After two days in Edinburgh we stopped over in Inverness. This is the gateway to the Highlands and is a surprising little city/village/town. Loch Ness is just down the road as is Culloden Battle Field. Two must see sights if visiting the Highlands.
Whenever we travel we always try to stay at a fancy/modern/hip/indulgent hotel. It's always a fun to see what gems/quirky places are out there. Plus I just love researching hotels so it has become a game to me.
Rocpool Reserve is a short walk out of the main city center yet it was far enough from the train station that we needed to take a taxi. Dave was our driver and like all taxis in Scotland he was a wealth of knowledge. In fact we were having such a good conversation when we pulled up at the hotel that I didn't realise the staff had come out to greet us. There they were in their black uniforms lined up, hands behind their backs patiently waiting for us to finish our business. It was quite a moment and a thought ran through my mind: This must be how it feels to be royalty. Then I realised I was acting more like Hyacinth on Keeping Up Appearances, and I had a reality check.
The male member of the staff (let's just call him Surly) grabbed our bags and disappeared. The front desk lady walked us in and straight to the room. We signed a piece of paper and that was it. All checked in. Bags already in the room.
We found the room to be nice yet the staff was cold and off putting. Don't get me wrong. You never wanted for anything. The minute that you opened the door there was a member of the staff waiting for you. In fact it got so creepy the way they waited for you at attention that I began to feel like Captain Von Trapp.
Surly (the man who took our bags) was the worst. He was everywhere. Pouring drinks in the bar, waiting on tables in the restaurant, and opening the front door. Some sort of pleasantry was flung our way, but he was always off doing something before we could reply.
The restaurant in the hotel Chez Roux really builds itself up to be the dining spot in Inverness. We did not have dinner there as it was way to expensive and we only saw one couple in the restaurant the whole time we were there.
We did have breakfast in the restaurant and it wasn't that great. In fact I think it was about the same as the sausage roll I had at the train station.
The hotel is beautiful and modern. We enjoyed our stay even though we were made to feel a wee bit uncomfortable.
Decadent Bedroom #1
The bed was comfortable
Stairs down to the bathroom. At first glance totally cool. Totally not cool at 2 am!
Fabulous soaking tub with wall mounted TV. Nice!
Fancy dual sinks. The entire bathroom was without plugs. You had to dry and style your hair upstairs.
Fabulous shower! However there wasn't any place to put your toiletries and the floor flooded!
Loved this bath!
Steps up to the room. Since there was not a door the humidity wafted up the stairs and we had to turn the a/c on.
The bar at the hotel. There was never anyone in there guest wise.
Fancy R Bar at Rocpool Reserve.
Breakfast room by day fancy dinner restaurant by night.
Pastries.
Drawing of the chef at the restaurant. Seems a little pretentious - as the theme is here at this hotel.
Full Scottish breakfast.
Scrambled eggs in smoked salmon. Sorry - it wasn't that good.
There's nothing like hiking and coming across a lone bathtub!
I don't know why this sign needs a fake bird, but I love it!
