20+ Great Places to Stay in Inverness

If you’re looking for the best places to stay in Inverness, you’re in the right place!

We’ve stayed in a lot of Inverness accommodation over the years – first when visiting family, and now as Highland locals who still love the occasional night in the city (usually after a show or a winter date night). So this guide isn’t just research – it’s based on real stays, honest opinions, and places we’d actually recommend.

Inverness might be small, but accommodation here books up quickly – and prices can be surprisingly high, especially in summer. To save you hours of scrolling, we’ve rounded up the best hotels, apartments, B&Bs and budget stays in Inverness.

Whether you’re planning a romantic break, a Highlands road trip, or just need somewhere after a night out, this guide has you covered.

⭐ Our Top 3 Places to Stay in Inverness

• Best luxury stay: Ness Walk Hotel
• Best central hotel: AC Hotel by Marriott Inverness
• Best budget stay: Bazpackers Hostel

Luxury Accommodation in Inverness

Ness Walk Hotel

Rating: 9.4 ⭐

If you’re celebrating something special, this is hands-down one of the best places to stay in Inverness.

We stayed at the 5 star Ness Walk Hotel in 2022 and again at the start of 2026. It still stands out as one of the most memorable hotel stays we’ve had in the Highlands. From the moment you arrive – with a welcome glass of champagne – to the level of service throughout, everything feels thoughtful and polished without being over the top. You can read read our full review here.

The hotel sits in a peaceful spot along the River Ness, just a short walk from the centre, so you get the best of both worlds. Rooms are beautifully designed, with some offering private terraces overlooking the river – perfect for a quiet morning coffee or evening drink.

Best for: couples / special occasions / luxury stays
Local tip: book early for summer – this one fills up quickly

→ Check latest prices and availability for your dates at Ness Walk

Culloden House Hotel

Rating: 9.2 ⭐

Whether you prefer staying outside the city centre or are interested in being based close to the famous battlefield, Culloden House Hotel is a top option. With a 4 star rating and a two AA rosette restaurant, it’s a fine place to stay and dine. 

The fact that there’s only 28 rooms gives this property a more intimate feel, and the 40-acre setting is spectacular. Many original features remain within the elegant Georgian building, placing this among the more quirky places to stay in the Inverness area.

→ Click here to check rates and availability at Culloden House Hotel

Heathmount Hotel

Rating: 8.9 ⭐

Heathmount Hotel can be found in the heart of Inverness city centre. The property has an authentic local feel, evident in the bars serving Scottish whisky and the restaurant’s cuisine. 

If you want to book a stay in Inverness with your loved one, the rooms here are ideally sized for two, and include four poster and luxury rooms. Family rooms, meanwhile, can accommodate up to four. The breakfast served here is very highly rated too. 

→ Click here to check rates and availability at Heathmount Hotel

Bunchrew House Hotel

Rating: 9.0 ⭐

We looked at Bunchrew House Hotel when we were searching for a wedding venue (we chose St Andrews in the end) and we absolutely loved the sweeping views over the Beauly Firth. This historic hotel is housed in a 17th century building, and is set on a 20-acre site with woodland and gardens. 

Every room here is named and uniquely styled, and there are pleasing and well preserved original features found throughout the property. The hotel’s restaurant has been awarded two AA rosettes, while the bar offers guests wonderful views over the expansive grounds. 

→ Click here to check rates and availability at Bunchrew House Hotel

River Ness Hotel, a member of Radisson Individuals

Rating: 9.0 ⭐

If you’d like to be based in the centre of the city, close to both the river and the train station, then consider staying at the River Ness Hotel. This Radisson Individuals property offers a selection of soundproofed rooms, a concierge service and a 24-hour reception desk. 

Hotel facilities include a bar, a restaurant and a gym. Accommodation is air conditioned, and decorated in a smart, contemporary style. Some rooms come with a sofa bed and are thus suitable for families, while others include a luxurious whirlpool bath. 

→ Click here to check rates and availability at River Ness Hotel

Rocpool Reserve hotel

Rating: 8.3 ⭐

Should you be seeking ​​cool places to stay in Inverness, try the boutique-style Rocpool Reserve Hotel. This place has been on our bucket list for a while! Inverness Castle and all the attractions of the High Street are only a few minutes’ walk away, and the hotel has a five star rating. 

This property has won numerous awards, and it’s easy to see why. Rooms feature velvet bathrobes, hot drinks machines, large flat-screen TVs and Egyptian cotton linens. Some also add extra amenities such as a hot tub, double shower, iPod dock or private balcony. 

→ Click here to check rates and availability at Rocpool Reserve hotel

AC Hotel by Marriott Inverness

Rating: 8.9 ⭐

Overlooking the river, AC Hotel is a Marriott property in a great area to stay in Inverness. We particularly liked the location of this hotel and the parking access when we stayed. It offers four star, air conditioned accommodation, and selected rooms have river views. As well as doubles and twins, there are family rooms with sofa beds.

