I have traveled the majority of Western Europe and am wondering if I am missing something or are the establishments on Isle of Skye the most inhospitable of any location? I am finding "arrival between 4:00 and 6:00 only", "house closed to guests between 10:30 and 4:00", "cancellation refund if we can rerent the room" (no mentiion of time frame)... I have never been confronted with such apparent inflexibility in all my travel planning. Comments?
Posted by
New York City, NY, USA
5678 posts
I've sometimes run into B&B's where they want to know when you'll be arriving. Generally, it's because they need to be away running errands and don't want you to be caught on their doorstep. I've run into the cancellation issue, but only in Edinburgh during the festival. I stayed at the Skye Picture House in Broadford. It was part of a photo workshop and I think it may have changed hands since I stayed there, but the location is great. They have a lovely sitting room with a peat stove that looks out across to Scalpay. We saw otters several times. Pam
Posted by
Atlanta, Ga, USA
2023 posts
We stayed at the Stein Inn in October. The room was nice and view as well and we did not have any check in constraints but I think there would have been a cancellation charge. There was no W-FI but we learned it was available at a B&B next door-closed for the season but we may have been able to pick it up outside. When we inquired if they could make us a dinner reservation we were directed to use their pay phone and make our own reservation.
Posted by
OP
washington
837 posts
Cynthia, Ben Tianavaig is one whose website says checkin is between 4:00 and 6:00 unless by prior arrangement. When one is traveling distances, it is difficult to know exactly when one will arrive. I have only run across this situation once, in France. The French owner, after some back and forth, agreed that we could leave bags if we arrived earlier. This may be the case her also, but the general attitude I am seeing reflected on the websites is that owners have a life outside the b and b and that they cannot be bothered during "off hours". To make myself clear, I am not addressing the friendliness of owners, cleanliness, charm, breakfasts, views, etc. From tripadvisor, in all these areas, b and bs are exemplary. However, websites indicate inflexibility on arrival and cancellations.
Posted by
Los Angeles, California
1986 posts
I have had similar experiences when it turned out we had reservations at the village pub, in days when pubs had limited opening hours. The owners were away during off hours doing other things. these were also some of the friendliest places we stayed at. At quite a few, the pub was the local pub/restaurant/B&B etc and the gathering spot for the entire village at night
Posted by
OP
washington
837 posts
Pamela, as I stated above, I use tripadvisor and have found it very useful. I checked the b and b you mention. It is rated number 22 of 23. The reason appears to be that there is only one review and that one is favorable. It also states that there are new owners and while it may be that the site "wipes the slate clean" upon ownership change, I doubt that this is the case. This place has 5 rooms and the most favorable cancellation policy - 14 days and only a minimal charge. It could use more reviews by those who have stayed there, particularly if satisfied.