Mackay's Spa Lodge Hotel

If you are looking for a bang for your buck, this is the place. However, the room had a terrible odor. As if it was musty or moldy. We entered the room the window was propped open, the light and fan were on in the bathroom. And, I could still smell something. During the night it was cold so I closed the window and turned on the portable heater that was there. The smell was super distracting. If you are looking for price, this is it. If you are looking for a good nights sleep - choose differently. Staff were great, plenty of places to eat around the area. Hotel has no food available.

After arriving at the hotel. We were informed that there was no facility for dining. We checked in as they had already taken payments. We went to our respective rooms to find that they were unclean in very bad condition unsafe and overall was not representative of the description and photos on the website. In addition there were no spa facilities or public bar. Photographic evidence is available if required.

No meals available in property had to go out for breakfast and dinner.

We were made welcome. Our room was very clean, comfortable and well equipped. There was plenty of parking.
Although we were not offered any meals at the hotel, the town offers places to eat.
The hotel appears to be under new management who are keen to make it a success. From the outside, the hotel is in need of some TLC and we found this off-putting at first. The entrance area was also rather dated.
Overall, we were happy with this hotel.

The hotel is no frills but for the price has everything you need for an overnight stay.
The room was clean and bed reasonably comfortable.
The toilet and shower facilities were excellent.

Hotel from the outside is a little run down but it doesn’t change our feelings towards how clean and comfortable the room and beds were. The room was cheap, spacious and perfect for an overnight stay.

Right I’m going to be fair about this if you pay £80 for a room when all of the others within 30 miles are charging £140 you should realise something is up.

The room was basic, but reasonably clean. The only plus about the place.
The bathroom suite was a light pastel blue colour, tres seventies!

The outside of the building looks like its derelict. Overgrown garden and letters missing from the sign. Very Fawlty Towers.

The reception would be in the old bar. There are no bar or restaurant facilities BTW… I think the receptionist lives in there kipping on an old leather sofa. …

The stair are in need of a lick of paint and a modern carpet or one that doesn’t have a pattern straight from the seventies (pattern emerging there). When I say a lick of paint I mean a bulldozer.

Swimming pool?? I never asked if it existed, but even if it did I suspect it would be minging.

If you are into the dodgy homeless shelter feel, this is the place for you…

Strathpeffer is one of the most soulless places I have ever been. Keep driving to Inverness!

Room was clean, spacious and comfortable but the television didn’t work. The shower and bath room were clean and shower was very good. The outside of the hotel was pretty run down and tired and the lobby was very dated. Staff were helpful but only available over the phone.

We stayed in the Travel lodge which was very clean. The staff were very cheerful and helpful, it was their first day open!!!
It does have a pool, that’s why we booked it. As I say first day, but the jacuzzi, sauna and steam room were all out of order,
The whole place is very tired, obviously not a lot of refurbishment done when closed.
We booked a deal with evening meal, don’t bother. It is a coach party hotel so you get the set menu. Fish fingers chips and beans as a choice on dinner menu???
The bar is so basic, again staff were great. Beer choices were Tennents or Cider, which ran out at beginning of night, couldn’t get it working, so it was Tennants.
We went next door to the Ben Wyvis hotel, beautiful, lovely staff and well stocked bar!
The Mackays had entertainment on in the very small dreary bar, we couldn’t stand the noise and the crush so went across the road to the Highland Hotel. Another coach tour hotel but so much better. Entertainment was good, and nice surroundings with plenty of seating and quiet areas.
We had a great weekend, but pool not enough to stay again.

we went as part of a coach trip we were welcomed by manageress and a member of staff and given our key our room was in the annexe first floor up room was reasonable size for two it had 2 single beds cupboard for clothes and unit with drawers which tv sat on we were in attic room which wasnt very warm but we had an additional heater which helped to heat it up room was quiet we had a good selection for breakfast and evening meal was large portions compared to other hotels we have been to entertainment was in another building belonging to the hotel fri and sat entertainment was good i wasnt keen on sun but that was my preference the staff at hotel were lovely overall would i go back definitely

Nice room one floor up good size nice and cosy very firm bed very quiet no noise big bathroom shower and bath cleaned room and changed towels everyday entertainment good three nights vouchers each night variety good was with coach trip for five days good choice for .meals nice staff

We had two cups of latte coffee in this hotel restaurant.
Couldn't believe my ears when I was asked for £7.50.
No sugar on the table or anywhere around. Coffee cold by the time waitress brought some to us.
I have never paid that much for a coffee before, unbelievable,!

