Cambus O' May Traditional Highland Hotel

Hotels
8.6 (2377 reviews)
CAMBUS O MAY HOTEL , Ballater , gb

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Facilities

WiFi available
Free WiFi
Parking
Free Parking
Non-smoking rooms
Restaurant
Heating
Terrace
Family rooms
Garden
See all facilities

Review Highlights

Pros:
Friendly staff
Great location
Cozy atmosphere
Delicious breakfast
Cons:
Rooms need updating
Inconsistent food quality
Some heating issues

Categories

Cleanliness
7.99
Some guests noted tired rooms and peeling enamel, indicating the need for improvement.
Service
9.46
Many reviews highlighted friendly and welcoming staff.
Location
9.5
Great location mentioned repeatedly, with beautiful surroundings.
Room Quality
7.45
Rooms described as old and tired; concerns noted about heating and comfort.
Amenities
8.48
Standard amenities, but noted that the dining area could be warmer.
Value for Money
8.44
Mixed reviews; value noted but concerns about food quality and extra charges.
Food and Beverage
8.49
Breakfast options were appreciated, but some meals felt microwaved and not fresh.
Overall Experience
8.96
Overall a pleasant stay, with many highlights shared by guests.
* This sentiment is summarized by AI based on user reviews.
Updated at: 2025-12-20 05:38

Property Description

Free Bikes and Outdoor Spaces:
Enjoy the convenience of exploring Ballater with our complimentary bikes and unwind in our garden, shared lounge, and terrace.

Comfortable Rooms with Stunning Views:
Relax in our cozy rooms equipped with modern amenities such as a flat-screen TV and free WiFi. Some rooms offer picturesque mountain views for a truly tranquil experience.

Delicious Dining and Fun Activities:
Indulge in British cuisine at our on-site restaurant, with options for vegetarians, dairy-free, and vegans. Plus, keep the little ones entertained at the children's playground while you enjoy hiking, skiing, and cycling nearby.

Book now for a memorable stay at Cambus O' May Hotel in the heart of Ballater!

Important information:

Please inform of your expected arrival time in advance. You can use the Special Requests box when booking, or contact the property directly using the contact details in your confirmation.
A deposit may be required at the property.

Check-in and check-out hours:
Check-out: 11:00 AM

Location

Guest Reviews

8.6
Based on 2377 reviews
Cleanliness: 7.99
Service: 9.46
Location: 9.5
Room Quality: 7.45
Amenities: 8.48
Value for Money: 8.44
Food and Beverage: 8.49
Overall Experience: 8.96
R
Rob • couple • gb
10
Excellent
Pros:

Second stay - great and unique place

2026-07-04 • via Nuitee
J
Joseph • solo_traveller • us
8
2026-07-03 • via Nuitee
I
Ian • solo_traveller • mx
9
Great
Pros:

Everything was fine

Cheers

Saludos

Cons:

Nothing, everything was fine

2026-07-03 • via Nuitee
G
Gaynor • solo_traveller • au
9
Relaxing.
Pros:

Fantastically helpful! Gorgeous grounds and house!!! Loved it!

2026-07-03 • via Nuitee
B
Blair-Bush • solo_traveller • au
9
Pros:

Quirky atmosphere
Comfortable bed
Staff were great

Cons:

Was all very good

2026-07-02 • via Nuitee
T
tony • solo_traveller • gb
5
Pros:

Staff

2026-07-01 • via Nuitee
A
aannibal • couple • it
7
Highlands come te le aspetti
Pros:

Atmosfera vintage con un tocco di eleganza.
Ottima colazione continentale.
Bella la veranda e i giardini circostanti, dove è possibile fare lunghe passeggiate in ambiente boschivo.
Molto silenzioso; non male il ristorante.

Cons:

Suggeriamo un pizzico di manutenzione in più a tutti i locali.
Abbiamo trovato in camera il riscaldamento accesso ma in un giorno eccezionalmente caldo; forse ci si è dimenticati di spegnerlo

2026-07-01 • via Nuitee
J
John • solo_traveller • gb
8
Pros:

Excellent for dog owners with many lovely forest walks direct from hotel door.

