River Ness Hotel is a Radisson Individuals member on Church Street in the middle of Inverness, with around seventy-five rooms, a restaurant, a bar and a gym. The location is its great strength: the Victorian Market is about two minutes away on foot, the castle about six, the cathedral about nine, and the railway station about eight. For visitors who want to leave the car behind and walk to everything, it is one of the most convenient addresses in the city.
Location and getting around
Church Street is one of the oldest streets in Inverness and runs through the commercial heart of the city. From the hotel, the Victorian Market is about two minutes on foot, Eastgate Shopping Centre about three, Inverness Castle about six, Inverness Cathedral about nine and Eden Court Theatre about twelve.
The railway station is about eight minutes away on foot, and the airport is about twenty-three minutes by car. That mix makes it a strong choice for travellers who arrive by train from Edinburgh or the sleeper from London and plan to explore on foot or with day tours.
Facilities
The hotel has a restaurant and a bar, a gym, a concierge, an elevator and a 24-hour front desk, plus free WiFi and air conditioning. Breakfast is available for an extra charge, so compare rates with and without it when you book. The premises are smoke-free. As in many city-centre hotels in older streets, parking is not always on site, so ask the hotel what is available nearby before you arrive by car.
Room sizes and outlooks vary, and a quieter room away from the street can be a good idea on weekend nights, when the city centre is busy.
Who it suits
Couples on a Highlands tour, small groups travelling by train, business visitors and anyone who prefers a walkable location to a country-house setting. It is a good base for coach and minibus tours that leave from the centre for Loch Ness, Culloden, Cawdor and the Black Isle, and for evenings of live music in the city's pubs. Summer is the busiest season, with festivals and the long Highland evenings; in winter the city is quieter and the hotel makes a warm base for short breaks. Book early for July and August.
Making the most of a stay
Walk the river path and the Ness Islands in the morning, browse the Victorian Market, climb to the castle viewpoint and eat at one of the restaurants along the river in the evening. Day trips to Loch Ness and Urquhart Castle, to Culloden Battlefield, to the dolphin-watching point at Chanonry and to the whisky country of Speyside all start from the city. Pack waterproofs in every season, since Highland weather changes fast, and confirm check-in times, breakfast arrangements and cancellation terms when you book.
Why stay here
- ✓Free WiFi
- ✓Air conditioning
- ✓Restaurant
- ✓Bar
- ✓Gym
- ✓Concierge
- ✓Elevator
- ✓24-hour front desk
Good questions
How far is it from the railway station?+
About eight minutes on foot, so it works well if you arrive by train.
What is nearby?+
The Victorian Market is about two minutes on foot and the castle about six. The cathedral is about nine.
Is breakfast included?+
Breakfast is offered for an extra charge. Check whether your rate includes it when you book.
