Emma Coastal views and stylish rooms at this Highland hotel
With sea views, an AA rosette restaurant, spa, swimming pool and outdoor hot tub, all within walking distance of the centre of Nairn and dog-friendly too; Crerar Hotels’ 4-star Golf View Hotel has plenty to offer. There’s also a seaside path into Nairn and easy access to the beach from steps in front of the hotel.
Location
Overlooking the Moray Firth towards the Black Isle, Golf View Hotel has onsite parking and is located at the west end of Nairn within easy reach of the A96, the main road between Inverness and Aberdeen. Nairn bus station is a 15-minute walk away, while the train station is closer to 20 minutes, with no uphill walking required from either. Nairn is a 25-minute drive from Inverness, 40 minutes by bus and only 15 minutes by train. Flying in? Inverness Airport is approximately 9 miles away and a new airport railway station is due to open in early 2023.
Checking in
Checking in was quick and easy and as you can see below, the hotel was looking suitably festive. There is a lift to the floors above, where the bedrooms are located.
Inside the bedroom
The room was full of character and tasteful furnishings with the radio playing as we entered. There was a large comfortable bed, free WiFi, TV, radio, Nespresso, kettle with 3 kinds of The Wee Tea Company tea, still and sparkling water, and snacks including pretzels, Tunnocks teacakes and caramel wafers, radio, iron, ironing board, hairdryer, safe, fan, and a sleep kit.
The room also had an unobscured sea view. It was all too easy to sit, stare out of the window and relax. So we decided that it was time for tea and coffee by the window…
For the Nespresso machine, there’s a choice of 3 caffeinated coffees and 1 decaf. The soundtrack to our window-watching was provided by the retro-looking radio.
Teabags were from the Wee Tea company – breakfast, green and rooibos teas, with a teapot provided as well. After our hot drinks, we may have also ordered two glasses of fizz to our room (they have Champagne, Cremant and Prosecco by the glass).
The en-suite is a good size with a statement bath, shower, Highland Soap Company soap and lotions plus travel accessories such as a vanity kit and loofah. There is even a TV above the bath!
Food and Drink
Included in the Dinner, Bed and Breakfast package is an allowance of £35 per person at dinner. Either put this towards the a la carte menu or as we did, choose the festive dinner menu.
We started with creamy goat cheese with beetroot, crunchy walnuts and tangy balsamic, and salmon rillette with superb crispy melba toast.
For our mains, a creamy risotto, which was enjoyable and perfectly cooked but could have had a stronger smoky cheese aroma and taste.
The turkey and trimmings were really good. Moist meat and plenty of flavour with perfect roast tatties. We followed this with a really sweet and fluffy panettone bread & butter pudding.
The cheeses came from the excellent and nearby Connage Highland Dairy and Highland Fine Cheeses Ltd.
Skygazing
As Golf View Hotel boasts such good views we were rewarded with a clear sky on our visit. Sadly no aurora borealis though we reckon this is probably a great place to see the Northern Lights in the right conditions as the rooms face north towards cliffs and hills, away from light pollution. We enjoyed a good night’s sleep in the comfy bed and despite it being cold we had the window open so that we could hear the waves.
Breakfast
Both continental and hot breakfast items are provided to order. Post-COVID there is no help-yourself cold buffet.
We ordered the Scottish smoked salmon, local cheeses and charcuterie, along with hot items of a venison slider, and smoked haddock and poached eggs. The venison burger was an unusual tasty breakfast sight. The haddock was lovely but a bit of a small portion and the eggs needed a bit more cooking.
Hotel facilities
On-site there is an indoor heated pool, sauna, steam room, salt room, outdoor hot tub, tennis courts and spa treatments are also available with a relaxation room for resting afterwards.
Around Golf View Hotel
There is a path straight down to the seafront from the hotel. From here it is a short walk along the coast into the centre of Nairn. Walk the opposite way to Nairn Golf Course for more beach views.
Overall
Golf View Hotel is located in an attractive area of Nairn that was easy to get to by public transport – we travelled by bus. Our bedroom was large and well-equipped with clear sea views over the Moray Firth from the window. The room could have benefitted from extra sockets as one side of the bed didn’t have any (for sitting in bed with a phone or iPad).
Having a TV above the bath was a novelty we could get used to, so make sure to have a bubble bath with some bubbly, though the water wasn’t quite as toasty as Emma would have liked.
Dinner was very good and filling. We ate from the Christmas menu and the turkey main was flavoursome with perfect roast veggies. The wine selection was varied and interesting, with a few dessert wines by the glass so we made sure to sample a couple.
Post-COVID there’s no breakfast buffet so we couldn’t gauge the full offering available but the venison slider was something we probably haven’t seen at a hotel breakfast before, and while the haddock was good the portion was on the small side. The leisure facilities were well-maintained and it was interesting to see a salt room. Staff were helpful and friendly throughout. We would happily stay here again.
TL;DR
+ Nicely decorated for Christmas
+ Big, bedroom with fridge, snacks and water
+ Unobscured sea views
+ TV above the bath
+ Highland Soap Company toiletries
+ Nespresso machine and Wee Tea Company tea
+ Good food and wine
+ On-site leisure and spa facilities
+ Easy access to the beach and scenic walk to town centre
+ Easy to get to for people like us who don’t own a car
– Breakfast haddock small and eggs a little underdone
– Bath temperature is controlled so doesn’t get as hot as it could do
– No power sockets on one side of the bed
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Golf View Hotel Details and Booking
Golf View Hotel, 63 Seabank Rd, Nairn IV12 4HD
01667 452301
