Hotels in Inverness

Stays in Inverness: prices and the best time to book

When booking in Inverness costs the least

The season is the classic Highlands one. The dearest is August, at the height of the Scottish summer, when long days and festivals draw travellers touring the Highlands and rates run clearly higher. The cheapest is January, deep in winter, with short days and thinner traffic, when average rates drop by about half. The most pleasant time to sightsee is the months from May to September, with milder weather and longer days. Across the week the lowest rates fall on Sunday and the highest on Thursday. For summer and the festivals, book ahead, usually about a month in advance.

What a night costs by property type

The spread is fair, since guesthouses sit next to chain, boutique and five-star country houses. Indicative nightly rates:

Indicative rates for a double room, depending on dates and standard. In summer, August in particular, prices rise, so check the real amount for your dates in the search above.

Where to stay in Inverness

The area you pick depends on your travel style. The city centre gives direct access to the train station, restaurants, the Victorian Market and Inverness Castle, handy when you want everything within a walk and to head out on day trips. Along the River Ness it is quieter, with riverside walks and the theatre, within a walk of the centre. The West End is a quieter district near the centre, while the outskirts towards Loch Ness give more space and closeness to nature. The compact centre is easiest on foot, and local buses reach Loch Ness and Culloden. For the wider Highlands a rental car is the handiest.

Which Inverness hotel fits whom

• Families. The centre near the river, restaurants and stops is handy, with easy access to a Loch Ness cruise and a walk over the Ness Islands footbridges. For children, Bellfield Park and the botanic gardens with their tropical greenhouses are good.
• Couples. For a trip for two, hotels along the River Ness and in the centre are good, with walks over the Ness Islands, the view from Inverness Castle and evenings at Highland restaurants, and country houses outside town towards Loch Ness for quiet.
• With breakfast. Breakfast included is offered by many hotels and guesthouses, especially mid-range and upper-tier properties.
• For activity and sightseeing. For trips across the Highlands, a base in the centre with good transport is best, along with Loch Ness cruises, the Culloden Battlefield and the riverside paths. A car makes it easy to reach the scattered sights.
• On a budget. Guesthouses and budget hotels are the cheapest, from about £55 a night.

Sample hotels in Inverness with prices

From a budget hotel to a five-star country house, a few places that map the local price ladder. Prices from, per night:

When Inverness gets more expensive

You pay the most in summer, at the peak of the Highlands touring season, with the peak in August, with long days and festivals. Prices also stay high through the high season from June to September and on long weekends. In winter, January in particular, with short days it is clearly cheaper. Five-star hotels and country houses by the river hold a higher tier whatever the season.