Contestants of The Traitors are filmed at the iconic gothic castle in the Scottish Highlands, but after the cameras stop rolling, they’re taken to an airport hotel 40 minutes down the road
The stars of The Traitors don’t stay at the castle shown on TV, but rather at a hotel 40 minutes down the road (Image: BBC/Studio Lambert/Euan Cherry)
The Traitors is one of the most popular TV shows, set against the spectacular backdrop of the Scottish Highlands, with a luxurious gothic castle and sprawling grounds. Yet it turns out the contestants don’t actually stay in the castle, or nearby for that matter, but instead are whisked away in a 4×4 to an airport hotel.
By day, the iconic Ardross Castle is used as a retreat for the contestants, a place where they unite for breakfast, eat lunch after a gruelling outdoor task, discuss tactics in the drawing room, and gather around the dreaded round table for another banishment. By night, and away from the glamour of the lavish 19th-century castle and candlelit driveway, the stars of The Traitors depart one by one and return to their accommodation.
During their time on the hit BBC show, the players stay at The Courtyard by Marriott hotel at Inverness Airport. The functional chain four-star hotel is nestled near the airport runway and about 40 minutes from the scenic Ardross Castle, which is used only for filming.
The average rate for a stay at the Courtyard by Marriott is around £53 per person, per night. Inside its facilities are a restaurant, fitness centre, meeting space, a convenience store, and a business centre.
The host of the US version of The Traitors, Alan Cumming, previously revealed an insight into the practical accommodation. He told The Daily Beast: “They all stayed in the airport hotel in Inverness airport. How glamorous – you come to Scotland, and you stay in the Inverness airport hotel.”
Meanwhile, TV presenter and former Traitors star, Jonathon Ross, was more than happy with the hotel during his time on the show. Underneath a post on the official X account for The Traitors, he wrote: “It’s a very nice hotel and the food is good. No complaints.” To which The Traitors account replied: “Good to know.”
Following this, one fan asked on the post: “Did you have to drive back to the castle in the evening to do the turret bit?” Jonathon responded: “No. We wait there until all the Faithfuls have left.”
The choice of accommodation is said to be down to practicality rather than luxury, as insiders reveal the hotel was chosen because it’s big enough to accommodate both cast and production staff. Additionally, it crucially allows the production team to keep participants separated and monitored when off-camera.
Host Claudia Winkleman revealed that all contestants return to their individual rooms directly after filming and cannot interact with each other or anyone outside the game in order to preserve the game.
The hotel has a glowing 4.3 rating out of 5 on TripAdvisor and 250 reviews. One guest wrote: “I stay regularly at this hotel. Yesterday the staff had to work really hard under pressure after many flight cancellations due to bad weather at the airport.
“The staff in the bar, restaurant, reception and housekeeping remained upbeat and efficient with a changing set of guests, accommodating their needs of all types. Emma and the f and b team did well to get everyone fed and watered! Well done.”
Another happier traveller shared: “Stayed at this hotel on several occasions and every stay has been great. Staff are very friendly and food is good. The rooms are modern and very comfortable.”
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