much trouble. Evening meal was good, both had steak and ale pie. Breakfast was superb, now a fan of tattie scones!
Jeremy Moodey
Sep 05, 2021
Nathan Hill
Aug 11, 2021
A pleasant stay here while doing the NC500 but unfortunately the breakfast wasn't that great as we both place an order for breakfast and never received it. We told the manager/ owner when we went to pay and all he said was I'm sorry but I will look into it.no discount was given. But hey he is in a prime position with his hotel been on the NC500 route he will get plenty of trade. Not a happy customer when you don't get what you have paid for.