Arrival & First Impressions
From the moment we started hunting for somewhere to stay in the Glencoe area, I knew we had to get it just right. I spent practically the whole day scanning listings, reading reviews and imagining how our stay might unfold. Then I stumbled across this place: a bungalow run by The Hollytree Hotel, tucked away near Loch Linnhe. The photos looked so good that I thought to myself: “If it turns out like this – we’ve nailed it.”
Even so, I couldn’t shake the little voice in the back of my mind: what if it looks completely different when we arrive?
The fact that the place advertised a hot tub gave me a little extra excitement. After a few days of exploring Scotland, we were definitely ready for a bit of indulgence.
When we arrived via the address from Airbnb, we discovered the bungalow was part of a hotel rather than a standalone cottage. That meant our check‑in worked a little differently: we needed to stop by the hotel reception, collect our key, and then drive to our bungalow. If you go there, note this—knowing about the check‑in procedure in advance made everything smoother.
The Bungalow & Convenient Parking
Once we’d got the key and driven over, it really worked out well. The bungalow had its own parking space right at the front – one car per unit – which was fantastic for us with our family luggage. We parked up, unloaded with minimal fuss, and stepped inside.
Inside the Residence: Comfort & View
Walking through the entrance, I was greeted by the living/dining space first. Outside the big glass doors there was a table and of course the hot tub waiting. Inside, the dining table looked perfect for our family meals. Then the kitchen: fridge, dishwasher, oven, washing machine – tick, tick, tick. In fact, the washing machine was a godsend since I’d collected a rather large pile of laundry during our Scotland road‑trip. Even better: the radiator was quite powerful, so we had everything dry in a day (yes, I danced a little inside at that).
As I did the dishes I found myself gazing out through the kitchen window at the view – and let me tell you, that view gave me a proper moment of joy. And the cottage had space for recycling bins inside, which always wins points in my book. To make life even easier, there was an electric kettle, microwave and a Nespresso coffee machine – just the right touches.
Step Outside: Views, Hot Tub & the Highland Air
Then we stepped outside. The scenery? Let’s just say wow. The hot tub was calling; the Highland air was cool but welcoming; the light shifted as the day wore on. I slipped into that hot tub and let the day’s travel fatigue melt away. This was one of the moments I’d hoped for.
The Bedrooms & One Minor Quirk
There was a master bedroom with a double bed where fresh towels were laid out on the bed – a nice touch. And for our daughter, there was a second room with two single beds. She was already in her own little world by the time we returned. The bathroom/shower area was clean and modern – but I’ll be honest, the water pressure wasn’t as strong as I’d have liked. A minor quirk, but for some it might matter.
Hotel Facilities We Loved
Booking via Airbnb for the bungalow was great, and the fact that it’s part of the hotel meant we could use the hotel’s facilities too. That’s a big win. The main restaurant looked stylish, with lots of tables and huge windows looking out across the scenery – you could already imagine a beautiful evening meal there. Then the swimming pool: when we arrived it was quiet (lucky us) so our daughter could have fun without the usual bustle. At the far side of the pool was a large jacuzzi, with changing rooms and showers nearby. The pool was heated, which means the kids could splash about without us worrying about them turning into icicles.
After the swim we moved into the hot tub again – nothing better, especially with the family all together. When I returned to our bungalow, I found our daughter had already made her bed into “night mode”. There was “Lamb‑Lamb” the cuddly toy – she takes it everywhere – lying on the bed. So sweet, you could tell that the bed was her domain.
Then the evening: we stepped out onto the balcony, sat together and watched the sun setting. The sky changed colours like something from another planet. I whispered to myself: “This is it.”
Booking Info & Insider Tips
Here are a few practical nuggets to help if you’re planning to stay:
- The bungalow we stayed in can only be booked via Airbnb. You can check availability and book it here: Book the Glencoe Bungalow on Airbnb.
- When we booked in April, the price was reasonable; but by summer the rate had jumped up. Popularity, seasonality… all that.
- Check‑in starts at 4 pm, but even if you arrive earlier, you can use the hotel’s facilities (pool, café, restaurant) so you don’t feel stranded.
- Parking right in front of your bungalow = big convenience, especially when you’re travelling with family.
- If you care about water pressure for showers, be aware this is not the highlight of the listing (for us it was fine, but just slightly below expectations).
- Try and time your visit off‑peak if you can: weekend and summer rates are noticeably higher.
Final Thoughts
If you’re heading to Glencoe (or the wider Highland region) with family, and you find a good deal at The Hollytree Hotel’s bungalow, snap it up. For us it was the memory‑maker of our Scotland trip. The combination of comfort, views, amenities, and easy access to both the bungalow and hotel facilities made it stand out. The kids were delighted (especially our daughter), we were relaxed, and the scenery was breathtaking.
In short: yes, it was worth the full fang‑wave of excitement I had when I first saw the photos. If I had to pick one stay from our Scottish adventure to recommend without reservation – this is it.