Review – Highland Apartments, Inverness – Serviced and Self-Catering

We’re just back from a packed weekend in Inverness. We ate out, we hunted for Nessie (no luck!), we visited Culloden, but a trip often starts when you open the door of your accommodation and it sets the mood for the trip. I have to say that the Highland Apartments by Mansely in Inverness are really quite fantastic. Genuine recommendation for anyone looking for contemporary, family friendly accommodation in the heart of the city.

Check In – Checking in felt desperately James Bond. Clear instructions told us to make our way along Bank Street, turn into a lane, collect keys from a well known restaurant, take the garage fob, magnetic swipe and yale, aim the clicker at the garage doors, collect the gun and assassinate the target. I made the last bits up, but whilst there isn’t a traditional manned reception these are very thorough instructions and you can’t go wrong. The lifts take you and your tots straight from the underground garage to your apartment.

Our Apartment – Our serviced accommodation was airy, bright and contemporary. The floor to ceiling windows let in vast amounts of natural light and led onto a large decking area which the tots adored. Running outside in their pyjamas, then bombing back inside through the patio doors, repeat x38, they were quite a sight for the neighbours. Our bedroom had its own patio door as well as an ensuite shower room which is always a luxury.

The family bathroom was ideal for bathing grubby toddlers after days out exploring. The kids’ room had twin beds and its own patio door, which locked in two places to keep them securely inside! The modern white kitchen was kitted out with everything you’d need to prepare a proper family meal, it also had a dishwasher, fridge freezer and little details like dishwasher tablets, fairy liquid and cloths provided. A little carton of complimentary fresh milk in the fridge is a bonus. And once we got the tots to bed we popped the fizz open and chilled out in our own living room without worrying about waking up our cherubs.

Location – Being right on the river was picturesque and quiet, yet we were completely central at the same time. Zizzi’s restaurant is literally downstairs, and there are nearby shops for picking up supplies. On the first night we ate out, following Tots2Travel reader recommendations, at Mustard Seed, a five minute walk from our Highland Apartment. Its Early Dinner menu is a bargain at £13.95 for two courses, and there’s also a dedicated children’s menu offering. My starter, of beetroot and artichoke salad, combined fresh ingredients that I love, but you so rarely see. My main, of grilled Seabass with garlic potatoes and olive tapenade, was equally satisfactory. On the second night, we ate in, making good use of the facilities that our apartment offered, cooking up the steaks we’d bought at Doonies Farm the weekend before.

Whilst being central the Highland Apartments are a mere fifteen minute drive down the west coast of Loch Ness to catch a boat to go Nessie Hunting with Jacobite cruises. We also visited the Loch Ness Exhibition and Visitor Centre near Drumnadrochit, and  experienced the emotive Culloden Battleground. Posts to come on all these attractions soon. Easy underground parking, with a designated parking spot, meant that staying in central Inverness, and nipping back and forth to the apartment, was straightforward and hassle free.

Overall our first family weekend to Inverness was a definite success. I feel I’d still like to see more of this area, but for anyone looking for family friendly accommodation then the Highland Apartments definitely deliver.

The Lowdown – We drove directly from Aberdeen, stopping at Findhorn for a fantastic pitstop (read more here).  Inverness is also well served by bus, train and its own airport.

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