Would you like to visit Inverness? Then you’re in the perfect place to discover the Highlands of Scotland. It’s not for nothing that they say that ‘’Inverness is the gateway to the Highlands’’. Inverness is also easy to reach, whether you choose to go by car or train.

Today, we’re going to review Royal Highland Hotel.

Is this Hotel what you’re looking for? What does it have to offer you? Is it value for money?

As there are multiple hotels in Inverness, it could be hard to choose. By the end of this article, you should be able to make a decision. Spoiler: there are a few downsides that could keep you from staying in this hotel.

Why choose a hotel in Inverness?

Not only is Inverness an ideal starting point. Inverness itself is also a wonderful city. It’s even regarded as the capital of the Highlands. A big reason that attracts many visitors to Inverness is the natural scenery. In Inverness, the River Ness meets the Moray Firth. Furthermore, Inverness is an ideal place to stay to explore the rest of Scotland. It’s the closest town to the renewed Loch Ness. Besides, you can even use it as a gateway to the Isle of Skye.

Inverness is also filled with history. For example, in the Old Town, you'll see remarkable historic buildings, such as the 18^th-century Old High Church and the 19^th-century Inverness Cathedral. There’s also an indoor Victorian Market. And if you’d like to see even more history, you can explore medieval ruins, prehistoric sites, and quaint towns within the Inverness Rural (which covers the area around Inverness). Inverness is ideally suited to walking around.

Interesting fact: Inverness is one of the fastest-growing cities in Europe, but you can barely tell if you explore the city. It's still smaller compared to other cities in Scotland.

About Royal Highland Hotel

Even though we now live in a world that we know as ''modern'', Royal Highland Hotel still wants to keep its authentic charm. And they know how to do that, as this hotel exists for over 160 years. The first time Royal Highland Hotels opened its doors was in 1856. Many people from all over the world have been here, including royal members of the British Royal Family and Foreign Dignitaries. Well, then you should be able to serve people well, right? Once, Royal Highland Hotel belonged to an elite group of classic Scottish 'station hotels'.

Royal Highland Hotel didn’t surrender when large hotel groups started to rise. In 2000, the hotel has been restored which now makes it one of the great hotels of the North. It has a modern standard of comfort combined with traditional classic surroundings. Royal Highland Hotel is different from what you'd expect from classic city hotels. It's filled with beautiful art (many paintings on the walls), and the magnificent staircase and entrance lobby give you a real ''wow factor''. As I said before, within this old building you won't feel like you're in a regular city hotel. And there's something special about the staff: they are very friendly and offer excellent service.

Good to know that the Royal Highland Hotel is right next to the station. There's also a shopping centre and M&S store nearby.

If you choose to stay at Royal Highland Hotel, I recommend checking out their package deals. These deals let you stay for a reasonable price.

The rooms in Royal Highland Hotel

Royal Highland Hotel has 86 bedrooms. Each of these looks lovely, is clean, and is decorated with things such as paintings, a carpet, and colourful curtains. It won't feel like you're in a modern room that you can find in many hotels as these rooms look dated. You’ll still experience the traditional feel, but with contemporary comfort. The lighting isn't bright, but this brings you into a relaxing mood.

These are all amenities that these rooms have in common:

• Telephone
• Free WiFi
• Freeview Television
• Hairdryer
• Tea and Coffee-Making Facilities
• Room Safe
• Umbrella

Only the last room (Royal) has a desk.

Cosy single

This is the ideal choice if you’re alone and you look for a hotel close to the station of Inverness. The cosy single rooms have 1 single bed with an en-suite bathroom with a shower.

Cosy double or twin

Are you with someone else? And do you want the simplest room close to the station? Then this one would be your best pick. The cosy double or twin rooms have 1 double or 2 single beds with an en-suite bathroom. The bathroom has a bath and shower, or only a shower (depends on the room you choose). 

Classic single

If you’re alone and you want an upgrade from the cosy single room, then have a look at this one. The classic single rooms have 1 single bed with an en-suite bathroom. This bathroom also has a bath and shower, or only a shower (depending on the room you choose). 

Classic double or twin

This is an upgrade for 2 people. The classic double or twin rooms have 1 double or 2 single beds with an en-suite bathroom. This bathroom also has a bath and shower, or only a shower (depending on the room you choose). 

Royal room

The royal rooms are the best in this hotel. The main reason for this is that these rooms are extra spacious, and they have 2 queen beds or 1 king-sized bed with an en-suite bathroom. All bathrooms have a bath and a shower. If you want, you can even ask for an extra bed in the room (subject to availability).

Royal Highland Hotel prices

For the latest prices, check the availability via the button below. Prices differ per season, and therefore it's important to check the latest. Also, make sure to check for special packages if they are available. 

The restaurant in Royal Highland Hotel

Whether you look for lunch, dinner, or drinks, the Royal Highland Hotel can truly surprise you with tasteful food and drinks. Think about home-baked cakes and pastries, freshly ground coffee and loose-leaf teas, and other goodies. Furthermore, the dishes are made of locally sourced ingredients and there's an extensive drinks list. This list includes a selection of local craft beers, classic cocktails, fine wines and premium spirits. Most importantly: you can try their exclusive World of Whisky.

To put this short: you won’t be disappointed when you decide to eat in this restaurant. The food is delicious. the staff is very attentive, and there’s lots of choice for picky eaters as well.

Space for private events

Good to know that Royal Highland Hotel is an ideal place for special events. Why? Not only can you benefit from its central location. The hotel can provide you with a special atmosphere. Think about weddings, exclusive private parties, or elegant receptions. The service is of high quality and you will find a relaxed period setting. The facilities will be good for up to 200 guests. Royal Highland Hotel is even licensed for the performance of civil weddings.

Upsides and downsides of Royal Highland Hotel

To summarize, here are all the upsides and downsides of the Royal Highland Hotel. As you can see, I said that the hotel can be noisy. This also depends on how loud your neighbours are and the volume of their TVs. As the hotel is in the centre of Inverness, you could hear people walking in the alley too. This can be a downside, but many visitors say that the noise didn't bother them. There are even guests who liked it as a part of the atmosphere.

So it’s totally up to you. What’s for sure, is that the location is excellent. The staff is very friendly and the service is superb. Also, you’re not paying a high price for this as the hotel is reasonably priced. I highly recommend Royal Highland Hotel if you’re looking for a special, historic Scottish experience in the centre of Inverness when you don’t mind possible noise.

Book Tours at Royal Highland Hotel

Are you interested in a tour instead of exploring the area on your own? The Royal Highland Hotel makes it possible to book day tours (and even day tours) directly from its website. Think about a trip to the Isle of Skye & Eilean Donan Castle, a half-day Loch Ness and Outlander Sites Tour (this is a series made in Scotland around Inverness), or a 12-day walking tour through the Outer Hebrides.

After Royal Highland Hotel

Want to know more about the best places to stay and go in Scotland? Then definitely have a look at our other articles:

• Waverley Castle Hotel – Our full review!
• Lairg Highland Hotel – Our Complete Review!
• 8 Best Cottages in Argyll – Scotland
• 5 luxury villas to rent in Scotland – Wow factor
• Our Scotland hot tub lodges top 3!