Travelodge Inverness Fairways Hotel

When travelling abroad from Inverness Airport, we have stayed at the Fairways on two separate occasions.
The first time we stayed we got a deal for £10 for the room – so we didn’t feel we could really complain, but we definitely got the impression that we paid for what we got i.e. not as much as Travelodge used to offer a few years ago.
It was the depths of winter on the first occasion, and on entering the reception area there was an air of abandonment and yes, I have to say it, something a little seedy. But the lad on reception was very helpful and courteous, so a big plus there.
The hotel was warm and clean, although I have to say the bathroom tiles could have done with a bit of a grout! The facilities included a kettle and a very small supply of milk, coffee and a couple of tea bags. I’d advise you to bring in your own supplies of milk, tea/coffee, and biscuits if you need refreshments.
Luckily, quite close to the hotel is a large Tesco – if it’s not open 24 hours it’s certainly open until 10pm – and you will be able to get your supplies there. My husband and I are canny and because we are usually flying out very early in the mornings, we would never have time for breakfast in the restaurant (breakfast is not included in the room price).
We always take along a packet of cereal, bowls, and spoons and with the milk purchased from Tesco have enough for a bit of a breakfast before we check out of the room.
Should you be staying for more than one night and with more than two people to the room, then the rooms are quite spacious with adequate wardrobe/hanging space and drawers. I think it’s standard that in each room there is a sofa which pulls down to make another bed – it becomes two single beds for perhaps the children.
In the room there is a TV with free and pay-per-view channels. Good lighting and a socket at the dressing table for hairdryers etc.
As is usual, the bed was very comfortable and, most important, felt fresh and clean.
We could have done with extra pillows and another blanket on the first occasion we stayed (January) but we only discovered this once we were in bed.
We were hardly going to get up and go and ask for extra bedding at that point. In the past, extra pillows and blankets were stored on top of the wardrobes – obviously those days are long gone.
Our room was on the ground floor facing the car park and we found it a little noisy around 11-midnight when some guests tend to think there’s nobody in the world except them. Noisy families up and down the corridor outside the room was a problem too – but that’s hardly the hotel’s fault. Just be aware that you are not going to get the same sound-proofing as you would in The Ritz.
For entertainment, you are ideally placed to visit the cinema and perhaps enjoy a meal at the Pizza Hut afterwards. Twenty minutes by car will take you into Inverness Town Centre and beyond. You are well placed to visit a lot of Inverness’s attractions but be advised a lot of places close at 5 or 6pm and are not open at all in the winter.
All in all, for a low-budget hotel the Fairways isn’t bad. Clean, warm and cheap – what more could you want?