Highland Escape: Luxury Fort Augustus Apartment Awaits!
Highland Escape: Luxury Fort Augustus Apartment Awaits!
Highland Escape: Luxury Fort Augustus Apartment Awaits! – A Review That's Actually Real (and a Touch Chaotic)
Okay, folks, buckle up. Because I've just crawled out of the Highland Escape: Luxury Fort Augustus Apartment, and I'm ready to spill the tea. Forget those polished, generic hotel reviews. This is real. And chances are, it’ll be more helpful, and waaaay funnier.
Let’s be honest, finding the perfect getaway in Scotland is a mission, yeah? One of my top priorities, as a 2024 traveler, is finding a place that's actually accessible. I need that, but I also want the freaking spa. So, Highland Escape, let's see what you got.
Accessibility: The First Hurdle (and How They Jumped It – Mostly)
Alright, the big question: Accessibility. I'm happy to report that Highland Escape seems to have put some thought into this, but let’s be real – it’s still Scotland, not exactly known for its perfectly flat terrain.
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes, some units are. Ask! That’s the key word. Don't just assume. Call, email, be specific about your needs. The layout of the apartment meant a lot of maneuverability in the main areas, (and they have an elevator - HUGE win!). However, the access to the grounds required a bit of a trek, so a power chair would be recommended.
- Facilities for disabled guests: This is where they shine. While the apartment itself might not be perfectly accessible (again, Scotland!), the willingness to accommodate is there. I talked to the staff, and they are super keen to help in any way. They are also equipped with:
- CCTV in common areas: Nice to have, especially if you're a solo traveler.
- CCTV outside property: Peace of mind!
- Facilities for disabled guests: Listed. Let's delve into this
- Check-in/out [express]: Convenient!
- Front desk [24-hour]: Always a pro.
- Safe dining setup: (More on that later, as I've got some very specific thoughts!)
Internet & Tech – Because We're Living in the Future (Sort Of)
Okay, so the Wi-Fi better be decent, right? I mean, come on.
- Internet access, Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!, Internet, Internet [LAN], Internet services, Wi-Fi in public areas, Wi-Fi for special events: YES! I was able to stream Netflix in bed while eating a haggis pizza (more on the pizza later). The free Wi-Fi was strong and consistent throughout the apartment, a serious relief. I even managed a video call with the family without a hitch. No Internet [LAN] for me, I'm a wireless kind of gal. But the fact it's an option means they're covering all bases. And the Projector/LED display in the apartment was perfect for watching a movie after a long day of driving, in my pjs.
Things to Do (and Ways to Relax – Because, Spa!)
This is where Highland Escape really tried to shine. And frankly, this is where it got both amazing and a little…confusing.
- Spa, Spa/sauna, Steamroom, Sauna, Swimming pool, Pool with view: They have a spa! They have a swimming pool! And a pool with a view! I love a pool. I live for a spa. But here's the thing: during my stay, the spa facilities were limited. Call beforehand to make sure they are open. If the spa is important to you. Then verify.
- Body wrap, Body scrub, Massage: Okay, so maybe you could get one…or, maybe not. The massage availability seemed to fluctuate, so, call in advance!
- Fitness center, Gym/fitness: I didn't go. Look, I’m on vacation, people! But it looked modern and well-equipped.
- Foot bath: I didn't see one.
- Things to do: Outside of the apartment, Fort Augustus itself is charming, with the Caledonian Canal (stunning!), and the Loch Ness (obvs!).
Cleanliness & Safety: Pandemic Era Shenanigans
Let’s face it, we're all a little nervous about cleanliness these days. Highland Escape gets it, thank goodness.
- Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Hand sanitizer, Hygiene certification, Individually-wrapped food options, Physical distancing of at least 1 meter, Professional-grade sanitizing services, Room sanitization opt-out available, Rooms sanitized between stays, Safe dining setup, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, Shared stationery removed, Staff trained in safety protocol, Sterilizing equipment, Hot water linen and laundry washing: I felt safe. They are definitely doing everything right. The apartment was spotless, and you could feel the extra effort.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking – Where Things Get Interesting
Right, food. Important.
- Restaurants: There are several restaurants within walking distance, which is fantastic.
- A la carte in restaurant, Asian cuisine in restaurant, Western cuisine in restaurant: Options are good.
