The Caledonian Hotel

I go to this hotel for hiking in Ben Nevis. This hotel is not far away, just 15 mins car drive. The hotel is clean and the bathroom with good supply with hot water. View from the window is beautiful. For the price which have 2 tasty dinners and buffet breakfast is good deal. Also, live band at night is also enjoyable. I recommend this hotel to everyone.

The hotel has seen better days and could do with attention to details, especially the public areas. The rooms however, were clean and organised. Reception staff was very friendly as was one of the restaurant staff. The hotel looks like 25 years ago and hasn’t been updated since. The outside of the hotel doesn’t look inviting, rather scruffy. It also appears to cater for tour groups.  Breakfast was ok, but again a bit of modernisation wouldn’t go amiss. A 10:00 am check out time is too early and should be considered when booking this hotel.

This hotel is not just old school in its design but also old school in its mindset. Be prepared to be discriminated against by the colour of your skin. The body language and demeanour of the staff is to keep you off. Right from the time we arrived to the time we left( a family of four in two rooms) we were made to feel unwelcome. The property was hosting a bunch of French vintage rally drivers who seem to be the first class customers and we the havenots having paid the room tariffs. It started with we being asked to park at the rear of the building although there was ample parking space in the front. The people in the bar even told us that they don’t serve any food until we protested as there are no eateries close by at 8 pm unless you drove 2 miles to Fort William.Breakfast was another torture with even coffee not replenished in time. All in all a black spot in an otherwise lovely Scottish holiday.