The Stein Inn — Restaurant in Skye

Arrived at Stein Inn just before opening. As this pub was a quirky little pub, advertised as the oldest Inn in Skye, we chose to wait the 10 minutes till opening to experience this historical building and it’s delights. We’d have expected the staff to be welcoming and willing to share the history of their pub but unfortunately not.

The barman was rude, used broken English and completely ignored our son who has special needs, saying hello to him numerous times awaiting a reply. The barman however, chose to angrily stare at him in total disgust. We found this rude and offensive!

We ordered drinks, were asked to take a seat, then were told by the barman to move as the tables in that area were booked. We went into a different room, sat to start drinking and after 5 minutes were told to move again as the table was reserved (no reserved signs on any tables). After the 2nd time of moving and sitting on some dirty, moth bitten, matted fur cushions, we begrudgingly ordered our son a meal from the childrens’ menu, as he was extremely hungry after a day of travelling. We however, decided we’d rather go hungry than to part with anymore money that was certainly undeserved from our experience so far.

We then witnessed a female member of staff (possibly the manager) arranging the cutlery and dropped some on the floor. They were picked up and placed in the buckets ready for serving NOT removed to be washed!!

The obnoxious barman continued to rush back and forth from bar to kitchen unaware of the available items on the menu, very obviously stressed which was adding to his rudeness.

Our sons food arrived and we were told ‘yet again’ that we could not eat at the table we had been moved to, and had been sat at for 15 minutes, as it was booked. The lady continued to hold my sons plate waiting for us to move, but to where? There were no available tables as they were all ‘apparently booked’ not sure what she expected us to do? Maybe stand in the middle of the room and eat or possibly hover!! She could clearly see our son had special needs and didn’t understand why she was still holding his plate and not giving him his food! We refused to move for a third time, and said we’d be leaving immediately after our son had eaten, as we felt very uncomfortable and unwanted.

They were clearly unorganised, non-empathetic, unfriendly, unwelcoming, rude and were lacking respect for their customers.

Suggestions: put reserved signs on your tables hire more staff and some who know what they’re doing Maybe have a quick briefing session before opening, especially when it comes to availability of items on your very expensive menu. Go on a cleanliness, hygiene and hospitality course. oh and a smile wouldn’t go amiss

We felt very much unwelcome, rushed and pushed around your tiny pub, and it was obvious you just wanted us to leave. Not the relaxed atmosphere we were hoping for. Totally appalled by the whole experience and to top it off, the beer was flat. A bit like the pub!! I would have given ZERO stars if there was an option, as 1 star is far too high in...

This was one of the most wonderful trips we have had at Stein Inn. The Inn is super cool, in every sense. It is decorated with art, and every nook there is something to see and look at and tell a story. The bedrooms are stunning, recently decorated with style and using local producers work. Radio’s in every room, espresso machines, toothbrushes, highland chosen shower gel etc and other thoughtful items needed for a cosy stay. We and several friends and family members stayed in several bedrooms. I also noticed the mattresses are Hypnos ones in every room - superior quality and the number one mattress brand. Each bed also is made so cases can be stored underneath. As for the food quality, local produce and shellfish delivered daily from Lochbay opposite the Inn. We saw the boat deliver it fresh in that day. Fresh fish, nothing is frozen, wild venison and duck. Everything sublime, cooked with care and attention and not covering up with other ingredients to take away from the original flavour. All the staff were absolute genuine and lovely. They sure know how to do hospitality. They care and hi that extra mile. Candle lit Inn and it was so busy, with every table booked, the bar filled with locals too and the sound track of solo music just fitting. Even though it was so busy people eating and sitting outside too, every staff member gave all of us and very guest the attention. So you see, I read some of the negative reviews.its simply not true. Room service in an Inn. These type of people expect a Marriott or a Hilton, nothing wrong with these but it’s not that kind of place. These people don’t get it and never will! It says more about them not happy or can’t be pleased. The room is advertised cosy and travelling with 6 suitcases for one night says it all!! Anyone room would be cramped with the amount of luggage they have!

And as for the reviews re food on wrong tables and bills and staff been rude and the fish dish with meat. It’s all hilarious as this did not happen, only in their minds!

We saw the tables the staff explain again and again the dishes and also one table were so arrogant and self centred they decided as we heard to all write reviews amongst them. Just because you don’t like something it does not meant it’s not good. We heard these people making up stories so it says a lot about them. So plesee please ignore the baguette reviews these people came in and wanted a freebie and when they did not receive it they were callous and mean!

Stein Inn you know who you...

You know theres some places you will just happen upon, but you will spend weeks if not months afterwards going on and on and on about the place. And then when you are next on your travels, you just want to find somewhere as special as that place you just happened upon... This is one of those places. Y'see...theres a famous eatery here on Skye that I just wouldn't go to, I'm sure its divine and worth all its heaps of plaudits, but I wouldn't enjoy it because I'm not good enough for it. I'd feel a fraud. It doesn't need me. That isn't to say The Stein Inn does, but it makes me feel like it does. We only sloped in with no reservation because we'd been chasing a sunset up the peninsula. We'd no right to be dazzled, but we were. I'm not going to tell you about the food, but it was excellent, and everyone elses looked excellent to, and there only seemed to be happy faces all around us. Its the love in the place I like, the love of making great food, the love of presenting it friendlily to us, the love of making a place interesting to be in. Make that fascinating. My eyes were all over the walls. It's not presented in a "lets be quirky way" which always looks soulless and trying too hard way, but in a way that seems to share someone else's passion, saying "I didn't put this here for you, I put it here for me, but I hope you like it too." Thats when the whole experience of a place becomes a piece of art. From the wondrous and sometimes curious objets everywhere to the fact that one front of house woman dressed, not in the usual jejune black and white, but with a panache that would do more than justice at least 10 of the last 12 gigs I've been to. Proud and brave. And there's the metaphor...Proud and brave. Thats this place all over. Proud and brave. Go there for the food, or the beer, or the gins or the whiskies, or the view over the loch as they bring in your freshly caught supper, but stay, and come back again, because its just bloody brilliant, and because they'd like you too, and they'll treat you like they wanted you to know that. That's such a rare and special quality. What a place to happen across. Good...