Best Western Inverness Palace Hotel & Spa

Fantastic experience: Hello, my 90 yr old Aunt and her daughter spent Sun 1st & Mon 2nd Dec 2024 in The Palace Hotel, Ness Walk, Inverness. The stay was excellent in every way. Eilidh (on reception) arranged a beautiful room overlooking the river. The room was luxurious and the nespresso machine was a nice touch. We enjoyed lovely coffees after 2 excellent dinners in the Brasserie. All the staff were excellent, in particular Jess provided excellent customer service on Mon night. The fish goujon tacos were to die for and the fish and chips was excellent with exemplary tartar sauce. Their was a good range of non-alcoholic beers and we were treated with dignity and respect. Ale was very kind to my Aunt and cousin on Tues morning and they were both surprised to hear she was Italian due to her headware & pale complexion. I myself was treated very well (by Eilidh and Ale) when making initial enquiries regarding my Aunt & cousin booking. It was their good customer service and adab (Arabic for conduct) that lead to our booking at all. If I didn't live in the town already I'd book in myself!!! Many thanks, Alan Robinson

Negative experience: We had to leave a night early because of how uncomfortable the mattresses was. You could feel holes through the sheet. The food has no taste. Zero flavouring. Charging way too much for something that you could make yourself (probably a lot better) or that you could go and eat in one of the many restaurants that are close by and at least make it slightly more worth the price. I find it shocking that so much is charged for a breakfast where beans are simply warmed up from a can and tomatoes put in the oven with zero seasoning. The 'fresh pastries' are all mass produced and baked from frozen, not what you imagine when you see the advertisement. The room service food was equally bad with the stuffed pepper having zero taste. These are the most basic things you would expect a hotel to do well - provide a comfortable bed and food and it failed miserably on both. If location is what you are after, there's other hotels in the center. Would not recommend at all and wil definitely not got again. A pity because the staff were all good and did refund us for the last night.

Fantastic experience: Probably the best you can get in inverness, very artfully decorated , courteous service, magnificent rooms, good breakfast

Negative experience: The location for this hotel is great! But, the room we was given was not up to par! The gym was directly below our room which made this extremely noisy (you could hear when someone was on the treadmill). The bathroom needs updating massively, every time we had a shower the bath would fill up with water and would take ages to drain. And the mattresses are way too firm!

Negative experience: Our 2 night stay here was cut short to one night due to the bad weather that was coming in that evening, so we decided to move onto our next location early, which thankfully, was a relief. The location of the hotel is amazing, with great facilities, however, the key part of a hotel is relaxation. The building work being done outside our window was noisy (I know that can’t be helped). However, our room (110) was above the gym, and the noise coming from that from start to finish was unbearable, as well as the noise from upstairs, you can literally hear every step someone takes, it was an incredibly frustrating stay. The mattresses are way too firm, and the carpet in the room doesn’t even reach the edge as I cut my toe on the spikes which are open by the radiator. The bathroom needs updating massively, and the bath took about half an hour to empty after a shower, which shows it hasn’t been cleaned properly. I believe our stay could’ve been much better if we had a different room, but unfortunately can only review on the experience we had with our particular room.

Negative experience: I attempted to book a room directly on Best Western website.. For an April 2025 stay...(4 Nights) Being a Rewards member for 15+ years when traveling on business and vacationing. I always booked direct.. 99% of the time booking direct has offered the best rate. While shopping for this vacation. I found the same room with the option to cancel 1 day before arrival on Hotels.com. The price was 20% less than booking direct with Best Western . BW's room was Non refundable. The upcharge for a refundable room with BW was 40% more. I called BW.. To see if this was an error or maybe they could help. The CSR was useless.. Stating the obvious.. In not so many words, she told me being a long time BW Rewards members means nothing.

Fantastic experience: This historic hotel is beautiful and in a perfect location right on the river. Well lighted parking area and walking path where you can stroll by the river and enjoy the beauty of this town. Just walk across the bridge for great food, coffee, and shopping. A Starbucks is inside one of the dining areas for convenience. The staff is friendly and rooms are nice and comfortable. Large in size , with a nice bathroom and all the amenities. Elevator available in main building and nice buffet breakfast served. We didn’t want to leave this lovely hotel in a truly beautiful place.

Negative experience: We booked a 2-night stay at this hotel after reviewing their photos of the rooms and reading reviews. Let us start by describing this facility as a pool with an option of staying overnight. The biggest disappointment was it was yet another facility using pictures of their rooms they have remodeled but yet providing an outdated room with lipstick. They wasted money on the curtains and headboard and bedding instead of the mattress and the bathroom that was in need of a full remodel (which the remodeled version of the room showed online during booking). The pool caused our side of the hotel to smell like a locker room, and our room smelled even worse . Trust me, the bathroom had a smell of a wet dog blended with a locker room.

Fantastic experience: Had a really nice stay here, staff were all amazing and very friendly and helpful, the pool, steam room and sauna were nice, clean and fresh and the room was pretty good too, big and well laid out,comfortable enough bed. I can't help noticing the badly done works on the ceiling and cornicing, but that's down to my occupation. Overall though, a great place to spend a night. I would return here for sure.

Fantastic experience: Simply put.... It's an excellent hotel! Reviews are always challenging, you always get those who complain miserably about stupid things which makes you worry. People love to to be angry. So let us tell you... We stayed twice here once in the main hotel building and once in the second building. Both times had a FANTASTIC room which was VERY clean and comfortable. Staff were LOVELY. If we are staying in Inverness.... We are booking this hotel.

