Dalrachney Lodge Hotel, Carrbridge, Inverness-shire

You got here by clicking the "FAQ" link on the Dalrachney Lodge Hotel main Web-site

This is a random listing of "Frequently Asked Questions" put together from the experience of many years

Room Types and Terminology - You have Superior and Standard rooms, what is the difference? These terms are used increasingly by hotels, even purpose built modern buildings will have rooms of differing sizes and facilities, suites and the like. At the classification level of 3/4 star all rooms will have the same basic facilities such as TV, telephone, hair-dryer, toiletries etc but room sizes may differ as well as "extras". The provision of a "shower" may infer a cabinet, stand in bath, or hand held.

We use the following terms from time to time on websites and in advertising:

Superior Room - These rooms are on our first floor and are all quite large with corniced ceilings, baths and showers en-suite, mostly double and single beds also with seating areas as well as being non-smoking. Many Hotels refer to this type as Master or Executive Bedrooms.

Suite - Two of our superior rooms are in a wing of the building together with a separate single bedroom / dressing room. Can be made available to a family group. Our "Garden Houses" serve as large self-contained suites.

Standard Room - These rooms are mostly on the 2nd floor with one on the first floor. They are all en-suite with baths and showers and are of comfortable size. All have two chairs and a couple have settees.

Coach House - This is a separate annex building and not officially classified. Rooms are domestic size with TV but no telephones in bedrooms. Comfortable guest house type accommodation with a separate Lounge for residents. We must stress that rooms are clean and comfortable but are not to the standard of the main Lodge.

Garden Houses - These are our in-grounds cottages and houses mostly used on a self-catering basis. Now and then with the Guest's knowledge we use them as "Suites" overflowing from the main Hotel. No official classification applies but Dalmore House has been classified as 4-star by an independent agency.

Bed & Breakfast (B&B) - Must I take breakfast? No, but in keeping with the majority of UK Hotels the minimum pricing basis of a room is B&B.

There is a trend for the Travel Lodge type of hotel to quote you a room rate only. Fine, but should you wish breakfast later on in the morning it will cost-more-than-you-think in a Beefeater or a Little-Chef (UK roadside chains). London and other city hotels generally include a Continental breakfast only (this is coffee and bread rolls). A full cooked breakfast with fruit juice, cereals, coffee and the rest will cost over £20 in some places.

Dinner and Bistro Meals - Must I eat an evening meal at Dalrachney? No. 85% of residents do but many want to meet friends elsewhere some nights or visit them at home in the area. 3 out of every 4 meals here are to non-residents so it works both ways. Can I have dinner if it is not booked in advance? - Certainly, if we have a table, but at busy times of the year you will be competing with many others for a table. As a resident on a B&B only basis you will not automatically have a dinner table kept, but we will ask you on check-in what you want to do. If you think you will eat at Dalrachney please book a table.

Please understand, however, that at certain times of the year such as New Year and Christmas our packages include dinner as standard.

Reservations - I would like to make a "provisional" booking? - You may wish to check a particular date and price for your accommodation requirements and we understand this. You may be booking for others in your group and wish to contact them further. No problem - we will hold your requirement for a short period but please understand that if you do not return to us with a deposited reservation your provisional enquiry cannot be held for any length of time. The only confirmed reservations are ones secured by a deposit. There are a few exceptions such as Travel Agents we deal with on a regular basis and also frequent Guests known to us. We ask for your understanding.

On-Line Booking - You can make reservations directly by clicking on the link within our TARIFF page (blue button at bottom of our main index web-pages. This links you to ActiveHotels - just follow the instructions. You will also find us on www.laterooms.com/en/C724.html Limited allocations apply and you may find that we are "fully-booked" which may not actually be the case. Telephone us directly - it might be simpler!

Smoking policy All public rooms and bedrooms are now non-smoking as is the Bistro Bar and Dining room. We have a large covered patio area at the rear of the Lodge dating from Victorian times as well as a covered porch area which can be used by smokers.

The use of e-mail for reservations is becoming more and more common. We will give you a same day quote / confirmation by this means. If you have any concerns about emailing your credit card number then you can always fax or telephone it after the other details of reservation are settled. 99.9% of credit card details are lifted from "secure-servers" by hackers! not from individual emails.

Shooting Parties - Can I reserve 10 double rooms on 11th August for 5 nights? - You have booked a Grouse shoot on a local Estate and the Estate has recommended Dalrachney Lodge. It is March and it is 5 months until the shoot. Fact is that every few years Grouse shoots are cancelled around June/July time for reasons of stock and disease. The Estate will return your deposit but we can be left with empty rooms since August books up well ahead and we have been turning away other reservations for your period. Generally no such difficulties exist with any other Estate based sports.

