Reviews of Islay Frigate Hotel
Harbour Street, Tarbert, PA29 6UD, United Kingdom
#15 of 17 hotels in Tarbert
Guests' ChoiceReview Score
Based on 372 hotel reviews
7.2Score breakdown
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Cleanliness
7.7
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Comfort
7.7
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Location
9.1
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Facilities
7.1
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Staff
8.4
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Value for money
7.6
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Free Wifi
8.9
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Reviewed: September 1, 2025
Joanne
Canada25 Reviews2 helpful votes7.0Good- • Leisure trip
- • Couple
- • Small Double Room
- • Stayed 1 night
- • Submitted from a mobile device
Rooms were very, very small, but clean and comfortable beds.
We booked last minute when our ferry was canceled. The staff were very accommodating
Stayed in September 2025
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Reviewed: August 13, 2025
Ingvar
United Kingdom95 Reviews18 helpful votes7.0“Good a for a day or two”- • Leisure trip
- • Group
- • Single Room with Shared Bathroom
- • Stayed 1 night
The shared bathroom was not cleaned enogh. No soap or any sanitisers. Need a cosmetic touch. super limited amount fo places to eat especially on the weekend
Sea view. size of the room.
Stayed in August 2025
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Reviewed: August 11, 2025
Hans-joachim
Germany22 Reviews2 helpful votes8.0“A nice and friendly stopover on our way to Islay”- • Leisure trip
- • Couple
- • King Room with Sea View
- • Stayed 1 night
Our stay at the Islay Frigate was overshadowed by the fact that the king size/en suite room that we had booked was in fact unavailable when we arrived. The reason was explained to us and quite understandable, but we would have liked to have been informed in advance that we would have to share the bathroom with five other people.
We were welcomed in quite a friendly way at the Islay Frigate even though the news we then got was slightly disappointing (see below), but we received very adequate compensation. The room we stayed in was, though tiny, clean and had such amenities as TV (which we didn't use) and hospitality tray. There was a fun fair going on right in front of the hotel, but they stopped at 11pm and we slept very well. Breakfast was fine and staff were always friendly.
Stayed in August 2025
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Reviewed: August 7, 2025
Kenny
United Kingdom18 Reviews8.0“Perfect location, great staff, comfortable bed.”- • Leisure trip
- • Solo traveler
- • Single Room with Shared Bathroom
- • Stayed 1 night
- • Submitted from a mobile device
TV didn't work, huge key attachments which are awkward to carry around.
Great location, friendly staff.
Stayed in August 2025
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Reviewed: August 6, 2025
Glenda
United Kingdom8 Reviews8.0Very Good- • Leisure trip
- • Couple
- • Small Double Room
- • Stayed 1 night
- • Submitted from a mobile device
The area. Bed was comfortable. Room was at the back and it looked on to beer garden, but it was quiet.
Stayed in August 2025
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Reviewed: August 4, 2025
Robert
United Kingdom3 Reviews6.0“Comfortable hotel, bit very disappointed no breakfast was provided.”- • Leisure trip
- • Solo traveler
- • Standard Twin Room with Shared Bathroom
- • Stayed 1 night
- • Submitted from a mobile device
When I asked what time breakfast was I was told that there would be no breakfast provided due to staff shortages. I had specifically chosen a hotel so that I could get breakfast before my cycle event the next morning.
Great location for me. Doing a cycle sportive the next day.
Stayed in August 2025
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Reviewed: August 2, 2025
Sharon
United Kingdom2 Reviews7.0Good- • Leisure trip
- • Couple
- • Small Double Room
- • Stayed 1 night
- • Submitted from a mobile device
Staff didn't clear breakfast as quick as expected
Everything was better than expected and much improved since the last time we stayed
Stayed in June 2025
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Reviewed: July 13, 2025
Jonathan
United Kingdom9 Reviews2 helpful votes6.0Pleasant- • Leisure trip
- • Couple
- • King Room with Sea View
- • Stayed 1 night
- • Submitted from a mobile device
It wasn't the most comfortable of rooms. The mattress had clearly seen better days. The shower was a bit of a mystery. Once I'd determined that the dial which showed off, cold, enviro and full was rotated 180 degrees from where it should be I was able to get some warm water, but the hose was split or the washer was missing from the head; I didn't feel like diagnosing the cause of water leaking. Possibly the worst part was a sudden increase in noise outside the room at around 10pm as staff were vacuuming a room opposite and talking loudly as they were doing so. Apparently there was a turnaround.....at 10pm???
The staff member who checked us in was very friendly.
Stayed in July 2025
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Reviewed: July 12, 2025
J
United States1 review6.0Pleasant- • Leisure trip
- • Family with young children
- • Family Room with Private Bathroom
- • Stayed 1 night
- • Submitted from a mobile device
Stains on sheets.
Location was great to catch the early ferry.
Stayed in July 2025
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Reviewed: July 5, 2025
Elizabeth
United Kingdom8 Reviews1 helpful vote8.0“Pleasant & convenient.”- • Leisure trip
- • Solo traveler
- • King Room with Sea View
- • Stayed 5 nights
Too many stairs for me.