Cons:

Chef was absent through illness so no available evening meals.

2026-06-30 • via Nuitee
L
Linda • solo_traveller • gb
10
Pros:

This is one of the best hotels I have stayed in. It was a fabulous experience. The hotel is in a beautiful place, the staff were brilliant and the ambiance and decor are something else.

Cons:

I loved everything about our stay

2026-06-30 • via Nuitee
F
FRANCOIS • family_with_children • fr
8
Super !
Pros:

Reaps et petit déjeuner + la cadre + la touche intime de l'hotel

Cons:

L'emplacement pour les paysages

2026-06-29 • via Nuitee
R
R Floyd • solo_traveller • gb
2
2026-06-29 • via Nuitee
R
Richard • solo_traveller • de
9
Guter Platz zum Entspannen
Pros:

Das Gebäude versprüht außen viel Charme, teilweise auch innen. Zimmergrösse des Doppelzimmers Nr. 2 war in Ordnung, die Größe des Badezimmers auch. Angenehm, dass das Fenster geöffnet werden konnte. Der Ausblick von unserem Zimmer, aber auch von der darunter liegenden Terrasse war großartig, rundum Berge und Wald. Da Lage außerhalb einer Ortschaft lädt zum Entspannen ein. Beim angebotenen continental breakfast dürfte für jeden etwas dabei sein. Wenn alle Gäste gleichzeitig zum Frühstück kommen, könnte es platzmäßig allerdings eng werden. Das Buffet wurde regelmäßig nachgefüllt.

Cons:

Das Alter des Gebäudes versprüht zwar viel Charme, an der ein oder anderen Stelle täte eine Erneuerung not! Im Frühstücks- bzw. Speiseraum hängt ein ordentliches Stück Tapete von der Decke. Das könnte von einem Wasserschaden stammen und macht auch auf Grund der zusätzlichen Flecken keinen guten und vertrauenswürdigen Eindruck auf mich. Um uns die hin und her Fahrerei zu ersparen, haben wir am ersten Abend im Hotel gegessen. Bei der Ankunft wurden wir gefragt, ob wir das Essensangebot in Anspruch nehmen wollen. Auf Nachfrage haben wir zwar erfahren, was es kostet, nicht jedoch, was es gibt. Das empfinde ich merkwürdig. Wir konnten schließlich aus 3 Gerichten auswählen. Das Essen selbst war qualitativ und preislich okay. Main course 21 Pfund.
Wie in vielen Unterkünften gab es am Waschbecken im Badezimmer keine Mischbatterie.

2026-06-29 • via Nuitee
R
Richard • solo_traveller • gb
7
Pleasant but let down by the food
Pros:

It's quite quirky in a nice way , with many good walks within the extension grounds.

Cons:

Food quite basic and poor.

2026-06-28 • via Nuitee
A
Alison • solo_traveller • gb
8
Very comfortable stay in a beautiful old building
Pros:

This hotel is a very old building and I loved it. I liked the linen bedding in my little room. Breakfast was nice, nothing cooked but that didn’t bother me. The surrounding trees are lovely and you can walk up the back of the hotel to enjoy the woodland.

2026-06-28 • via Nuitee
J
Jaroslav • family_with_children • gb
7
2026-06-28 • via Nuitee
G
George • couple • gb
5
Great location, but at £172 not good value
Pros:

Great location

Cons:

Seems to be run by one person, bar closed at 9pm !!! Dinner booked but due to illness by Chef brief message received night before stay “ kitchen closed today apologies for inconvenience “

2026-06-28 • via Nuitee
B
Bertrand • couple • fr
10
2026-06-27 • via Nuitee
J
Jean • solo_traveller • gb
9
Pros:

The qaintness was charming

2026-06-27 • via Nuitee
D
Doug • solo_traveller • gb
8
2026-06-27 • via Nuitee
S
Scott • extended_group • gb
10
Great stay. Beautiful Victorian hotel, will come again, thanks!
2026-06-27 • via Nuitee