We had heard about steak night when we checked in, and were looking forward to it being the dining highlight of our time in Scotland. While it was good, there were a few misses. Since we were there for steak night, we were expecting the steaks to be near perfect, but unfortunately, they were not cut or cooked properly. As a trained meat-cutter, I was very surprised that one of our party that had ordered a filet got the butt-cut, which is on the fat end of the tenderloin. She insisted that it wasn't filet, but I assured her that it was filet, just poorly cut and trimmed. Normally, the round part is cut off so that the steak has two flat sides for even cooking. My husband and I shared the chateaubriand, and both our steak and the tenderloin, which were ordered rare, came rare in the middle, but the fully cooked portion penetrated a half inch in, so most of the steak was overcooked. The peppercorn sauce that I ordered was the favorite at the table, and it was quite good. The au jus and blue cheese sauces were also tasty, but the Drambuie and mustard sauce was bland. The fourth member of our party ordered medium sirloin, and he was happy with his steak. Also, I thought the veggies were a much better choice than the salad with honey mustard dressing, and the new potatoes were pretty plain too. The churros dessert was very nice. I should mention that Lucie, our server, was absolutely delightful! She was a hoot, and had us cracking up at her quick wit.
Sklarewc
We enjoyed our stay at HGV Craigendarroch. It was a bit of a drive to some of the best hikes in the park, but it was well worth it: we found the landscape stunningly beautiful. The proximity to Ballater was nice, as we found very good restaurants in and around the town.
georgad854
Staff and service was very good , the food was very nice although perhaps a bit overpriced . would probably return.
fashionbabee
We didnt stay but had a beautiful birthday dinner for my husband, food was amazing and we will be back (and hopefully stay next time). Restaurant has a nice ambience. I had the smoked salmon and he had soup then we both had the chicken, really really happy. Then we had cocktails in the room next door and played a game of giant connect 4 outside the squash court lol
MLitvak
Our suite was fantastic and we enjoyed the location of this hotel. The grounds were beautiful and hotel itself was very pleasant. The staff were all very nice and kind. The beds were incredibly comfortable. My major issue is that this was the only hotel that we stayed at in Scotland (we stayed in 4 total, from small inns to this as a chain) that did not have a breakfast buffet or hot breakfast. They provided a pre-ordered continental breakfast box which seemed bizarre as they have a full service restaurant. We did have dinner there one night and the food was subpar, unfortunately. Whisky and service were good.
nikkisC5765BV
Pros: The staff are lovely. Really kind and helpful The location is amazing, within a short walk of charming, bucolic Ballater and just down the road from Balmoral Castle (worth a visit!). The beds are comfy and the showers are great. The Crabtree and Evelyn bath products are heavenly. Cons: This is a beautiful old building that has sadly been given a boring uninspired corporate remodel. The interior lacks any charm. The walls and floors are a curious institutional purple color that would feel very much at home in a down market retirement home. The main dining room, which apparently just opened after a remodel, is bland, insipid, and dull. Both of our rooms had an odd smell and were strangely dark, with very limited lighting, dark bland furniture and an overall feeling of blah. The breakfast food is overpriced and mediocre, although there are so many great local restaurants to try that The hotel food shouldn't be a turn off. A 2 min drive will take you into Ballater, which has many adorable cafes and restaurants (including a fabulous Indian restaurant, not to be missed). Overall: If you are just looking for a clean hotel room with a good bathroom close to Balmoral, this isn't a bad choice. However, if what you're after is some Scottish country charm and great breakfasts, I would keep looking.
Aleisa M
My friend and I flew into Aberdeen, rented a car, and drove to Craigendarroch. It's not far (bit over an hour), and there's plenty to do and see at a leisurely pace for 4-5 days. It was nice not to rush around and change hotels every day or two. The place is beautiful & well-appointed, and we didn't miss the 'recreational' whatevers that aren't available during their current renovations. We would likely not have used them anyway. The room was also wonderful - spacious and very livable. There was a teapot, toaster, cafetiere, microwave, and small refrigerator, along with dishes, silverware, glasses, and even dish soap, a sponge, and a drying towel. We shopped for breakfast foods in Ballater (very close) and had all we needed to start the day happily (and reasonably priced) every morning. The only negative was that my friend thought the sofa bed was not comfortable & padded it with her duvet cover. She got a 2nd duvet to wrap up in, which helped. My bed was lovely! All staff encountered were friendly, professional, and helpful, and if we needed anything, we had only to ask & it arrived within minutes. We spend happy hours at Balmoral Castle (grounds, gardens, and even a play on the grounds in the evening), saw an impressive stone circle, enjoyed shops, galleries, and restaurants in both Ballater & Braemar, visited cemeteries & churches, other castles (notable - Crathe), took a ride on the Royal Deesige Railway, and hiked around at the Linn of Dee. There were no doubt other things I've neglected to include, but all that was within easy reach, accomplished in traffic that didn't make me have heart palpitations trying to drive opposite my American habits. Oh - and tea at the Fife Arms! That was a notable experience you have to try. To sum - if you are an HGV Club member and can choose this property, please consider it!
