Bracken Hide Hotel

Bracken Hide Hotel, Portree: A Comprehensive Review of a Michelin Key Selected Property

The Bracken Hide Hotel in Portree, Isle of Skye, is a Michelin Key Selected property offering a distinctive luxury wilderness resort experience. Guests generally rave about its unique charm, stunning location, and comfortable accommodations, though some minor areas for improvement have been noted.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment: Exceptional Wilderness Retreat

The general consensus for Bracken Hide Hotel is overwhelmingly positive, with many guests rating their stay as "Exceptional" or "Wonderful." On booking platforms, it often achieves high scores, such as an 8.2 "Very Good" rating with strong scores for cleanliness (8.6), location (8.9), comfort (8.9), and staff (8.5). The sentiment frequently highlights the hotel as a beautiful, clean, private, and quiet place with delicious food and friendly staff.

2. Key Highlights: Design, Views, and Unique Cabins

Guests consistently laud the hotel's stunning setting and design. The main lodge, housing the reception, restaurant, and the "wonderful Whisky Hide bar," is described as "amazing". A major highlight is the "hides" – peaked wooden cabins dotted around the hillside – which offer a private and cozy stay. The breathtaking views of the surrounding land and seascapes, including Loch Portree and the Isle of Raasay, are frequently mentioned as a standout feature. The convenience of golf carts for navigating the property is also appreciated.

3. Room Quality: Cozy and Comfortable Hides

The accommodation at Bracken Hide consists of 45 private "hides" or cabins, which are consistently praised for their comfort and design. They are described as clean, quiet, cozy, and warm, especially appealing during cooler weather. Rooms feature private bathrooms, and some superior hides offer sea views and terraces with parquet floors. Guests have specifically noted the "super comfy" and "softest beds in Scotland." "Cozy Hides" are approximately 20 square meters, while "Superior Hides" are slightly larger at 22 square meters, many boasting stunning views. Each cabin has steps leading to the front door, meaning there is no wheelchair access.

4. Dining Experience: Culinary Delights with Room for Consistency

The dining experience at Bracken Hide receives high praise, particularly for dinner. Guests often call the food "incredible," "delicious," and refer to the chef as a "magician," describing dinner as a "100 success." Breakfast is also frequently highlighted as "amazing," "delicious," "phenomenal," and "fantastic," often served cooked-to-order. The Whisky Hide Bar is celebrated for its excellent selection of whiskies and cocktails.

However, one detailed review pointed out significant inconsistencies at breakfast, describing a "disappointing" cold buffet with a "lack of care," including cling film on cold cuts and bread still in plastic. This review also mentioned poor service during both dinner and breakfast.

5. Service & Staff: Friendly and Dedicated, Yet Some Inconsistencies

The staff are largely commended for their hospitality, being described as "friendly and helpful," "exceptional," and going "above and beyond" to ensure a comfortable stay. The team at the Whisky Hide Bar, in particular, is noted for being delightful, friendly, and knowledgeable.

Despite this, some guests have reported issues with service, particularly at breakfast and dinner, citing a lack of basic service training. This included slow wine service, staff not proactively offering hot drinks, and a general brusqueness.

6. Location & Accessibility: Secluded Charm Near Portree

Bracken Hide Hotel boasts a superb location on the edge of Portree, Skye's capital. It offers a sense of retreat, positioned above the town with views of inland hills and Loch Portree, yet it's only a leisurely 20-minute walk to Portree's restaurants, pubs, cafés, and shops. The hotel provides free private parking on-site. Accessibility varies across the cabins; Tier 1 cabins are most accessible and closest to the main building and car park, while Tiers 3 and 4 are higher on the hill, offering more expansive views but requiring more effort to reach.

7. Value & Pricing: A Premium Experience

As a luxury wilderness resort and a Michelin Key Selected property, Bracken Hide Hotel commands a premium price. Average room prices can start at $500+, positioning it higher than the typical hotel room in Portree. While many guests feel the elevated experience, exquisite amenities, and breathtaking views justify the cost, one review suggested that considering the price point, some guests found the inconsistencies in service and breakfast disappointing.

8. Common Complaints: Breakfast & Service, and Minor Amenities

The most significant recurring criticisms relate to the breakfast experience, specifically the quality and presentation of the cold buffet, and the overall service consistency at the restaurant during both breakfast and dinner. Other minor complaints include a reported issue with the internet connection not working in some cabins and one guest deeming the sauna "a loss". The absence of room service is also mentioned, with a suggestion that buggies could provide drinks or food to the more distant cabins. Children 15 years and younger are not permitted at the property.

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