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Inverness, Scotland’s northernmost city with a small-town feel, is a popular overnight destination for those visiting the Highlands. Close to Loch Ness, Culloden, and the start of the North Coast 500, there are heaps of attractions on its doorstep, and you can even go dolphin spotting on a small group tour. The city is divided by the River Ness, with accommodation dotted along both sides. If you are driving to the city, you’ll want to look out for hotels with parking, which I’ll include as a feature in this guide on where to stay in Inverness. I’ll also feature some local tips to help you get the best out of your trip.
You may also like my guide to Inverness.
Inverness Hotels
River Ness Hotel
You can’t beat the central location of River Ness Hotel, close to Hootananny for live music and The Mustard Seed for dining.
The hotel is part of the Radisson Hotels group.
Rooms are decorated in a modern style without compromising on comfort and measure around 215 sq ft.
All rooms offer coffee facilities, a refrigerator, Wi-Fi, and a flat-screen TV.
Guests appreciate how friendly the staff are and the cleanliness of the facilities.
Tip: Daily housekeeping is available on request.
Hotel amenities include a bar, fitness suite, and breakfast service.
There is no parking at the River Ness Hotel, which is to be expected on this side of the River Ness.
Hootananny
Stay at the heart of the entertainment at Hootananny, home to live music and weekly Scottish ceilidh dancing.
Double, twin, or queen bedrooms are available and feature coffee facilities, a refrigerator, Wi-Fi, and a flat-screen TV.
Guests appreciate the hotel’s cleanliness and are most taken by the lively bar and live music community.
View this Inverness hotel as a bar with rooms, whereas River Ness is more like a hotel with a bar.
There is no parking at Hootananny, but everything you need is within walking distance.
Glen Mhor Hotel at Uile-bheist ‘Brewstillery’
If you like whisky and craft beer, this accommodation is well worth considering.
Glen Mhor Hotel is attached to the unique Uile-bheist ‘Brewstillery’, which has a gorgeous bar, whisky and beer flight tastings, and offers distillery tours.
The hotel also has a restaurant.
Situated on the north bank, the hotel spans ten Victorian townhouses and features a hundred rooms, some with views of Inverness Cathedral and Eden Court Theatre.
This is an eco-conscious hotel with a forward-thinking owner, Victoria Erasmus, who I had the pleasure of hearing speak at a tourism event.
Guests can take advantage of city centre parking at a discounted rate.
Ness Walk
Those looking for a five-star hotel in Inverness need look no further than Ness Walk.
Located on the opposite side of the River Ness from the above options, the 19th-century accommodation features uniquely decorated rooms and luxury suites starting at 215 sq ft.
Rooms include coffee facilities, a refrigerator, Wi-Fi, and a flat-screen TV, and some have large windows and terraces.
Whether opting for breakfast, lunch, or dinner at the restaurant, or an afternoon tea experience, guests give the food top marks, and there’s even an option for private dining.
Editor’s note: I absolutely adore afternoon tea and highly recommend trying it during your trip to Scotland.
This is one of the few properties that offers on-site parking.
Haste Ye Back Guesthouse
On this side of the river is a collection of guesthouses (large properties with multiple rooms) and ample street parking, ideal for those arriving by car.
Haste Ye Back is a clean and welcoming guesthouse with cleverly designed rooms to ensure a comfortable, cosy stay.
Take advantage of the self-check-in.
Guests love the décor, amenities, private bathrooms, coffee facilities, Wi-Fi, and snacks.
The guesthouse also has private parking for guests.
Haste Ye Back is close to the upmarket River House restaurant and Friar’s Bridge, which leads to the famous Leakey’s Bookshop.
Alban and Abbey House
I’ve personally stayed one night at Alban and Abbey House, a basic, clean, and comfortable guesthouse with parking.
Rooms start at 129 sq ft for a single, 108 sq ft for a small double, and 129 sq ft for a classic double.
Amenities include a TV, Wi-Fi, coffee facilities, and private bathrooms.
There is no breakfast served; however, The Bakery nearby offers lovely pastries and pies.
I liked the proximity to the cathedral and walking along Ness Walk into town.