Where to Stay in Inverness? The 5 Best Areas & Places to Stay

Inverness is the capital of the Scottish Highlands and the town where most Highland holidays begin. The River Ness runs through the middle of town beneath the red sandstone castle, Loch Ness starts a quarter of an hour’s drive to the south-west, and this is where most drivers start and finish the North Coast 500. The town is small enough to explore on foot.

So where to stay in Inverness? It mostly depends on whether you have a car and whether you’d rather wake up by the river or by Loch Ness. Here are my five picks for areas, with three hotels in each.

The Best Areas to Stay in Inverness

• City Centre - best area for first-time visitors and travellers without a car
• Ness Bank & Ness Islands - best area for couples and riverside walks
• West Bank - best area for castle views, spas and theatre
• Crown - best area for drivers and peace and quiet
• Drumnadrochit & Loch Ness - best base by Loch Ness

The first four areas are all within walking distance of Ness Bridge, so the difference comes down to atmosphere, parking and price. The fifth is the village by Loch Ness, for those of you who would rather have the loch than the town. The prices below come from a search for a weekend in May for two people. Inverness is expensive from May to September, when the town is full of touring visitors, so book early and expect lower prices in the winter months.

1. City Centre - best area for first-time visitors and travellers without a car 🏰

• 📍 Distance to the centre: You’re right in the centre. From the railway station it’s a five-minute walk to High Street and ten minutes to the castle.
• 🚆 Transport: The railway station and bus station are both on Academy Street, so trains to Edinburgh, Glasgow and Kyle of Lochalsh and buses to Loch Ness and Skye leave right on your doorstep.
• ✈️ Time from Inverness Airport: About 20 minutes by taxi or on Stagecoach’s number 1 bus from the terminal to the bus station. The train from Inverness Airport Station takes only 11 minutes, but the station is a 20-minute walk from the terminal.
• 💰 Price level: £££ to ££££. The three hotels below cost around £285 to £550 per night when I searched for a weekend in May.
• 👮 Safety: Safe during the day and in the evening. On Friday and Saturday nights it can get noisy around the pubs on Academy Street and Church Street, so pick a room away from the street.

City Centre is the part of Inverness on the east bank between the railway station and the river. High Street, with the Gothic Inverness Town House, is the main street, and right next to it is the covered Victorian Market, where a food hall with small eateries has taken over some of the old stalls. Church Street is the oldest part of the Old Town, with Abertarff House from the late 16th century, the Old High Church and the second-hand bookshop Leakey’s Bookshop in a former church.

Up on the hill above the river stands Inverness Castle, which has been converted into a new attraction. A ticket costs £20 online and £22 on the door, and it gets you into the two towers with views over the town, while the gardens are free. In the evenings, traditional Scottish folk music is played in several of the pubs on Church Street, including Hootananny.

See hotels in City Centre here.

I would stay here if you’re arriving without a car and want to do day trips. If you’re coming by train from Edinburgh, the journey takes about three and a half hours, and if you need a night in the capital along the way, my guide to where to stay in Edinburgh can help. The guided coach tours leave from the centre, for example a day trip to the Isle of Skye and Eilean Donan Castle from £69. If you’d rather sleep on the island, read my guide to where to stay on the Isle of Skye.

The downside is parking. Most hotels in the centre have few or no spaces, and you’ll have to pay for a car park such as Rose Street. It’s also the most expensive area in town, even though several of the hotels are perfectly ordinary chain hotels.

Hotels in City Centre

River Ness Hotel - large four-star hotel on Church Street

River Ness Hotel is part of Radisson Individuals and sits on Church Street with the river on one side and the Old Town on the other. There’s a restaurant, bar and gym, breakfast features local specialities, and it scores highly on Booking.com with several thousand reviews. The hotel has no parking of its own, so if you’re driving, you’ll need to use the car park on Rose Street five minutes away.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “Lovely hotel, and the location and room were excellent in both size and comfort.”

See photos and book River Ness Hotel here.

