[12/02/2008] First impressions count and this hotel makes an impact. The "beautiful, cream-coloured Georgian frontage" is disctinctive,and the entrance hall is "truly striking" with its red carpet, white tiles and "exquisite" sculptures. Fresh flower arrangements abound, again "exquisite" and "moody" music "enhances the whole atmosphere".
There are only 11 rooms but each is individually styled. All are finished to a "very high spec" and have "super king size beds". All have the full range of communications facilities including 30" plasma TVs and i-Pod docking stations, a well-stocked minibar and a Tassima coffee/tea machine. As every room is different, the reviewer describes one or two from the three categories of "Hip, Chic and Decadent". The Decadent she describes is on two levels with a "massive" bathroom in natural travertine, centre bath, double walk-in power shower and TV. She notes the lighting is "great". Décor is cream and brown with a "thick pile" carpet. Other Decadent rooms have private terrace, or hot tub, or "lovers' bath", or a plasma fire. Hip rooms are smaller: one has blue and gold furnishings although a "smallish" bathroom. Two rooms are Chic category, both garden facing with "lovely" bathrooms.
The R bar is "strikingly decorated" in cream and black and has "Italian contemporary crystal chandeliers". The bar has a "cool glass top" and its cream leather frontage matches the "luxuriously comfortable" chairs. The Reserve restaurant, with a "lovely view" over the city, is also cream and black with "contemporary white leather chairs". The menu has an "Italian influence" and the reviewer found her meal "very enjoyable", "well presented" and "full of flavour". There is a "good selection" of wines at "affordable" prices. Breakfast also has an Italian influence and the reviewer's only complaint is that 10am is too early a finishing time at the weekend.
Other features she notes are the "impressive" Red Room for private functions with "gorgeous" customised furniture and "state-of-the-art" multi-media systems, and the proximity of the hotel to the city. It is a "stone's throw" from the castle and within walking distance of shops, restaurants, pubs and clubs. Many golf courses are nearby as are Loch Ness and Culloden Battlefield.
This "exclusive, glam but affordable" hotel won the Scottish Boutique Hotel of the Year in 2007.
This review is an interpretation of the above mentioned author
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