Stayed in June 2025
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Reviewed: June 22, 2025
Margaret
United Kingdom4 Reviews6.0“We were only there 1 night which suited us .”- • Leisure trip
- • Couple
- • Small Double Room
- • Stayed 1 night
- • Submitted from a mobile device
The room was a small double but very tight for space .Very noisy until around 1am as we were above the beer garden.Breakfast was ok although not very hot .We were seated around 10 minutes before we saw a staff member .When he approached us there was no good morning or anything .We guessed we had to help ourselves to juice etc .
Location was ideal as we were close to the ferry .You were free to come and go as you pleased .
Stayed in June 2025
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Reviewed: June 22, 2025
Rory
United Kingdom4 Reviews6.0“Cheap place to stay. Don’t expect much”- • Leisure trip
- • Solo traveler
- • Single Room with Shared Bathroom
- • Stayed 1 night
- • Submitted from a mobile device
Breakfast was terrible
Great location
Stayed in June 2025
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Reviewed: June 22, 2025
Amanda
Australia12 Reviews8.0“Wonderful location.”- • Leisure trip
- • Family with young children
- • Family Room with Private Bathroom
- • Stayed 1 night
- • Submitted from a mobile device
All the rooms are up quite a few steps.
Scottish breakfast was great, room was cosy.the view out the window over the harbour was amazing.
Stayed in June 2025
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Reviewed: June 17, 2025
Matthew
United States4 Reviews8.0Very Good- • Leisure trip
- • Couple
- • Double Room with Shared Bathroom
- • Stayed 1 night
- • Submitted from a mobile device
In walking distance of restaurants.
It was pretty quiet.
Stayed in June 2025
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Reviewed: June 7, 2025
Rona
United States1 review8.0“A pleasant surprise, the owner was delightful and the bartender was super helpful with checking in.”- • Leisure trip
- • Couple
- • Double Room with Shared Bathroom
- • Stayed 1 night
It was a bit of a hike to our room and we had to share a bathroom.
Super nice owner and staff.
Stayed in May 2025
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Reviewed: June 3, 2025
Maureen
Australia10 Reviews1 helpful vote8.0“Nice spot to stay before the ferry.”- • Leisure trip
- • Couple
- • King Room with Sea View
- • Stayed 1 night
- • Submitted from a mobile device
Musty smell in the bathroom. They kindly gave us an early breakfast but in haste the egg and sausage were undercooked.
Lovely view of the harbour and comfortable bed. Snack bar in the room a nice touch.
Stayed in June 2025
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Reviewed: May 23, 2025
Peter
United Kingdom6 Reviews8.0“Just what we needed”- • Leisure trip
- • Couple
- • King Room with Sea View
- • Stayed 1 night
Nothing worth mentioning
Excellent location with a lovely view over looking the harbour with our room. From old reviews wasn't expecting much but the room was a decent size, comfy bed, tea/coffee facilities with biscuits, etc. Ensuite was smallish but the electric shower was good. Breakfast was decent with a few options. Nice bar that locals use, friendly barman. No sports on TV. Good beer garden out back and benches in the front but cars tended to spoil view of the harbour.
Stayed in May 2025
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Reviewed: May 20, 2025
Lesley
United Kingdom4 Reviews7.0Good- • Leisure trip
- • Couple
- • Small Double Room
- • Stayed 1 night
- • Submitted from a mobile device
Spotlessly clean. Lovely host. So much so we stayed for an extra night.
Stayed in May 2025
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Reviewed: May 20, 2025
Frederik
Germany3 Reviews6.0Pleasant- • Leisure trip
- • Couple
- • Double Room with Shared Bathroom
- • Stayed 1 night
- • Submitted from a mobile device
Shared batthroom (and could be cleaner). Poorly soundproofed.
Situated right at the harbor with a really nice view (out the front).
Stayed in May 2025
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Reviewed: May 19, 2025
Barnsley
United Kingdom3 Reviews8.0“We had a good two day break.”- • Leisure trip
- • Family with young children
- • Standard Twin Room with Shared Bathroom
- • Stayed 2 nights
- • Submitted from a mobile device
Wasn't keen on shared bathroom.
Breakfast was good.staff friendly.location good
Stayed in May 2025
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Reviewed: May 14, 2025
Sean
United Kingdom18 Reviews1 helpful vote8.0“Excellent location.”- • Leisure trip
- • Solo traveler
- • Single Room with Shared Bathroom
- • Stayed 1 night
- • Submitted from a mobile device
Fantastic location and superb view. Gladly stay again. Tarbert is a lovely place.
Stayed in May 2025
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Reviewed: May 10, 2025
Paul
United Kingdom23 Reviews2 helpful votes7.0Good- • Leisure trip
- • Travelers with friends
- • Standard Twin Room with Shared Bathroom
- • Stayed 1 night
- • Submitted from a mobile device
Decor tired
Location great. Staff really helpful.
Stayed in May 2025
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Reviewed: May 6, 2025
Mark
United States5 Reviews8.0Very Good- • Leisure trip
- • Couple
- • Small Double Room
- • Stayed 1 night
What was cool was that we were leaving early for the ferry, and little breakfast bags were prepared for us. Very thoughtful!
Stayed in May 2025
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Reviewed: April 18, 2025
Sarah
United Kingdom18 Reviews1 helpful vote8.0“Islay Frigate - worth a stay!”- • Leisure trip
- • Couple
- • Small Double Room
- • Stayed 2 nights
- • Submitted from a mobile device
Friendly staff, great breakfast
Stayed in April 2025
