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A Festive Spa Break in Inverness: Christmas Lights, Afternoon Tea and Time to Unwind
December in Inverness has a glow all of its own. The city sparkles, the River Ness reflects the lights along its banks, and the Highlands wait just beyond. At Inverness Palace Hotel & Spa, opposite Inverness Castle, a festive break means a warm pool, a treatment at Pretty Woman Spa, festive afternoon tea and, if you wish, a Christmas or Hogmanay where everything is taken care of.
Quick Answer
For a Christmas spa break in Scotland, base yourself at Inverness Palace Hotel & Spa. Choose a December winter escape, the four-night All Inclusive Christmas Break (£237.38 per person per night), a Twixmas break from 27 December or the three-night Hogmanay package. Add festive afternoon tea and a Pretty Woman Spa treatment, and enjoy the pool free throughout your stay.
Why a December Spa Break
Short days and cold air make the warmth of a spa feel even better. A December break lets you swim in an 86°F pool after a frosty walk along the river, sit by the fire with a mulled wine, and wake up to festive views across the River Ness to Inverness Castle.
It is also a chance to step away from the rush before Christmas. Make Inverness your festive spa break in the Highlands, with the city on your doorstep and Loch Ness only half an hour away.
Festive Inverness on Your Doorstep
The city centre is a short walk from the hotel, and Eden Court theatre is a few minutes along the river. These are some of the highlights for 2026.
Festive Highlights in Inverness, 2026
| When | What | Where |
|---|---|---|
| 20–22 and 27–29 November | Exclusively Highlands Christmas fairs, with art, crafts and food | Eden Court |
| 2 December–3 January | Cinderella, the family pantomime | Eden Court |
| 5 and 19 December | Inverness Farmers Market and pre-Christmas market | High Street, outside Eastgate |
| 12–24 December | A Land Beyond Winter, a festive show for little ones | Eden Court |
| 19 December | Calum MacPhail and Nathan Carter Christmas Cracker | Inverness Ice Centre |
Dates are taken from Eden Court, the hotel’s Inverness events page and local market listings. Check before you travel. For more ideas, read our festive guide to Inverness and Inverness Christmas guide.
Festive Afternoon Tea and the Spa
Festive Afternoon Tea at the Palace brings finger sandwiches of honey-glazed ham, smoked salmon and roast turkey with cranberry, chicken and leek vol-au-vents, scones with clotted cream and festive pastries. It costs £26.95 per guest, or £36.95 with a mini bottle of Prosecco. The Festive Intoxicating Tea Party (£42.45) adds a festive cocktail such as a Christmas Bellini or Jingle Berry Fizz.
Pair it with a treatment at Pretty Woman Spa, from a 30-minute Discovery Facial (£57) to the 60-minute De-Stress Muscle Melter (£95). Festive lunches and dinners also run from 1 to 22 December. Call the festive team on 01463 223243 to book, or see the 2026 festive brochure.
Christmas and New Year Stays
December winter escapes
For a simple break before Christmas, Autumn & Winter Escapes include welcome wine, Scottish breakfast and the Leisure Club. In December they start from £99 per room per night Monday to Thursday, for two sharing a Classic room. Add a Pretty Woman Spa treatment when you book.
All Inclusive Christmas, 23–27 December
The All Inclusive Christmas Break is four nights of festive fun. Arrive on 23 December for a drinks reception, then enjoy dinners with complimentary wine each evening, a free bar from 6pm to 10pm, Bucks Fizz on Christmas morning, Christmas lunch with Champagne, a dram for the King’s Speech, cream teas and live entertainment. It costs £237.38 per person per night for two sharing a Classic room. The full Christmas programme has every detail.
Twixmas, 27–29 December
Twixmas breaks are for two nights or more. They start with mulled wine and mince pies, and include a three-course dinner on the first night, Scottish breakfast and the Leisure Club, from £89.45 per person per night for two sharing.