Negative experience: Avoid it. Old bed, too short even for my 170cm, room has no mini bar and very noisy. The bed and the breakfast is the worst I had in Scotland for that price. We booked two nights and I consider to leave immediately and to book something else. A disappointing end of a great trip in the highlands. Never again.

Fantastic experience: Everything was perfect, service, rooms and food cannot complain. Within walking distance to shops. Ideal.

Negative experience: The most overrated expensive hotel i have ever seen who stays in these shoe boxes theres no room to breathe no towels even lmao no closet nothing zero space all of this for this price I wouldn’t pay more than 50USD for these rooms.my whole trip was ruined by this

Fantastic experience: An amazing place to enjoy your stay. We overlooked the river enjoyed a quiet clean room. The food service was impeccable we ate breakfast in the Resturant for several days. Marlene, Laura and the entire wait staff really got our day started with a smile and for that we thank you. Very hard working while taking the time for a quick chat and a smile they are all a great representation for your establishment and Scotland. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay thanks so much.

Positive experience: Go here for the location, right on River Ness. It's also walking distance to many places. And you can park in spaces right beside the hotel. I was surprised how nice this hotel was, considering it's a Best Western franchise. It has plenty of amenities (including a spa) but I don't understand why they would not have a coffee maker in every room.

Positive experience: I would probably rate it between 3 and 4 stars. Some rooms are quite nice, while others aren't nice at all. They've 2 buildings, one of them doesn't have a lift, but has nicer rooms. Food is just okay, service was quite good except for the breakfast area. Staff there were all confused. With the large group of americans, it took ages to get seated, the coffee machine was broken. We were suggested to go to the bar to get a latte. I had to ask the staff member to go to the bar and get us a latte (for some reason, they didn't think about it). The latte arrived in a dirty cup with red lipstick around the top. Smoked salmon wasn't included in breakfast and they crarge £7 for it, which is very iverpriced as for me. With the room being full of sick people coughing and blowing their noses, we just wanted to eat and leave ASAP, but that's nothing to do with the hotel, I suppose.

Fantastic experience: We stayed in room 011 overlooking the river at the BW Inverness Palace and were so pleasantly surprised by how beautiful the room was. BW hotels back home in the US certainly have their purpose - I'm not disparaging them at all - but the rooms rarely have intricate plaster work and crown molding on 10-12ft ceilings with beautiful bay windows, as demonstrated in many review photos for this location. So unique for our first stopover in Scotland. Rooms were clean and recently updated, beds were big and comfortable, and a fan was provided in our room to circulate air and keep things cooler at night. The people who commented about the tiny elevator weren't kidding but it did its job and added to the charm of the hotel. Staff members were nice and helpful when asked. We took the train to Inverness from Edinburgh and the train stop was just a short 10 minute stroll through Inverness City Center from this hotel. The hotel is conveniently located within a short walk to many excellently reviewed restaurants, bars, and shops. It is also located across the river from city center which means the sidewalks around the hotel were much less busy and the ambiance in general was much quieter than similarly priced hotels located in the heart of City Center. We didn't eat here because there were so many amazing local options nearby but fellow hotel residents said their breakfast was fine. As an aside, we recommend making a dinner reservation if you're coming into town on a later train like we did. Everything stops serving at around 10 and tables really filled up everywhere so finding a restaurant that could squeeze us in was tough! My one complaint is that the hotel allows huge tour buses to park out front which block the view of the river from the hotely lobby and bar areas. It's a bummer to sit and enjoy a martibi with a view of the side of a bus when you know the gorgeous river and city are just on the other side. Ultimately would definitely recommend the BW Inverness Palace to those visiting the city!

Positive experience: Steak overcooked and prawn dish not great Hotel is clean and Fiona on reception was great

Positive experience: Did not stay but had dinner which was worth it and the hotel was really nice

Fantastic experience: Fabulous hotel and a superbly lower price on a special deal. Really attentive staff and excellent central location…..

Negative experience: Loved everything about the hotel, its look, staff, rooms, beds, and amenities. What else can I say.

Fantastic experience: Lovely hotel. Pool and spa facilities make it.

Fantastic experience: Looking for the best place, the nicest people, well located and most beatiful views to the Inverness City and river, definetly you have to stay there in Best Western Inverness Palace Hotel and Spa. One of the most paceful and charming places in UK! Thanks to let Us live magic moments there! Daniel

Fantastic experience: Fabulous spa treatments here great deals to be had direct with them. Had facial and massage and foot treatment

Fantastic experience: Beautiful location on the river. Walking distance to town. The lobby is beautiful. Our group had a wonderful dinner and breakfast. Great service! Super friendly. The walls are a little thin but the rooms are beautiful!

Fantastic experience: Wife booked with use ,very nice and brilliant stay ,staff were amazing

Fantastic experience: My stay so far has been so nice . The food was lovely and the staff were so nice to which you hardly find anymore so that made a nice change. Holly serving the drinks was a pleasure and her customer service was out this world so thanks

