01463 223243
01463 223243
We’ve been digging through the archives and come up a few stories about the Inverness Palace Hotel & Spa. The Palace Hotel was built on the site of Ness House, a mansion that was destroyed in 1870. The building was designed by Ross & MacBeth and opened in 1890 to the designs of Dr. Alexander Ross. It is a Baronial-style three-storey building, with two conical-roofed towers, connected by an arch. The hotel has a Scots Baronial entrance very similar to the entrance of Ardross Castle (home of the TV Series Traitors) & Fyvie Castle.
The construction of the railway made Inverness a popular tourist destination and the Palace was one of the first tourist hotels in the town. It was built to accommodate the increased number of visitors to the area after the opening of the railway. During World War I it was used by the Navy as a billet for its senior naval officers.
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For a deeper dive into Highland history and culture, Am Baile is a wonderful reference point. Closer to home, the Palace Hotel has been part of the same family-run Highland hotel group, Milton Hotels, since the late 1970s and that long-term stewardship shows in every thoughtful improvement.
Over the decades, the Palace has evolved carefully and creatively, blending Victorian character with contemporary comfort, always with the same aim: to give guests an effortlessly memorable stay in the heart of Inverness.
The hotel’s journey of enhancement began with the introduction of in-room bathrooms in the 1970s, followed by additional bedrooms in the 1980s. In 1998, the hotel welcomed a significant new chapter with the opening of a Leisure Club & Pool, alongside more bedrooms, bringing relaxation and city-centre convenience together under one roof.
In 2013, Eight on the River arrived with a beautiful extension and a striking glass lantern ceiling, creating a light-filled space with even more room to linger, perfectly placed for those river views.
In February 2017, the reception and front lounge received a polished makeover, setting the tone from the moment you arrive. Later that spring came the introduction of Townhouse at the Palace a boutique Victorian building with 17 lovely bedrooms and a modern cottage, all refurbished with respect for the classic architecture and finished in a calm, contemporary colour palette.
In 2018, a major refurbishment transformed the Bar and Brasserie, including relocating the bar from its central position. The result is a sophisticated, elegant setting where dining feels unhurried and effortlessly stylish.
At the same time, the hotel’s interiors were uplifted throughout: corridors gained luxurious wool carpets, a considered Farrow & Ball paint selection, and beautiful new art and photography from Indigo Art, small details that add up to a distinctly curated atmosphere.
In 2019, 48 bedrooms were refurbished to create a modern, soft palette with texture you can feel, paired with new furniture and fittings across every room. Bedroom furniture was manufactured by Dovetail (Dundee), with interior design by Corrinne Muir Designs (Stirling), bringing a thoughtful balance of comfort and clean-lined style.
January 2020 marked the start of two substantial undertakings:
In 2022, Eight on the River was re-envisioned with bespoke banquet seating, contemporary chandeliers, mirrors, individual seating, and sumptuous fabrics with beautiful studded detailing. The result is an elegant space that mirrors the drama of the River Ness and Inverness Castle outside—now just as lovely indoors as it is out.
By the end of November 2023, the Palace’s exterior restoration was complete. Now over 133 years old, this special baronial building has been carefully returned to its original splendour with the help of Highland Building & Conservation and specialist local stonemasons. The restored sandstone façade reveals surprising natural tones, subtle hints of pink included—ensuring the Palace remains a striking Inverness landmark for generations to come.
The investment didn’t stop at the façade. Across 2023 and 2024, the hotel also progressed essential roof works, improved street access to the Brasserie with new steps, completed a 24-bedroom upgrade, and introduced new Technogym equipment in the Palace Gym, enhancements designed for both guests and members to enjoy.
In 2024, the Palace took on another ambitious project: upgrading every sash and case window, with the building once again wrapped in scaffolding while craftsmen worked with precision and care.
Highland conservation specialists returned to repoint the rear of the main building, and one of the most celebrated projects arrived with the return of the Terrace at the Palace. During the war, the original railings were removed for the war effort, but the original drawings were traced to Bo’ness, allowing the railings to be recast and reinstated. The gardens were transformed, and the Terrace reopened as a standout spot in the city: a front-row seat to Inverness Castle, the calm rhythm of the River Ness, and the perfect place for a signature cocktail or a relaxed Starbucks coffee.
In 2025, the Palace introduced a new Meeting Room with video conferencing technology. The car park was upgraded with six EV charge points and new barriers. Bedrooms also gained practical finishing touches, cooling fans, new irons, ironing boards and pads, while River View rooms received a coffee upgrade with Nespresso machines.
Looking ahead, 2026 continues the momentum with 12 new bathrooms, a refreshed Brasserie, a further 300sqm of new carpeting, and the final phase of sash and case window installations, always refining, always elevating.
The Palace is a little like the Forth Road Bridge, care and craftsmanship are ongoing, because the fabric of a historic building deserves constant attention. What never changes is the feeling you come for: a stylish, friendly Inverness city-centre hotel with genuine Highland warmth, where tradition and modern comfort meet beautifully right on the river, with the castle in view.
If you or a family member has some old photographs of the Inverness Palace Hotel and are happy for us to share them on this page please get in touch. Contact us here at Palace and you can email the photos and we will be in touch. If you know the story to go with the photos that would be lovely too. It is great to capture the history of the Palace, as it holds so many different memories for different generations. We hope to you will visit soon.
Make your Break at the 4 Star Palace Hotel & Spa in Inverness is the perfect base for your escape. Centrally located on the banks of the River Ness, overlooking Inverness Castle, offering easy access to all the attractions in the city and further afield. Stay in the luxury River & Castle view rooms – they are the rooms with the view in Inverness!
Don’t forget at the Palace you can you enjoy, the treats of a 4 star hotel including the luxury Gym, Spa & lovely heated swimming pool with jacuzzi, the only Inverness city centre hotel to have a pool! Book your stay and make new memories this Summer.
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