All Inclusive Hogmanay, from 30 December
The three-night All Inclusive New Year Break includes three- and four-course dinners, a free bar from 6pm to 10pm, a Hogmanay celebration with Highland dancers and pipes, Champagne or whisky at the bells and a Bucks Fizz breakfast on New Year’s Day. It costs £308.17 per person per night for two sharing. See the full Hogmanay programme.
Book Before It Sells Out
- Book early. The hotel notes that the New Year break always sells out, and Christmas is very popular too.
- Upgrade the view. River & Castle View rooms cost an extra £50 per person per night on the Christmas and Hogmanay packages, with the castle lit up in the evening.
- Plan your spa time. Book treatments at least 14 days ahead to secure your preferred times.
- Know the terms. All seasonal packages are advance purchase and non-refundable.
- Book direct. Call 01463 223243 or book online with promo code XMAS, TWIXMAS or NEW YEAR.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the All Inclusive Christmas Break at Inverness Palace Hotel & Spa?
The 2026 All Inclusive Christmas Break is £237.38 per person per night for two sharing a Classic room, for four nights arriving on 23 December.
What is included in the Christmas break?
A welcome drinks reception, dinners with complimentary wine, a free bar from 6pm to 10pm each evening, Scottish breakfasts, Christmas Day lunch with Champagne, cream teas, live entertainment and free use of the Leisure Club. Spa treatments are extra.
Is there a New Year spa break?
Yes. The All Inclusive Highland Hogmanay package runs for three nights from 30 December 2026, with a four-course Hogmanay dinner, Highland dancers and pipes, and free use of the Leisure Club. It costs £308.17 per person per night for two sharing a Classic room.
Can I book a short break between Christmas and New Year?
Yes. Twixmas breaks run from 27 to 29 December 2026, from £89.45 per person per night for two sharing, with mulled wine, dinner on the first night, breakfast and the Leisure Club.
Are spa treatments included in festive breaks?
Spa treatments are not included in the Christmas or New Year packages, but you can add them with Pretty Woman Spa. The hotel advises booking at least 14 days ahead to allow for spa availability.
Plan Your Festive Spa Break
Christmas, Twixmas or Hogmanay by the River Ness, with the pool, the spa and festive afternoon tea.
See the festive breaksDiscover our spa hotelSources
- Inverness Palace Hotel & Spa — Leisure Club & Spa — Pool, sauna, steam room, Technogym and opening hours.
- Pretty Woman Spa — treatment menu — Treatments, spa day packages and prices (checked October 2026).
- Inverness Palace Hotel & Spa — relaxing spa breaks — Spa Pamper Package and Spa Tranquility Ritual inclusions.
- Inverness Palace Hotel & Spa — All Inclusive Christmas Break — Dates, inclusions and booking notes.
- All Inclusive Christmas 2026 programme (PDF) — Itinerary, price and exclusions.
- Inverness Palace Hotel & Spa — All Inclusive New Year Break — Dates and inclusions.
- All Inclusive Hogmanay 2026/27 programme (PDF) — Price and payment terms.
- Inverness Palace Hotel & Spa — Twixmas breaks — Dates, price and inclusions.
- Inverness Palace Hotel & Spa — Autumn & Winter Escapes — December prices.
- Inverness Palace Hotel & Spa — 2026 festive brochure (PDF) — Festive afternoon tea, lunch and dinner.
- Eden Court — Cinderella — Pantomime dates.
- Inverness Palace Hotel & Spa — Inverness events — Festive events in 2026.
- Abriachan Nursery — Highland markets — Inverness market dates.
Final Thoughts
A festive spa break in Inverness gives you the best of the season without the rush. Swim in the warm pool, book a treatment, linger over festive afternoon tea and stroll into a city glowing with Christmas lights. Whether you choose a December escape, an all-inclusive Christmas or a Highland Hogmanay, book early and let the Palace look after the rest.
