Lochside Hotel Bowmore, Bowmore ➤ Reviews, Rooms & Prices 2025

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About the Hotel

20 Shore Street, Bowmore, Isle Of Islay, Bowmore, United Kingdom, PA43 7LB

Nestled on the shore of Loch Indaal in the heart of Bowmore, The Lochside Hotel is an established institution, welcoming visitors since 1884. The hotel features 12 cozy guest rooms and a vibrant bar, providing a warm atmosphere. Its restaurant offers panoramic views of Bowmore Harbour and specializes in local seafood. The property serves as a convenient base for exploring the Isle of Islay's renowned whisky distilleries.

Location

Located in Bowmore, The Lochside is strategically positioned for easy access to Islay's distilleries. Ferries connect Islay to the mainland, arriving at Port Askaig in the north and Port Ellen in the south. The hotel is approximately 6 miles from Glenegedale, making it accessible for travelers arriving by air. Scenic journeys through the Arrochar hills and along the shores of Loch Fyne enhance the travel experience to the hotel.

Rooms

The Lochside offers 12 en suite guest rooms designed for comfort, combining traditional Scottish décor with modern amenities. Five of these rooms boast stunning views of Loch Indaal, providing a beautiful backdrop for guests. The adjacent Briarlea House features four additional recently-refurbished rooms, each with its own en suite, just a five-minute walk from the hotel. This ensures guests can enjoy both comfort and access to hotel amenities.

Eat & Drink

The onsite restaurant serves dishes that highlight local produce, with an emphasis on seafood, including fresh langoustines and oysters. Menus cater to various dietary needs, offering options for gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan diners. The bar features an extensive selection of over 200 whiskies, including rarities, allowing guests to explore a variety of Islay malts. A summer lunch menu complements the dinner offerings, featuring snacks and heartier fare.

Leisure & Business

The Lochside Hotel provides a relaxed setting for leisurely dining and whiskey tastings. The bar area encourages guests to enjoy a dram in a casual atmosphere. Guests can also benefit from complimentary WiFi throughout the premises to stay connected. The hotel's staff assists with local activity recommendations, ensuring visitors can fully enjoy Islay's attractions, including distillery tours.

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Select your room type

The hotel offers a variety of rooms including double rooms, family rooms, and suites with breakfast, free cancelations, and special deals

Superior Room

Max:

2 persons

18 m²

Bed options:

1 King Size Bed

Sea view

Shower

Heating

room details

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Deluxe Room

Max:

2 persons

11 m²

Bed options:

1 King Size Bed

Sea view

Shower

Heating

room details

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Deluxe Single Room

Max:

2 persons

6 m²

Bed options:

1 Single bed

City view

Shower

Heating

room details

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Getting around

A list of all available modes of transport

City Center

Bowmore400 ft

Airports

Glenegedale (ILY) 5.6 mi

Colonsay (CSA) 28.7 mi

Facilities

The hotel offers amenities for your comfortable stay and unforgettable experiences

Beautiful Sea Views

“My room offered stunning sea views from both the bedroom and bathroom, making every moment enjoyable.” view full review

Delicious Breakfast!

“The breakfast was delightful, especially the bacon, pancakes, and maple syrup—truly a treat to start the day.” view full review

Spotless and Spacious

“The bathroom was impressively clean and spacious, providing a refreshing atmosphere for relaxation.” view full review

Comfortable Stay

“I found the room to be a good size and very comfortable, perfect for unwinding after a day of exploring.” view full review

General

No smoking on site
Wi-Fi
No parking
No pets allowed

Sports & Fitness

Hiking

Guest Parking

Electric kettle

Services

Welcome drink

Dining

Restaurant
Bar/ Lounge area
Packed lunches
Special diet menus

Children

Children's menu

Spa & Leisure

Beach access
Entertainment
Sun terrace

Room features

Heating
Terrace
Garden furniture
Tea and coffee facilities
Ironing facilities

Bathroom

Free toiletries

Self-catering

Electric kettle

Media

Flat-screen TV

Room decor

Carpeted floor

Location

20 Shore Street, Bowmore, Isle Of Islay, Bowmore, United Kingdom, PA43 7LB

Map view

20 Shore Street, Bowmore, Isle Of Islay, Bowmore, United Kingdom, PA43 7LB

City landmarks

Islay House Square

2.2 mi

Port Askaig Islay House Square

Ardnahoe Distillery Shop

2.2 mi

Museums

Museum of Islay Life

3.7 mi

Zoo

Islay Natural History Trust Port Charlotte

3.8 mi

Islay House Square

Islay Studios

4.0 mi

Nearby

School Street

Bowmore Distillery

700 ft

Church

Kilarrow Parish Church

500 ft

Restaurants

Lochside Inn Hotel Restaurant

100 ft

20 Shore Street Isle Of Islay PA43 7LB

Taj Mahal

100 ft

Shore Street

Harbour Inn

500 ft

The Square

Bowmore Hotel Restaurant

1200 ft

Jamieson Street

Golden dragon

600 ft

The Square

Reviews and Ratings

Feedback from previous guests about their experience.

78%

liked the hotel and would stay again

friendly staff

great location

expensive

above bar

7.8/10

Very good

Rooms

6.8

Location

8.5

Service

8.8

Dining

7.7

Edward

United Kingdom, January 2024

6.8/10

The hotel is conveniently located right on the main street at the centre of Islay, making it easy to travel around the island and explore nearby attractions. While the rooms are tiny and cramped, the service is excellent, offering a cosy atmosphere and a welcome drink. The dining options provide a wide selection of whiskies but lack variety in breakfast choices. The location is central, steps away from Bowmore Distillery and local shops, although it could use some attention to detail.

Rooms

5.0

The rooms are very tiny, with barely enough space for luggage, and need to be entered from the street outside.

