Luxury Hotels Atlas / Places / United Kingdom / Benderloch / Isle of Eriska Hotel Spa & Island
Isle of Eriska Hotel Spa & Island
Benderloch, Scotland, United Kingdom · Independent · High Luxury
Eriska House, a Scottish Baronial mansion built in 1884 by architect Hippolyte Blanc for the Stewart family of Appin, occupies its own 300-acre private island at the mouth of Loch Creran, reached by a bridge from Benderloch. Captain A.D.S. Barr first ran it as a hotel in the late 1940s before the Buchanan-Smith family bought the island in 1973 and operated it for more than four decades.
- 29 rooms
- Opened 1973
- Neighborhood: Loch Creran
- Architect: Hippolyte Blanc
About Isle of Eriska Hotel Spa & Island
- Hippolyte Blanc built the Scottish Baronial mansion in 1884 for the Stewarts of Appin, on a 300-acre island at the mouth of Loch Creran.
- Captain A.D.S. Barr first ran it as a hotel in the late 1940s; the Buchanan-Smith family bought the island in 1973 and kept it more than forty years.
- A Hong Kong-based owner bought in 2016; ICMI took management in 2017. Castle Stalker is about twelve miles.
History
The heart of the Isle of Eriska Hotel is Eriska House, the grand Scottish Baronial mansion built in 1884 by the architect Hippolyte Blanc for the Stewart family of Appin. The house occupies its own 300-acre private island at the mouth of Loch Creran, reached by a short bridge from the mainland at Benderloch in Argyll.
The mansion first served as a hotel in the late 1940s and 1950s under Captain A.D.S. Barr, before the Buchanan-Smith family acquired the island in 1973 and developed it into a luxury country-house hotel around 1974, an operation the family ran for more than four decades. In 2016 the estate was sold to the Hong Kong-based Creation Gem, with ICMI taking over management in 2017.
Today the Isle of Eriska is an intimate country-house retreat of roughly two to three dozen rooms, a member of Relais & Chateaux, with a Michelin-starred restaurant, set amid woodland, its own golf holes and abundant wildlife on the private island.
The setting
A private island at the mouth of Loch Creran, reached by a short bridge from Benderloch in Argyll. Oban is down the coast; this is not a Glasgow suburban house.
Experiences
- Woodland trails and wildlife — Woodland trails with natural forestry and wildlife, and untouched shorelines with views across the lochs.
- Hiking and nature walks on the island — Hikes through rugged topography, hidden coves and verdant woodlands; birdwatching and photography.
- Kayaking and boat excursions — Kayaking along the shores and leisurely boat excursions to nearby islands and coastal landmarks.
- Indoor sports area — Tennis, badminton, football, squash, basketball, croquet and putting.
- Spa treatments — Massages and facials using locally sourced ingredients inspired by the island's natural bounty.
- Indoor pool, hot tub and gardens — Indoor pool and hot tub, plus a stroll through the hotel's gardens.
Amenities
- Spa
- Indoor pool
- Sauna
- Hot tub
- Fitness center
- Tennis
- Golf course
- Fine dining
- Pet-friendly
Open Isle of Eriska Hotel Spa & Island in the atlas for live weekend rates, photos, and the full folio.