Hotel Help - Portree / Isle / Inverness

Inverness is 3 hours drive from Skye! I have stayed at the Holiday Inn Express when needing to be in Inverness and it's OK and nothing more. Not one of the best HI express I've ever stayed in . No experience of the other place. My preferred hotel in Inverness is the Heathmount.

How about Eilean Donan apartments. About 20 from Skye bridge on the mainland. I recall you are travelling with kids so an apartment might suit?

Never stayed in either. Since Portree and Inverness are about 3 hours apart, I'd think your choice would be based on location more than reviews. AC is usually not a necessity since evenings are typically cool. I couldn't locate "Loch Ness Cottages" on Google Maps. You're lucky to find anything only two weeks out.

When we travel, the lodging "experience" is an none-thought. We're up at dawn, and out on the road, getting back after dinner or even later. A comfortable bed, location, breakfast, then price are our considerations. I rarely look at reviews and seldom leave them. We never take advantage of other spaces in a lodging.

I believe I have traced Loch Ness Cottages- they seem to be by Dochgarroch Lock on the Caledonian Canal, outskirts of Inverness- where Jacobite Cruises to Loch Ness leave from. (but I can't see availability this month).

As historic buildings they will only have natural air conditioning- that is windows which open to let fresh Scottish air in.

That caveat will apply to almost any cottage you find in the area. Artificial air conditioning is not common in accommodation in the UK other than in hotels (and even then not always).

There is another place of the same name down by the Clansman Hotel. I can see from the photographs that they will only have natural air conditioning. So you need to specify the property you mean, please.

I too don't know why people set so much store by Trip Advisor Reviews, but for what it's worth HIE has 4* overall.

There's a new Marriott AC hotel in Inverness about which I've heard great reviews. Convenient location.

Alluding back to your earlier thread, where a stay in the Aviemore area was suggested to optimise your itinerary- for July 24 and 25 (your dates) the MacDonald Aviemore Resort at Aviemore has a family room for the 2 nights for a total of £388 (I'm a Genius Level 2 on Booking.com) or £409 without genius discount, which includes a cot on request.

I think that property would suit you well. It has an indoor pool and a soft play area. The rate is the same (at £408) booking direct, as through Booking.com

For July 26 to 28 (your dates) I can't find anywhere for under £2,000 on Skye for 2A + 2C, or in the Kyle or in Mallaig, nor the Eilean Donan apartments. Just nothing that I can find. This is peak summer season, so that needs to be taken into consideration.