Positive experience: During my recent stay at the Best Western Inverness Palace Hotel & Spa, I found many aspects of the experience delightful, though there were a few minor drawbacks. I stayed in room 107, which was overall a comfortable space. The bed was cozy with high-quality linens, contributing to a restful night's sleep. However, the room did have a downside in the view – it overlooked a tiled roof, which was not particularly appealing. Additionally, the shelves in the room were not deep enough to effectively store clothes, which made unpacking and organizing a bit inconvenient. Despite these minor issues, the room itself was well-maintained and offered a pleasant stay. The spa at Best Western Inverness Palace Hotel & Spa is one of its standout features. The pool is spacious and well-kept, perfect for a leisurely swim. The sauna and steam room facilities provide excellent opportunities for relaxation. There is also a jacuzzi, which operates on a timer. At times, the jacuzzi was quite busy, which occasionally made it difficult to enjoy without waiting. The spa offers a variety of treatments conducted beside the pool area. Although I did not make use of these treatments, they seemed popular and well-regarded by other guests. The hotel's location is truly fantastic. Situated on the bank of the River Ness, it offers a picturesque and serene setting. The proximity to the town centre is another significant advantage – just a two-minute walk brings you to the heart of Inverness, where you can explore a variety of shops, restaurants, and cultural attractions. This convenient location allows guests to enjoy both the tranquility of the riverside and the vibrancy of the town. In conclusion, my stay at the Best Western Inverness Palace Hotel & Spa was largely enjoyable. While room 107 had a less-than-ideal view and the shelves could be more practical, the comfortable bed and clean environment were positives. The spa facilities, despite occasional busyness, provided a great way to unwind. Coupled with its fantastic location on the bank of the Ness and close proximity to the town centre, this hotel is a solid choice for visitors to Inverness.

Fantastic experience: Great place to stay, right on the river and close to the town. Some rooms are very small ,others are large. Some have great views, others don't. Good food and plenty of it. You won't go hungry while staying here.

Negative experience: Great location but that does not overcome the lack of a/c, safes or mini-fridge in the rooms.

Positive experience: Location is nice. Room is not bad-probably not worth the cost. The bathroom/shower in the room was not good. Shower nozzle hurt. Has a sauna, steam room and pool/Jacuzzi. Weird rules with the Jacuzzi and can only get in with certain lights? The lady took the rule very seriously.

Fantastic experience: We stopped here to have lunch with friends in the Brasserie. It's well placed for catching up with people. Service was excellent and our food was very tasty. Not a place we would have thought about for food, but we'll visit again.

Negative experience: Inverness is a lovely city, so we were very disappointed that our hotel was such a distraction! I don’t have anything to recommend the hotel other than the location (very centrally located on the river) and the evening coffee. The lobby and rooms were incredibly stuffy and down right HOT at night. The dining room staff was surly, brusque, and rarely seemed to know what they were supposed to be doing. The courses of our group dinners were never served at the same time and the self-serve buffets were way too crowded and disorganized. At best, the food was edible. The bath linens all had loose threads and strings coming out. We had to ask numerous times for face cloths/flannels. And to top it all off, the shower wouldn’t drain and despite several requests to have someone come check it, it only became worse throughout our stay.

Positive experience: Lovely location , bar staff were great at making cocktails and providing great friendly service. Rooms were okay but I did expect better for 4 stars . Breakfast / Dinner was good except the very unprofessional, moody , rude and impolite women member of staff , she greeted us at breakfast with contempt , not what I would expect at any hotel no matter the star rating , but I was honestly very surprised at a 4 star hotel allowing staff to treat paying customers this way . Her name I believe was Marlene. The pool area was lovely and the walks next to the river were a delight . Such a shame a staff member spoiled our visit .

Fantastic experience: Staff were amazing food was delicious and the room was spotlessly clean. Receptionist Fiona and the young Spanish lady were lovely a credit to your company.

Fantastic experience: Perfect stay with great service and facilities. Food was of great quality and appreciated the customer service overall! Thank you for an amazing stay!

Positive experience: I organised a trip for a group to Scotland and we decided to stay at this Hotel, as it is rated as a 4 Star Hotel with Spa . Plus newly refurbished and renovated. The booking worked very well and service was good in this point. The Hotel is perfectly situated in the middle of Inverness, 2 minutes walk into town.. The Outside looks lovely..but the rooms are still date.. After we checked in we wanted to refresh ourselves..but the sink was blocked...the water pressure for the toilet is very low and there was no toilet brush in the bathroom... I fell uncomfortable leaving a dirty toilet.. Also the next morning we noticed the Shower was blocked up also.. Not sure why the technician didn't check all drains if one is already blocked.. Also I booked in advance that flowers and a bottle of bubbles was in the room for my lovely wife... Sadly they wrote the wrong name on the card for my wife.. The worst part of the stay was the breakfast... they served every day the same.. they only had Cheddar cheese and cooked Ham for the toast...every day for 7 days.. and of course jam and chocolate spread.. I'm sure Scotland has more than one type of cheese and different types of meat spread..like salami.... The toast was burnt nearly every time ..plus not sure if they thought we were on a diet..as they only brought out 4 half slices of toast for 2 people.... the cooked breakfast buffet was OK..but the bacon looked terrible and most of the time you had to wait for beans or egg or mushrooms... Also sometimes you ordered tea and they brought coffee instead.. Considering the price of the Hotel it's the worst breakfast I've ever seen or encountered in my 30years of travelling.. The day bevor we checked out the room wasn't even cleaned..they started but left all the cushions and bedding on the floor.. The service in the evening was great at the bar dining area.. And the food was also good in the evening.. The service and personal in the spa were great and friendly... The parking was a nightmare..as it was open for not only guest but also visitors for the spa... Considering the Price, we would not book this Hotel again or recommend it... But if they would up-grade on the breakfast.. up-date the bathrooms maybe..

Positive experience: My stay was all inclusive, but the evening bar staff didn't seem to know which drinks were included. Bit chaotic really

Fantastic experience: Room was great once it was located, in the cottages at the back, could do with some kind of signs to explain were to go also some kind of canopy to cover from the rain. Suitcase went AWOL but was eventually found. Very clean and comfortable. Staff very friendly. Food good. Location excellent

Fantastic experience: Was here for 5 Days over Easter 2024 - Really Wonderful Hotel - Used Pool while there - Food was High Quality - Really enjoyed their Breakfasts. Staff were most helpful, especially Lorna.

