Far off the west coast of Scotland can be found a group of islands known as the Outer Hebrides (also known as the Western Isles). In total there are over 200 islands in the group with only a very small percentage are inhabited. The bulk of the population can be found in the town of Stornoway on the largest of the islands, the Isle of Lewis. This article will take a look at Stornoway hotels and accommodation.
One of the most famous places in the Outer Hebrides is Calanais (formerly Callanish) where you will find some of the most important standing stones in Europe. Shaped like a crucifix with four avenues converging into a small stone circle they should be top of your list of places to visit if you are planning to stay in Stornoway hotels. Getting to the stones can be problematic as there is only one bus to and from Calanais a day so you will need to plan your day carefully if you do not have your own transport.
Just around the corner from Calanais is Dn Chrlabhaigh which is one of the finest examples of an iron age broch still surviving today. Dn is the Gaelic word for fort as it is suspected that these strange conical shaped buildings performed some kind of a defensive duty rather like a keep in a castle. Over recent years there has been a move to name all places in the native language of Gaelic (fortunately they also appear in English on most road signs). Previously Dn Chrlabhaigh was previously known as Dun Carloway Broch.
As Stornoway is the main center of administration for the district of the Outer Hebrides is has all of the expected amenities and facilities you would expect to see. There is plenty to see and do around the town which has a fine selection of guest houses offering superb bed and breakfast. However, if you are looking for Stornoway hotels you may be surprised to find that the town only has a few. Luckily we have details of the main hotels in Stornoway below.
Top of nearly every list of hotels on the Isle of Lewis is the Caberfeidh Hotel. Long known as the finest hotel in Stornoway the Caberfeidh offers luxury accommodation in wonderful surroundings. Set in it’s own finely manicured gardens, with the incredible Lews Castle ground just across the road, the Caberfeidh Hotel is the choice hotel for those who enjoy luxury but prefer a quieter environment.
The largest hotel in Stornoway is the Caladh Inn, which is owned by the same group that own the hotel above. Found on the opposite side of town to the Caberfeidh the Caladh Inn is the most accessible hotel to Stornoway airport. The Caladh Inn is also just a few minutes walk from the town center and other important transport links such as the ferry terminal.
Last in our short list of hotels in Stornoway is the town’s most historic hotel, the Royal Hotel. Found at the very edge of the town center you will immediately notice the Royal Hotel by it’s wonderful period appearance (which is retained by some period fixtures and fittings in the front facing rooms). The hotel’s Boatshed Restaurant has an excellent reputation for fine cuisine while their HS1 Cafe Bar offers excellent food in an altogether livelier environment.
The Caberfeidh Hotel has a wonderful selection of function rooms suitable for all manner of events. Often used for wedding receptions and wedding dances the Caberfeidh now offers a ‘complete wedding’ service. However these function rooms are nearly always booked for a number of events such as business seminars, sales and dances. As most hotels now include and internet connection as standard these Stornoway hotels offer a wireless broadband connection along with all the other usual services to be expected.