Aurora Hotel & Italian Restaurant

The hotel is highly regarded for its authentic Italian restaurant which serves superb and generously portioned food, making it a memorable dining destination. This, combined with the warm, family-run hospitality provided by the owners and staff, creates a truly welcoming atmosphere. It is an ideal choice for couples seeking a relaxing getaway, families looking for comfortable accommodations, sightseers exploring the Highlands, and business travelers needing a convenient base. Guests consistently highlight the friendly staff, clean rooms, and excellent dining as key features. To enhance your stay, be mindful that the food portions are very substantial, and if you have mobility concerns, it is advisable to request a room on a lower floor due to the presence of steep stairs.

Facilities & Amenities
Guests appreciate the practical amenities available, including free Wi-Fi throughout the property, ensuring connectivity for all visitors. Rooms are equipped with televisions and convenient USB sockets, a thoughtful modern touch that many guests found very useful, especially for charging devices. Each room also provides a tea and coffee tray with a good selection, allowing guests to enjoy hot beverages at their leisure. For relaxation, the hotel features a small bar and a comfortable communal lounge area, offering a pleasant space for guests to unwind and socialize. While the hotel maintains an older charm, these amenities contribute to a comfortable and convenient stay.

Cleanliness & Room Comfort
The hotel consistently receives high praise for its exceptional cleanliness, with rooms frequently described as immaculate and spotless. Guests find the accommodations comfortable, benefiting from high-quality linen and often spacious rooms, some of which have been recently updated with modern touches. The bathrooms are generally well-appointed, featuring good showers and large towels. However, some guests reported issues with showers experiencing hot and cold fluctuations or being cramped. Noise can be a concern for some, particularly from traffic on the main road, occasional noisy seagulls, and the natural sounds of an older building like creaky floors or a loud toilet flush. Despite these minor points, the overall comfort and cleanliness are highly rated.

Dining & Food Quality
The hotel's Italian restaurant is a significant draw, consistently lauded for its superb and authentic Italian cuisine. Guests rave about the delicious meals, with particular emphasis on the generous portions that often mean even starters are substantial enough to be a main course. The breakfast also garners high praise, described as excellent, freshly cooked, and very filling, complemented by ample tea and toast. While the restaurant offers a comprehensive Italian menu, it is noted that pizza is not available. The dining experience is enhanced by a relaxed and intimate atmosphere, though some guests found the conservatory dining area to be a bit dated in appearance.

Location & Accessibility
The hotel enjoys a highly advantageous central location, making it an excellent base for exploring the local area. It is conveniently situated within easy walking distance of the Nairn town centre and just a five-minute stroll from the beach. This prime position also serves as a good starting point for visiting popular nearby attractions such as Culloden Moor. While the hotel is located on a main road, which can result in some traffic noise for rooms facing the street, guests appreciate the availability of on-site car parking. Although the car park can be tight, there is also ample free street parking immediately outside the hotel, providing convenient options for guests with vehicles.

Staff & Service
The staff and owners are consistently highlighted as a major asset, receiving overwhelming praise for their exceptional hospitality. Guests describe them as welcoming, friendly, attentive, and incredibly helpful, often going above and beyond to ensure a pleasant stay. Their willingness to accommodate requests, such as late arrivals, providing local recommendations, and even assisting with personal needs like finding a charging cord, leaves a lasting positive impression. The family-run nature of the establishment fosters a warm and personalized service, making guests feel like cherished visitors rather than mere patrons. The service is frequently described as professional, gracious, and truly outstanding.

Additional Information
Guests should be aware that the hotel, being an older building, does not have a lift, and the stairs can be steep, which may pose a challenge for those with mobility issues; requesting a lower-floor room is therefore recommended. While the on-site car park can be tight, there is ample street parking available nearby. Some guests noted that breakfast hours are limited to between 8 am and 9 am. The hotel also offers a small bar and a communal lounge for guests to relax in. It's worth noting that the hotel's charm lies in its traditional, old-style character, which some guests found appealing despite certain areas appearing dated.