We are self confessed foodies and our interest in this hotel was piqued after seeing it featured on Gordon Ramsey's Kitchen Nightmares. On previous visits to Inverness we'd seen the hotel and wondered about it but never gone in so having seen it on TV we decided to drive north and spend and evening at the restaurant.

The reception was fine, not perhaps the most friendly welcome ever but efficient. Their room was small but clean tidy and decorated in a modern brown monotone. Not to my taste but nothing wrong with it. It had all we needed for the night. and after all wee were there for the food.

Off to the Abstract, the hotel restaurant. First up to the bar. I ordered my favourite whisky only to be told they didn't have it. :( Instead they offered me four others, three from the same site and one from down the road. In fact the barman really knew his collection and his whisky, it was most impressive and educational. So I got to try something new which always a bonus

Then to the restaurant. I went for the tasting menu, some six courses with matched wines. It was thoroughly enjoyable. Not all the dishes were successful, as some of the experimentation sometimes missed the mark but I couldn't fault the skill or the cooking. It was a bit of a roller coaster of a ride but for me a very enjoyable experience and one I hope to repeat soon.

We took a winter package which brought the price down to something reasonable but at full price I would say it was a little overpriced. See if you can get a deal.

It's difficult to grade this hotel. It has some lovely furniture and is nicely presented. It's Abtract restaurant serves interesting food however the bedrooms are a bit disappointing (from a size perspective). That said, the front of house staff were very attentive and are worthy of merit.

Abstract Restaurant.
Fantastic food and generally very good service in what was (for a Thursday night) a quiet evening. They made one carnal mistake and that was failing to listen to customers. My wife ordered a dish and when it was presented she said that she was very allergic to the mushrooms it contained (no mention was made of mushrooms on the menu) and that the dish would have to be recooked. The dish was taken away and reappeared within seconds.

We found that the chef has simply scraped most (but not all) mushrooms from the plate. This was shoddy and really let the whole meal down. If my wife had a very serious allergic reaction then the consequences could have been much worse. We then asked again for the dish to be recooked without the offending items. We could hear the chef ranting and raving when the waiter returned to the kitchen. Great food but no time for prima donna chefs who try to cut corners. That said the waiting staff were excellent, if a little intimated by the chef.

The rooms were fairly nice but it was disappointing to have a small 'executive' room at £150 per night. The bed was particularly comfortable which is always a plus.
Perhaps Inverness has upped its game since I've last been however it's not London and the prices were steep, including those at the bar.

Would I stay again? Hard to say.

Stayed in a lovely clean (although small) room but with a lovely river facing window. The meal in the Abstract Restaurant was tip top. Great service, friendly efficient and the standard of the food was superb. Not a pudding fan but got to say, a the fruit/custard gratain was to die for. Understand they are to open another branch in Edinburgh. Good luck, cant wait to try it.

We stayed here in an executive room (No. 18) which we got for a good price on the internet.
The room was gorgeous and extremely spacious, featuring probably the biggest bed we've ever slept in! We loved it.
There was a DVD player (DVDs available from reception fro free) and a flat screen TV. There was a generous sized bathroom with a large shower and luxury toiletries.
The hotel was spotless, the chambermaids would even come round and check if you needed anything done before they went home for the day.
Our only criticism however was the restaurant, extremely overpriced French menu, but we didn’t mind as within a few mins walk there were dozens of good quality restaurants, bars and pubs.