Sporting Arrangements - Can you arrange Golf / Fishing / Shooting / Stalking? - We are frequently asked if arrangements can be made for activities as mentioned often in combination. Given your detailed requirements we can advise and put you in touch with specialists who will take over the detail. Golf is simple enough, pick your course from any guide listing and check tee-offs with the course. We can assist after your reservation has been confirmed. Fishing varies between public and private water. Again we can assist. Private waters would be arranged in advance. Shooting and Stalking are specialized activities with many questions as to your exact requirements, firearms certification, insurance et al. We can put you in touch with the Estates or Agents. For a little more information click on any of the subjects following: Fishing Golf Shooting/Stalking

Disabled Access and Rooms - Do you have ground floor bedrooms? - No - Our first floor in the Lodge is easily accessed by a few wide and shallow steps but not for wheel-chairs I'm afraid. Our Bar and Restaurant are suitable for access by wheel-chairs. A ramp system can be installed at the main entrance to the Lodge. This is a 100 year old building which does not lend itself to extensive modification.

New Year and Other Holidays - Why a 3 or 4 day package with Dinner? - The reason basically is that at an expensive staff cost time of year we need to know what meals we have. Certainly we get a lot of non-resident meals normally, but at that time of year the guests probably will be eating in their own hotels / guest houses. We can be flexible, however. If you have to join a group or family elsewhere we shall try to adjust your package as best we can.

Meal Times - Can we have breakfast at 0600hr or Dinner at 2300hr? - We have often been asked for meals well outside of "normal" times. Due to staffing factors full cooked breakfasts cannot be provided prior to 0800hr. By arrangement before 2000hr the previous night a "continental" can be provided in your room. Dinners for genuine late or advised delayed arrivals can be provided after 2100hr but they will be cold mixed salads with heated baked potatoes and the like.

Celebration Breaks - I would like flowers / wine in my room on arrival - Of course, tell us what flowers you want and we can agree the wine on the telephone. I would like to prepay a two day break for my parents - No problem, just give us your requirements. I need an inscribed Birthday Cake - Two days notice and it is done. Check out our Romance Package on Specials page.

Bar Closing - When does the Bar close? - This query usually comes from resident male groups, mostly golfers or fishermen. Festive and similar occasions would involve later closing.

If for example you want a Champagne breakfast it can be provided. Round of whisky with breakfast - unusual but we have been asked. Plans changed, golf cancelled?, want an all afternoon drinks service? - not a problem. We will serve residents in the Lounge. We do not serve non-residents with drinks in the afternoons, or any other time without a meal.

Any difficulties are likely to occur at the other end of the day. Our general position is that if your group has had a meal, drinks etc throughout the evening then we will serve you until just after 2300hr. If you wander out to one of the village bars and return late then the bar at Dalrachney will be closed.

If you are a rip roaring late night bar stool percher Dalrachney is not your place but we can provide a range of bottled beers and spirit miniatures by prior arrangement in the lounge after 2300hr for you and /or your group which may be used all night.

Late Entry to Hotel - I expect to arrive at 0300hr any problem? - Not at all - If you are in the main Lodge and provided we have a confirmed reservation you can arrive at any time. Call us and we shall give you a 4 number code which you enter into a key pad at the main door to enter. Your key and check-in card will be at the reception desk. Drinks and sandwiches can be left in your room if ordered earlier that day. Check-in after 2100hr to outer buildings such as the Coach House is also possible, details will be advised.

Guest Communications - You can have incoming calls switched to your room in the Lodge, also faxes or e-mail sent to Dalrachney in the following ways:

- Fax on +44 (0)1479 841383 - 24 hours incoming. We can send your faxes 0800 to 2200hr.

- Tel on +44 (0)1479 841252 - 0800 to 2200hr UK, incoming switched to rooms. Outgoing from rooms 24 hours.

- E-mail to dalrachney@aol.com E-mail is checked at 0730hr UK, several times during the day and finally in the evenings at 2300hr UK or so. We cannot offer Guests e-mail response from our own system at this time. Please include a Fax number.

- We have installed Wi-Fi wireless access points which will enable a Broadband internet link (8.0Mb) for your Laptop or PDA. All guest rooms and public rooms have coverage. There is no charge for this service.

- Cellular telephone coverage is good in this area with all networks.

Dogs - Can I bring my dog? - Of course, but there are restrictions to certain rooms. Our policy is as good or better than you will find elsewhere. The options are:

- We have DIY outside kennels you may use but only for kennel trained dogs, usually Gun-Dogs. No other dog will be happy there. Please understand that it is very rough and ready and will be demolished in a year or so to make way for a house.

- Dog stays in your car.

- Dog in your room. We have 3 rooms where dogs are permitted with guests. Advanced booking only. Dogs should not be left alone at any time in your room and are not permitted in public rooms.

Helicopter arrival - Do you have a landing area and coordinate information - Yes, full details on our Location page.

Arrival by Private or Scheduled Flight - What is your nearest Airport - Inverness can handle private jets and prop aircraft. There are scheduled flights by British Airways, Easyjet and others from within the UK and Ireland also Europe direct. Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Glasgow are only 2-3 hours away and it can be a pleasant drive.

Gun Security - We are shooting in your area. Can you secure guns? - Yes we have "extraordinary security" quote from, and inspected by, the local Police. Metal cabinets in PIR-alarmed area. Less than this and your situation will not be legal and your firearms certificate may be at risk. I am not aware of any other Hotel in this area with even the minimum legal gun security.

Hotel Classification and Grading - What on earth does it all mean? - Click here