School Holidays 2017 Cottages In Western Isles

Reviews

What our customers say about their holidays

• Rainer - Verified booking

  Maybe it’s hard to trust a feedback, when all rankings are 5 stars.

  But for Hona this is the only way to describe it. We discovered the house on the Sykes website and were attracted and at the same time concerned about it being so exposed out in the west. The owners offered a warm welcome, were helpful and concerned, which made us feel at home from the very first minute. They asked us at the end, what they could improve and we really could not name anything. The owners are very fine artists and they turned this home into a most enjoyable and intriguing work of art. Stating, what is stands for: home in the nature. Everything you need was there and even more, the views stunning and the veranda and the garden offered a place where you enjoy to sit and admire all the little details arranged with love and attentiveness. Much more to be said, you have to discover yourself. Of course it is in the western Hebrides and you would expect rain and sun and wind and fast changes. So nothing better than some coastal walk in the sun and hours later a cup of hot tea in the warm home, when it’s storming outside. It’s a nature resort, and that’s what we were looking for. A place to reconnect, to slow down and to gain new perspectives on what is important. We will definitely come back, it was the highlight of our journey.

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• Glen - Verified booking

  We were full of anticipation up to our arrival at Hona and we weren’t disappointed when we got there.

  Everything was as described, nothing felt used or shabby which can sometimes be the case, big grins all round. The welcome pack was above and beyond comprising fresh milk, butter, oatcakes, shortbread, cheese and a half bottle of Hona whisky. Wonderful. Oh there was also tea bags, coffee, sugar, dried herbs etc. This little residence is a bit like the Tardis. It has everything you need and perhaps more. You realise that here has been a lot of thought put into Hona. It is situated in the Mangersta area and is only a mile or two from the many glorious beaches that the Uig area boasts. We had tentative plans to explore Lewis and Harris but ended up scouring the Uig area. You see there are laminated map cards linked to a large topographic wall map from which you can plan your daily jaunts and forays which because are all fairly local means you’re not sitting in the car all day. Hona is warm, cosy and extremely functional, I even liked the cutlery, but hey that’s just me. It really has everything you need. Lou and Matt the owners are a friendly and seemingly laid back couple (arty) who are happy to advise. I could go on but I’d be here all day. I’m pretty certain we’ll be back next year, can’t wait!

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• Judi - Verified booking

  Tigh Bhisa is a wonderful base from which to explore Lewis and Harris.

  It is centrally situated and easily reached from Stornaway and Leverburgh depending on which ferry you arrive on. Arriving to a selection of delicious sweet treats and local music playing set the tone for a marvellous stay. The cottage was immaculately clean and beautifully furnished and equipped. The owners have obviously put a great deal of thought and effort into providing local information, history, books and dvds. We were incredibly lucky with the weather in early May and found the cottage warm through the underfloor heating. The option to use the wood burner, with fuel provided, was welcome, although we didn’t need it. An excellent selection of towels were provided, including lovely big ones, such a luxury! The super king sized bed was wonderfully comfortable. As mentioned in the property information the shower is ‘compact’ but perfectly manageable for a week’s stay. It was lovely to sit out in the garden and drink in the view, whilst watching the birds nesting in the cottage walls come and go. Tigh Bhisa is one of the best holiday cottages we have ever stayed in and we’d love to return some day!

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• Simon - Verified booking

  Hona is a very special holiday cottage, not only because of where it's positioned, but because of the very keen attention to detail Louise and Matthew have given to I think almost everything within it!

  The utilities are top notch - and the kitchen's facilities, kitchenware and essential provisions - above and beyond. The cottage is packed with useful books and information about the local area - and stylishly designed and furnished to give it a lovely homely feel. I perhaps missed the comments advising me to bring a laptop to 'cast' programmes/films to the TV monitor, but I managed that - and it didn't prove an issue. Very well weatherproofed and therefore warm and cosy, Hona is wonderfully located with some world class beaches, mountains and walks on its doorstep, and yet suitably distant (40 minutes) from Stornoway to make one feel that little bit off the grid! Wonderful! Everything one could want - oh, and I should add the bed is super comfortable too! Louise monitored my arrival on the ferry and contacted me a couple of times to check all was well, which of course - with her attention to detail - it was! I can't recommend Hona highly enough!

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• Roger - Verified booking

  Tigh Bhisa Blackhouse is a first rate accommodation.

  The original blackhouse has an addition that houses the kitchen, bath and entry hall that allows for the original building to be a commodious great room and bedroom. There are added skylights that make it a bright space and a wood stove making it cosy. There are some wonderful design elements that make it most unique.The kitchen is well appointed with dish ware and utensils and was a large, efficient workspace. Two niggling points. The infloor radiant heat worked well to heat the bedroom and kitchen/bath addition but the great room was on the cool side. I did use the wood stove to make the space comfortable but it still was falling short unless the fire was well stoked. The second is the bathroom shower. It is a corner triangular unit that is quite small. I’m 6 feet and 180 pounds and the space was barely manageable. A note to larger guests; it may rule out a stay at this listing.

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