Exterior

Reviews of The Boat Hotel

3.5 out of 5
The Boat Hotel
Deshar Road, Boat of Garten, Scotland

Reviews

8.2

Very good

Rating 10 - Excellent. 209 out of 567 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 209 out of 567 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 104 out of 567 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 32 out of 567 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 13 out of 567 reviews" "

8.4/10

Cleanliness

8.6/10

Staff & service

8.0/10

Amenities

7.6/10

Property conditions & facilities

8.2/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

jennfer, kington

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Staff were welcoming and very accommodating with questions I had, beautiful hotel and great chef and staff
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2024

8/10 Good

George

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
A great welcome and helpful on arrival by Magda. Ean was so hard working and goes the full mile to be helpful in all things. The room 104 needs to be looked at very sparse and in need of decoration the large crack in the coving and the peealing wall were sad to see. Some capital needs to be invested in the building, but the staff made it a wonderful stay. They certainly know how to put on a function. and first class service. It's a pitty the owners don't seem to suport this wonderful team
Stayed 6 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Marek

Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Rob

Business traveller
Liked: Staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great location very friendly staff and a great choice at Breakfast
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Ben

Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

H

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Good hotel.
Lovely stay,
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Katrina

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2023

8/10 Good

Duncan

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2023

8/10 Good

Mick

Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2023

4/10 Poor

Amanda

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Disliked: Room comfort
Good except bed extremely uncomfortable
The bed was very uncomfortable to the point we hardly slept. The rest of the stay was very good
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

William

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Weekend break
The boat hotel was a nice place to stay staff were extremely helpful and polite.The hotel although a bit dated was clean and for the time of year warm and inviting.The dining experience was excellent a good choice of food in the restaurant and breakfast thier was something for everyone.We will use this hotel again
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jenny

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
The Boat
Great location and a lovely hotel with lots of charachter. Food was lovely with great service.
Beautiful room with fantastic view
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2023

8/10 Good

Marek

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Great breakfast and lovely garden view

8/10 Good

Deborah

Travelled with group
Liked: Staff & service
Great location to see the sunrise and set from the garden rooms. We ordered dinner and everything we ordered was amazing. The staff really moves quickly to wait on you during meal times.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2023

6/10 Okay

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Doesn't live up to the price
Arrived late after a long drive in horrendous weather to a very underwhelming welcome. Room was cold on arrival but warmed up when we turned the heating on. Comfortable large bed. Powerful modern shower. Breakfast was disappointing. My cooked breakfast was plentiful but my husband ordered the smashed avocado on toast which was like a bad joke; and the coffee machine wasn't working and had been 'broken for a few days'. A vacuum flask of hot water will never make a good cup of tea. Very expensive bar.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Robert Kevin

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2023
Response from Management on 22 Sept 2023
Dear Robert, Thank you for your perfect review, the staff, and management really appreciate your feedback.

8/10 Good

David

Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
The Boat Hotel - Boat of Garten
Last minute booking, found a little gem! Will definitely stay again when I’m away on business in Inverness - 30-45 min away Very friendly and welcoming when I arrive, the check in was perfect. The food was great, I ate in the bar, rather than the more formal Restaurant. Although a little pricey the larger also went down well. Deluxe Double was the description of the room I booked, so the four poster bed came as a bit of a shock! The room was very large, very clean and comfortable. Don’t hesitate to book, no disappointment a perfect place to stay!
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2023
Response from Management on 22 Sept 2023
Dear David, Thank you for your excellent review, our staff, and management really appreciate your feedback.

10/10 Excellent

Stanley

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Set if a quiet town within walking distance of the River Spey. great staff.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2023
Response from Management on 22 Sept 2023
Dear Stanley, Thank you for your perfect review, our hard-working staff and management really appreciate your feedback.

10/10 Excellent

Alan

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2023
Response from Management on 22 Sept 2023
Dear Alan, Thank you for your perfect review.

6/10 Okay

John

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness
Although in a convenient location, parking and access are poor. Food was okay, but service was average and atmosphere in the restaurant was cramped and noisy. The room was comfortable but the view was not good.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2023
Response from Management on 23 Sept 2023
Dear John. Thank you for your review. Our staff and management really appreciate yours and always strive to improve from our feedback received.

8/10 Good

Marek

Travelled with family, Travelled with family and small children
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2023
Response from Management on 23 Sept 2023
Dear Marek. Thank you for your review. Our staff and management really appreciate it.