AC Hotel by Marriott Inverness - modern riverside hotel with its own parking

AC Hotel is on Glebe Street at the northern end of Bank Street, so you can walk along the river into the centre in a few minutes. The rooms are modern with air conditioning and soundproofing, and there’s a restaurant, bar and gym. It’s one of the few hotels in the centre with its own parking, but spaces are limited and cost £10 per night, and breakfast is extra.

From one review: “Lovely hotel, great shower and comfortable bed.”

See photos and book AC Hotel by Marriott Inverness here.

B&B HOTEL Inverness - simple chain hotel 100 metres from the train

B&B HOTEL Inverness is on Academy Street, about 100 metres from the railway station and bus station, so it’s easy to come and go with a suitcase. The rooms are colourful and simple, there’s a bar, gym and 24-hour reception, and it was the cheapest of my three picks in the centre. There’s no parking, and breakfast costs extra.

One guest highlights: “The comfortable beds and the cleanliness of the room.”

See photos and book B&B HOTEL Inverness here.

2. Ness Bank & Ness Islands - best area for couples and riverside walks 🌳

• 📍 Distance to the centre: From the hotels on Ness Bank, it’s a 5 to 10-minute walk to Ness Bridge and the High Street. Ness Islands are about 15 minutes’ walk further south.
• 🚶 Getting around: You can do most things on foot along the river. The railway station is about 15 minutes’ walk away, so take a taxi if you have heavy luggage.
• ✈️ Time from Inverness Airport: About 20 to 25 minutes by taxi, or bus number 1 to the centre followed by a ten-minute walk.
• 💰 Price level: ££ to ££££. The three places below cost roughly £105 to £400 per night when I searched for a weekend in May.
• 👮 Safety: A quiet residential area where you can safely stroll along the river in the evening. Save the walk across Ness Islands for daylight, though, as the paths run through dense woodland.

Ness Bank is the wide promenade on the east bank, starting just below the castle and running south along the river. It’s lined with Victorian terraced houses, many of which are now hotels and guesthouses looking across the water to the cathedral on the other side. It’s the most beautiful street in town to stay on, and you’re still only a few minutes from the pubs in the centre.

Follow the river further south and you reach Ness Islands, a string of small wooded islands in the middle of the river, linked by Victorian footbridges. It’s the best walk in town, and you can do a loop out across the islands and back along the west bank in under an hour. A quarter of an hour’s drive south-west is Dochgarroch Lock on the Caledonian Canal, where Jacobite’s shortest boat trips start from £21 and sail through the canal and out onto Loch Ness in 50 minutes.

See hotels on Ness Bank here.

I’d choose Ness Bank if you’re a couple who want river views and to walk to dinner without staying in the thick of the weekend noise. Several of the hotels have free parking, so the area also works well if you’re driving around the Highlands and only need a single night in town.

The downside is that many of the buildings are old, so rooms can be small, stairs steep and the décor a little tired. Ask for a river-view room when you book, as the cheapest rooms often face the back.

Hotels on Ness Bank & near Ness Islands

The Glenmoriston Townhouse Hotel - boutique hotel with a restaurant and cocktail bar by the river

The Glenmoriston Townhouse sits on Ness Bank and has an award-winning restaurant, a cocktail bar and rooms, some of which look out over the river. Parking is free, and it’s a 5-minute walk to Ness Bridge. Some guests find the smallest rooms cramped and in need of updating, and breakfast costs extra.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “Excellent place in a great location.”

See photos and book The Glenmoriston Townhouse here.

Glen Mhor Hotel - Victorian terraced houses with their own brewery

Glen Mhor Hotel is made up of several Victorian terraced houses on Ness Bank, and some of the rooms overlook the river. The hotel has its own small brewery and distillery, Uile-bheist, plus a restaurant and bar. Parking costs £12 per night, and several guests mention that maintenance and cleaning aren’t always up to scratch.

From one review: “Lovely hotel in a fantastic location.”

See photos and book Glen Mhor Hotel here.

Rossal House Apartments - apartments with kitchens close to Ness Islands

Rossal House is on Island Bank Road in an older house with a garden and terrace, a few minutes’ walk from Ness Islands and just under two kilometres from the castle. The apartments have kitchenettes, so you can make your own breakfast, and there’s free parking. It was by far the cheapest of the three, but a few guests have noted that the cleaning wasn’t perfect everywhere.