Kristie C
My husband and I booked two weeks at the HGVC Craigendarroch and absolutely loved it! We enjoyed being away from the hustle and bustle of the tourist areas of Scotland. We did many hikes in and around Ballater and Braemar. This is a great location and will definitely return!
548suzy1
Always high level of quality, Excellent accomodation Staff and service, friendly smart and professional Beautiful tendered gardens Never want to leave, so comfortable, Close to the town of Balleter which has plenty of shops and restaurants
davidth0ms0n2
Excellent self catering suites with on site restaurant, bar, spa and leisure facilities in picturesque grounds which are maintained to a very high standard. I would recommend a visit and I have booke to go again.
Decided to take the scenic route south from Inverness after an amazing week on the Caledonian Canal. This Hilton facility was in a good location to break our journey but we were disappointed. The site itself is a mix of timeshare lodges and suites in the main house. We're in Suite 14 which looks out straight on to the flat roof of the bar, swimming pool and gym. The last two are currently closed for refurbishment. We knew that but it also means that part of the gardens is closed off below the main building. Gripes : 1) Breakfast only available as a basket continental delivered to your room. As the room has a toaster, microwave and cafetière, it comes in "raw food" form which you have to prepare. By the way, since when does "Freshly squeezed orange juice" come in a branded bottle? Nothing freshly squeezed about that! 2) Dining is at the upper end of what I expected but it's a captive audience so not really surprised. Starter portions were small for the price but well presented and tasty, as was the rest of the meal. The problem was that our dessert order was forgotten. Our server was very apologetic but a different server had also forgotten the drinks for the couple sitting next to us so you start to question the overall service. No issue in the bar though, friendly and helpful. 3) Front desk. Our receptionist was welcoming throughout. The only issue was that I tried to phone died in from the room using the customer service button and no-one picked up. 4) Room. This was well equipped and clean. Just one thing - the large dispenser for hair conditioner was empty and the shower gel almost empty. If that's how you wish to provide soap etc, please make sure that have products in them. So in total we spent over £270 on the room and meals. For that price, I would expect better from a Hilton branded facility. We left disappointed. It's not like we'll ever be going back that way but I can't recommend it for an overnight stay.
Sassisnipper
Just home from our yearly visit to Craigendarroch. We were delighted to find out the Brasserie had reopened the few days prior.We always enjoy a few drinks in the lounge throughout our stay and we’d like to especially thank Martin for his attentiveness,professionalism and friendly manner,he is an asset to the hotel. We had dinner in the Brasserie on the Sunday night and as before the high standard of food and service were second to none.The ambiance is lovely there,a different atmosphere from the bar and so lovely to see it open and busy again after so long. One of the best places to eat in Ballater,can’t wait to return.
jnbrink
We chose this resort without really knowing what it and the area has to offer and we're very pleasantly surprised. Besides the beautiful resort itself, this area has many hidden gems to experience, including castles, Pictish stone rings and cairns, Royal residences, historic parks, hiking trails and monuments, mountains, skiing, churches, lochs, battlefields and Scottish history.
P565EQjk
My wife and I stopped in here for afternoon drinks and returned for dinner later the same evening. The staff were friendly, attentive, and pleasant. The dining area was rather agreeable, with leather plush seating and generous space between tables. The fish and chips we ate were decent. Although the fish batter was slightly overdone, the fish itself was flaky and moist. The chips were well-cooked and tasty with thick-cut potatoes and the included peas were equally enjoyable. Although we opted to skip either a starter or dessert, the menu was adequately varied with plenty to choose. The wine and drinks list was quite extensive, but about half the wine varieties were only available by the bottle which was disappointing. I like dry wine and my wife prefers something a little sweeter, but buying a full bottle of both options wasn’t realistic at about £40 or more per bottle. In all, we had a nice dinner with the restaurant itself, the staff, and sufficient food quality each adding to the experience.
