18 Academy Street, Station Square, Inverness, United Kingdom | (618) 248-8274
Right next to Inverness train station in city center
Plenty of period charm with contemporary touches
Well-maintained rooms with satellite TV and Wi-Fi
Good selection of buffet and cooked-to-order
breakfast
On-site parking free of charge (though limited
spaces)
Quality restaurant, wine bar, and cafe on-site
Room service available around the clock
Some rooms are
small
Small and slow
elevators
Outside noise can
be an issue
No leisure facilities
The Royal
Highland Hotel is a mid-range, 86-room property set in a 19th-century building
attached to the Inverness train station. While showing a few signs of age in
places, the hotel is generally well-presented, and blends period charm with plenty
of contemporary art. Rooms are clean and bright with decent-enough amenities,
though some are prone to city-center noise. All in all, it's a
characterful property that super convenient for train connections, with competitive rates for this category. The Best Western Inverness Palace just across the river,
however, has a pool and spa facilities for around the same price.
Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.
Scene
Nineteenth-century station hotel blending historical charm and contemporary art
First opening its
doors in 1854, this station hotel dates back to the days of the steam engine and
its stone facade retains plenty of the charm of the era. Stepping into the
entrance area, visitors are met by trophy ram heads, wooden paneling, and
original tiled floors that set a stiff and traditional tone. Passing through a
pair of elegantly carved doors, however, guests enter a reception area that
introduces playful mixture of contemporary touches to the 19th-century
fixtures. A grand mirrored staircase with intricate wrought ironwork --
inspired by the stairway in the Titanic -- takes center stage while striking
modern art pieces adorn the walls above antique furnishings. While some
hallways are creaky and a little dated with scruffy carpeting, others are
bright and colorful with attractive wallpaper. Elevators, however, are cramped
and rather slow. The vibe is friendly and bustling, and the hotel is mostly popular with
vacationing couples who are after easy rail access to the highlands.
Location
City center location adjoining Inverness's main train station
The hotel is
attached to Inverness' main train station, set back from a busy street in the
center of the city. Its central location means there are plenty of restaurants,
bars, and shopping within a short walk, including the Eastgate shopping mall
just a minute away on foot. The neighboring station means particularly easy
access to the Scottish Highlands by train as well as direct connections from
Edinburgh and Glasgow. Inverness Castle is also just a five-minute stroll away
while the famous Loch Ness is about a half-hour drive.
Rooms
Colorful, traditionally styled rooms -- some with noise issues
The hotel has 86
rooms, all of which are decorated in a blend of mostly traditional styling
including floral drapery and antique-style furnishings with the odd modern
touch. While rooms are generally clean and well-maintained, some are certainly
on the small side and can feel a little dated. Amenities include
flat-screen TVs (with some satellite channels), tea/coffee facilities, and
Wi-Fi -- though it is only free for the first 45 minutes. While most rooms are
relatively free of noise despite its location, there have been reports of
street noise being an issue in some rooms. Bathrooms have marble tile and shower-tub combos.
Features
Impressive buffet breakfast selection and limited on-site parking
The hotel serves
a decent breakfast buffet each morning of a good selection of hot and cold
items as well as cooked-to-order and traditional favorites such as smoked
kipper and haggis. It is included in some rates but not all.
Ash Restaurant is also open for lunch and dinner with produce sourced from the
surrounding Highland pastures and lochs. A small bar has a good choice of wine
while the lobby cafe serves afternoon tea; room service is available
24 hours a day. There is limited on-site parking free of charge (up to nine
cars) but no spa or leisure facilities at the hotel.