One guest highlights: “Very happy with my stay and would love to come back.”

See photos and book Rossal House Apartments here.

3. West Bank - best area for castle views, spa and theatre ⛪

• 📍 Distance to the centre: Just across the river. From Huntly Street it’s a 5-minute walk over Ness Bridge or the Greig Street footbridge to the High Street.
• 🚶 Transport: You can walk to everything in the centre. The railway station is a 10 to 15-minute walk away, and a little further from the hotels at the southern end of Ness Walk.
• ✈️ Time from Inverness Airport: Around 20 to 25 minutes by taxi, or bus number 1 to the centre followed by a 10-minute walk across the bridge.
• 💰 Price level: ££ to ££££. The three hotels below cost around £110 to £510 per night when I searched for a weekend in May.
• 👮 Safety: Quiet and safe. There are few people on Ness Walk in the evening, but the streets along the river are well lit.

West Bank is the western bank of the river opposite the castle, and this is where you get the classic view of Inverness with the red castle above the water. Huntly Street is lined with churches and guesthouses, while Ness Walk further south is a quiet, tree-lined avenue of large Victorian houses, home to some of the city’s best hotels. In the middle of the area stands the red sandstone Inverness Cathedral, and right next door is Eden Court, the city’s theatre and cinema, with everything from concerts to pantomime.

Carry on south and you reach Bught Park and Inverness Botanic Gardens, with glasshouses full of tropical plants, and from here you can walk back across the Ness Islands to the east bank. The area is also handy if you’re driving, as you can get onto the A82 towards Loch Ness without going through the centre.

See hotels in West Bank here.

I’d stay here if you want the best of both worlds: views of the castle and peace and quiet at night, but only five minutes from the pubs. It’s also where you’ll find a hotel with an indoor pool right by the river, which makes the area my top pick for families and for anyone who fancies a spa after a long day’s driving.

The downside is that there are hardly any shops and only a few restaurants on this side of the river, so you’ll need to cross the bridge for dinner. Parking at the hotels on Ness Walk is limited, and in some places it costs extra.

Hotels in West Bank

Ness Walk - the city’s five-star hotel in quiet surroundings

Ness Walk is a five-star hotel in a Victorian building on the quiet avenue of the same name, around a ten-minute walk from Ness Bridge. There’s a restaurant and garden, the rooms have air conditioning, and its Booking.com score is the highest in this entire guide. Parking is limited and costs £20 per night, which guests often complain about.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “A wonderful stay at a truly first-class hotel with wonderful staff.”

See photos and book Ness Walk here.

Inverness Palace Hotel & Spa - pool and spa directly opposite the castle

Inverness Palace Hotel sits on Ness Walk directly opposite the castle, and from some of the rooms you can see both the castle and the river. The hotel has an indoor pool, a spa with a steam room, a gym and a restaurant, as well as family rooms. Parking is free, but spaces are few, so arrive early in the afternoon if you’re driving.

From one review: “Great spa facilities, which we love using.”

See photos and book Inverness Palace Hotel & Spa here.

Armadale Guest House - budget guesthouse two minutes from the footbridge

Armadale Guest House is on Greig Street on the west bank, a two-minute walk from the footbridge into the centre. The rooms are small and simple, there’s free on-street parking, and a continental breakfast is available at extra cost. It was the cheapest of the three, but some guests mention that they could hear other guests through the walls.

One guest highlights: “Lovely cosy room. Fantastic value for money.”

See photos and book Armadale Guest House here.

4. Crown - best area for drivers and peace and quiet 🚗

• 📍 Distance to the centre: Around a 10 to 15-minute walk downhill to High Street, and a little longer back up again.
• 🚗 Transport: Best by car. You’re out on the A9 and A96 towards the airport, Culloden and the Black Isle in a few minutes, without driving through the centre.
• ✈️ Time from Inverness Airport: Around 15 to 20 minutes by car or taxi along the A96.
• 💰 Price level: ££ to ££££. The three hotels below cost around £180 to £520 per night when I searched for a weekend in May.
• 👮 Safety: One of the city’s safest and quietest neighbourhoods. The streets are steep, so bring sturdy shoes if it has been raining.