8/10 Good

Stephen

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, room comfort
Pleasant stay
Nice location. Rooms and hotel felt a little tired but service and food were excellent. Parking was a challenge and I had to park on the street next to hotel on second night.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2023
Response from Management on 23 Sept 2023
Dear Stephen. Thank you for your review. Our staff and management really appreciate the time taken to review us and always strive to improve from the feedback received in time for your next stay.

8/10 Good

philip

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Nice location
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2023
Response from Magda on 9 Aug 2023
Thank you for your review, Philip

6/10 Okay

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, room comfort
Comfortable stay, decent food, rude manager
Hotel comfortable but very tired. Food was good pub fare. All staff extremely friendly and helpful-the hotels main asset, and they were impressive; apart from one! One very sarcastic male who seemed to be managing the restaurant at night. He seemed to think we instinctively knew to follow another older member of staff (he said it was his dad) to our table……he’d told his dad this is your table 49; the older guy just walked off then the younger man turned to us saying “Jesus it’s like speaking to a piece of Lego”; we initially thought he was meaning becausethe older guy hadn’t said anything in reply, until we realised he meant us! Felt like telling him he was a sarcastic bleep but refrained. Great way to speak to customers. Please note…..your customers don’t know which table number is which and don’t know to follow someone unless asked!!!!! This guy was manic and rude. All the other members of staff were faultless.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2023
Response from Management on 23 Sept 2023
Dear Anonymous. Thank you for your review. Our staff and management really appreciate yours and always strive to improve from the feedback received, in time for your next visit.

8/10 Good

Sarah

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Beautiful quaint Inn! One of our favourite breakfasts in the highlands. Only complaint was the abysmal water pressure in the showers.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2023
Response from Magda on 9 Aug 2023
Dear Sarah,Thank you for your feedback, which we really appreciate, and we will address the issues promptly.

10/10 Excellent

Chris

Stayed 1 night in Jul 2023
Response from Magda on 9 Aug 2023
Thank you, Chris.

10/10 Excellent

Robert

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
The staff helpful, friendly and accommodating.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2023
Response from Magda on 9 Aug 2023
Dear Robert,Thank you.

6/10 Okay

May

Travelled with pets, Travelled with partner
Room needed a deep clean particularly the carpet
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2023
Response from Manager on 25 Jul 2023
Dear May, Thank you for your still very good review, the staff, and management really appreciated your feedback. We have taken your negative highly seriously and we are looking forward to welcoming you again soonest.

8/10 Good

Sheila

Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2023
Response from Manager on 25 Jul 2023
Dear Sheila, Thank you for your excellent review, the staff, and management really appreciated your feedback. We are highly looking forward to welcoming you again soonest.

8/10 Good

Melina

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Other than the temperature in the room, everything else was phenomenal. The staff, the breakfast, the included parking, the drive to and from: all wonderful!!! The one downside was simply a matter of when we visited. We were here in July and it wasn’t even a particularly warm night (maybe 58F/14C). We were on the 3rd floor and had to open both windows to try and cool down the room but the thick wool curtain didn’t allow much air flow so we had to keep the curtain open all night too.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2023
Response from Manager on 25 Jul 2023
Dear Melina, Thank you for your excellent review, the staff, and management really appreciated your feedback. We have taken your negative highly seriously and we are looking forward to welcoming you again soonest.

8/10 Good

Elaine

Stayed 1 night in Jul 2023
Response from Werner on 10 Jul 2023
Dear Elaine,Thank you so much for the feedback.

10/10 Excellent

Lisa

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Very nice hotel, with friendly staff. The room was lovely and the bed very comfortable. The hotel is quirky because of its age, but that adds to the appeal of the place. Lovely breakfast in the morning and an overall nice warm feel to the place.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2023
Response from Werner on 10 Jul 2023
Dear Lisa, Thank you for the feedback all team really appreciate it.

4/10 Poor

L

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Disliked: Room comfort
Poor experience at the Boat Hotel
We booked for our outward and return trip.First room was dreadful. A small double bed wedged against the wall and under the eaves so had to climb in and unable to sit up. Second stay in a deluxe double. Only 1 bedside light. No coat hangers in the wardrobe Tiny shower which trickled water. Cracked handbasin..WOULD NOT RECOMMEND and certainly was not value for money at £179.00 for the "delux" room. Service in the dining room was slow. We waited an hour for our starters to arrive.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2023
Response from Magda on 10 Jul 2023
Dear L on,Thank you for the constructive feedback, we will address the issues directly.

