The Portland Hotel

This hotel has closed down and although we were booked in no notification was given. Luckily a friend in the village let us know before we turned up with two elderly relatives and have managed to find other accommodation. I now believe the hotel has gone through hard times but that still does not excuse not writing out to bookings to inform them or to keep bookings open on this page.

Extremely poor! only goods things were 2 of the staff who were the hotels best asset and a nice lounge (only place where Wifi is available) Paid for breakfast for 2 days, hotel wanted more money to provide any hot food. Coffee reminded me of when i was young - chicory and really terrible, food on offer was a few bananas, toast (okay) small croissants, 1 type of sliced cheese (dry) thin ham slices (1 type) cereal, juice and the tea or 'coffee' Room was suppose to be 'superior with coffee machine - No! very dated room with pealing wallpaper (window) missing window latch, seals around bath separated, no end strip on worktop and overlooking the fire escape at either the back or the side of the building and the opposite wall! no views. signs everywhere in the room stating not to do/use this/that otherwise clients would be charged, only notice/literature missing was the Wife password but obviously not there as no wife available in the rooms. As the Wifi was only available in the lounge area the receptionist had to take payments there also did not appreciate hearing the 2 nice staff being told off even sworn at at by their 'manager' (worked the kitchen) while being told what to do and not do, (receptionist told not to carry out food/drink from the kitchen but to stay on reception) no meeting them in a closed room but all taken place in the reception area next to the lounge. Hotel was not cheap by any standard and we left without having any breakfast and bought breakfast elsewhere. Notice; did take photos inside the room so can prove the condition.

Wonderful staff, great rooms top quality food. All in a beautiful part of the country. Perfect place for our base to explore Caithness and Sutherland. Not our first visit and certainly not our last. Highly recommend to anyone travelling to the North or doing the NC500.

Clean, comfortable rooms but the special mention has to be about the food. Good portions of fresh, home cooked food. The chef made a special effort to accommodate a vegetarian option that was delicious on both nights. Staff polite, friendly and very friendly. Would definitely return.

The Portland Hotel is an absolute gem and the list of things to recommend it is quite long: it’s full of character (being an old coaching house), homely (just like a home away from home), relaxing, unpretentious. We felt we were welcomed not just ‘processed’ like most places make you feel. But wait, there’s more…. 1. the restaurant on site is first class, 2.the food was stunning but still reasonably priced, 3. the service was brilliant even though they were pretty busy, 4. they had lovely shampoos etc in the bathroom which lots of places seem to have stopped doing, 5. nice biscuits in the room (not the often yucky ones you get) & finally, 6. the family/team running the place, Jane (GM), daughter Lydia & the chef Ian - they were the cream on the top. We were touring Scotland but if we ever get the opportunity to go back - we will 😊

Room was small but ok and bed very comfortable. We never got to grips with shower, despite being shown how to work it. Ensuite very small and cramped but just about adequate. Bins not emptied everyday . No loo brush. Food was standard pub food, but chips were soggy and oily. Breakfast was adequate, but only fresh fruit was whole apples, and only plain yoghurt. Orange juice tasted diluted. Toaster was excellent! Staff very pleasant but nobody at reception as we left. All in all a very average experience, i believe it used to be known for its excellent food!