First, the good bits. The location is superb with stunning views over the water. The rooms are comfortable and spacious. The food is pretty good too. If only they were content with just being a comfy, relaxing hotel. But no, they've gone and ruined it all by trying to be posh!

With its twee Scottish decor and Celtic elevator music it is far more tacky than tasteful. The staff are visibly uncomfortable and not sufficiently trained to deliver this type of service. Everyone is so busy trying to be posh that they consistently get the basics wrong.

The worst example of this occurs at dinner time. You have to go through this charade of waiting for about half an hour in the lounge to be called for dinner. Once at your table the atmosphere is so stiff that nobody dares speak. It was the most uncomfortable atmosphere I have ever encountered in a dining room or restaurant - ever!

When we arrived there was no WiFi access in our room and the TV only picked up three channels. I had specifically checked that WiFi would be available when I booked. The only way I can take my boy away for a week at this time of year is if I can get online and do a bit of work at night while he's asleep.

The duty manager tried very hard to convince me that the WiFi problem was with my computer and that their system was functioning perfectly. He hadn't reckoned on dealing with a broadcast engineer with a laptop full of network diagnostic tools! I took him on a tour of his hotel and showed him that his entire system was out of action! I also insisted it be fully operational by morning or I would be checking out and going elsewhere. To his credit both the WiFi and TV reception were fully restored by lunchtime the next day but I doubt anything would have been done if I hadn't been so belligerent about it.

This hotel might well be a perfect match for people who have delusions of grandeur. The thing is, I've stayed in proper posh hotels and I reckon this one is just a cheap pretender.

The Cuillin Hills has a superb location. It overlooks Portree Bay and is just a few minutes walk to the centre of Portree. We had a four-poster room which looked out across the Bay which was very relaxing. The public rooms also have areas overlooking the bay .

The check-in at the hotel is efficient and you are given assistance with your luggage.

The Restaurant has a very nice ambience and again has beautiful views across the bay. We would have liked to see a little more choice on the menu and were a little disappointed overall by the quality of the food. It was OK but certainly not outstanding and we had hoped for more.

Thoroughly enjoyed the Isle of Skye and the walking and sightseeing made the trip well worthwhile.

Well, actually there is. The view from the front lawn of the Cuillin Hills and Portree harbour is absolutely breathtaking. But what about the hotel itself? I see other reviews are quite generous so let me hasten to add that we had no complaints, nobody was rude, staff were helpful, nothing was broken or dirty and the rooms were comfortable and spacious. The food was adequate, if a little expensive. The essential for us, however, is to come away with a really good feeling about a place or, I suppose, a really bad feeling. The Cuillin Hills was all terribly neutral. We would have loved a bit of a "Wow" factor about the hotel, somewhere, somehow - but we never did get it. It was all, how you might say, average.

I stayed for one night. There are only a few hotel choices in Portree, the remainder being bed and breakfast. Cuillin Hills is a pleasant 10 minute walk from the center of town. It was well kept, and staff is very helpful. My single room was adequate, clean, comfortable (though small) and functional, and the bathroom was quite large by standards. They have some upgraded rooms which I believe have the harbor and Cuillin Hills view side of the upstairs level. Most rooms look out the sides or back, and one separate building is of two stories nestled behind the main hotel. The dining room was well done and the cuisine quite satisfying, both for dinner and breakfast the next morning. In August the hotel, pub dining, and dining room were all very busy.