Balmoral Arms

The hotel is in a great position for anywhere you need to go in ballater. They don’t have parking but there is a free car park just across the road. The staff were friendly and the downstairs areas are nicely decorated and styled ( old Scottish). Our room was quite small and looked directly into houses so we had to keep the curtains closed at all times. If you can, request a front room.

A few old friends stayed here on a weekend get together. We liked the hotel. I suspect one background issue perhaps giving rise to some negative reviews, especially by some visitors from overseas, is the designation of the hotel as a 5 star rated hotel and the related levels of expectation which come with that designation. It really isn’t 5 star standard and the hotel perhaps makes a rod for its own back by having this stated status. If that background issue is ignored, it’s actually a nice hotel, with hard working staff. We liked our rooms (all twins on the first floor - decent sized rooms and bathrooms). The food was excellent. Location is great. Lounge relaxing. Bar well stocked. Thought the price point for what we got was OK - certainly not cheap but alright. There was a good folk duo (from 50 miles down the road in Perth) playing in the bar on the Saturday night, which created a good atmosphere. Service at breakfast was a bit slow and there seemed to be a lack of side plates - or perhaps they just weren’t getting put out on tables. Anyway, there’s an issue getting sufficient staff in rural Scotland and I thought the ones on duty, stretched no doubt, did an admiral job in what was a busy hotel. We weren’t in a huge rush and so it didn’t affect us. In summary, I wouldn’t hesitate to stay again. By the way, it’s a lovely village and area - the Autumn colours were stunning when we were there.

We were lucky enough to be upgraded to Balmoral Suite. Bath/shower had wonderful soaps, bed was very comfortable and staff very friendly. Breakfast was superb with many fresh choices both cold cereals and juices and made to order fresh hot breakfast. Cute small town with a couple pubs and bakery.

Extremely disappointing, no warm greeting upon arrival infact no greeting at all from the eastern European employee, she was aware of the special occasion we were celebrating on the 23rd of October. The bathroom was dirty, hairs found. Room was extremely expensive and outlook appalling. We stayed with our dogs, the only area we could eat breakfast was in the lounge area in armchairs with coffee tables. We have stayed at many hotels with our dogs and this was deference not worthy of 5 stars, 2 would be for the friendly staff in the morning. One packet of crisps in our room for two people!! .

Poor service, a dirty spot at our bedsheet, we booked the most expensive room this was above the kitchen with all its noise and food smells into 11 PM. Tables in the restaurant were not cleared.ordering breakfast or dinner took way too long before served. The waiters asked three times what you ordered. Breakfast was very poorly supplemented. We had to ask for bread, yoghurt, fruit etc. Two years ago we visited Balmoral Arms for the first time. It was fine. But now it is not worthy to pay so much money firvsuch a bad service, food etc. Never again Balmoral Arms for us. It was a shame topman €300 a night!

The room was recently and tastefully refurbished, with a freestanding bathtub in the bathroom. However the racket of the constantly refilling tank nearby meant that a good night’s sleep was impossible. Small things like lack of extra toilet rolls, holes in bath towels, really lowered the experience unfortunately. Breakfast was one of the poorest I’ve ever had. The service staff were too busy chatting to check on diners, had to ask for cutlery, glasses etc. coffee was like instant and the food was very average.

I was asked to join a friend/family for a dinner at Balmoral Arms Hotel on 17th August. My friend booked a suite for my overnight stay which she generously paid for. Arrived to check in at 4pm, my room wasn't ready. When I did get key at 6pm had to ask a staff member to show me to Room 34 and carry my luggage.Room was nicely decorated but no great view. I was wakened at 5am by a water pump which started up every few minutes.. When checking out I told receptionist about disturbed sleep, 'She would pass this on to The Manager. I sent an email to him and the only issue the hotel has flagged up is 'make sure staff help with luggage. The other 2 have been ignored. From my experience this hotel is not 5star.

Due to a waterpump located in the room (serving multiple rooms) I could not sleep 1 full night (going on and off). Hotel somehow compensated the inconvenience but this is definitely an annoyance you want to avoid in a hotel room. Double beds are too narrow, less than a queen size, if you don’t opt for a king size bed. Even though ideally located, the hotel is overrated and not worth the price. Personnel was very friendly.and breakfast offers a great variety of food and plates made to order.

We stayed one night at the Balmoral Arms. The staff were great, both in reception and in the restaurant, very helpful and accommodating. The food was tasty, both for our evening meal and breakfast the next day. The beds are super comfortable and we both slept really well. Our room looked out onto the back of the hotel so not very scenic, but we were only there for one night so that didn’t bother us. Rooms could benefit from being a little cleaner (cobwebs and an old towel left) to take this closer to five stars, but overall we really enjoyed our stay and would come back.