Positive experience: We stayed Easter week with Giles coach tours. The hotel was beautiful and our room was lovely and comfortable. Service in the restaurant was very slow and poor. The food and portions were bad. Almost all guests had to order a side of chips to boost their portion and the food was very bland. One gentleman was served a boiled chicken breast sliced up with a handful of chips on a side plate, as his main meal. One member of staff set a dish down with one boiled potato and some green beans (to be shared by 4 people) long before meal arrived and her comment was that it was because the guests were "moaning". We had booked a deal with open bar between 7pm and 10pm, only to be told that this was now reduced to 4 drinks per night! Breakfast service was chaotic, with guests having to wait in reception for tables to become available.

Negative experience: Terrible in terms of value for money. The room was tiny. The bathroom not sanitised. The bedding was not changed after previous visitors. Don't recommend

Fantastic experience: Would stay here again! The staff were lovely and the room was cosy. Got to use the pool and sauna which was extremely relaxing. Great location as it’s only across the bridge from the main centre.

Positive experience: Nice looking hotel, but the floor in the rooms are very squeaky and the pillows are overall bad. Room size is good, but missed a refrigerator.

Fantastic experience: We absolutely loved staying at the Best Western . The area was wonderful.. very convenient to great restaurants, pubs and fine music.

Fantastic experience: This hotel is fantastic,right in the town by the Loch. I'm disappointed didn't have a Loch view despite requesting one. However, the location is fabulous, and hotel services are excellent , Defo be back. Maybe next time get a room with a view, then it would b%,

Negative experience: They claim to be a 4 star hotel, but the service is average. Rooms at the back are noisy, you can hear the neighbours. Staff do not like customers, you walk into the hotel anonymously. You expect more if you pay more, at least personal service with a smile.

Fantastic experience: A very good 5 star hotel stayed 4 nights on a coach trip from South Wales. Very good location overlooking the river Ness,short walk to the town centre Very good welcome from the manager All staff were friendly and competent Dinner and breakfast was exceptionally good. All in price included wine with dinner free bar from 7 to 10 each evening,cream tea at 4pm and a packed lunch each day Will definitely return.

Fantastic experience: My Granddaughter (12) & I had a fantastic stay from 22 - 25th Feb. The hotel is beautifully decorated , the beds were so comfortable , nothing was too much trouble for the staff (who were all very friendly) & the breakfast was amazing. The pool & jacuzzi were fantastic at the end of a long day sight seeing. Our room had a beautiful river view. It is in easy reach of the main shopping area , bus station & railway station. There is nothing to fault the Palace Hotel on , it was perfect.

Fantastic experience: Absolutely stunning hotel next to the River Ness. Very short walk to/from the center of town and the train station. My room was comfortable and clea . The staff were all lovely and helpful. The breakfast was delicious, but the same everyday.

Fantastic experience: Great location, lovely room and the staff were fantastic. I was in 306 which was a bit noisy at times but nothing to disturb my sleep. I'll be back in this hotel next time I'm in Inverness.

Fantastic experience: Fabulous hotel, wonderful location, it's a long journey from Blackpool but well worth it once you get there greeted by a warm welcome, absolutely lovely.

Fantastic experience: Such a great experience! After our reso was cancelled unexpectedly at another hotel we booked here and so glad things turned out the way they did! We told them about our travel troubles due to the storm and they very kindly upgraded our room to the river view. Everyone working here was so sweet and accommodating, they all made our stay here a truly great experience. We brought our dog along as well and they made sure we had a place to have breakfast in the morning together. Rooms were clean and cute, breakfast was fantastic. Thank you so much!

Negative experience: I felt it was not for value and over hyped. What I liked: - TV in the room was smart TV with access to a range of channels and applications - Fairly spacious rooms - Spa is decent, with great showers and a nice jacuzzi (although high competition for that as there is only one) - Entrance has nice seating, with river view. The outside facade of the building looks good for anyone who walks by or enters the place. - Breakfast is decent - Location is quite central What I did not like: - Room interiors are quite garish. The wall has marks on them and overall layout is not the best. - Breakfast was good, but timing is very short and early for winters/people on vacation (6.30 to 9.30 am) which makes it quite busy. - The bathroom is quite ordinary for the level of hotel and has bad water pressure. The free standing toilet paper holder was inconvenient. The toiletries provided were bare minimum, and we had to go ask for them in the reception and carry them to our rooms. Little details that are there in the pictures like vanity kits, shower cap, glasses kept neatly with a paper covers etc. were missing. I have seen better rooms in lower budget hotels. - Adding the word 'palace' makes one to expect more, but the hotel is hardly living up to the name. The front heritage building housing the swanky reception/restaurant has an extension at the back where we had our room. It's through narrow corridors and tiny elevator. The corridor where our room was also had an odd smell. - Spa treatment rooms looked very GP like. Otherwise it was good enough. - Service was average. We had to ask for things that never reached. We requested robes on the day we reached and got it the next evening. Having bath robes in the room or being provided one at the spa reception is something I expected given it's a spa hotel. - Quite noisy as walls are thin. You can feel if someone is walking upstairs or next door.

Fantastic experience: We’ve stayed here 3 times and have been happy with the comfort of the rooms. While the WiFi can be a little spotty, there is a guest lounge near the front desk that was spot on perfect. Big chairs you can just melt right into.

