We'd set off on Friday night knowing only that we fancied heading up to the Cairngorms! On route, we flicked through a few reference books and decided on Boat of Garten, and subsequently chose the Boat Hotel. We called ahead and reception confirmed that they had a room, and we could confirm when we got there if we wanted to stay for 1 or 2 nights.

We arrived a bit later than expected, just before 9pm, and the welcome was perfect! An open fire blazed in the hall, and Diane on reception welcomed us with a beaming smile! She said that as we were a bit late she'd taken the liberty of reserving us a table if we wanted it - we did!!

The room was perfect - beautifully decorated, clean & modern bathroom (shower & bath) and a lovely comfy bed!! Plus the added extras of CD player, couple comfy seats and a cracking view of the hills! The hotel itself was good - for drinks you could either sit in the sofa's in the entrance hall (very cosy with the fire!) or if you fancy being a bit more sociable, there's a small pub attached to the hotel.

We ate both breakfasts and dinners at the hotel, and each meal was spot on. Huge fry ups in the morning (there were other options but we were greedy!), well cooked simple food in the evening! I believe a new restaurant is opening soon, however we ate in the Bistro which is a warm, simple room.

All the staff we met were genuinely friendly and couldn't do enough to help with any queries we had.

All in all - it fitted what we were looking for and added to a top weekend!

we had a most enjoyable three-day stay at the hotel. The staff could not have been more helpful and friendly from the Manager to the cleaner who looked after our room. We would recommend it most highly. Our suite of rooms were most comfortable and we thoroughly enjoyed our meals. When we arrived the receptionist was on the top of her game in every way.

What could pass for quaint at other hotels is instead old and dirty at the Boat Hotel. The rooms are clean, but in dire need of repair; the staff is generally rude and not accommodating; and the food is mediocre at best. Many locals in the area lamented the downward spiral of the hotel since new management took over. If you want to stay in this area, save your money and book a B&B in town (many are available and much nicer and cheaper).

The room was ok but the shower room was bad. The shower head was falling apart the soap holder was minus the top half and we were left with two very rusty screws (only one connected to the dish)The water in the shower eventually became warm after 5 minutes.
There was dirt and dust all around the skirting board in the shower room, and sink in the shower room had very poor drainage.
The meals were over priced. Often late and at one point we were served up a rancid steak .(The smell was over powering)The feeble excuse was that the Chef had a cold. Even after all this we waited fifty minutes to be served breakfast on our day of departure so had to forgo breakfast .
We also found out that the ownership had recently change and the hotel web site and brochures had not.

DONT GO.