We rented a self-catering cottage at the hotel for four nights, expecting something quite reasonable at £100/night self-catering for the three of us. Our 2-bed cottage probably looked great when decorated in the 80s but it needed a serious spruce-up - stained carpets, peeling Ashley-esque wallpaper in the bathroom, hole in the bathroom floor, and a sofa bed that we were hugely grateful not to have to use... Kitchen reasonably well equipped but again in 'retro' style. Another resident, returning for a fifth visit commented that the lodges are so grotty, you don't feel bad about bringing your dog!
Location is fantastic - views over the golf course to the sea and to heather-clad hills. The glorious golden beach nearby is seven miles long and deserted, probably because, from the Machrie, you have to cross the golf course to get to it - no path and irate golfers at every turn.
The restaurant experience was truly dire. The menu sounded lovely - modern interesting food using local produce. The reality was incompetent staff (spotty youths mainly) in a grotty restaurant with odd milking parlour-like booths down one side, with views of a derelict building and puddly yard, serving food that was overpriced, badly prepared and poorly presented. The starter of Achiltibuie smoked salmon filled with a mascarpone cream actually was one and a half tiny disks of perfect salmon with a truly huge dollop of mascarpone splodged on top, school dinner style. And then there was the side dish of vegetables in curry sauce. The salmon and red pepper fishcake consisted mainly of almost raw red pepper with a strange fishy aftertaste. We didn't risk pudding, paid our £80 and left.
Bizarrely, we were surrounded by apparently happy golfers munching away merrily. Perhaps the stunning golf course and the bar stocked with a great collection of malts combine to dull the senses entirely?
Conclusion: if you can get a self-catering deal here, bring your dog without qualms, enjoy the beach and avoid the restaurant at all costs.

The weather was absolutely terrible and it was barely possible to stand outside let alone golf - but we braved it and had the best time!

The food was fantasic, the atmosphere perfect and the staff were really helpful and friendly. We stayed in one of the cottages, and although the decor etc was not bang up to date it was fine for us - especially as we spent most of the time dragging wet golf things indoors.

We stayed at a reduced rate and almost had the place to ourselves. We will definately be back, but would choose to go off season again as its quieter out on the course.

The course itself is lovely and really wild - you could get lost out there for days.

That said this is not the place to go to be in the midst of things, but for a quiet get away the setting is perfect.

The self catering lodges have two twin rooms.They are basic but fine if you only use it as a base.The beach is a five minute walk over or past the course
The living room was of an ample size and the kitchen had all the amenities for cooking.
Our bathroom was clean but the shower head attachment kept slipping.
We only used the hotel for a quick drink and a game of snooker. The snooker table and room had both seen better days.
The hotel would be fine if you were a golfer and enjoyed the golf bonding.It's a beautiful course.
Still I have no complaints about the staff. All were pleasant and helpful.

We are just back, having spent 3 days in one of the hotel lodges. We were over for a wedding and our party included 2 pensioners and a 7 year old. I sometimes wonder what exactly some people are looking for. We had a fantastic time.

Rooms were large and well maintained. Like everywhere, you could pick faults, but if you are that way inclined why bother going anywhere. Staff were friendly. We had 2 meals in the restaurant independantly and once for the wedding we attended. Every meal was very good. The bar was warm and welcoming and overall we thoroughly enjoyed our stay, as did everyone at the wedding.

The only reason I have marked it down, is the ridiculous amount the bar charges for a half of malt whisky. £4.80 per half for a normal malt. Everyone was flabberghasted by this and I just wonder which planet the owners are on. Most of the guys I spoke to ignored the malts in the bar and bought their own bottle for consumption back in their room. Come on get a life, you must be losing a fortune. That is the only complaint. If you are looking for a quiet getaway and lets face if, thats what Islay is all about, then you should seriously consider this hotel.