Fantastic experience: Amazing hotel, great staff, rooms nice and spacious plus food was really good. Loved the decor as well especially the Xmas decor

Fantastic experience: Great stay here - staff very efficient and hard working - and smiling The hotel looked lovely for Christmas. Rooms seem to have had refurbishment and were really smart looking.

Positive experience: Visiting for work for the weekend. First off, had to move rooms as the shower was not heating up. Staff were great helping me get into another room ASAP although there was a large stain on the carpet. The downstairs in the main building is lovely and comfortable with a beautiful dining room and bar either side of reception. I would love to think I have a better room next time. The food and service was great every day. Did not try the spa or pool but will next time. Overall a good experience. Will be visiting again on Xmas week.

Positive experience: Lovely hotel in on the riverside in Inverness. Very helpful and friendly service. Rooms were very spacious and immaculately clean. One minor annoyance - be aware, their "valet parking" isn't valet parking at all - it is simply an overspill car park very close by. However, please do not park there if you are precious about your car because the gulls crapped all over mine, and I then had to go to the time and expense of having it cleaned. I feel the hotel staff should have warned me about this beforehand because apparently, it is a known issue.

Fantastic experience: I stayed at the Palace Hotel in Inverness for 2 nights. This is my experience. The parking is free; I arrived early (11am) on the day of check in, and got a space. People who arrived later than 3pm were out of luck, although the leisure center does allow people to double park. Just go into the leisure center and ask for the car to be moved so you can leave, and they are happy to take care of it. The reception was wonderful each time I interacted with them. Lots of trainees, but they are being trained well. The lobby area is cosy with a great fireplace and wonderful views of the river. The Brasserie and Bar is airy and spacious with a great selection of drinks and food. I ate there once and had a drink once, both times with great service. Speaking of food, I expected the breakfast to be amazing -- the website touts it as such -- but it was a disappointment I think because it was built up so much, the reality just couldn't keep up. It was filling and quick (buffet), but given what I know now, I would've eaten out instead. The rooms are well laid out. I was originally in room 14 which is a really small single, but I expected that. It was still very comfortable and I enjoyed my stay in it. However, that evening there was a party right below my room, and the music was very, very loud. I called reception just to ask if someone could come up to verify the noise level so that when I asked for compensation the next day, they knew to what I was referring. The manager called back and offered to move me to another room in the back building. He was very apologetic for the inconvenience and sent someone up to help me with my luggage. Installed in room 410, I had a great night's sleep with no noise whatsoever. The next morning, they told me that there would be another party that evening (Tis the season for Christmas parties), so I would be staying in room 410 if that was okay. It was. As I listened to the music on Friday evening, I was ready to write a scathing review of them, but the customer service shown by the night manager was such that I am completely satisfied and would 100% stay here again. Oh, and the location is perfect -- couldn't be any better for those of us who like to walk around the city.

Fantastic experience: The Palace is without a doubt a jewel in the heart of the Scottish Highlands. Steeped in history and elegance, this hotel effortlessly combines modern amenities with a touch of old-world charm. The moment you step into the grand lobby, you can't help but be enchanted. Christmas is in full swing at The Palace with the main areas completely decked with sparkling Christmas decorations, which really adds to the warm ambiance. The hotel's commitment to exceptional hospitality is evident in its attentive staff, who go above and beyond to ensure every guest's needs are met. From the receptionists to the housekeeper to the breakfast staff, smiles were never in short supply; all so friendly and helpful. The rooms are beautifully furnished, offering guests a comfortable and luxurious retreat. The bed is sheer indulgence with soft, silky white sheets, a mattress that seems to envelope every contour of your body and plump pillows that provided that cloud-like embrace granting a very blissful night's sleep. The attention to detail is evident from the gorgeous headboard, to the heavy black out curtains that close and two lounging chairs perfectly positioned to take in the view of Inverness Castle and the river Ness. The bathroom is well appointed with two sinks, mirrored wall and a shower over the bath. Plush white towels and toiletries are provided but like many hotels I stay in, the absence of a shelf on which to put your own toiletries whilst showering, leaves me perplexed. Hotel buffet breakfasts are a delightful indulgence for guests seeking a satisfying start to their day and breakfast at The Palace is no exception. The bright dining area boasts a hot and cold breakfast buffet from pastries and crusty bread to a selection of fruits and local cheeses. The aroma of sizzling bacon and scrambled eggs will most definitely pull you towards the hot buffet area. Whether you prefer a hearty Scottish breakfast or a lighter continental fare, the buffet offers an abundance of choices to suit every palate. The Palace hotel's prime location allows for easy access to famous landmarks, such as Inverness Castle and the picturesque River Ness, making it an ideal base for exploring the city's rich history and natural beauty. But it’s also perfect for those venturing further afield to Culloden (20mins drive away) or lovers of Outlander looking to snap selfies at the various film locations. Inverness is firmly putting itself on the map and rightfully taking its place as the Capital of the Scottish Highlands. When you visit, consider staying here, at The Palace. For more reviews visit www.tartanspoon.co.uk

Fantastic experience: We had the most lovely 3 nights, so sad to leave tomorrow. Thank you to Lorna for looking after us so well. We can't wait to come back

Fantastic experience: Everything about bast Western Inverness. Was fantastic experience. Friendly staff. Just a fantastic place to stay for a mini break. The facilities were fantastic. Everything about the facilities was fantastic. I highly recommend the best Western in Inverness. I will definitely be going back .