Check in was quick and friendly,given directions to room and given times for breakfast and dinner. Stayed in room 10 in travelodge section which was clean, but, every time someone came through outer door we were disturbed as room seemed to be right above entrance and also was right next to door on the first floor so disturbed again, as people were going out and on to smoke was a disturbing night.Had a drink in bar and for a bottle of beer and white wine £6.50 for setting thought expensive as other hotels in area were less expensive. Dinner was OK not much choice though. Breakfast again was fine, one thing though for the vegetarian breakfast said vegetarian sausage it was not it was a vegetable sausage, there is quite a difference. Would stay again as long as was B&B and not room 10.

After booking a couple of days away with the dog we read a review saying that dogs were merely “tolerated “ and only allowed in the room!
We were delighted on arrival to be made very welcome in the bar by the lovely barmaid Pamela who made sure Toby was never without water and was free to wander making many friends 😊
A lovely friendly hotel in a beautiful area
DOGS VERY WELCOME

Room was very basic but very clean, lots of tea making facilities and very comfy bed Advertised as dog friendly but would be more accurate to say dog tolerated as there’s no where other than your room that you can take your dog. Good luck getting a meal in the town either as no where would allow a dog inside so unless you want to eat outdoors in the cold you need a take away.. the poppy cafe does fish n chips for £13 which are just about edible that you can take to your room and watch the minuscule T.V ....glad it was just for the one night

Have just spent the weekend at Mackay's hotel as a base for walking with friends. The staff are excellent, welcoming and friendly and they cant do enough for you. Nice to see Tomas still on the bar and the manageress behind the desk!! Cheerful people who take a pride in their work. the food was great and the rooms were clean, warm and well serviced. The prices in the bar,are very good and the whole place has a good, upbeat atmosphere. Hopefully see you again soon!!!
For those of you tackling the north coast 500 this is a VERY good place to stay!!!!

I suspect the location is fine. We were just passing through.

I would not stay at this hotel again. Compared to our three other overnight stops - Mackay's Hotel unfortunately did not fare well. Lacklustre greeting at reception, musty smell, tired rooms, uncomfortable beds which badly need replacing. Meals were basic - hard poached eggs at breakfast. Poor service - we were asked if we wanted our bill after dinner and felt as if they were rushing us out of the restaurant. All our stops were of similar price but what we got for our money at our other stops and at Mackay's was vastly different. And I would suggest that they change their description from "dog friendly" to "dog tolerated". I understand that dogs are not allowed in the restaurant but I would have thought that "dog friendly" would include a set aside corner from other guests in which we could eat whilst having our dog with us - not having to shut him away in the car or our room.

Stayed for 2 nights with my parents from 16th - 18th September. Great hotel, lovely room and very clean. Staff were really friendly and so helpful. Food excellent, especially for evening meal which we had both nights.
Would definetly recommend it, and if we were in area again, we would book in again.

Having stayed at this hotel a few times in the past, I knew what to expect. My husband had booked for both of us to stay, and paid extra for the option to change our booking if necessary. Our circumstances changed, and hubby couldn’t go, so he phoned and changed the booking. When I arrived and checked in, I was asked for payment, so not knowing the rate, paid it. Once I arrived home, hubby told me that the price I’d paid was the full price for both of us, so I phoned the hotel and told them. I was told that was the price for the room I was given, (a double ) even though we had phoned to change the booking from a double to a single. I was once again allocated a room in the Travel Lodge to the rear of the main building. Whilst the room was clean, tidy and well appointed, I couldn’t ignore the musty smell throughout the building. We had on a previous occasion mentioned this to reception, and was told there had been a leak in an upper floor room which had caused it. I was told the same again this time, but the mustiness in the air would indicate that the place has been damp for years! The staff were very friendly and helpful, and the food was good. I had a delicious piece of salmon! Breakfast was cooked to order, and my poached eggs were just slightly overdone. There’s WiFi throughout the hotel, and reception is good. The pot holes that were at the entrance to the car park 3 years ago are still there!

Went for 3 nights on a David Urquhart tour. I was allocated room number 8 which I assessed as totally unfit for purpose. Dingy would be a compliment to the place.The room dimensions were indescribably small.So small it had no furniture, apart from the single bed, which fitted the length of the room with the bottom stuck against the radiator! It had no wardrobe only a small cubby hole triangle with a curtain, one small shelf on the wall with the tea making facilities. One small bedside table and the bed were the total furniture and they were squeezed in! I spent 5 minutes in disbelief before I complained and was allocated a proper guest room. Everything else was above my expectations from the staff. the food, and the entertainment, plus a beautiful location. I have based my rating on the actual room I stayed in.