Pets are permitted at this Inverness hotel, so it’s ideal if you want to bring the family dog along too. This clean, modern property offers a great range of amenities, including a gym, a 24-hour front desk, a restaurant and a bar. It’s also close to all the local facilities found in the centre of Inverness. 

→ Click here to check rates and availability at AC hotel by Marriott

Best Western Inverness Palace Hotel

Rating: 8.4 ⭐

Like Ness Walk Hotel, the Inverness Palace Hotel is also located on popular Ness Walk. It’s housed in a turreted riverside building and decorated with chandeliers, luxury linens and sophisticated furnishings. We’ve stayed here a couple of times when going to see a show at Eden Court Theatre and loved it. We stayed in the ‘annexe’ part of the hotel and it’s worth knowing that there is no lift if you’re staying in this part of the hotel 😉

A real perk of staying at the Palace hotel is the swimming pool on site. Guests also benefit from river views, plus a spa and leisure club with a gym, sauna, hot tub and steam room. Pampering treatments can also be booked here. The Best Western Inverness Palace Hotel also offers an appealing range of dining and drinking options. 

→ Click here to check rates and availability at Best Western Inverness Palace Hotel

Self-catering Apartments in Inverness

Art House Apartments

Rating: 9.3 ⭐

If you’re looking for holiday apartments in Inverness with more than one property on site, Art House Apartments has a range of one and two bedroom units. All are beautifully styled and well-equipped, offering flat-screen TVs with streaming services, fluffy bathrobes and a kitchen with coffee machine and dishwasher. 

The building has some lovely original features such as stained glass and ceiling coving. A daily housekeeping service is supplied, and the centrally located apartments offer views over the city of Inverness. 

→ Click here to check rates and availability at Art House Apartments

The King Street Holiday Apartment

Rating: 9.5 ⭐

The King Street Holiday Apartment is located right by the river, close to the train station and city centre. It provides sleek, elegant Inverness accommodation. The decor is subtly Scottish, with splashes of tartan and light linens adorned with stag heads. 

The apartment has one bedroom, and can sleep a couple or small family. Stay here and you get a kitchen with an oven, streaming services for the flatscreen TV, laundry facilities and even board games to keep you entertained. It’s also super easy to take a stroll along the river or into the heart of Inverness while staying here. 

→ Click here to check rates and availability at The King Street Holiday Apartment

exploreNESS Apartment

Rating: 9.6 ⭐

exploreNESS apartment can be found on Friars Street, slap-bang in the centre of Inverness. While it’s more compact than the discoverNESS apartment (see below), the ideal location more than makes up for that. With one bedroom, this one can accommodate up to four, as there’s also a sofa bed. 

A real plus is the fact that there’s private parking on site, and you also get a washing machine and a dishwasher in the fully equipped kitchen. There’s also air conditioning to ensure a cool stay in summer, and heating for cuddling up during a cosy winter. 

→ Click here to check rates and availability at exploreNESS Apartment

discoverNESS Apartment

Rating: 9.6 ⭐

discoverNESS apartment is located a couple of miles south of the city centre, and around six miles from Culloden. Here you’ll find over 600 square feet of accommodation, including a fully equipped kitchen with dishwasher and a bathroom with a walk-in shower. 

The property is located in a peaceful street, and has two bedrooms. Sleeping up to six, it has a double bed, two singles and a sofa bed in the lounge. It’s decorated in a soothing, classic style throughout, and the host provides little extras like deluxe toiletries, flowers and fruit. 

→ Click here to check rates and availability at discoverNESS Apartment

Rating: 9.2 ⭐

Secure private parking is rare to find when staying in the very heart of a city, but the one and two bedroom Highland Apartment can offer this perk. Located in Bridge House on Bridge Street, this four star, serviced accommodation is so close to all the shops, cafes, restaurants and bars of central Inverness. 

Selected units have balconies or terraces offering river or city views, and housekeeping is provided daily except on Sundays. Each apartment also comes with an an iPod dock, a fully equipped kitchen with a dishwasher, and laundry facilities. 

→ Click here to check rates and availability at Highland Apartments by Mansley

Glenmoriston Town House Apartments

Rating: 9.2 ⭐

Glenmoriston Town House Apartments can be found on Ness Bank, just south of the city centre. They’re also located right by the river. Here you can pick between one and two bedroom apartments, or book the more spacious villa with three bedrooms.

VisitScotland has given these apartments a four star rating, and guests staying here are welcome to use the facilities at the Glenmoriston Hotel. It’s the best of both worlds, as within the apartment you get luxuries like a coffee machine, dishwasher, Gilchrist & Soames toiletries and daily housekeeping. 

