Many hotels feel exclusive or private, but not many can boast that they enjoy their own private island. Eriska is such an island hideaway and as well as being a grand country house hotel the appeal of Eriska also lies with its spa, superb restaurant, myriad on site activities and island trails Without its exclusive location Eriska would still be a special hotel. Every inch the grand country house pile this is Scotland as people dream of it, all plush carpets, roaring fires and welcoming drams; in short a real sense of class and timeless luxury that shines through the bedrooms too.
You can stay in the main house, in the spa suites or even in the two bedroom cottages. New in 2011 was the opening up of Arnott’s House, where we stayed. The old butler’s quarters have been jazzed with a snazzy new conservatory and a terrace with an outdoor hot tub. There are three double/twin bedroom, each with a sweeping view of Loch Creran.
The kitchen is well equipped and there is a massive flat screen TV in the living space, but it is the conservatory where we ended up spending most of our time during our stay. The views from there are the best of any accommodation at Eriska.
Activities
Eriska’s walking trails are brilliant fun to explore as they snake around an island that overflows with flora and fauna, from seaweed rich beaches and lichen strewn hillsides, through to basking seals and roe deer. We savoured dinner one night as we watched a deer munching its way through its own dinner as the sun set outside.
Beyond walking there is a nine-hole golf course, a putting green and a massive sports hall with table tennis, badminton and football. The highlight, though, is the spa complex. Here there is a decent gym and a 17m swimming pool, which is backed up by a hot tub, steam room and sauna. Then there are the spa treatments, with myriad beauty therapies and massages to help you ease even deeper into Eriska time.
Dining
Dining at Eriska is all very relaxed too. Sparkling new chef Simon McKenzie is the man at the helm of a kitchen that utilises the very best of local ingredients, but also infuses them with some surprising twists. We savoured hand dived scallops from the neighbouring Isle of Mull brightened up with a savoury foam and curried cauliflower, before more traditional ham carved at the table. Dessert was again innovative with chocolate parfait spiced up with a daring coriander ice cream. The cheeseboard is legendary too with good reason with some mighty Scottish blues sharing centre stage with Normandy’s best and a delicious Comte.
The Isle of Eriska, Hotel, Spa and Island, Benderloch, By Oban, Argyll, PA37 1SD. Tel: 01631-720371. www.eriska-hotel.co.uk
InsiderScotland Rating [effortless-gm address=”[The Isle of Eriska Hotel, PA37 1SD”]
For Families 8/10
For a Romantic Break 8/10
For Food 8/10
For Business People 6/10
InsiderScotland.com Rating 8/10