Positive experience: Checked in mid afternoon 10.13.23. Booked a river view room - hotel has construction going on at front of hotel and scaffolding pretty much destroys the view. Don’t book a room with a river view for a while until they can confirm that you will have a view. Downstairs facilities look excellent. Room 25 cost me 285 sterling Friday and 389 sterling Saturday. Way too expensive for what it is. Bathroom has a strange odor, and the rooms have no fridges if you need to keep anything cool. Parking is a tough issue for this hotel - be warned….

Positive experience: If the coffee machine in the breakfast room is broken, why can't you serve coffee from the bar machine, instead of that dishwater that came out of the kitchen? Otherwise happy with this hotel and pool is fabulous, except for the fact that our room faced the kitchen and cooking fumes wafted in through the window. Bar and restaurant staff are excellent, right on the ball, and work their backsides off. Shame about the scaffolding all over the front. Be nice to have known in advance.

Fantastic experience: My husband and I had the pleasure of staying here during our recent trip to Inverness. We had a beautiful room with a view of the river and castle across the way (though the castle is currently being worked on so there was scaffolding covering parts). The room was clean and as someone who loves old architecture and design, I loved how this hotel blended the old with modern conveniences. The fan in the room was also a nice touch for someone like me who has to sleep with a fan 365 days a year. Would absolutely stay here again!

Positive experience: Lovely Hotel. Great location. Good Food. Helpful Friendly staff. Some minor issues not sorted as would have liked, (bath plug not working, draught beer not available) Overall very nice stay, would use again.

Negative experience: Could not sleep because the person above me could be heard so easily walking then when he left the cleaning crew sounded as if they were running. I could hear the TV through the walls in next room. Very little sleep.

Negative experience: PALACE! Change the name of the hotel LE MAC GREGOR from Bad western Access to your room is via a small service lift; when leaving the elevator you will see the linen used, the bowls and plates on the floor of your floor. In your room, don't forget to turn off your lights when you arrive, there is no switch at the foot of your bed. Bring binoculars to watch your television positioned 10 meters from your bed. Be careful not to trip over the torn carpet; the bathroom also deserves its share of remarks This palace is a place of tourist buses that you will fully appreciate during your breakfast in a din worthy of a canteen of boarding school. And to top it off, the prices displayed for the breakfast dishes are charged in addition when you leave! the name of MAC GREGOR is therefore not stolen. best western would do well to audit this establishment

Positive experience: This is a very nice, clean hotel with comfortable rooms. It is perfectly located in the center of the city. The spa is very nice, which justifies the price of the hotel in my opinion. Unfortunately, our room was located towards the noisy (ventillation from the kitchen) courtyeard and was very warm (no AC). As we found out later, there are mobile air conditioning units available from the hotel. All in all, we enjoyed our stay in the hotel and would recommend it to travellers who are looking for a nice hotel with spa in the city center.

Negative experience: Generally an okay hotel, but if you need functioning wifi, don’t stay here. Getting about 0.05 MB with their “included internet” and being told that that’s the speed we’d expect in the room is not what I would expect at this steep price point…

Positive experience: Beautiful location but lacked AC. Central to city centre. Rooms that were not facing the river felt hidden away and took a little bit more to get to. Staff at the bar were phenomenal. Staff at the front desk were a little flustered. Cleanliness of standard items (sheets, towels, etc) felt appropriate, but the remote and alarm clock in room were covered in what appeared to be skin/sweat stains. Was not comfortable using them at all.

Fantastic experience: A very enjoyable stay at this excellent hotel. The service and the friendly, helpful staff in all areas were outstanding. The spa, pool and gym were well above the normal standard for hotels at this level and much enjoyed by all the guests I spoke to.

Fantastic experience: Overall, a nice hotel. We were in the building adjacent to the main hotel. Large room with amenities. The gym was well equipped with a large pool. Breakfast was good as well.

Fantastic experience: The hotel and room were spectacular. The morning breakfast was beautifully done. The location could not have been better. I was so impressed by our experience that we would love to return. Even when our room was hot, they provided fans to help cool it down. Wonderful stay.

Negative experience: Everything about this hotel was fine other than the room. The doors don't fit and you can put your hands under the room door. Rooms small and noisy if overlooking back of hotel due to kitchen extractor.

Positive experience: This hotel was one of our least favorite in our two weeks in Scotland. Rooms have no air conditioning (the previous occupants left the heat on so our room never fully cooled down), we were turned away at breakfast a minute before the cutoff, and they have a single person lift which made taking luggage up and down a challenge (we were on third floor). The only plus is the location is convenient to walking to local restaurants and shops.

Positive experience: Nice stay on our Scotland trip. A little disappointed that we were in what appeared to be a newer annex. Overall excellent experience. The breakfast was exceptional.

Fantastic experience: Lovely hotel in great location. Staff friendly and the whole place very clean, especially the pool area. Tiny downside that the jacuzzi wasn't working, but that can't be helped.

Negative experience: Great location and nice enough room let down by noise, closet bathroom, breakfast ending to early and weird service attitude from staff... especially on check out... also pathetic parking situation expect you to run around to organise and definitely NOT A FOUR STAR HOTEL by any stretch of the imagination. Disappointing and will not return.

Fantastic experience: Overall I thoroughly enjoyed my stay. Great location on the river and close to town. Staff are lovely and friendly it is very clean and the breakfasts are very good. I would have awarded 5 stars for everything but see my comments on the room. (And I paid for a premium room)!

