Tucked away on the blue shores of Loch Fyne, Portavadie is a hidden gem on Scotland’s West Coast, offering a satisfying blend of luxury and nature. Regardless of whether you’re seeking a peaceful retreat or an outdoor Scottish adventure, Portavadie caters to all tastes with its modern accommodations and beautiful surroundings.
From the infinity pool overlooking the loch (famed for being the largest outdoor infinity pool in Scotland), to the slick port-view apartments, this destination is great for those looking to unwind.
In this review, I’ll be covering why Portavadie stands out as one of Scotland’s premier getaways, but also highlighting the bits that (in my opinion) need improving.
BOOK PORTAVADIE ACCOMMODATION HERE
Portavadie accommodation options
Portavadie pitches itself as a location that offers a “diverse range of accommodations to suit different tastes and budgets.” While (for the best part) I agree with this summary, it’s worth remembering that it’s still a contemporary spa aimed at the mid/high end market.
Their properties cater to everyone from couples and families, to groups and those traveling solo. We went along as a duo looking for some space to work on a project – we were struggling to focus in the office (too many work-related distractions.)
One of the standout choices at Portavadie (and probably what they’re most praised for) is the Luxury Apartments. We opted for a Deluxe Two-bedroom Luxury Apartment; the website boasts that these come with two king or twin bedrooms on the ground floor, views of the marina, and a sauna en-suite in the first double bedroom.
Portavadie Deluxe two-bedroom luxury apartment
I can’t deny, the Portavadie Luxury Apartments are built to impress. As you push through the the front door, you’re welcomed with a generous foyer area that connects to a ground-floor bedroom corridor.
To your left, stairs sweep up to the first floor, where you’ll find a large, open-plan, fully-fitted kitchen and living space. You’ll also find a 3rd bathroom up here! The lounge provides spacious, contemporary living with a roomy balcony and glittering views over the boats and dock.
As an additional bonus, one of the en-suite bathrooms comes with a full-size sauna: a novelty that I made good use of!
The downside? The Portavadie website is rather vague when it comes to highlighting where each apartment is located in the complex. We were a little disappointed to find that it was only the Townhouse Luxury Apartments and Three-bedroom Luxury Apartments that sit directly overlooking the dock. Despite the high price-point, the Deluxe Apartments are set back from the water – quite the disappointment.
The Portavadie Check-In process
Upon arrival, you’re welcomed by a bright reception area with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the marina. The check-in process at Portavadie was incredibly friendly and smooth. There were two staff members when we arrived, one of whom was particularly warm and helpful with any questions we had.
However, they didn’t provide much information about the restaurant or how to navigate the site. I later found out there was another restaurant on location that we completely missed. In hindsight, a bit more guidance about the full range of facilities and a walkthrough of the map would have been useful.
The beauty of Portavadie’s setup is that, no matter which accommodation you book, you’re never too far from the water or the resort’s main facilities.
Portavadie Spa overview
Our room reservation came with free access to the spa. It’s worth noting that you can’t just come and go as you please at the Portavadie Spa. We were asked to choose a time slot for our visit (I’m guessing this is to keep numbers down and ensure guests have a more peaceful experience.)
While the time limit a bit frustrating, given how much we spent, I understand it’s to ensure all guests have a chance to enjoy it without overcrowding.
There are two outdoor hot tubs with fantastic views across the coastline. The pool, while touted as Scotland’s largest outdoor infinity pool, was relatively small (given it’s title.) However, it’s heated to a deliciously warm temperature, meaning that guests could enjoy the west coast views without chattering teeth and worry about Scotland’s ‘unpredictable’ weather.
What’s missing? I would have loved to see a steam room in addition to the sauna, but overall, the experience was calming.
The Portavadie Restaurant
The restaurant experience at Portavadie is something I see a lot of people talking about, but we didn’t get to experience it fully. We spent a good amount in our Luxury Apartment, using the spacious kitchen to cook our own meals: ideal for those of us with dietary requirements.
That said, we did take a look at the restaurant menu, and it was refreshing to see vegan options for both starters and mains. Included was a potato gnocchi and a vegetable curry.
We also had the vegan breakfast each morning, included in the stay. The team were really accommodating and made us an almond milk lattes (note, they don’t carry other plant milks, which may cause issues for nut allergy sufferers.)
Breakfast overall was quite good for vegans. While I had to request non-dairy spreads, there were enough options for me to put together a hearty Scottish breakfast.
Is Portavadie nice?
I think it’s better to ask, would you go back? My answer is yes! However, if I was going in a group again, I’d be tempted to upgrade the the dock-front suites for the full experience.
The photo below shows the view of the dock from the Deluxe Two-Bed Apartments, slightly set back from the water with a large green in front of it.
Who owns Portavadie?
Portavadie was developed by Mark Stewart, a Scottish entrepreneur who had a vision of turning the former oil construction yard into a luxury resort.
Stewart’s goal was to create a resort that blends luxury with the natural environment. The resort continues to be family-owned, which has helped it maintain its personal, intimate feel despite its expansion over the years.