→ Click here to check rates and availability at Glenmoriston Town House Apartments

B&Bs and Guest Houses in Inverness

Beinn Mhor Lodge

Rating: 9.6 ⭐

Beinn Mhor Lodge is an archetypal Scottish home set several miles from the centre of Inverness. This delightful detached home offers only two guest rooms, so you can be assured of personal service throughout your stay. 

Each room comes with an array of modern luxuries, including a coffee machine, a flatscreen TV with streaming services and luxury toiletries. Free onsite parking is also available at this property. 

→ Click here to check rates and availability at Beinn Mhor Lodge

Crown House

Rating: 9.6 ⭐

In the Crown neighbourhood of Inverness is Crown House. This is only around a mile from the city centre, so it’s perfect if you like to take a walk before seeing the sights. It’s where you’ll find a concentration of B&Bs. You have a choice between a single, a King and a superior King room here. 

The location means that private parking and a garden are provided at this property. A yummy breakfast is freshly cooked daily for guests, and the helpful host is happy to answer any questions you may have about the area. 

→ Click here to check rates and availability at Crown House

Aye Stay

Rating: 8.9 ⭐

Conveniently positioned between the city centre, river, Botanic Gardens and Ness Islands, Aye Stay offers a range of rooms. Some of these are suitable for families. As a guest, you can also use the shared lounge throughout your visit. 

Accommodation here comes with TV streaming services, a walk-in shower and deluxe toiletries. The property is decorated in a modern Scottish style, with tartan accents and crisp white linens. Past guests love the riverbank walk from here into the city centre. 

→ Click here to check rates and availability at Aye Stay

Ardentorrie Guest House

Rating: 9.2 ⭐

We LOVE Ardentorrie House, particularly the views of the Castle from the dining room. A delectable Scottish breakfast sets you up for each day spent here, and vegetarian alternatives are available. 

All the en suite rooms are bright and fresh. While staying here you’re spoiled for choice when it comes to dining out, too, as a range of eateries can be found within five minutes’ walk. 

→ Click here to check rates and availability at Ardentorrie Guest House

Budget Accommodation in Inverness

Bazpackers

Rating: 9.0 ⭐

For anyone seeking cheap places to stay in Inverness, Bazpackers is our top recommendation. It’s a character-packed property just south of the city centre, offering a range of dorm and private rooms and even an apartment for four. We’ve stayed there instead of paying for a taxi home to Drumnadrochit after a night at the theatre 😉

Guests at Bazpackers can benefit from the use of various shared spaces, including a garden with a BBQ, a kitchen and a lounge. Luggage storage can also be provided. This place offers clean, comfortable accommodation, and a warm welcome is extended by the staff. It’s also a stone’s throw from the fantastic Castle Tavern with also has a great beer garden.

→ Click here to check rates and availability at Bazpackers

Black Isle Hostel

Rating: 7.6 ⭐

Academy Street runs through the centre of Inverness, and is where you’ll find Black Isle Hostel. Four and six bed dorms provide accommodation here, and guests can also use the communal kitchen and lounge. 

Past guests of the Black Isle Hostel praise in particular the position, the cleanliness and the sheer amount of space this property offers. Another great bet when you’re on a budget. Friends of ours stayed recently and found it a little noisy so worth bearing in mind if you’re sensitive to noise.

→ Click here to check rates and availability at Black Isle Hostel

Inverness Youth Hostel

Rating: 8.1 ⭐

Inverness Youth Hostel can be reached via a ten-minute walk from the train station in the city centre. It also offers cycle storage and parking for those arriving by bike or car. This hostel offers a great choice of rooms, including family, twin, triple, quad, dorm and private accommodation.

This is a Hostelling Scotland property, but available also to non-members. The supplement for this is included in the room rate. For a clean, comfortable and centrally located place to stay with no frills, this hostel is pretty much unbeatable. 

→ Click here to check rates and availability at Inverness Youth Hostel

Quirky & Unique Places to stay in Inverness

Glamness Converted Shipping Containers

Rating: 7.8⭐

If you’re looking for something different, how about staying in a converted shipping container? Glamness provides such accommodation for adults only, and these are set on a spacious five acre site by a small river, a few miles south of Inverness. 

Each container has been lovingly converted, with white walls, contemporary furnishings and plenty of natural light. Every one also offers outdoor space in the form of a private patio. The containers sleep two, making this the perfect couples’ retreat. 

→ Click here to check rates and availability at GlamNess Luxury Shipping Containers

Final Words

From budget accommodation in Inverness to five star luxury with all the frills, there’s something for everyone included in this article. Whether you’re seeking the most unique places to stay in Inverness or are more concerned with peace and privacy when planning romantic breaks in Inverness, this list has got the lot. Hope you found it useful and please feel free to drop us a comment if you have a place that you highly recommend!