Columba Hotel Inverness by Compass Hospitality

The price was good, and the location was convenient and beautiful, but the hotel felt very dated inside despite looking lovely outside. We visited off peak, when it didn’t seem especially busy, yet there was no flexibility on early check-in. We asked at 1pm and again at 2:30pm, but couldn’t get in until exactly 3pm, even after explaining we were jet lagged. It left me with the impression that things were disorganized and unprofessional. While we waited, we overheard two women at reception arguing. We considered leaving our bags, but they seemed likely to be left in a corner of reception rather than in a secure, locked room, and the desk wasn’t constantly manned. Hotel security also worried me. The main entrance had no lock, so anyone could enter. My friend left while I was asleep and forgot the only room key card we’d been given. Late at night, the receptionist handed them the card without checking who they were.

The menu was limited, but the food was delicious. The room met and even exceeded my expectations. It did feel cold on our first night, though to be fair it was -3. I went to reception, and within 10 minutes staff came up with extra bedding and a portable heater as a backup. They were friendly and helpful, especially Lee and Ruban, who gave excellent customer service with a bit of Scottish banter.

The River Ness location made it easy to walk to the castle, riverside paths, shops and restaurants. Some rooms have lovely views, and the outdoor seating by the bar is pleasant in good weather. Our room was a reasonable size, the bed was comfortable, the shower pressure was good, and the breakfast buffet had a decent selection. At this price, the rest felt like poor value. There was no AC and barely any airflow, so the room and corridors were hot and stuffy. Opening the window brought noise and sometimes smells from the bins or smoking area. I asked for a fan on the first night, but it never arrived, and reception was curt when I followed up. Housekeeping missed basics: there was hair in the bathroom when we arrived, dust on surfaces and hardly anywhere to put toiletries. No bath mat or washcloth was provided. The property seemed tired and under-maintained, and staff attention varied. There’s no on-site parking, so you need to use a paid car park a few blocks away. I booked for the location while visiting from Indonesia, but wouldn’t stay again at this price. Management should provide portable fans in every room during warm months, improve housekeeping with a proper deep-clean schedule, train front-desk staff in service recovery, and explain parking options clearly. Great address, disappointing stay.

For the price, I had a very comfortable and hassle-free stay at the Clumber Hotel. I stayed last week before heading to London, and was pleasantly surprised by how well located it is in the centre of Inverness. The room was clean and comfortable, with decent storage, a good bed and a shower that worked really well. I arrived late and checked out early, so didn’t try the food. It was great value for money, and I’ll keep the hotel in mind for future visits.