Places to Stay to Book in Inverness for a Local Experience

Founded in 1998 to bring fresh organic beer to the masses, Black Isle Brewery has gone from strength to strength, and it opened its accommodation block in August 2018. Featuring 14 private ensuite rooms, well suited to backpackers, the Black Isle Bar & Rooms is right on the doorstep of attractions such as Inverness Castle, as well as the train station and the River Ness. Apart from having Black Isle’s award winning beers on tap, the bar also features a delicious wood fired pizza menu with most of the ingredients sourced from their very own farm.

A beautiful four-star hotel with a history dating back to the 18th century, Kingsmills is one of the best places to stay in Inverness, and offers guests an elegant starting point for discovering everything the area has to offer. The rooms, from the recently renovated Garden Rooms to the traditionally styled Classic 1785 suites, all come with wifi, 24-hour room service and flat screen HD TVs as standard. In addition to its exceptional interiors, Kingsmills has some great dining options available, with two in-house restaurants and the Whisky Bar, supposedly the best stocked drinks venue in Inverness.

An independently run guesthouse just outside central Inverness, the Heathmount Hotel is everything you could want during your stay in the city. First built over a 100 years ago as two separate houses before being converted into the hotel it is today, Heathmount has eight individually-styled rooms to choose from, each with their own distinct feel but all retaining the same level of comfort. If you’re looking for a spot to fuel up before hitting the sights, be sure to try Heathmount’s ‘legendary’ breakfast, the perfect way to start a full day of sightseeing.

A Victorian villa a short walk from the city centre, the Ballifeary Guest House offers guests a stylish choice of accommodation for a visit to Inverness. With just a few rooms available – a double, a twin and a king-size double – each visitor is given a personal welcome from the owners for that feeling of belonging. The rooms have a contemporary finish, furnished with everything you would expect. The location of Ballifeary is definitely one of its strengths, being just far enough out of the centre for a peaceful break but within walking distance of the fantastic Eden Court Theatre, the castle and the cathedral.

This luxury five-star hotel in a Georgian manor house is the perfect place to get an authentic Highland experience. Although the building is old, there’s nothing outdated about the Rocpool. Interiors are chic, with contemporary furnishings and sleek, modern styling. There are Egyptian cotton sheets, Elemis toiletries and velvet bathrobes to make your stay as comfortable as possible. While you might never want to leave the hotel, there are a number of exciting activities available to book, including horse riding, boat cruises and the Highland essential, the distillery tour.

If you’re looking for the quiet side of Inverness, then Ness Walk is the ideal choice. A five-star hotel on the banks of the river, Ness Walk gives its guests a tranquil base for exploring both the city and the countryside. The rooms are elegant and expertly designed, filled with natural light and with beautiful views of the courtyard or river. Torrish, the in-house dining experience, is fronted by executive chef Craig Douglas and has an eclectic menu of reimagined Scottish classics, with ingredients sourced as locally as possible.

An Grianan B&B is a great choice for guests wanting authentic home comforts. Situated in a charming conservation area, it is housed in an Edwardian stone villa and offers personal service, comfortable furnishings and delicious home-cooked breakfasts. Within walking distance of the castle, theatres and vibrant restaurants and bars, An Grianan is a great place to rest your head between days out in the city.

If you want to experience life outside the city centre, why not try the Daviot Luxury Pods? A family-run business, this offers a rural Inverness accommodation experience; the two glamping pods are self-contained, each with a small kitchenette, bathroom and lounge area. Although they are a short drive out of town, the pods are a great way to experience the picturesque Highland countryside and offer a genuine break from the wider world. Each pod can hold up to four people and they can be booked individually or together.

Further afield, overlooking Loch Ness and featuring fantastic views of the mountains, the Drovers Lodge is a fun and friendly B&B. First opened in 2018, this B&B treats guests to an unparalleled view of the loch, a hospitality tray featuring a careful selection of local goodies, and ultra-comfortable king-size beds in each of the three rooms. If you are staying during the winter months, make sure you spend time in the spacious lounge in front of the traditional log burning stove, the perfect setting for a quick dram before bed.