Crown is the residential area on the hill east and south of the centre, just behind the castle. The streets are wide and lined with large 19th-century grey stone villas and terraced houses, and many of them are now small hotels and B&Bs with parking right outside the door. There isn’t much to see in the neighbourhood itself, but from Castle Street and Culduthel Road you can walk straight down to the castle and High Street.

The big advantage is the location for drivers. From here it’s around 8 kilometres out to the Culloden battlefield, where the Jacobites lost the last battle in 1746, and the prehistoric burial cairns at Clava Cairns are right next door. To the north, you drive over the Kessock Bridge to the Black Isle and on to the North Coast 500, the 516-mile route around the north of Scotland that most people start and finish in Inverness. If you haven’t brought your own car, you can pick up a hire car via Booking.com at the airport or in town.

See hotels in Crown here.

I’d stay here if you’re on a road trip and want free parking, a good night’s sleep and a quick route out of town the next morning. If you’re heading west afterwards, I’ve gathered the best bases in my guide to where to stay in the Scottish Highlands, and in my guide to a road trip with Glencoe and the Isle of Skye you’ll find a route that also takes in Loch Ness and Inverness.

The downside is the hill. The walk down into town is easy, but the way back up after an evening at the pub is steep, and there are no restaurants in the neighbourhood itself apart from the hotels’ own. Without a car, Crown is less practical than the centre.

Hotels in Crown

Rocpool Reserve Hotel - luxury hotel with hot tubs on the balcony

Rocpool Reserve is on Culduthel Road, a few minutes’ walk from the castle, and is a five-star boutique hotel with a lounge menu for hotel guests and help booking tables in town. Some of the rooms have their own balcony with an outdoor hot tub, and parking is free. Breakfast isn’t included, and a few guests felt their room was dark and too cluttered with furniture.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “Beautiful decor, large and luxurious room, free drinks and snacks.”

See photos and book Rocpool Reserve Hotel here.

Heathmount Hotel - small hotel with a whisky bar and free parking

Heathmount Hotel is on Kingsmills Road in the middle of Crown and has a cosy bar serving Scotch whisky and cocktails, as well as a restaurant with Scottish dishes. Parking is free, but space is tight and it fills up quickly in the evening. Breakfast costs extra.

From one review: “An excellent, well-run hotel with friendly staff, a good bar and restaurant and only a 10 to 15-minute walk down to the centre.”

See photos and book Heathmount Hotel here.

Redcliffe Hotel - friendly family-run hotel close to the castle

Redcliffe Hotel is on Gordon Terrace in the lower part of Crown, a short walk from the castle and the river. There’s free parking, a garden with a terrace and a restaurant whose menu ranges from Thai curry to homemade burgers. It was the cheapest of the three, but several guests say the rooms are small and a little old-fashioned.

One guest highlights: “The staff are so friendly and wonderful.”

See photos and book Redcliffe Hotel here.

5. Drumnadrochit & Loch Ness - the best base by Loch Ness 🦕

• 📍 Distance to the centre: Around 25 kilometres south-west of Inverness along the A82, or half an hour’s drive.
• 🚌 Transport: Citylink buses towards Fort William and Skye stop in Drumnadrochit and at Urquhart Castle and take around half an hour from Inverness, but there are only a few departures a day.
• ✈️ Time from Inverness Airport: Around 45 to 50 minutes by car.
• 💰 Price level: ££ to £££. The three places below cost around £100 to £255 a night when I searched for a weekend in May.
• 👮 Safety: A quiet village where the biggest problem is the traffic on the A82. Walk at the side of the road with a torch or something reflective if you’re heading back from the pub after dark.

Drumnadrochit is the village on Urquhart Bay on the north side of Loch Ness, and it’s the best base if you want to see the loch rather than the city. A couple of kilometres to the south-east, the ruins of Urquhart Castle sit on a headland jutting out into the water. A ticket costs £14 online and £16 at the entrance, and in summer it’s open into the evening, so you can arrive once the coaches of day-trippers have left.