ethoscon
This is a nice place to have a meal with great views and a good vibe when it’s busy. The ribeye steak was cooked to perfection and the service is super friendly and helpful. It’s a shame that such a beautiful room doesn’t have a log burner or open fire for that full on cosy winter feeling - the lit up electric fires don’t really cut it, but on a summer evening this place would be 5 stars for location, food and service
We had heard about steak night when we checked in, and were looking forward to it being the dining highlight of our time in Scotland. While it was good, there were a few misses. Since we were there for steak night, we were expecting the steaks to be near perfect, but unfortunately, they were not cut or cooked properly. As a trained meat-cutter, I was very surprised that one of our party that had ordered a filet got the butt-cut, which is on the fat end of the tenderloin. She insisted that it wasn't filet, but I assured her that it was filet, just poorly cut and trimmed. Normally, the round part is cut off so that the steak has two flat sides for even cooking. My husband and I shared the chateaubriand, and both our steak and the tenderloin, which were ordered rare, came rare in the middle, but the fully cooked portion penetrated a half inch in, so most of the steak was overcooked. The peppercorn sauce that I ordered was the favorite at the table, and it was quite good. The au jus and blue cheese sauces were also tasty, but the Drambuie and mustard sauce was bland. The fourth member of our party ordered medium sirloin, and he was happy with his steak. Also, I thought the veggies were a much better choice than the salad with honey mustard dressing, and the new potatoes were pretty plain too. The churros dessert was very nice. I should mention that Lucie, our server, was absolutely delightful! She was a hoot, and had us cracking up at her quick wit.
We enjoyed our stay at HGV Craigendarroch. It was a bit of a drive to some of the best hikes in the park, but it was well worth it: we found the landscape stunningly beautiful. The proximity to Ballater was nice, as we found very good restaurants in and around the town.
Staff and service was very good , the food was very nice although perhaps a bit overpriced . would probably return.
We didnt stay but had a beautiful birthday dinner for my husband, food was amazing and we will be back (and hopefully stay next time). Restaurant has a nice ambience. I had the smoked salmon and he had soup then we both had the chicken, really really happy. Then we had cocktails in the room next door and played a game of giant connect 4 outside the squash court lol
Our suite was fantastic and we enjoyed the location of this hotel. The grounds were beautiful and hotel itself was very pleasant. The staff were all very nice and kind. The beds were incredibly comfortable. My major issue is that this was the only hotel that we stayed at in Scotland (we stayed in 4 total, from small inns to this as a chain) that did not have a breakfast buffet or hot breakfast. They provided a pre-ordered continental breakfast box which seemed bizarre as they have a full service restaurant. We did have dinner there one night and the food was subpar, unfortunately. Whisky and service were good.
Pros: The staff are lovely. Really kind and helpful The location is amazing, within a short walk of charming, bucolic Ballater and just down the road from Balmoral Castle (worth a visit!). The beds are comfy and the showers are great. The Crabtree and Evelyn bath products are heavenly. Cons: This is a beautiful old building that has sadly been given a boring uninspired corporate remodel. The interior lacks any charm. The walls and floors are a curious institutional purple color that would feel very much at home in a down market retirement home. The main dining room, which apparently just opened after a remodel, is bland, insipid, and dull. Both of our rooms had an odd smell and were strangely dark, with very limited lighting, dark bland furniture and an overall feeling of blah. The breakfast food is overpriced and mediocre, although there are so many great local restaurants to try that The hotel food shouldn't be a turn off. A 2 min drive will take you into Ballater, which has many adorable cafes and restaurants (including a fabulous Indian restaurant, not to be missed). Overall: If you are just looking for a clean hotel room with a good bathroom close to Balmoral, this isn't a bad choice. However, if what you're after is some Scottish country charm and great breakfasts, I would keep looking.
My friend and I flew into Aberdeen, rented a car, and drove to Craigendarroch. It's not far (bit over an hour), and there's plenty to do and see at a leisurely pace for 4-5 days. It was nice not to rush around and change hotels every day or two. The place is beautiful & well-appointed, and we didn't miss the 'recreational' whatevers that aren't available during their current renovations. We would likely not have used them anyway. The room was also wonderful - spacious and very livable. There was a teapot, toaster, cafetiere, microwave, and small refrigerator, along with dishes, silverware, glasses, and even dish soap, a sponge, and a drying towel. We shopped for breakfast foods in Ballater (very close) and had all we needed to start the day happily (and reasonably priced) every morning. The only negative was that my friend thought the sofa bed was not comfortable & padded it with her duvet cover. She got a 2nd duvet to wrap up in, which helped. My bed was lovely! All staff encountered were friendly, professional, and helpful, and if we needed anything, we had only to ask & it arrived within minutes. We spend happy hours at Balmoral Castle (grounds, gardens, and even a play on the grounds in the evening), saw an impressive stone circle, enjoyed shops, galleries, and restaurants in both Ballater & Braemar, visited cemeteries & churches, other castles (notable - Crathe), took a ride on the Royal Deesige Railway, and hiked around at the Linn of Dee. There were no doubt other things I've neglected to include, but all that was within easy reach, accomplished in traffic that didn't make me have heart palpitations trying to drive opposite my American habits. Oh - and tea at the Fife Arms! That was a notable experience you have to try. To sum - if you are an HGV Club member and can choose this property, please consider it!