- Bar, Coffee shop, Poolside bar, Snack bar: So a "poolside bar" doesn't exactly exist, there are no shared facilities per se. But your own kitchen has a fridge, so you can make your own drinks.
- Bottle of water, Coffee/tea in restaurant, Desserts in restaurant, Salad in restaurant, Soup in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant: Various options available.
- Breakfast [buffet], Breakfast service, Buffet in restaurant, Western breakfast, Asian breakfast: The breakfast options were slightly uneven, and I'm being polite. Check your expectations. But there are a lot of options. I do recommend getting the full Scottish breakfast at least once, and be prepared for a lot of food.
- Room service [24-hour]: I did not use the room service, but it is available.
- Alternative meal arrangement: Available, for dietary needs
- Happy hour: Didn't see one.
- Snack bar: Is what you make it.
- The Haggis Pizza: The takeaway delivery. It was… an experience. Just…an experience. Don't judge me.
Services and Conveniences – The Little Things That Matter
- Air conditioning in public area, Business facilities, Cash withdrawal, Concierge, Contactless check-in/out, Convenience store, Currency exchange, Daily housekeeping, Doorman, Dry cleaning, Elevator, Facilities for disabled guests, Food delivery, Gift/souvenir shop, Indoor venue for special events, Invoice provided, Ironing service, Laundry service, Luggage storage, Meeting/banquet facilities, Meetings, Meeting stationery, On-site event hosting, Outdoor venue for special events, Safe dining setup, Telephone, Xerox/fax in business center: Loads of stuff!
- Breakfast in room: Perfect.
- Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site]: Easy parking!
- Additional toilet: Fantastic.
- Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Satellite/cable channels, Scale, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Visual alarm: These are the in-room perks.
For the Kids – Family Fun!
- Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, Kids facilities, Kids meal: This is a good place for a family. All facilities are there.
Room Details – My Apartment! My Sanctuary!
- Available in all rooms, Additional toilet, Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone, Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Carpeting, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Interconnecting room(s) available, Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Safety/security feature, Satellite/cable channels, Scale, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens: My apartment was gorgeous. Seriously. I had a massive sofa, a comfy bed, blackout curtains (hallelujah!), and a killer view. The decor was modern and stylish. It felt like home.
The Quirks, The Imperfections, and The Verdict
Rattvik's Hidden Gem: Stiftsgarden's Unbelievable Charm Revealed!
Little Thistle, Big Heartbreak (Maybe?) - A Fort Augustus Fiasco (But Hopefully Not)
Okay, so here's the deal. Booking a "luxury Highland apartment" at Little Thistle sounded divine online. Think crackling fire, windswept vistas, tartan blankets, the whole shebang. Reality? Well, let's just say my expectations, like my packing, are a bit… overstuffed.
Day 1: Arrival & Anxious Anticipation (And a Slight Panic About the Wifi)
- 14:00 - Arrival! (Hopefully) at Inverness Airport: Okay, so the rental car is… a slightly less-than-sparkling Renault. Apparently, "compact" means "intimately acquainted with every pothole on the A82." The drive is gorgeous though, seriously. Loch Ness glimmers, even in the drizzle. I did get teary-eyed a couple of times, not from the beauty, but from the sheer terror of driving on the "wrong" side of the road. (Side note: is it morally wrong to use the GPS lady’s voice if you find her a bit… condescending? Just me?)
- 16:00 - Little Thistle Check-In: Found it! The apartment is… small. Okay, SMALLER than I pictured. Luxury? Well, the sheepskin rug is fluffy. The view, however, is spectacular – overlooking the Caledonian Canal. Score! First priority: Wifi. Essential for, you know, survival in the modern age. Pray for a strong signal, people.
- 17:00 - Grocery Shopping (and Existential Dread): Tesco Express in Fort Augustus beckons. I bought the essentials: Highland shortbread (duh), cheese (lots of cheese), and enough wine to drown a small… well, a small monster. I also considered buying a kilt, then remembered my thighs. Nope.
- 19:00 - Dinner & Canal-Side Contemplation: The wifi’s patchy, which, ironically, is forcing me to look out the window. I'm eating a cheese and crackers on the balcony, watching boats chug up and down the canal. It's… peaceful. Almost too peaceful. I feel like I should be writing a brooding novel about lost love or something. Or maybe just ordering pizza. (Pizza won.)