In the village itself, The Loch Ness Experience tells the story of the Nessie legend and costs £15 if you buy online. At Clansman Harbour north of the village, Jacobite boats head out onto the loch, and the Great Glen Way walking trail passes by on its way to Fort William. If you don’t have a car, you can also see the loch on a guided day trip to Loch Ness and the Highlands from Inverness from £55.

See hotels in Drumnadrochit here.

I’d stay here if you have a car and are only in the area for Loch Ness, or if you’re driving on along the A82 towards Fort Augustus and Fort William. Fort William is around an hour and a half further south-west, and you can read more in my travel guide to Fort William.

The downside is that the evenings are quiet and you’re reliant on a car or the few buses. The choice of restaurants is limited to the hotels and a couple of pubs, so book a table if you’re visiting in high season.

Hotels in Drumnadrochit & by Loch Ness

Loch Ness Inn - old inn with a pub close to Urquhart Castle

Loch Ness Inn is in Lewiston at the southern end of Drumnadrochit, close to the Great Glen Way and a short drive from Urquhart Castle. There’s a restaurant and a bar serving local beers, and parking is free. Breakfast costs £12 per adult, and the rooms in the adjoining bunkhouse are sold without breakfast, so check what you’re booking.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “Everything! The room was lovely, the bed was comfortable, and everything was very clean with everything you needed.”

See photos and book Loch Ness Inn here.

Loch Ness Clansman Hotel - hotel right on the shore of Loch Ness

Loch Ness Clansman Hotel is at Brackla on the shore of Loch Ness, on the road between Inverness and Drumnadrochit, and the boats from Clansman Harbour leave just below. The restaurant and bar look out over the loch, some rooms have a balcony or terrace, and parking is free. The hotel sits right on the A82, and some guests mention that the rooms can be noisy.

From one review: “The location was fantastic, easy to find by car, and the staff were wonderful and friendly.”

See photos and book Loch Ness Clansman Hotel here.

Kilmichael House - small adults-only guesthouse

Kilmichael House is a small adults-only guesthouse on the edge of Drumnadrochit with free parking and a host that guests praise again and again. It’s usually the cheapest of the three. Check-in is within set times, so let them know if you’re arriving late.

One guest highlights: “Lovely host. Best stay ever! Wonderful location and beautiful surroundings.”

See photos and book Kilmichael House here.

Where not to stay in Inverness?

Watch out for hotels that have Inverness in their name but are actually by the airport at Dalcross or in the business parks at Inshes and Raigmore along the A9. They’re easy to drive to, but you’ll need a car or taxi every time you want to go into town, and the atmosphere is all roundabouts and supermarkets. Merkinch and Longman north of the railway station are working-class neighbourhoods and industry by the harbour, and there’s no reason to stay there as a visitor. And although Fort Augustus at the southern end of Loch Ness is charming, it’s too far away if you also want to see Inverness. In the centre, avoid rooms facing Academy Street if you’re a light sleeper, as the street is lively until late at weekends.

For a first trip without a car, I’d stay in the City Centre or on Ness Bank, so you can walk to the station, the buses and the guided tours. If you’re a couple, choose Ness Bank or West Bank with views of the river and the castle, and if you’re travelling with children, the pool on West Bank gives you the most for your money. If you’re on a road trip, Crown is the easiest place to park and get going again, while Drumnadrochit is for those who’d rather wake up by Loch Ness than in the city.

If you’re flying into Edinburgh rather than Inverness, my guide to getting from Edinburgh Airport to the city centre can help you on your way to the train north. If you’re starting your trip in Glasgow, I’ve also rounded up the best areas in my guide to where to stay in Glasgow.

Travel ressources & websites I use all the time 👇

• Booking.com has the best offers on hotels and unique places to stay
• GetYourGuide is the best place to book tours & activities with free cancellation
• Welcome Pickups is the best & safest place to pre-book airport transfers

Psst 👀 Have you subscribed to my Youtube channel and my Instagram where I provide more useful travel tips?