Service

9.0

The service at the hotel was excellent, offering a cosy atmosphere and a welcome drink.

Location

7.0

The hotel's location is convenient for exploring the island, being steps away from Bowmore Distillery and local shops, although it needs a little attention.

Dining

6.0

The dining experience offers a great choice of whisky at the bar but lacks variety in breakfast options.

Facilities

The facility could be improved by addressing the cramped room layout and limited space for luggage.

John

United States of America, November 2023

9.0/10

My stay at the hotel was absolutely fantastic! The location is superb, right in the heart of Bowmore on the water, making it easy to explore all parts of the island. Even though the overall experience was a bit pricey, the rooms were brilliant, offering a cozy retreat above the bustling bar below.

Rooms

8.0

The rooms were nice and well-appointed, although I felt the whole experience was quite expensive for what it was. I loved the direct view from the bedroom and bathroom, providing a unique perspective of the surroundings.

Service

9.0

The service from all the staff members was top-notch. They were all excellent, striking a perfect balance of being friendly, helpful, and attentive without being intrusive. The welcome drink was a nice touch that made me feel truly valued.

Location

10.0

The location couldn't have been better! Situated right in the center of Bowmore on the water, I could easily access the southern and Port Charlotte distilleries, enjoying stunning views of the loch and the soothing sound of waves at night. It was perfect, especially being just a stone's throw away from Bowmore Distillery and the public bus stop.

Dining

9.0

Dining at the hotel was a delightful experience. The wide selection of cooked items and freshly brewed coffee made to order in the conservatory made each meal a memorable one. I especially appreciated the convenience of being in the center of Bowmore, making it easy to enjoy local fish dishes.

Facilities

9.0

The facilities at the hotel were great, allowing for a comfortable and enjoyable stay. It's evident that attention to detail and guest comfort are a priority here, making it a wonderful place to relax and unwind.

friendly staff

expensive

Pamela

United States of America, October 2023

7.8/10

My stay at the hotel was a mixed experience. The rooms were clean and looked nice, but they were incredibly tiny, making it very difficult to move around, especially for two people. Being right above the pub added to the ambiance but also brought some noise. The service, however, was exceptional, with the staff being friendly and very considerate. Elidh stood out for going above and beyond to cater to all our needs, ensuring our time at the hotel was enjoyable.

Rooms

7.0

The rooms, although small and pretty tight for two people, were both clean and looked nice. The proximity to the pub added character to the stay.

Service

9.0

The service was top-notch, with the staff being friendly and very considerate. Elidh, in particular, went above-and-beyond to ensure our stay was enjoyable.

Location

8.0

The location of the hotel was excellent, with a window seat overlooking the sea and harbor. Breakfast was good, hot, and tasty with a variety of options available. Parking nearby made it convenient for us to explore the whole island.

Dining

7.0

The dining experience was good overall, with lots of choices available. However, the absence of fresh fruit was a downside.

Facilities

8.0

The hotel offers adequate facilities for a comfortable stay, and the location provides easy access to explore the island.

Emily

United States of America, August 2023

7.4/10

I had a mixed experience at this hotel. The rooms were beyond my expectations, but there was a noticeable smell of drains in the bathroom which was a letdown. On the bright side, the location was absolutely brilliant, perfect for exploring the island, and the service was friendly and welcoming despite the busy atmosphere.

Rooms

6.0

My room was lovely, but I couldn't overlook the smell of drains in the bathroom. Overall, it was just okay, not up to the standard I expected for the price.

Service

8.0

The service I received the following morning was great. The staff were welcoming and helpful even during a busy time.

Location

9.0

The location was absolutely brilliant! I could see and hear the waves at night, overlooking the loch. It's perfect for beach lovers, Bowmore distillery visitors, and those who enjoy local shops.

Dining

7.0

The dining experience was good overall, with hot and tasty food. There was a fair choice of options, but I wish they had more variety in terms of healthier breakfast selections beyond just cooked food.

Facilities

7.0

The facilities were adequate, nothing extraordinary but sufficient for a comfortable stay.

Peter

United Kingdom, August 2023

8.6/10

The hotel has a stunning view of the Loch and the rooms were functional and clean despite some disturbance from the room above. The service was warm and friendly, especially from Elidh, who went above-and-beyond to cater to our needs. The location is perfect, close to the beach, Bowmore distillery, and shops, and the dining experience was delicious. However, some noise from outside at night and unenthusiastic staff were minor drawbacks.

Rooms

8.0

The rooms were both clean and looked nice with an amazing view on the Loch.

Service

9.0

The service was warm and friendly, especially Elidh who went above and beyond to cater to all our needs to ensure an enjoyable stay.

Location

9.0

The location is perfect, close to the beach, Bowmore distillery, and shops.

Dining

9.0

The dining was top notch with incredibly excellent quality.

Facilities

8.0

The hotel offers modern facilities for a comfortable stay.

John

United Kingdom, July 2023

8.0/10

The hotel is cozy and tastefully decorated with a great bathroom, but there was a slight smell of drains in the bathroom. Overall, it was okay but not up to the expected standard for the price.

Rooms

7.0

The rooms were both clean and looked nice.

Service

9.0

The service was warm and friendly, especially Elidh who went above and beyond to cater to all our needs and ensure our stay was enjoyable.

Location

8.0

The location was wonderful, making it easy to travel around the island and conveniently close to Bowmore Distillery and local shops. However, some staff seemed unenthusiastic and unaware of waiting customers.

Dining

8.0

The dining experience was excellent, particularly in the conservatory for breakfast. However, a limited selection of cereals in small packets was disappointing.

Facilities

8.0

The facilities were top-notch with a wide choice of cooked items and made-to-order coffee.