The Boat Country Inn & Restaurant

8.0
Excellent
(1046 reviews)

Deshar Rd, Boat of Garten PH24 3BH, United Kingdom

+44 1479 831258

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Hotel Description

Located in the charming village of Boat of Garten, The Boat Country Inn & Restaurant is a delightful destination offering a unique blend of comfort, style, and warm hospitality. This upmarket pub with rooms is just a 2-minute walk from the Strathspey steam railway and only 6 miles from the bustling town of Aviemore, which is known for its outdoor activities and scenic beauty. The hotel is nestled in the heart of the Cairngorms National Park, offering a tranquil setting that’s perfect for those looking to escape the city and immerse themselves in nature. The Boat Country Inn & Restaurant is beautifully designed to offer guests a cozy, yet sophisticated atmosphere with a rustic touch. The warm, inviting ambiance makes it ideal for both relaxation and exploration. Its bistro-style restaurant serves a menu made with locally sourced ingredients, allowing guests to enjoy a true taste of the Highlands while taking in the picturesque surroundings.
The rooms at The Boat Country Inn & Restaurant are classic, yet feature modern amenities to ensure a comfortable stay. Each room is equipped with flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi (for a surcharge), and tea and coffee-making facilities. Upgraded rooms offer private decks, while suites may include separate sitting areas and/or four-poster beds, making them perfect for those seeking a more luxurious experience. Families will appreciate the fact that children 12 and under can stay for free, with kids' meals available at the restaurant. A full Scottish breakfast is included with the stay, ensuring guests start their day off right. Whether you're looking for a traditional or upgraded experience, the rooms provide an ideal retreat to relax after a day of outdoor adventures.
Special amenities at The Boat Country Inn & Restaurant include off-street parking, ensuring convenience for those traveling by car, and self-service laundry facilities for longer stays. The hotel also offers pet-friendly accommodations, allowing guests to bring their furry friends along for the trip. For those looking to unwind, the hotel’s bar serves a variety of drinks, and guests can enjoy afternoon tea for an additional fee. The bistro-style restaurant is a highlight, offering seasonal fare made with locally sourced produce. Whether you're in the mood for a hearty meal or light refreshments, the menu will satisfy your culinary cravings.
The Boat Country Inn & Restaurant is ideally located for guests to explore the beauty and culture of the surrounding region. There are many scenic walks and trails nearby, including Loch Morlich, Loch Garten, and Loch an Eilein, all within a short drive. The Landmark Forest Adventure Park is also just a short distance away, offering fun for the whole family. For those who prefer to stay closer to the village, the Strathspey steam railway is only a few minutes’ walk from the hotel.
For guests traveling by air, Inverness Airport is the closest, just a 47-minute drive away. The hotel is well-connected with public transportation options, including local walking routes and nearby bus stations. Guests can also easily travel by taxi to popular destinations in the area. Whether you're planning to visit the nearby attractions or explore the stunning natural beauty of the Cairngorms, The Boat Country Inn & Restaurant is a perfect base for your adventure.
With a strong commitment to health and safety, The Boat Country Inn & Restaurant ensures that guests can relax and enjoy their stay with peace of mind. The hotel is fully equipped with smoke-free policies and offers accessible facilities, ensuring that every guest can enjoy their stay. With thoughtful amenities and personalized services, The Boat Country Inn & Restaurant promises a memorable and safe experience for all visitors.
Popular activities around the hotel include exploring the natural reserves and lakes, hiking in the Cairngorms, and enjoying the traditional Highlands atmosphere. Whether you are an outdoor enthusiast or just looking for a peaceful getaway, there is something for everyone.
Nearby, guests can visit a variety of top sights including Inverness, Rothiemurchus Highland Estate, and the Landmark Forest Adventure Park. For those who enjoy nature, Loch Morlich and Loch Garten provide stunning views and wildlife, while Loch an Eilein offers a serene setting with a historic castle. Additionally, there are numerous local pubs and restaurants to explore, each serving a variety of local dishes and drinks.
The Boat Country Inn & Restaurant offers guests a delightful combination of traditional charm, modern amenities, and an exceptional location for exploring the Cairngorms National Park and the surrounding Highlands. Whether you're visiting for a peaceful retreat, a family adventure, or a romantic getaway, this is the ideal place to relax and create unforgettable memories. We warmly invite you to experience The Boat Country Inn & Restaurant and enjoy all that this charming hotel has to offer.

The Most Outstanding Trait

1. Featured in Seasgair - Our top 7 independent cafes in the Cairngorms National Park

2. 7 min drive to Loch Garten, a nature reserve known for birdwatching and scenic trails

3. Pet-friendly hotel, allowing guests to bring their dogs along for the stay

4. One of the few hotels in the area with a bar offering local drinks

5. Classic rooms with modern amenities, including flat-screen TVs, Wi-Fi, and tea/coffee facilities

6. Upgraded rooms feature private decks and some suites offer four-poster beds

7. Children 12 and under stay free, making it a great family-friendly option

8. Full Scottish breakfast included in the stay, featuring locally sourced ingredients

9. Bistro-style restaurant serving seasonal, locally sourced fare with an emphasis on fresh ingredients

10. Conveniently located near the Strathspey steam railway and several scenic lakes


7.8 Very Good

Location rating

Top sights

Landmark Forest Adventure Park
8 min
Loch Morlich
21 min
Rothiemurchus
16 min
Loch Garten
7 min
Loch an Eilein
24 min
See more Interesting locations

