Portree Independent Hostel

I had a fantastic stay at Portree Independent Hostel! The location is perfect—right in the heart of Portree, close to shops, restaurants, and the harbor. The rooms and common areas are clean, cozy, and well-maintained. The staff were welcoming, friendly, and very helpful with local tips and recommendations. The kitchen and lounge areas are well-equipped, making it easy to cook and socialize with other travelers. The atmosphere is relaxed and friendly, perfect for solo travelers or groups. Great value for money, and I would definitely stay here again!

Terrible experience, understandably it's a hostel "you get what you pay for" but this is the worst imaginable place to stay in. Heating is centrally controlled so be sure to wear thermals (turns off randomly), air purifiers blow out cold air so it doesn't help. Codes to enter rooms are easy to guess so keep your valuables out of plain sight. The kitchen!! There are ovens and fridges, stuff you'd usually find but MAKE SURE YOU DON'T LEAVE YOUR FOOD UNATTENDED! Ours got thrown away by the host not five minutes after we left to go upstairs, the hostel host couldn't care less if he threw away unopened packs of eggs and whole packs of fresh food when we asked why. There's a communal 'lounge', just three sofas with a very insecure luggage storage space, don't leave your stuff there! Drying room shouldn't be called a drying room, really cold in there and washing machines are older than the hostel itself. My advice is pay a little more and stay in the hostel down the road, wouldn't recommend at all.

We were about to have to sleep in our car, as there were literally no rooms left anywhere on the Isle of Skye that night. Fortunately they had a private room available (bunkbed), which we booked quickly, and the reservation was accepted right away. On arrival, we got clear directions for parking and the owner's son guided us to our room (adorable). We paid a few pounds (nothing outrageous) for bath towels. The kitchen area was spacious and well-maintained. We only stored some fruit overnight and didn’t use the common areas otherwise, but it was clean and practical. Other guests weren’t loud or disruptive. Bathrooms were available on each floor, with ours right in front of the room, so we barely had to wait. Shower pressure was strong, and everything felt adequately clean. The room itself was simple but more than enough for a good night’s sleep. Above all, the owner was genuinely kind and helpful, which made the stay feel memorable and charming. Can’t speak to the shared rooms, but for a private room, this is a great option if you’re simply looking for a room for the night, especially at about half the price of most alternatives on Skye.