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Reviews of The Boat Inn

Charleston Road, Aboyne, AB34 5EL, United Kingdom

#7 of 12 hotels in Aboyne

Guests' Choice

Review score

Based on 750 hotel reviews

9.0

Score breakdown

  • Cleanliness

    9.5

  • Comfort

    9.5

  • Location

    9.4

  • Facilities

    9.1

  • Staff

    9.5

  • Value for money

    8.6

  • Free WiFi

    8.5

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Showing 1 – 25

  • Reviewed: 29 April 2024

    10
    Exceptional
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Small Standard King Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    Nothing.

    A stylish, attractive riverside country pub with rooms. Very good food at dinner, exceptional at breakfast. Helpful friendly staff. Clean, well decorated room. Very comfortable bed with good quality sheets. Eco friendly and clearly an establishment that is run well to high standards. We loved it and would return in a heartbeat.

    Stayed in April 2024

  • Reviewed: 29 April 2024

    9.0
    Great food /staff/atmosphere
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Deluxe Double with River View
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    Only very minor comment was the shower not great, poor power but was nice and warm.

    Breakfast fantastic. Lovely clean room and comfortable bed. Food and atmosphere in Bar/restaurant superb. Staff couldn’t have been more helpful

    Stayed in April 2024

  • Reviewed: 29 April 2024

    10
    Perfect place to stay
    • Business trip
    • Group
    • Small Super King Double
    • Stayed 1 night

    Lovely room, breakfast delicious

    Stayed in April 2024

  • Reviewed: 22 April 2024

    10
    Lovely small hotel
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Small Super King Double
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Bed was a little large for the size of the room which made getting ready a little tricky, but we loved the benefit of it for sleeping!

    Very friendly staff and lovely rooms. Great breakfast and restaurant for dinner.

    Stayed in April 2024

  • Reviewed: 18 April 2024

    9.0
    Superb
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Deluxe Double/Twin Riverview
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    Was disappointed that the log burner wasn’t on, was cold whilst having dinner.

    Rooms and food were excellent.

    Stayed in April 2024

  • Reviewed: 10 April 2024

    10
    Exceptional
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Deluxe Triple Room River Facing
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    The room was gorgeous, clean, cosy and warm. The breakfast was amazing and the staff are brilliant. We had dinner there too, our meals were fantastic. Ensure you book ahead for dinner. The location is great too as they are a 25 minute drive to Balmoral Castle and an hour to the coast (Aberdeen) also, being in the Cairngorms National Park is great for hiking or just driving through, so pretty. I love that the Inn is right on the River Dee, makes for a great stay.

    Stayed in April 2024

  • Reviewed: 8 April 2024

    8.0
    Very good
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Small Super King Double
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    Breakfast was nice.

    Stayed in March 2024

  • Reviewed: 8 April 2024

    10
    We had a memorable 35th wedding anniversary and plan to return.
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Deluxe Triple Room River Facing
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    Large, spacious room on the ground floor which was well appointed. The staff were warm, friendly and very attentive, the food was excellent also.

    Stayed in April 2024

  • Reviewed: 6 April 2024

    10
    Exceptional
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Super King Double or Twin with Balcony
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Nothing I would definitely good back.

    Very friendly helpful comfortable. Food was outstanding.

    Stayed in April 2024

  • Reviewed: 6 April 2024

    10
    Cozy and comfortable
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Deluxe Triple Room River Facing
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    It was so cozy and cute we didn’t want to leave! The room was very nicely decorated and had nice facilities and was huge. The staff were also so friendly and chatty.

    Stayed in April 2024

  • Reviewed: 3 April 2024

    8.0
    Nice cosy place
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Small Super King Double
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    Double bed was actually two singles pushed together, which for those that like to snuggle may find themselves getting lost in a crevice. Random green light above the door kept a very bright ambience in a room, for people that need full dark to sleep will be a struggle. Room is not sound proof, we could hear people downstairs pretty well. Lack of variation of meals in a restaurant.

    Nice interior design, cosy sort of feel. The room was clean, good location, good atmosphere, lovely bar staff at night. Nice breakfast and drinks. We liked the fireplaces. Overall, I think it is well priced.

    Stayed in April 2024

  • Reviewed: 1 April 2024

    10
    Lovely hotel with great character and great staff
    • With a pet
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Deluxe Triple Room River Facing
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    The hotel was brilliant. There was absolutely nothing to not like. The features in the room were lovely. The bed was mahusive and comfy. The fireplace in the bar was so cosy. Breakfast was superb. Staff were 100 percent the best.

    Staff were warm and welcoming. Well looked after. Food great. Room fantastic. We enjoyed our stay so much. Being a bit disabled i appreciated being on the ground floor. Was disappointed that the guest upstairs from us decided we were chatting to loud in our room and started to banging very loudly on the ceiling above us with her feet. We were not being loud and the TV was turned down. It was a shame as i was so annoyed by their behaviour i didnt sleep. The hotel was fabulous though.

