Islay Island Vacations from $3,528

Great hotel, great staff, great food, and really great golf. Stayed at The Machrie for my 60th Birthday, mainly to play the golf course, but also as a base to explore Islay. We’ve stayed in many hotels - this was one of the best experiences we’ve had. My wife suffers from Coeliac Disease so has to have a strict gluten free diet. Staff were knowledgeable, identifying what dishes she could have and she wasn’t ill all week. The food is also of a high standard. We brought our Black Labrador, who was very much welcomed, and whilst we had to eat in the lounge, this was still a nice environment. We had a really nice room with plenty of space and easy access to the outside. It was well designed, clean and had everything we needed. The hotel has a very friendly and relaxed atmosphere. Much of this is down to the staff, who without exception were friendly and very helpful - whether fitting us in for dinner, providing biscuits for our dog, or arranging golf they went out of their way to help. Which brings me on to the golf course. The Machrie is a high quality course and definitely worth the trip to get there. Despite some interesting weather it was in great condition, it’s fair but challenging (particularly when the wind blows), with some great holes, many with complex greens so even if you hit the green, there’s plenty of work still to do. Great fun and if you’re lucky to play in the sun, a very memorable experience. Would highly recommend.