Hotel Richmond House (Fort Augustus, United Kingdom)

This traditional stone-built property in Fort Augustus at the southern end of Loch Ness in the heart of the rugged Scottish Highlands proved popular with travellers. It was a stone's throw from village amenities, eateries and shops plus the Caledonian Canal. Another bonus was the free on-site parking. Motorists liked being beside the A82 and a short drive from the A87 for uncomplicated access to Inverness, Fort William and Kyle of Lochalsh. Many guests said it made a great base for exploring Loch Ness and enjoying outdoor pursuits in its stunning hinterland rich with wildlife, mountains, lochs and rivers.

The tastefully-remodelled rooms were reportedly comfortable, clean and well-equipped with cosy beds. Guests appreciated regional touches like the luxury locally-made toiletries and tartan decor details.

Visitors often spoke highly of this family-run property's pleasant, attentive and welcoming personnel who had plenty of local knowledge to share. Diners enjoyed the cooked-to-order breakfasts plus the no nonsense, tasty and inexpensive pub grub at the restaurant. In the bar, there was praise for the choice of local whiskies and real ales.

Certain rooms facing the main road were occasionally exposed to traffic noise, which irritated several light sleepers.

It came as a disappointment to some guests that en suite bathrooms didn't feature in every room. Instead, they had to make do with shared bathroom facilities.

Some of the smaller rooms at Richmond House Hotel were reportedly rather compact, especially when fully occupied. It was also claimed some of the bathrooms were cramped. Some critics claimed they felt chilly in certain rooms during the coldest weather.