    Stayed in March 2024

  • Reviewed: 1 April 2024

    10
    An excellent, rejuvenating weekend away.
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Deluxe Double Suite with Standing Bath and Balcony
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Our stay was too short.

    The location couldn't be better. Our room was spotless, the bed super comfy. All the staff we interacted with were very friendly and the service at breakfast and evening meal was excellent. The food was freshly prepped, piping hot. A good selection available for both breakfast and our evening meals. Their craft lager was on point.

    Stayed in March 2024

  • Reviewed: 15 March 2024

    9.0
    Countryside inn with great hospitality
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Small Standard King Room
    • Stayed 1 night

    The restaurant was great pub food and the breakfast was perfect. Be sure to book ahead for space in the lower restaurant by the fire place. The rooms were clean, fresh and modern. Cosy feel and the location is very quiet and relaxed. The perfect stop over on our Scotland tour.

    Stayed in March 2024

  • Reviewed: 14 March 2024

    8.0
    Most enjoyable
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Twin Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    Room could have been slightly warmer on first arrival.

    Lovely breakfast!

    Stayed in March 2024

  • Reviewed: 10 March 2024

    9.0
    Relaxing pub stay in the Deeside
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Deluxe Double Suite with Standing Bath
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    Rooms are a bit pricey but it is worth it

    The room with a bath is excellent. Its very spacious but cosy at the same time. The bath is worth the room upgrade. We enjoyed staying in the annex as it was quiet and only a short walk to breakfast. All staff were super friendly and we loved chilling in the pub in the evening. Definitely coming back.

    Stayed in March 2024

  • Reviewed: 8 March 2024

    10
    A truly wonderful place to stay. Would highly recommend.
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Small Standard King Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    Nothing at all.

    Everything. Beautiful Inn, fantastic staff, stunning location, delicious food.

    Stayed in February 2024

  • Reviewed: 3 March 2024

    9.0
    lovely, great food.
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Small Double Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    lovely atmosphere and decor.

    Stayed in March 2024

  • Reviewed: 4 February 2024

    9.0
    Superb
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Small Standard King Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    I couldn't stay longer

    Everything. Staff ,food ,beer. Comfy bed . Great Breakfast.

    Stayed in February 2024

  • Reviewed: 25 January 2024

    10
    Exceptional
    • Business trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Small Double Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    friendly staff

    Stayed in January 2024

  • Reviewed: 21 January 2024

    8.0
    It is all you wish for but, with one major problem.
    • Solo traveller
    • Deluxe Double with River View
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    The stairs and hall to rooms were so cold one could see ones own breath. It needs a couple of small electric heaters. The room was cold on arrival but did heat up. But!! It's a sad 'But', because it's rooms over a restaurant and pub, noise goes on until 11:30 or later at weekend. Then!!! You are woken at 06:30-07:00 by staff arriving to clean the bar and restaurant. There is no chance of a long lie and as sleep is such an important part of one's stay it works against all the greatness of the food, staff and room. There is zero chance of an afternoon nap to make up for lost sleep as the bar and restaurant are open all day. Secondly! There needs to be more soundproofing between rooms as when another guest f#rts, coughs, or turns the taps on, you have to join the fun. It is an old building, but they could plasterboard the ceiling of the bar and restaurant with insulating plasterboard and double plasterboard the dividing walls. But it is a wonderful weekender if you want great food, bar fun, Don need much sleep.

    The location, bar and restaurant were fantastic. Really beautifully decorated and cosy. The food was sublime...Really!!! Faultless. The room was well turned out and cosy, once the heating went on. The staff were friendly and helpful. Couldn't fault any of that.

    Stayed in January 2024

  • Reviewed: 20 January 2024

    10
    Exceptional
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Deluxe Double with River View
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    The room was cosy and quaint but also very comfortable. Fantastic shower and bathroom and a very comfy bed. We enjoyed having our breakfast in the pub downstairs by the fire. The staff were lovely and very helpful.

    Stayed in January 2024

  • Reviewed: 12 January 2024

    8.0
    Enjoyed stay to celebrate daughter’s birthday. Very friendly, helpful staff. Wonderful food.
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Small Super King Double
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    Rooms and ensuites a little cramped. Rooms slightly overpriced.

    Relaxed atmosphere. Modern tastefully decorated rooms.

    Stayed in December 2023

  • Reviewed: 9 January 2024

    10
    The Boat In at Aboyne
    • Business trip
    • Couple
    • Super King Double or Twin with Balcony
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    There is nothing we didn't like.

    The facilities, beer, food, service, and room were superb, what a great place. We mixed business with pleasure and we're very happy with everything.

    Stayed in January 2024

Showing 1 – 25

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