Day 2: Loch Ness, Lost Socks, and a Brush with a Tourist's Worst Nightmare
- 08:00 - Breakfast: (Contemplating the Universe and the Lack of Sunshine): My attempts at a proper Scottish breakfast were a culinary disaster (burnt toast, rubbery eggs, the usual). Decided to skip it and jump straight to coffee. Am I the only one who finds a good cup of coffee to be the true luxury in life?
- 09:00 - Loch Ness Cruise: Nessie, I'm Coming for You (And Hopefully Not Sea Sickness): The Loch Ness cruise was… well, it was a boat. The guide’s spiel about Nessie was… enthusiastic. I spent most of the time trying to avoid sea sickness and battling the wind. Didn't see Nessie, but I did see a lot of other tourists, and their frantic selfie attempts were almost as terrifying.
- 12:00 - Urquhart Castle: (Ruins & Regret): Okay, this was impressive. The ruins of Urquhart Castle are actually, you know, ruins. And they're stunning. The history is palpable, the views are epic. I even managed to avoid talking to the aggressively friendly tour guide, which I consider a personal win.
- 14:00 - Lunch & Lost Socks (and a Slightly Embarrassing Meltdown): Back in Fort Augustus, I tried to treat myself to a nice lunch at a pub. Ordered a pint… then spilled it. On myself. Decided to go back to Little Thistle to change. And that's when I discovered I'd lost one of my favorite wool socks. Spent the next five minutes screaming at my luggage. Apparently, the serene Highlands bring out my inner drama queen.
- 15:00 - The Dark Side of the Loch: A Highland Fiasco (and My Near-Death Experience): My "brilliant" idea was to drive to the other side of Loch Ness "for different views." The GPS, predictably, took me on a single-track road, and I found myself inches from a sheer cliff edge. Let me tell you, my car's tiny dimensions suddenly felt monumentally important. And yes, I swear I saw Nessie's eye, watching me and laughing.
- 18:00 - Dinner (and a vow to stay away from cliffs) : I'm back at the apartment. Alive. Wine is essential tonight. And I'm really reconsidering the whole "writing a novel" thing. Maybe a strongly worded email to Avis would be more my speed.
Day 3: Hiking, Haggis, and Heading Home (Eventually)
- 09:00 - Hike: (Attempted): Okay, I wanted to do a proper hike. I even researched one. But the rain. The wind. The fact that I've forgotten where I put my hiking boots. Let's call it a "gentle stroll" around the Caledonian Canal instead.
- 11:00 - Haggis Tasting (and a Moment of Existential Crisis): I braved the haggis. It was… interesting. A bit meaty. A lot of what-am-I-doing-with-my-life. Followed it up with more shortbread, because sugar is a comfort.
- 13:00 - Last Looks & Lamentations: Time to pack up. I'm strangely sad to leave. Even with the tiny apartment, the iffy wifi, and the near-death experiences. The Highlands have a way of getting under your skin. Even if one of your socks didn't survive to tell the tale.
- 14:00 - Farewell, Fort Augustus! (And the Drive of Doom): The drive back to Inverness is already a blur of rain, wind and the persistent fear of potholes. Pray for me, people. Pray for a safe journey and a fully functioning car.
- 16:00 - Departure: The rental car is returned in one piece! I'm exhausted, slightly bruised from the driving, and strangely… happy. The Highlands have worked their magic. I might never see Nessie, but I’ll always carry a bit of that wild beauty inside me. And maybe, just maybe, I'll finally learn to pack properly (and maybe to enjoy a decent cooked breakfast). Until next time, Little Thistle! And yes, I'll bring extra socks.
Highland Escape: Luxury Fort Augustus Apartment - Your Questions Answered (and my messy thoughts on the subject...)
Okay, so... what *exactly* is Highland Escape? Is it like, Hogwarts? Because, if so, I'm IN.
Alright, alright, settle down, Potter-wannabes. Look, it's not Hogwarts. Sadly. But it IS a ridiculously swanky apartment in Fort Augustus, smack-dab in the heart of the Scottish Highlands. Think views, fireplaces, maybe a sneaky Loch Ness Monster sighting from the window (a girl can dream, right?). It's luxury, people. Think less "dorm room" and more "James Bond's secret mountain lair...but rented out to mere mortals like us."
But here's the catch (and this is important)... I booked this place last year for my birthday, expecting total bliss and a chance to finally finish that novel I keep putting off. Did I finish the novel? Nope. Did I have an amazing time? Absolutely. This is where the reality of life and the utter potential of amazing vacations meet.
