Courtyard by Marriott Inverness Airport — Hotel in Great Britain

Our sat nav took us the long way round to the four-star Marriot Courtyard at Inverness Airport and we did find out a quicker route later, but the drive was worth it as this is a modern hotel with much to commend it.|The reception area is bright and spacious and the rooms small but comfortable. They are well-appointed and the shower area works well with toiletries I could read without my glasses, a great benefit to those who wear specs.|The bed was super comfortable and we did not detect any airport noise, however, for those who like fresh air during their slumbers, there are no windows to open. |The car park is extensive. Yes, the hotel is on a open spot which is dreich when it rains as it did in the morning we left, but this hotel delivered.|The breakfast selection was admirable. Fruit, cereals, granola even extra raisins and nuts, with soya and oat alternatives to straight milk. The cooked selection, however, was a disappointment, unhappy hash browns, indifferent sausages and bacon and unappetising scrambled egg. |Yes, I know it is difficult to keep things warm on a buffet, particularly scrambled egg, but these were tasteless and the sausages lacked flavour as did the bacon. Better quality may assist here. The mushrooms were good, however.|It takes around 15 minutes by car or 20 minutes by bus from the hotel to the city centre in the Stagecoach Jet Service. Buses run every 30 minutes. There is a station which is a 15-minute walk to the airport with regular services (18 a day). Single fares start at £3.55.|Our reason for going was to visit the atmospheric battlefield of Culloden where the 1745 Jacobite Rising came to a bloody end and changed life in the Highlands forever, according to the official website.|Sadly, the battlefield was a major disappointment. Two sets of flags, red for the English and blue for the Scots. A cottage and some paths with information boards scattered around providing snippets about that tragic day on April 16, 1746. |We expected more, much more, from the site of the last pitched battle on British soil where, in less an one hour, around 1,300 men died, about 1,250 of them Jacobites.|We made our way back to the visitor centre disappointed and then strolled into the on-site museum. There we bumped into a man holding a musket.|He was full of information about the battle – for example, the Jacobite soldiers were on rations of three biscuits a day - and the battlefield itself and he helped lift the disappointment.|We also had coffee in the spacious, and busy, café. |Nearby, sit the Clava Cairns, built around 4,000 years ago to house the dead and the cemetery has provided clues to the beliefs of Bronze Age society. The significant and well-preserved site is well worth a visit and it is minutes from the battlefield.|We then ventured into the centre of Inverness. It has seen better days, en route to dinner in the Torrish restaurant in the five-star Ness Walk Hotel. This oozes class and the six-course tasting menu, created by Chef Gerard Chouet, was memorable.|We opened with gruyere then followed with Orkney scallop with delicious buttered parsnip and winter truffle velouté. The distinctive nduja and Minger ravioli followed then halibut, bouillabaisse and cavolo nero, a brilliant combination.|There is more. Succulent saddle of venison with a dash of elderberry ketchup and rich mushroom puree was perfection and the milk chocolate mousse delectable. The meal finished with a salted caramel macaron and the experience was something to savour. You could add an optional local cheese selection, but we declined.|An exceptional night in a stylish hotel on the leafy banks of the River Ness but one thing to note, it is only hotel guests who can use the hotel car park. We found on-street...

The hotel itself is nice, the rooms are clean and modern. It's very handy for the airport and you get a nice view from all the rooms. We did stay during the Covid pandemic so rooms are not serviced but you can call if you need anything. Our bin was starting to overflow!

Breakfast could get very busy after 9am and there may be a wait for a table. This probably wouldn't be an issue if it wasn't for social distancing. A member of staff will serve the hot food but replenishment could take some time. I waited about 10 minutes for scrambled eggs to be replaced, but the breakfast was tasty and you can be specific. Two slices of bacon, no hash brown for example.

For some unknown management Covid related reason they are unable to make any of the cocktails on the menu. These are priced at £8 each. You can however purchase their special cocktails at £9. Mine did have two fresh strawberries and 3 large raspberries in it so I guess this is the extra expense.

Dinner menu has a choice of around six items. If you are a healthy eater, go elsewhere... Starters were all nice, nachos huge, soup tasty and freshly made. The mains included pizza which are priced £12+ but are huge and not the frozen variety. (Would easily feed two). I ordered a ceasar salad and was asked if I wanted chicken or fish. I selected fish but they had run out so then opted for chicken which was in crispy breadcrumbs. It was very tasty but a surcharge of £5.50 was added. I didn't mind paying it but it should have been on the menu or advertised by the waitress.

The 'Cambodian vegetable curry' includes lemongrass, chilli, coconut milk and coriander so if you are not fond of this flavour combination, avoid. None of my party could eat it. My mother ordered the chicken tikka (£15) and complained that there was hardly any chicken. It wasn't a great menu for a diabetic.

The hotel was very apologetic, they discounted the tikka and kindly refunded the uneaten Cambodian curry. So no complaints about customer service. We were accidently charged for breakfast one morning but it was promptly sorted by reception.

We would stay again, for a new hotel it's professionally run and is in a great position for...

This Courtyard by Marriott is an absolute jewel, and is outstanding as an airport hotel. Staff are excellent and very helpful. I was here for two nights, and had nothing but superb service, from the moment I arrived until my departure. It’s a few steps away from the airport terminal, and it’s easy access all the way (I have a bad leg and use a stick, but still it only took me three minutes from hotel entrance to the terminal entrance) as it’s all flat. The hotel is spotless in all areas (a credit to the housekeeping for sure), as indeed are the bedrooms. The latter have extremely comfortable beds (love the pillows and duvets), flat screen tv, tea & coffee making facilities, and a walk in shower (I don’t think any room has a bath). Individual temperature controls are excellent, and there are black out blinds too. Food is reasonably priced (this is an airport hotel so you expect to pay a bit more) with a decent range of dishes served till 10pm. There’s a well stocked bar too. Breakfast is served from 4am (continental) and later on hot food is available (from 7am I think). Breakfast has a wide range of options, including haggis (which I love), in a buffet style offering. Scrambled eggs are put out, but you can order fried or poached eggs. Car parking is available on site, but it’s imperative that you register your vehicle immediately on arrival to avoid any fines. There’s an ANPR system operated by an independent company, so please take note. A gym room is also on offer to guests. All in all a brilliant hotel, superb staff and only twenty minutes by bus from the town centre (use the number 11 bus). Congratulations to all staff members, seen and unseen for working so well as a team. It would be wrong to sound out one team member for even more praise, as that would be detrimental to the others. I will be back for sure and I would not hesitate to recommend anyone else...