10/10 Excellent

Richard

Stayed 1 night in Jun 2023
Response from Werner on 10 Jul 2023
Dear Richard,Thank you for your lovely feedback.

8/10 Good

David

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2023
Response from Werner on 10 Jul 2023
Thank you David for this positive review.

10/10 Excellent

Siobhan

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Family perfect
Stunning location great for families
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2023
Response from Werner on 10 Jul 2023
Dear Siobhan,Thank you for the lovely feedback.

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Breakfast buffet table could be maintained better. No Orange Juice, day 2 no apple juice. No saucers for tea/coffee. No teaspoons. No milk jugs. Table needs constant maintenance with and wiping down.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2023
Response from Werner on 10 Jul 2023
Thank you for the feedback we will address issues promptly.

10/10 Excellent

Robert

Stayed 1 night in Jun 2023
Response from Werner on 10 Jul 2023
Thank you Robert.

10/10 Excellent

Robert

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Massive difference
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2023
Response from Werner on 10 Jul 2023
Thank you, Robert.

10/10 Excellent

Russell

Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2023
Response from Werner on 10 Jul 2023
Dear Russell,Thank you for your fab feedback.

10/10 Excellent

Jacqueline

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
The room was perfect for us. We had a lovely meal and the service was excellent. Staff were very pleasant and helpful. Fantastic view of the Cairngorms from our room. We would love to return
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2023
Response from Werner on 10 Jul 2023
Dear Jacqueline, Thank you for the fantastic review.

10/10 Excellent

Marek

Travelled with family, Travelled with family and small children, Travelled with pets
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Excellent like always
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2023
Response from Werner on 10 Jul 2023
Marek thank you so much.

8/10 Good

Jill

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 2 nights in May 2023
Response from Werner on 10 Jul 2023
Thank you so much, Jill.

10/10 Excellent

Gavin

Stayed 1 night in May 2023
Response from Werner on 10 Jul 2023
Thank you so much, Gavin.

8/10 Good

Richard

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Friendly hotel with good food
Friendly place and the food was good.
Stayed 1 night in May 2023
Response from Boat Inn Family. on 23 May 2023
Thank you so much.

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
The room was beautiful and service was great! We were disappointed with the breakfast at the hotel, the selection of cereal and toast was brilliant but the cooked breakfast was warm and when asked for no black pudding it was still served with it which put us off the rest of the breakfast, but overall it was a lovely place to stay
Stayed 1 night in May 2023
Response from Boat Inn Family. on 23 May 2023
Thank you so much.

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Great hotel. Food excellent albeit a bit pricey. Loud music from 7:30 am woke us up every morning.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2023
Response from Boat Inn Family. on 23 May 2023
Thank you so much.

10/10 Excellent

ADRIANNA

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2023
Response from Boat Inn Family on 23 May 2023
Thank you so much, Adrianna

8/10 Good

Susan

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Stayed for 5days with my daughter. Staff very friendly and helpful. Lovely sitting area by reception desk. Outside seating and restaurant in bar area. Separate breakfast area are all downstairs. Parking is tight and seems to quite often be used by people getting on the train. Which is right next to the hotel. Our room was nice, we had a view of a wall in our en-suite and of outside stairs in our room. Needs some maintenance work carried out. There was staining in corner of ceiling from a previous leak. App advertised on room didn’t work as indicated. No room service was available and you could make booking for dinner etc from it. Reception wasn’t manned constantly, staff were coming from bar or breakfast area if no one on reception. The staff are amazing, very friendly and couldn’t have been more helpful. My daughter is Coeliac and no where in Aviemore had ready made gluten free sandwiches. I tried Tesco, M&S, Costa, Aldi. Ended up buying GF rolls from Tesco and the kitchen staff in the morning kindly filled with ham and cheese. Otherwise we would have been stuck, as she was out all day each day on a field trip. Not a huge choice at breakfast from the buffet. Hot food made to order and not generous helpings. Dinner on the other hand was the opposite, big servings and delicious food. The staff really make this hotel, would return for that and hopefully a better room next time .
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2023

6/10 Okay

Eric

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Upon arrival we stood at reception for quite a while without acknowledgement as 2 staff members were talking to each other. The staff serving meals were efficient but abrupt, and then we waited for breakfast as our order had been misplaced. On checkout we could not get our bill as the computer wasn’t working,we had a dispute on charges and were told the invoice would be emailed, but so far not. No staff smiled at all and seemed fed up.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2023