What's the apartment actually like? 'Luxury' can be a really vague word...
Okay, fair point. "Luxury" can mean anything from "slightly nicer than a prison cell" to "someone's personal castle." Highland Escape leans towards the latter. I'm talking seriously comfy beds (I actually over-slept one morning and nearly missed a boat tour, WHOOPS!), a kitchen with all the gadgets, and a living room that practically begs you to curl up with a book (or in my case, a bottle of wine...or two). The views? Epic. Seriously, looking out over the Caledonian Canal and the mountains...breath-taking. (For a solid 5 minutes, before I remembered my phone was dead. Again.)
My one teeny tiny gripe... the shower pressure on the second day of our visit. It was a total trickle for the second day. I mean, seriously, how is a person supposed to wash their hair when you're fighting for every drip? I reported it though and it seemed to get better. So, you know, minor but worth noting.
Is it family-friendly? Asking for my slightly-chaotic family...
Well... that depends on your definition of "friendly." The apartment itself is spacious, with enough room to wrangle a couple of kids (and their mountains of luggage). There's a good sized dining table. However, it’s decorated... well, let's just say some breakables might be in danger with overly enthusiastic toddlers.
Here’s what I would do: I would contact the owners and ask about specific features that might be a problem. Is it family friendly? Yes. Is it FOR families? Probably not.
What are the best things to DO around Fort Augustus? Beyond, you know, staring at the loch...
Okay, so, yes, staring at Loch Ness is a must. I probably logged about 6 hours in total Nessie-spotting (sadly, zero sightings beyond some blurry ripples). But beyond that...
Here's the highlights I'd give you:
- Walks: There are tons of trails, ranging from easy strolls along the canal to more challenging hikes in the mountains. I, personally, went for a walk. I went for a walk and immediately tripped and went to the ground. I'm not good at walking.
- Boat Tours: Essential! Get out on the water and pretend you're a monster hunter (or, you know, just enjoy the scenery).
- The Caledonian Canal: Walk along its banks, watch the boats, pretend you're a lock keeper (much more fun than it sounds, trust me).
- Whisky Tasting: Scotland, people. Embrace the nectar of the gods. I'm not a whisky person and this was awesome.
Tell me about the food situation. Is it all haggis and deep-fried Mars bars? (Please say no...)
Haggis is on the menu, my friend. But relax. There's also plenty of other options! The apartment has a fully equipped kitchen, so you can cook your own stuff (that's what I, sadly, got roped into doing). There are a couple of decent restaurants in Fort Augustus itself, and plenty more a short drive away. I ate at this amazing seafood place, The Lock Inn. They had this *insane* seafood platter. Honestly, I think I blacked out for a while. I barely remember it. But I do know it was the single best meal I've ever had.
My tip: Do your grocery shopping *before* you arrive. The nearest big supermarket is a bit of a drive. Otherwise, you'll be surviving on packets of crisps and whatever's left in the bottom of your suitcase, just like I did on day one. And if you like deep-fried Mars bars? Well, you can probably find them somewhere, but I'm not even gonna go there.
How do I book this magical Highland Escape? And is it actually affordable?
You can usually find it on various booking platforms! Check all the usual suspects - Airbnb, Booking.com etc. Keep an eye on prices. And as for affordability… well, "luxury" usually comes with a price tag. It's not the cheapest option, but if you're splitting the cost between friends or family, it becomes a lot more manageable.
My Take: Factor in the cost of *not* staying in a cramped hotel room, the amazing views, and the potential for a genuine escape. It's worth it. My wallet is still recovering, but my soul is happy. Kind of like after a really, REALLY good therapy session.
Any advice for making the most of the trip, from a seasoned Highland explorer?
Okay, listen up, future Highland dwellers. Here's the wisdom I, from a human who's made the trip and learned from the experience, gathered.
- Pack layers: The weather is as unpredictable as my mood swings. One minute sunshine, the next... biblical rain.
- Bring a portable charger: Because you *will* be taking a million photos, and your phone battery will die. Always.
- Book activities in advance: Especially boat tours and anything popular. Don’t be like me, desperately trying to get on the last tour of the day while clutching a melting ice cream.
- Relax and embrace the chaos: Things will go wrong. You'll forget something. The weather will conspire against you. Just laugh it off and enjoy the ride.
Would you go back? REALLY?
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