Positive experience: Stayed here over the Easter long weekend. For the price we had to pay (full flexible rate) it was disappointing. Dirty carpet leading up to the main entrance and pokey little lift that could barely fit 2 people (3rd person got in and was told overloaded), had a group of ladies who looked they’re on a hens night weekend and they were very loud coming and going at all hours throughout the night and the soundproofing in the rooms are not good. Room was clean and spacious, good new smart TV and bathroom was acceptable. Location is fantastic close to everything. For a significant discount we might stay again but otherwise no.

Positive experience: The rooms are incredible, the most comfortable bed we have had while in Scotland. The room had an amazing view and was very spacious. Unfortunately, the staff was less than impressive. Also the breakfast was awful. The food was barely warm and the hostess was very obviously miserable in her job. The space was pretty and high-end but the food felt more like a 1 star. Disappointing.

Fantastic experience: Travelling with family in Scotland we enjoyed two nights stay at the Inverness Palace Hotel. It's a beautiful Hotel in a great location. Room's very comfortable and tastefully decorated. Great facilities including a beautiful leisure centre. Food and service was excellent. Would definitely recommend a stay there. A special Thanks to Fiona in reception for her excellent Customer Service.

Positive experience: Member of the spa and its cracking !. Very clean and very well maintained as usal however it seems smaller than it used to be? The starbucks area has changed alot lovely interior however staff abit muddled over orders? Bar menu prices seem average and reasonably prices macaroni cheese etc are on the menu not tried it yet foodwise however i will do at some point . Cocktails seem around a tenner .i only go due to the spa been a local pool could do with been a wee bit warmer worth 100 quid a month membership hope to go again without the kids for extra relaxing day with the husband .

Fantastic experience: Lovely hotel with great facilities and friendly staff. We came for a long weekend and really enjoyed our stay. The breakfast provided a great selection of options particularly for vegetarians and is of a buffet style which I’d highly recommend for anyone with children. The pool and jacuzzi facilities were immaculate and relaxing. The room was clean and well presented and the hotel is in a beautiful location next to the river. The hotel bar is beautiful and offers a quieter setting for cocktails if you’re not up for the more party scene across the bridge. All staff were friendly and pleasant, all in this was a great experience at a traditional old Scottish hotel. Take the bad reviews with a pinch of salt, there’s no pleasing some people!

Positive experience: I stayed at the hotel as part of a rail tour, during Christmas week. The (older) staff, couldn't be nicer or more gracious; the younger ones need more hospitality training. The location can't be beat, both for a quick trip into the High Street, as well as the Ness Walk. ROOM: My friend and I had paid for an upgrade to a River View room. The view was lovely, the room was large, but the bathroom could've had more space to put our respective toiletries and the heated towel rack was not working (we didn't report it) - the bathroom could use updating. The other bad thing about the room was it was right above the lounge, and there was nightly entertainment, some nights going well past 11pm. The walls and pipes become speakers. BREAKFAST: Very uninspiring, but I recognize there were challenges with the holiday crush (two coaches full of pensioners - and can they drink, along with our 50 or so travelers! LOL). Not having a choice of breads to toast, and getting coffee service was difficult. TAKEAWAY LUNCH: Again, uninspiring. DINNER: Very good, quite enjoyable. SPA FACILITIES: Nice to have a soak in the hot tub and use the pool on Christmas Day.

Negative experience: They gave us a room in the annex of the hotel, despite me specifying in my booking that I did not want to be in this area of the hotel because i had read poor reviews about these rooms. I feel i was scammed as my request was completely ignored. This section of the hotel is terrible! Our room was dirty, the bathroom smelled of urine, in the shower there were shampoo stains and remains of hair (clearly the previous guest had shaved and some remains of hair were visible). Additionally, the shower was clogged as well as the sink and then ceiling in the bathroom was dirty and moldy. The bedspread had a stain on it, so we had to call reception to have it replaced. In general, this area smells of mold, everything is very old and deteriorated. I would definitely not return to this hotel ever. I don't understand why they offer the annex rooms when they are in such poor condition. The room was quite expensive and the price was completely unacceptable for all the things that were wrong.

Fantastic experience: Yet another superb stay at the Palace , spotlessly clean and food amazing. Would especially like to thank Laura who made our mealtimes special. Always had a smile on her face, some of the younger ones should take a leaf out of her book. Only one negative ordered lunch bags for return journey home only to discover order had been lost between reception and the kitchen so unfortunately came away empty-handed

Positive experience: Very comfortable and good service. Prices were sensible. Only reason not 5 stars was my cheese sauce was not seasoned at all. Easily fixed with salt and pepper, but chef should have tasted.

Positive experience: I usually love Best Western Hotels and had a great experience in each one I stayed at but this one let me down. Great location but the rooms needs more attention. The sound insulation is poor we were woken up by the noise from other rooms. You can hear the people walking around in the upstairs room. Our room was missing a safe, the pillows were low quality. Service is disappointing, I didn't feel that the staff were welcoming. The majority of the staff in the breakfast service were very young and seems not very well trained. I was shocked by the quality of the breakfast.

Positive experience: Nice looking hotel and staff are friendly. My mark downs are for the room we had was at the back. Very dark, cobwebs from the ceiling. It had a feel of just not getting the maintenance and attention it should have. Breakfast was absolutely standard to every other hotel.

Fantastic experience: The room was good and felt recently refurbished. The wifi wasn't working the only small let down otherwise it was a wonderful stay. The elevator of the wing towards which our hotel room was on was broken but we were promptly offered assistance with our bags. Sara was wonderful.

