What is The Lovat, Loch Ness?

The Lovat, Loch Ness is a Selected hotel located in Fort Augustus, United Kingdom. It has been recognized by the Michelin Guide for its exceptional hospitality and unique experience.

How many Michelin Keys does The Lovat, Loch Ness have?

The Lovat, Loch Ness has been awarded Selected by the Michelin Guide, indicating a very special stay.

Where is The Lovat, Loch Ness located?

The Lovat, Loch Ness is located in Fort Augustus, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.

What makes a Selected hotel special?

Selected hotels provide very special stays with excellent service and a unique sense of place.

How do I book The Lovat, Loch Ness?

You can view more details and booking information for The Lovat, Loch Ness through the Michelin Guide website. Each Michelin Keys hotel offers a unique booking experience tailored to their guests.

The Lovat, Loch Ness | Selected in Fort Augustus

Name: The Lovat, Loch Ness
Address: The Lovat, Fort Augustus, PH32 4DR, United Kingdom, Fort Augustus, Europe, United Kingdom
Rating: 4.5

The Lovat, Loch Ness, a Michelin Key Selected property in Fort Augustus, United Kingdom, consistently receives high praise for its blend of historic elegance and modern hospitality, offering guests a memorable stay amidst the stunning Scottish Highlands.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

The general consensus for The Lovat, Loch Ness is overwhelmingly positive, with exceptional customer ratings across various platforms. Agoda gives it an impressive overall rating of 9.4, with a perfect 10.0 for cleanliness. Booking.com reviews rate it as "Excellent" with an average of 8.9, highlighting staff (9.6) and location (9.4). Guests frequently describe their experiences using words like "exceptional," "perfect stay," "beautiful," and "luxurious," emphasizing its charm and attention to detail.

2. Key Highlights

Guests consistently love several aspects of The Lovat. Key highlights include its outstanding value and top-notch facilities, with cleanliness being particularly lauded. The exemplary staff performance is a recurring theme, often noted for being incredibly helpful and attentive. The convenient location, just a short stroll from Loch Ness and the Caledonian Canal, is also a major draw. Beyond the essentials, guests appreciate the hotel's historic charm, tastefully renovated interiors, cozy lounges with inviting fireplaces, and the well-stocked Waypoint Bar boasting over 100 single malt whiskies and 50 Scottish gins. Dog-friendly garden rooms are an added bonus for those traveling with pets.

3. Room Quality

The Lovat offers 28 to 29 individually designed rooms in varying styles, ranging from Deluxe Double Rooms to spacious Master Bedrooms, some with breathtaking views of Loch Ness. Rooms are described as fresh, modern, clean, and comfortable, providing a tranquil retreat. Many rooms include luxurious extras such as coffee pod machines, bathrobes, king-size beds, and en-suite bathrooms, some featuring both walk-in showers and baths. Upgraded rooms or annex studios may even offer high-end amenities like bathroom TVs and underfloor heating.

4. Dining Experience

The dining experience at The Lovat is a significant highlight. Its "Station Road" restaurant is award-winning, holding 3 AA Rosettes, and is recognized in the Michelin Guide. Guests rave about the "exceptional" and "delicious" food, describing dinner as a "mouthwatering taste sensation" with options ranging from local delicacies to international cuisine. The kitchen emphasizes seasonal ingredients, some grown in the hotel's own gardens or foraged locally. Breakfast is consistently praised as "superb," "excellent," and "very good," offering a generous selection of cold buffet items and cooked options. Vegetarian, gluten-free, and dairy-free choices are also available.

5. Service & Staff

The service and staff at The Lovat receive near-perfect ratings, with guests consistently reporting staff performance as "exemplary" (Agoda 10.0), "great," and "incredibly helpful". Many reviews mention a warm welcome, with specific mentions of receiving complimentary hot or cold toddies upon arrival. The staff's attentiveness and willingness to go above and beyond to ensure a memorable stay are frequently highlighted.

6. Location & Accessibility

The Lovat boasts a "convenient" and "ideal" location in Fort Augustus, nestled just 100 meters from the shores of Loch Ness and the famed Caledonian Canal. It's perfectly positioned as a base for exploring the Scottish Highlands, being roughly equidistant from Fort William and Inverness, and within a 90-minute drive of the Isle of Skye. Local attractions like the Caledonian Canal Visitor Centre and Clansman Centre are within easy walking distance. The hotel offers free private parking on-site and features an elevator, which is noted as unusual for rural Scotland. The property is also situated close to the Great Glen Way, appealing to hiking enthusiasts.

7. Value & Pricing

While The Lovat is considered a luxurious experience, guests generally find its pricing to offer good value for money, with Agoda giving it a 9.3 for value. Rooms average around $317 per night, which is higher than the Fort Augustus average of $223, but is perceived as affordable luxury for the quality provided. Some guests note that the food and drink can be pricey, particularly the fine dining options.

8. Common Complaints

Despite the overwhelmingly positive feedback, a few recurring issues are occasionally mentioned. Some guests have found the food and drink, especially dinner, to be on the expensive side, with some wishing for simpler or more affordable menu options. There have been isolated complaints about weak shower pressure in some rooms. During warmer periods, rooms in the roof may become too hot due to a lack of air conditioning, with fans not always being sufficient. Additionally, some specific rooms have reported noise disturbances from external sources like fans or washing machines. The Michelin Guide itself states "No verified stays yet" for a guest quality score on its platform.