My husband and I booked two weeks at the HGVC Craigendarroch and absolutely loved it! We enjoyed being away from the hustle and bustle of the tourist areas of Scotland. We did many hikes in and around Ballater and Braemar. This is a great location and will definitely return!
Always high level of quality, Excellent accomodation Staff and service, friendly smart and professional Beautiful tendered gardens Never want to leave, so comfortable, Close to the town of Balleter which has plenty of shops and restaurants
Excellent self catering suites with on site restaurant, bar, spa and leisure facilities in picturesque grounds which are maintained to a very high standard. I would recommend a visit and I have booke to go again.
Restaurantji Recommends
Decided to take the scenic route south from Inverness after an amazing week on the Caledonian Canal. This Hilton facility was in a good location to break our journey but we were disappointed. The site itself is a mix of timeshare lodges and suites in the main house. We're in Suite 14 which looks out straight on to the flat roof of the bar, swimming pool and gym. The last two are currently closed for refurbishment. We knew that but it also means that part of the gardens is closed off below the main building. Gripes : 1) Breakfast only available as a basket continental delivered to your room. As the room has a toaster, microwave and cafetière, it comes in "raw food" form which you have to prepare. By the way, since when does "Freshly squeezed orange juice" come in a branded bottle? Nothing freshly squeezed about that! 2) Dining is at the upper end of what I expected but it's a captive audience so not really surprised. Starter portions were small for the price but well presented and tasty, as was the rest of the meal. The problem was that our dessert order was forgotten. Our server was very apologetic but a different server had also forgotten the drinks for the couple sitting next to us so you start to question the overall service. No issue in the bar though, friendly and helpful. 3) Front desk. Our receptionist was welcoming throughout. The only issue was that I tried to phone died in from the room using the customer service button and no-one picked up. 4) Room. This was well equipped and clean. Just one thing - the large dispenser for hair conditioner was empty and the shower gel almost empty. If that's how you wish to provide soap etc, please make sure that have products in them. So in total we spent over £270 on the room and meals. For that price, I would expect better from a Hilton branded facility. We left disappointed. It's not like we'll ever be going back that way but I can't recommend it for an overnight stay.
Just home from our yearly visit to Craigendarroch. We were delighted to find out the Brasserie had reopened the few days prior.We always enjoy a few drinks in the lounge throughout our stay and we’d like to especially thank Martin for his attentiveness,professionalism and friendly manner,he is an asset to the hotel. We had dinner in the Brasserie on the Sunday night and as before the high standard of food and service were second to none.The ambiance is lovely there,a different atmosphere from the bar and so lovely to see it open and busy again after so long. One of the best places to eat in Ballater,can’t wait to return.
We chose this resort without really knowing what it and the area has to offer and we're very pleasantly surprised. Besides the beautiful resort itself, this area has many hidden gems to experience, including castles, Pictish stone rings and cairns, Royal residences, historic parks, hiking trails and monuments, mountains, skiing, churches, lochs, battlefields and Scottish history.
My wife and I stopped in here for afternoon drinks and returned for dinner later the same evening. The staff were friendly, attentive, and pleasant. The dining area was rather agreeable, with leather plush seating and generous space between tables. The fish and chips we ate were decent. Although the fish batter was slightly overdone, the fish itself was flaky and moist. The chips were well-cooked and tasty with thick-cut potatoes and the included peas were equally enjoyable. Although we opted to skip either a starter or dessert, the menu was adequately varied with plenty to choose. The wine and drinks list was quite extensive, but about half the wine varieties were only available by the bottle which was disappointing. I like dry wine and my wife prefers something a little sweeter, but buying a full bottle of both options wasn’t realistic at about £40 or more per bottle. In all, we had a nice dinner with the restaurant itself, the staff, and sufficient food quality each adding to the experience.
This is a nice place to have a meal with great views and a good vibe when it’s busy. The ribeye steak was cooked to perfection and the service is super friendly and helpful. It’s a shame that such a beautiful room doesn’t have a log burner or open fire for that full on cosy winter feeling - the lit up electric fires don’t really cut it, but on a summer evening this place would be 5 stars for location, food and service