The firm has highlighted the incoming ‘staycation boom’ expected for the Highlands over the coming months, as the city’s newest hotel, the River Ness Hotel, prepares to officially welcome its first guests through its doors today.

The acquisition and investment in the River Ness Hotel, Scotland’s first Radisson Individual Hotel, was supported by Avison Young, who provided a feasibility study on behalf of Axcel Hospitality.

The hotel is a modern 76-room facility with its own bistro, bar, and gym, targeting both business and leisure travellers. Based in the heart of the city centre on Church Street, the hotel is only minutes from Inverness Railway Station and close to the main visitor attractions.

Avison Young has a long track record of supporting Axcel Hospitality projects, including the UK’s first new build Voco Hotel, which opened in Edinburgh earlier this year, as well as providing ongoing business rates advice.

Ian Derrick, director in Avison Young’s Hotels and Leisure team, said: “Inverness has been one of the UK’s top performing hotel markets in recent years. This has been driven by the increasing tourism profile of the city and the wider Highland region, and reinforced by the limited supply of new hotel developments. The market also benefits from strong corporate demand, providing the city with a good blend of midweek and weekend hotel custom all year round.

“The River Ness Hotel is opening at a perfect time to take full advantage of the incoming Highland staycation boom this summer.

“After an extremely tough 18-month period for the industry, the hotel market in Inverness and the wider Highland region are already enjoying an uptick in bookings, which we expect will continue right through to the autumn.”

Commenting on the opening of the River Ness Hotel, Axcel Hospitality added: “Oushan Deeljore from Axcel Hospitality are delighted to announce this very exciting upscale hotel in the city centre of Inverness. Inverness is a market we have been trying to invest in for some time and we are confident this will be a great addition to our existing portfolio of hotels in the UK.”