Francewithfive

Our family of five (kids ages 6,11,13) is looking for an overnight stay near Inverness. We will be driving from Skye and fly out of Inverness airport the next day.
Inverness hotels seem to cost a small fortune in the summer and very few have family rooms available. I have also looked around Loch Ness and Dingwall but no luck so far.
Is there a better spot to stay along the way?
Right now our only option seems to be the Glen Mhor hotel and apartments in Inverness where a two bedroom will cost us around 240GBP. The Best Western Palace was about the same price for just a family hotel room.!
Air Bnb and Home Away had nothing for us either.
Please help!!!
We aren't fixed on a route from Skye but would like to do the bridge as opposed to the ferry. Would prefer something an hour or less from the Inverness airport. Absolutely no more than 240GBP/nt. A b&b or inn would be nice as long as it is clean and friendly.

janisj

>>Is there a better spot to stay along the way?<<

Anywhere between the Black Isle/Beauly and Nairn (or even a little farther east from Nairn like Elgin)

Forres, Nairn, Culloden,

There is a Premier Inn near Fochabers but I think they will limit you to 4 people per room -- don't know 100% re that.

Cathinjoetown

Have you tried any of these? Some look reasonable. Old Dryhie House has a family suite.

http://www.booking.com/searchresults...#hotel_1064857

Cathinjoetown

Drynie

sugarmaple

We're staying at the Glebe End in Nairn, have a look at it.

They have been very responsive to my emails, and I believe there is a room for families, although maybe not for five.

janisj

Glebe End that sugarmaple mentioned is in a great location -- about 20 minutes from the airport. They don't say how many can sleep in the family room but the photo looks pretty large so maybe the 6yo can sleep on the chaise or they can fit in a rollaway?

I'd phone them instead of e-mail -- sometimes B&Bs can make accommodations for a larger family.

http://www.glebe-end.co.uk/accommodation.html

janisj

Meant to add -- that B&B in Nairn is slightly nearer to the airport than most B&Bs in Inverness (like along Ness Walk) would be.

Francewithfive

Thanks for the ideas. Glebe End is unfortunately booked for our night.

I found a nice b&b in Brora that is on a farm and looks lovely. It seems to be about 90minutes from the aiport which is fine. https://www.airbnb.ca/rooms/869036?e...9-2fa4485f3a5b

I'm going to look at Nairm - thanks janisj

janisj

I'd count on about 2 hours from Brora to the airport -- Heck, Plockton or Kyle of Lochalsh would only be maybe 20 or 30 mins longer. Not a place I'd stay before flying out myself.

Francewithfive

Back to my seach then! The travel world is not designed for a family of five! Thanks janisj

janisj

Yep -- couldn't leave one kid at home?

janisj

I know the covenanter's Inn has one larger unit (a self catering cottage) but not sure if they rent that cottage by the night. Might be worth phoning them?

The site says 'family friendly' . . . but if that means a family of 5 - who knows

http://www.covenanters-inn.co.uk

Gardyloo

Utterly lacking in charm, but very convenient, the Holiday Inn Express just off the A96 east of town is running around £115 per room/night in mid-August (don't know your dates.) So 2 rooms will be less than £240, but not by a lot. Free breakfast BTW, and a pretty good one. I stayed there for a couple of nights a year or two ago.

chartley

Have you tried looking at Travelodge? There are two in Inverness and the cost of two rooms at a Travelodge would be less than a family room elsewhere. I am always surprised at the American enthusiasm for rooms large enough for 5 or 6, some of whom I would consider adults.

Don't forget to visit Culloden. It's on the road between Inverness and the airport.

janisj

Also -- you might want to e-mail the TIC and ask them if they know of any hotels or B&Bs in the area that will sleep a family of 5

https://www.visitscotland.com/info/s...centre-p333031

janisj

Yes - the Travelodges and Premier Inns will most likely be cheap enough to book two rooms.