What’s the building set-up?
We have three semi-detached houses at the Decca. We live in the middle part and the two end houses are guest accommodation.
Each cottage has the name of the cottage by the front door.
We have outdoor space for guests at the front of the building. We have a picnic bench for each cottage as well as a clothes drying line which is shared between both cottages.
Both cottages have parking for 2 medium sized cars. If you’re bringing a large van, truck or SUV you may only be able to park one vehicle. There is extra parking available at Spornis (the local sports center), which is less than a 5 minute walk from us.
We also have a covered bike shelter located behind the garage, this is shared by both cottages.
The back garden is private.
When is Check-in/ Check-out?
Check-in is anytime after 4pm and check-out is before 10am. If you want to check-in early or check-out late this must be agreed upon in advance.
How does check-in work?
We do a self check-in. This means you can check-in at any time after 4pm on your arrival date. The door will be unlocked prior to your arrival. We don’t meet guests at check-in unless a prior arrangement is made.
Will anybody else be around?
We live next door so will generally be around if any issues arise. We are usually available during business hours. We do however need to go to the mainland occasionally so might not be here during your stay.
We don’t come over to the cottages unless requested to do so and give you your privacy.
We have two cottages so you may see other guests during your stay.
You may see us in the back garden but we always keep the noise down and stay away from the cottage when we have guests.
What do you provide?
All the bathrooms have Highland Soap Company, soap, shower gel, shampoo and conditioner. We also provide enough toilet paper for your stay.
The cottages have tea, coffee and some basic condiments.
All towels and linens are also provided.
We don’t offer any additional services unless agreed upon in advance.
Can we have groceries delivered ahead of time?
You can arrange for groceries to be delivered here from Tesco or the Co-op in Stornoway, however, you MUST arrange this with us in advance, or we cannot guarantee your food will make it into the refrigerator/ freezer in safe timing. We will not be responsible for food deliveries unless they are arranged WITH US (not just the store) in advance.
The Co-op can generally deliver with one or two days notice (not on Sunday though). You can place your order online at https://shop.coop.co.uk/. Tesco will also deliver but it can be difficult to get a time slot. You can order and pay through their website https://www.tesco.com/groceries/. If you choose to have anything delivered we just ask that you give us a heads up to expect your shopping. When asked for the postcode it is HS2 0XB, and the address is Decca Station.
Can I get an early check-in/ late check-out?
If we can make it work we will try to accommodate check-in/check-out requests. Communication is key though, so please give us as much notice as possible. Extra fees may apply. This must be agreed upon in advance.
Do the cottages have washing machines/ dishwasher?
Yes, we renovated both kitchens in 2023 and now have a washing machine and dishwasher in both cottages.
Can we park our motorhome at The Decca?
Unfortunately, we have limited parking at The Decca so have to reserve those spaces for guests.
Can we bring pets to The Decca?
Unfortunately, we have a strict no pets policy.
I’m coming on a Sunday. What is open?
On Lewis, Sundays are traditionally a day of rest. Therefore the restaurants, pubs and shops are generally closed. There are also no deliveries on Sundays. Please plan ahead if arriving on a Sunday. If you are expecting to have groceries delivered please plan to have them delivered before Sunday. We are happy to hold onto items for you (within reason, if you’re getting a large amount of items that need refrigerated we need to make sure we have space). Cross Inn does serve meals on Sundays, but with limited hours, so plan ahead and make sure you have a booking!
Can we stay at The Decca for a work related trip?
Yes you can, we get contractors staying with us often. If you need a stay of 7 days or more, we offer a 20% discount. You can also arrange for groceries to be delivered. See the relevant FAQ above for information on how to arrange this.
What if my ferry is cancelled?
It doesn’t happen often but sometimes ferries can be cancelled due to bad weather. We recommend purchasing travel insurance which can cover your travel expenses in the event you are unable to travel. Unfortunately we are unable to provide refunds outside of our cancelation policy but we will provide any required information to help you get costs covered by your insurance.
Is there any chance of a one night stay?
Yes, we are now offering one night stays.
Do you have bike storage?
We just had a new covered bike shelter built.
Is there anything to do in the off-season?
It gets really dark up here in the winter meaning we are a great location for viewing the northern lights and star gazing. You’ll also have the beaches and walks mostly to yourselves.
Are there places to eat nearby?
We recommend researching and booking any meals out in advance as restaurants fill up quickly on the island. Please see our Local Resources page for options:
Can we charge electric cars?
We don’t have charging facilities on-site however Spornis (sports center) has a charging station. Spornis is a 2 minutes drive/ 5 minute walk from us. Charging vehicles from the cottage power supply is not permitted.
Are you LGBTQIA+ friendly?
Yes we are, everyone is welcome at The Decca.
Are you on the Hebridean Way route?
Yes we are actually at the final stop on the Hebridean way. We have comfy beds and covered storage for bicycles. You can also have groceries delivered here ahead of time so no need to carry food and drinks.
What if my Question isn’t answered?
The quickest way to get an answer to any questions is to email us at thedecca@pm.me.