Good to know

Check-in15:00
Check-out11:00
Location rating7.8
Nearest airportInverness Airport
Travel time to airport47 min

Nightly price (Only for reference price for sample day)

Check-in: Fri, Dec 06
Check-out: Sat, Dec 07
    Official Hotel

    $81

    Roompai

    $68

    Vio.com

    $65

    goseek.com

    $65

    Best Hotel Deals

    $71

    EaseMyTrip.com

    $71


Location

Deshar Rd, Boat of Garten PH24 3BH, United Kingdom

Airports:

Dundee Airport

Taxi: 2 hr 8 min

Transit: 3 hr 37 min

Aberdeen International Airport

Taxi: 1 hr 55 min

Transit: 3 hr 41 min

Inverness Airport

Taxi: 47 min

Transit: 2 hr 27 min

Transit:

Grampian Crescent

Walking: 6 min

Boat of Garten

Walking: 1 min

Craigie Avenue

Walking: 9 min

Post Office

Walking: 1 min

Golf Club

Walking: 3 min


Nearby locations

7.8

Very Good Location

This upmarket pub with rooms is 2 minutes' walk from the Strathspey steam railway and 6 miles from Aviemore.

Top Attractions


Amenities and Facilities

Parking & transportation

Parking

Services

Front desk

Baggage storage

Self-service laundry

Elevator

Gift shop

Housekeeping

Pets

Pet-friendly

Accessibility

Accessible

Policies & payments

Smoke-free property

Credit cards

Debit cards

Food & drink

Restaurant

Bar

Table service

Breakfast

Breakfast buffet

Bathrooms

Private bathroom

Bathtub in some rooms

Shower

Wellness

No fitness center

No spa

Children

Kid-friendly

Internet

Wi-Fi

Wi-Fi in public areas

Pools

No pools

No hot tub

Rooms

No air conditioning


Reviews

100% reviews from partners and customers booking on Dinogo

5.6

10 reviews

Wonderful
3
Excellent
0
Good
2
Below Average
2
Not Good
3
hw

hazel w

5/5
Booked this hotel last minute really good deal- bargain price. |Room was ok size wasn’t the biggest nor the smallest hotel room for two people to spend the night it was more than enough room. Bathroom was lovely also. …

Cover Image for Tomáš Dvořák

Tomáš Dvořák

5/5
Great location with a romantic little train station nearby. This was our first hotel while visiting Scotland and we were pleasently surprised by the overall looks of it. The whole hotel has the feeling of a country club from some American movie. The rooms, while small, were very comfortable, though a little cold when we arrived and before we switched on the heating.The breakfast options were great and tasty, especially the salmon one. If you get the by car, you can park on the hotel's own parking place.Overall a great experience!

Cover Image for Mark Sullivan

Mark Sullivan

3/5
Mediocre inn with a decent restaurant but service lacks overall. The Boat leaves you in a perpetual state of service bewilderment; how do I check in? Where do I order drinks? Who is the host? Do I seat myself? Where is breakfast served? To answer your questions you must take action because none of the staff will help you without soliciting. Even when you do it’s met with a sort of ‘I’m busy can’t you see?’, look or one of befuddlement. It’s seems the service is always same in these more remote inns that the staff is comprised of young adults with little to no training sometimes guided by a manager with more experience but not always as was the case here. Food on the other hand was solid and the breakfast excellent but the price doesn’t coincide with the overall experience. Room was not properly cleaned carpet dirty, window frame covered in mildew, spiderwebs, bringing into question the overall cleanliness of linen etc. small but reasonably comfortable single bed and a shower with poor pressure making for a below average stay.

M

Mikegslancs

2/5
My friend & I went here for lunch. We ordered 2 sandwiches, a portion of chips & some cheesy garlic bread. …

R

Road54017601710

5/5
lovely staff trying there best. very welcoming. staff are friendly and good to have a laugh with. room was very clean and nice. comfy bed. rooms come with complimentary coffee and shortbread. the food is amazing. service was amazing and very fast i reccomend the scampi as that was my favourite. would 100% recommend. 10/10 for me

Cover Image for Mark Haynes

Mark Haynes

2/5
Visited some years ago so was looking forward to going back. Shame to say the experience was much less good. Prices higher than anywhere else in the area we went (food and drinks), and on top of that a 10% service charge added to bill without warning. Despite staff suggesting it was standard practice in the area, this didn't happen elsewhere locally that we ate. Could have accepted the cost to a degree if the service was good, staff were friendly and polite but, after 30 mins had to chase up our Sunday lunch, and the place wasn't busy. The food we had was good, but the portions weren't equal to the price.

MJ

Mark J

1/5
Originally we were going to stay in Aviemore, but decided to pay a bit extra and book this hotel as it was close to the Boat of Garten golf course. …

S

Scotsgirl877

1/5
Arrived at the hotel after a long day of walking along the Speyside Way and really looking forward to a hot shower and a pint in the sun. …

Cover Image for Richard Scott

Richard Scott

3/5
We had a suite that was a large and comfortable room with good views. But.......The carpet had multiple stains and marks on it and the curtains were disintegrating. Could do with a refresh. Bar and restaurant service could have been better but food was good.

DZ

Diane Z

1/5
We were on a Rick Steves tour. We were assigned Garden room 6. It is the last room down the hallway. We noticed that the first five rooms were not occupied and the room next to us had the mattress propped against the wall. …