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Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

Original poster

Anyone been to Balamory/Polmaily House Hotel

11 replies

winniewoo · 09/02/2004 20:38

Any knowledge of Tobermory would be helpful..what or what not to do, where to eat etc would be great..and.. is Polmaily worth the dosh?

OP posts:
josiejump · 09/02/2004 20:43

Sorry I can't help with any information, but having failed to win the competition for a trip to Balamory I have now set my heart on taking the kids there, and would also like to know more about where to stay, etc.

tamum · 09/02/2004 21:06

Polmaily is lovely, but I haven't been to Tobermory. Polmaily is not as nice to look at (decor) as Woolley Grange, for example, but it has a genuine family feel. The people who own it are very helpful, have 4 children themselves. There is no creche, but they have very imaginative activities for children in the afternoons (horseriding, swimming gala, snowman building etc). I would say on balance worth the money, just, but it's not as luxurious as equivalent hotels in England IMO. Anything specific you want to ask, fire away!

Original poster
winniewoo · 10/02/2004 11:08

Thanks Tamum..I think what was worrying me was that the children are not allowed to dine in the restaurant which is fantastic if you can get them to sleep but nightmare if they don't settle and do not settle at the children club! I think perhaps I worry too much and go with the flow but a lot of money if it doesn't work!! What is the pool like and are the bedrooms quite roomy?

OP posts:
tamum · 10/02/2004 13:16

Hi winniewoo. There isn't, as far as I know, any childcare available in the evenings unless you arrange a babysitter. The owner/father, John, sits at a kind of console in the hall and listens in to all the rooms in turn. He's very conscientious, but it's not a perfect arrangement if you're fairly sure your children won't settle. When we went they had various nice young Australians working there who did a lot of the children's activities and would also babysit. If you get a room in the main house it would probably be better. We had a big room, but it was in an annexe, so I was less relaxed about the baby listening. I'm not sure how big the other rooms are; ours had a small separate room for the children and had a fridge and microwave and lots of space. The pool is warm and a good size, but shelves very steeply in the middle. My ds was about 5 when we went; he took one step away from me (beyond the shelf) and went right under. I got him out quickly but he was very unnerved. It's not a problem as long as you know about it, though.

Sorry, I don't think I've helped much, have I? The other place in the Highlands that gets quite a good press for children is the Hilton Coylumbridge. Less up-market than Polmaily, and I have no experience of it myself. Crieff Hydro might also be worth a look; they have an evening children's club where children go in their dressing gowns and watch a video and drink cocoa. Don't know how old your children are, so that may not be appropriate!

carriemac · 10/02/2004 13:58

I been to polmaily, its really good but more like a guesthouse than say calcot manor
the kids loved it
the pool is horrible the rooms are so so, childrens food is excellent and the kids food good, you can order until 9 at the restauraunt so your kids should be ok
I thought it was much nicer than creiff hydro where the food was dreadful

carriemac · 10/02/2004 13:58

I mean the adults food is good..

Original poster
winniewoo · 10/02/2004 14:10

Thanks carriemac..yes..I agree.. we went to crieff hydro last year and the food was horrible.
I think we will just go for Polmaily house but will read up about Colymbridge before booking. Have secured our first two nights in Tobermory after a bit of a hassle...was hard to find a family room in Balamory Town!

OP posts:
susanmt · 12/02/2004 23:17

How are you getting there? If you get the chance and don't mind the extra drive it is MUCH better to sail in, from Kilchoan in Ardnamurchan rather than driving in after sailing from Oban, but it is about 3 hours extra driving.
You can get a round ticket from Caledonian Macbrayne which takes you in on that route then out again on the Oban route.
Remember before you go that Archie's Castle isn't in Tobermory but in North Berwick near Edinburgh, in case your kids are going to be very disappointed.
And have loads of fun in the Hebrides - I live further North in the Outer Hebrides and it is fab, you should have a great time.

Demented · 13/02/2004 13:37

That's a bit inconvenient for poor old Archie.

Original poster
winniewoo · 13/02/2004 16:04

Thanks susanmt! Really looking forward to it but as we are coming from Dumfries and hoping to get the 4pm ferry I think we will perhaps sail from oban but leave the island from Tobermory. Hoping to spend a few days in the Highlands aswell.. Any other suggestions on where to go etc..? Do you know if the Isles of Glencoe hotel is okay?

OP posts:
sykes · 13/02/2004 16:23

I've been. Pool isn't very nice, kids' food okay but didn't rate the adults' food. Not very luxurious but perfectly okay. Had a room with a room - sort of - really a large cupboard where the girls slept. Riding was great (for me and daughter) they breed beautiful black Arabians and they took me to see the foals. The people are really nice. Huge trampoline in the garden, pets' corner and a lot of fun things for children to do. Their children help to occupy the children, but no official childcare. Good place for children.

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