From misty Highland peaks to the heart of London by breakfast — the Caledonian Sleeper is one of the UK’s most iconic rail journeys.
We boarded in Fort William, the gateway to the Scottish Highlands, and woke up steps from central London — all without setting foot on a plane.
In this review, we’ll share everything you need to know about riding the Caledonian Sleeper in a Club Room, including lounge access, cabin comfort, dining, bathrooms (yes, there’s a shower), pricing, and whether it’s actually worth it.
If you’re pairing a Highlands adventure with London or love luxury rail travel, this is one experience you shouldn’t skip.
Caledonian Sleeper
Why Take the Caledonian Sleeper?
The Caledonian Sleeper connects London with destinations across Scotland — including Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen, Inverness, and Fort William.
The Fort William route is arguably the most scenic, passing through:
Remote Highland wilderness
Lochs and moorland
Areas you simply cannot reach easily by car
Instead of losing half a day to airports, security lines, and transfers, you:
Board in the evening
Sleep as the train travels south
Wake up in central London
It’s transportation and accommodation in one.
Inverlochy Castle
Before You Board: Where to Stay in the Highlands
If you’re taking the Fort William route, make it part of a longer Highland escape.
Inverlochy Castle — Ultimate Highlands Splurge
⭐ Best for: Milestone celebrations & timeless Scottish luxury 📍 Location: Just outside Fort William
Inverlochy Castle is one of the most romantic luxury stays in Scotland. Surrounded by mountains and lochs, it feels removed from the world in the best way.
We celebrated Andy’s birthday here with pink afternoon tea and Taittinger rosé — and it was pure fairytale energy.
If you’re pairing this with the Caledonian Sleeper, it creates a seamless luxury experience from castle to overnight train to London grandeur.
Our journey begins in the Fort William Guest Lounge, available to Club Room passengers.
Inside you’ll find:
Comfortable seating
Complimentary water and soft drinks
Strong WiFi
Showers
Fully accessible facilities
We loved that the host wore a rainbow pin — always a small but meaningful touch for LGBTQ+ travelers.
🌟 Pro tip – Stay in the lounge until staff distribute your keycards. We made the rookie mistake of heading to the platform early and had to return to collect ours.
Boarding & First Impressions
Boarding begins around 7:25 PM for a 7:50 PM departure. We’re in Coach F, Room 4. The cabin is compact but thoughtfully designed.
Once inside, most Club passengers drop their bags and head straight to the Club Car — which we also recommend.
Club Twin Room
Club Room Cabin Review
The Club Room includes:
Private ensuite bathroom with shower
Two proper towels
Sink located outside the bathroom near the bed
Full-length mirror
Fold-down bed setup
Storage cubbies
Power outlets
The shower stays on for short bursts (press the button again to continue), and while it’s not piping hot spa-level — it’s absolutely impressive for a moving train.
Compared to many sleeper experiences (including Amtrak), this one feels polished and modern.We paid £350 GBP (~$470 USD) total for two people, which can easily be less than a central London hotel room.
Wine & Cheese Plate
Dinner in the Club Car
Even if you’ve already eaten before departure, you’ll probably want to visit the Club Car.
We ordered:
Two glasses of Tempranillo
A cheese plate
There are fuller menu options including:
Hot meals
Half and full bottles of wine
Champagne
Breakfast is included for Club passengers, but dinner is à la carte.
There are WiFi and charging stations in the Club Car, and you can also dine here even if you’re not ordering a full meal.
Classic Rooms vs Club Rooms
Classic Room:
Same cabin size
Shared bathroom at end of carriage
No guaranteed Club Car access
Club Room:
Ensuite bathroom
Breakfast included
Guaranteed lounge & Club Car access
When space allows, the manager may allow Classic passengers into the Club Car, but it isn’t guaranteed.
Breakfast in the Club Car
A Good Night’s Sleep?
For a moving train — yes.
Andy appreciated:
Eye mask
Ear plugs
The motion is gentle, and the bed is surprisingly comfortable.
If you’re a very light sleeper, you’ll notice movement — but it never felt disruptive.
Is There Scenery Overnight?
Realistically — not much in fall or winter.
Departure is at sunset, and arrival is just after sunrise. If you want dramatic Highland views, take a daytime train like:
ScotRail Glasgow to Fort William or Mallaig
Or the world-famous Jacobite Steam Train
We highlight both experiences in our Fort William (Scottish Highlands) travel guide.
Included Breakfast
Breakfast Service
There are two breakfast seatings:
6:15 AM
7:00 AM (last option included)
We chose 6:15 AM for filming and maximum daylight arrival.
We ordered:
Two Americanos
Two orange juices
Continental breakfast
Pancakes with strawberry jam
Greek yogurt and fresh fruit
By the time you roll into London Euston just before 8:00 AM, you feel ready to start the day.
🌟 Pro tip – Always carry travel insurance. We recommend SafetyWing to cover everything from lost luggage to unexpected medical expenses abroad.
London Guest Lounge
Arrival in London: Lounge Access
There are two breakfast seatings:
Club passengers can use the London Euston lounge after arrival.
Amenities include:
Complimentary hot beverages
Alcohol is available for purchase
Showers
Charging stations
It’s a calm way to transition from overnight train to London sightseeing.
Raffles London at The OWO
Where to Stay in London After Arrival
Arriving rested makes London magic even better. Continue the luxury momentum with a stay that matches the drama of overnight rail travel.
Raffles London at The OWO — London’s Most Iconic Historic Luxury Stay
⭐ Best for: Grand historic glamour, spy lore & once-in-a-lifetime London indulgence 📍 Location: Whitehall (Heart of Westminster)
A meticulous six-year restoration transformed London’s legendary Old War Office (The OWO) into one of the city’s most extraordinary luxury hotels — now home to Raffles London at The OWO.
This isn’t just a hotel. It’s history you can sleep inside.
Walking distance from the Thames, Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, Covent Garden, Soho, and the West End — the location alone is exceptional.
Raffles London at The OWO But what truly elevates the experience? Spy-themed Afternoon Tea at The OWO.
Set in one of the grand state rooms, this isn’t your average tea service. It’s a playful, immersive nod to the building’s intelligence history — complete with cleverly themed pastries, secret-code storytelling details, and impeccable Raffles polish. It’s theatrical, refined, and absolutely not to be missed.
If you pair Inverlochy Castle in the Highlands with the Caledonian Sleeper and then arrive into Raffles London at The OWO, you’ve essentially created the ultimate British luxury rail fantasy — castle to sleeper train to spy headquarters grandeur.
From castle afternoon tea in the Highlands to waking up steps from London’s West End, the Caledonian Sleeper transforms transportation into part of the adventure.
It’s romantic, nostalgic, and surprisingly practical.
Slow travel still matters — and this journey proves it.
Would we do it again?
Without hesitation.
🌟 Pro tip – Planning a trip to the United Kingdom? From the best LGBTQ+ friendly hotels to must-visit attractions, dining, and travel tips, find it all in our gay travel guides to the following cities: London (Coming soon!), Manchester, Glasgow, and Fort William.
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