Positive experience: I booked the girls night in weekend at the Palace Hotel Inverness for my mums birthday/retirement. Firstly, the booking process and selecting timings of events was straight forward, organised and the girl was very helpful. On arrival at the hotel the reception staff took our bags as our room wasn't ready and we went for a walk and came back. On return reception confirmed the timings of our processco, dinner and midnight snacks and off we went up to room 22. The room was quiet and a good size, beds comfy and lovely view. Bathroom was basic with a bath and shower. The ceiling had bad water damage which we didn't notice until going to bed at night. Once settled we called reception to ask about the spa but they weren't able to help as its seemed certain areas of the hotel are not owed by the hotel from what we were told. I found the lack of communication here to be poor. When we got to the spa we had no dressing gowns, no slippers and it was one of the guests that told us to ask for one at reception. It would have been better to have these left in the room due to being there for a spa weekend and I think it would have been more of a personal touch too. The pool was cold and everyone hovered around the hot tub area so you had limited chance of getting to go in unless you were quick. We booked 2 - 1 hour treatments via sleeping beauty salon which again is not part of the hotel. Unfortunately due to staff sickness our treatments were cut to a half hour which was dissapointing and the hotel couldn't offer anything due to it being a seperate company. We were due our processco in the room at 6pm which we had to chase twice and when going for dinner again lack of communication or training were told by reception we would need to ask at bar as they didn't know. The food was lovely and once in restaurant the staff were lovely and couldn't do enough. Food came fast and was tasty with plenty of choice. I would say better communication, training and the personal touch is needed at this hotel which otherwise would have made it a lovely stay.

Fantastic experience: We visited as part of a coach party. From a welcoming arrival we were impressed with the facilities, rooms and food. The all inclusive provision included a good choice buffet breakfast, plain wholesome sandwiches for lunch, afternoon tea and dinner. Staff were helpful, hard working and always available. The bar and reception areas are pleasant to sit in with a view over the river. Our room was at the front with a view, large, clean and plenty of storage. Central position clues to town centre and river walks. Thoroughly enjoyed our stay

Fantastic experience: I have stayed at the hotel as part of a coach tour with friends. I had a fantastic stay, I shared a large twin bedroom which was exceptionally clean and well presented, the beds were extremely comfortable. The only point I would make is that there should be a mirror above the dressing table next to the plugs. The food was exceptionally good, cooked well, tasty with great choices. All of the staff looked after us extremely well, always pleasant and helpful. Thank you

Fantastic experience: I'm here at the moment. Due to leave first thing in the morning. Couldn't fault anything for last few days. Staff went above and beyond. Chef served us up a treat every meal, and there were lots of meals. I fell over and the duty manager was very very kind. It was my own fault but he was lovely. Great overall tour by plimbleys coaches.

Negative experience: EDIT: The response from the hotel indicates that I was allocated a river view double. Again, my booking stipulated a double executive with views, and I repeat, I was NOT given a double. Furthermore, the first room I was taken to was the smallest hotel room I've ever seen in my life, in real life or on TV. It barely fit one bed in it and couldn't have even accommodated our luggage. The hotel CLEARLY attempted to dishonor what I booked AND PAID FOR. This is not the type of behavior or tactic that deserves anyone's patronage. Original review: I booked and paid for a "double executive room with views." Double means two beds. Executive means nicer/more spacious/etc than an average room. If that's not what "executive" means, then explain it to me. "Views" is obvious. Here it's the castle/River Ness. We arrived at 2:30. Check-in is at 3. At 3:30, after sitting in the lobby in front of reception for an hour, we still had not been given a room. I engaged the front desk clerk, and apparently, at that exact moment, voila (!!!), we had a room. The bag man then grabbed our bags and promptly exited the front of the building. I was a bit confused, and he was walking so fast, he had already crossed the side street to the right before I could even make it down the stairs. He then entered the adjacent building and started up about three flights of stairs. Immediate red flags as my partner has physical disabilities, and we assumed we would have access to an elevator. Upon entering the room, it had one bed, no views, and was incredibly small, certainly nothing that would have the word "executive" attached to it. I didn't even let my partner finish climbing the stairs. I just kept saying, "no..." I go back to the front desk and show them my reservation details on paper. Apparently, they did not have this information (???) and made a copy of it. We then get taken to the top floor of the main building, which was at least accessible by elevator, an incredibly tiny elevator, but a lift nonetheless. The room had one bed, is still quite small (not executive), but has good views. At this point I am too tired to argue so we move in. Still, I am quite annoyed at what has transpired so I ask to speak to the manager. He explains that double does mean two beds. He throws semantics and excuses at me when I ask what executive means. The only rooms they had left with more than one bed or were larger (executive) had no views. I decided to keep the views and deal with the lack of space. That's the main part of my issues, but I did want to note that the power outlets beside the bed would only accept the plug style of the lamp so you could not plug in a power converter by the bed. I use a machine for sleep apnea, and luckily I had a surge protector with a decently long cord so I was able to use the outlet on the wall adjacent to the bed to plug in my machine and phone. They really need to update this. Overall, for a global chain, this level of service of was unacceptable. How are they going to give me a tiny room up three flights of stairs without actually knowing WHAT I BOOKED AND PAID FOR??? Dealing with this after traveling for 13 hours was excessively maddening and completely avoidable and unnecessary.

Positive experience: Nice big clean room. But the restaurant is quite small for such a big hotel people squeezing during the breakfast. The elevator really small as well. Barely for 2 adult with 2 cabin luggage’s.

Fantastic experience: Bar very busy when we were there and possibly new staff? Service was a bit slow. I wouldn't recommend the bar food served from the restaurant. Style over substance. Big room with huge bed had usual facilities minus a mini fridge. Spa was great, gym quite small but quite well equipped.