Cambus O' May Traditional Highland Hotel

Hotels
8.6 (2108 reviews)
CAMBUS O MAY HOTEL , Ballater , gb

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Facilities

Offsite parking discounted rates available
Non-smoking rooms
Restaurant
Terrace
Family rooms
Pets allowed
Luggage storage
Fax/photocopying
Soundproof rooms
Packed lunches
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.

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

Location

Guest Reviews

8.6
Based on 2108 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
K
Klaus • extended_group • de
9
Sehr schöne Lage etwas besonderes
Pros:

Liebevoll eingerichtet

Cons:

Essen am Abend war nicht so toll

2026-03-28 • via Nuitee
J
John • couple • gb
9
Wonderful stay.
Pros:

Friendly staff, great location and amazing food.

Cons:

Nothing

2026-03-28 • via Nuitee
K
Kathy • solo_traveller • gb
9
Great time as usual..
Pros:

Fabulous location and super decorated rooms

Cons:

Nothing

2026-03-28 • via Nuitee
S
Sven • family_with_children • be
8
Pros:

De stijl en de stilte

Cons:

Bedden konden beter

2026-03-28 • via Nuitee
S
Susan • couple • gb
10
Absolutely wonderful short break - like stepping back in time.
Pros:

Beautiful hotel in a wonderful setting

Cons:

Nothing - we loved it!

2026-03-27 • via Nuitee
M
Michael • couple • gb
8
Pros:

The peace and quiet, relaxed atmosphere and friendly staff.

Cons:

The turn at the main road.

2026-03-27 • via Nuitee
T
thierry • couple • fr
9
2026-03-26 • via Nuitee
D
Diane • couple • gb
5
Not really what we expected
Pros:

Location is beautiful, woodland setting, peaceful. Rooms although tired and shabby, were actually clean

Cons:

The website promises "comfortable beds, linen sheets....feather pillows" - hmmm, that's simply not true.
What we found in our 'Delux Room" was two mattresses on the uncomfortable bed, mismatched unironed IKEA cotton sheets and I'm pretty certain that the pillows were in fact hollow fibre.
Our freestanding bath had enamel peeling off and a towel underneath suggesting that it probably leaks.

It is also worth noting that whilst we enjoyed breakfast, we were unaware until we arrived that it was only a continental style offering.

2026-03-26 • via Nuitee
K
Kathy • couple • gb
10
Fabulous, characterful, historic hotel in great setting
Pros:

We loved the hotel - so much character, furnished and decorated with antiques and vintage items, so much atmosphere Cosy sitting areas with real fires. Our room was small but it was very cosy and warm with antique furniture and a very comfortable bed. It had a nice view of trees from the window - rooms at the front look across the valley. The bathroom was small but modern, also decorated very nicely.
The staff were friendly and helpful. A great location for visiting the Cairngorms and Balmoral. If we didn't live 500 miles away we would definitely be back!

Cons:

The only thing we had a problem with was the food, the cooking just wasn't great. There were 2 different chefs while we there and at the weekend he made a pretty awful pasta dish which I could hardly eat - it seemed like he'd thrown raw onions and tomato sauce with sugar into a microwave and then drowned some spaghetti with it and it was so hot we both burnt our tongues (hence I deduce microwave use).
It was good that there were new items on the menu every day but the food by the other chef was also not great - it was stodgy and the portions were much too big. Such a shame they can't nail the cooking, it was a let down. If better chefs aren't available in the area then the management could do with investing in a cooking course for the ones they have. I did give this feedback when we left as I don't like to leave a negative comment without first sharing it with the hotel.
Only other negative thing was the fact that there was only one, rushed and pressured waiter in the evenings and when it was busy he was struggling to cope. It doesn't give a great atmosphere if the waiter is running around in a semi panic. More staff needed for serving in the evenings.
If these issues were sorted out this would be a fantastic hotel on EVERY front.

2026-03-24 • via Nuitee
R
Robert • couple • gb
8
On the whole a very pleasant stay,we would go again.
Pros:

Food was absolutely delicious and very generous portions
Loved the location as did our dog, who was made welcome as were the other dogs there

Cons:

Found the beds to be very uncomfortable, perhaps need updating.

2026-03-22 • via Nuitee
S
Seonaid • solo_traveller • gb
8
2026-03-21 • via Nuitee
G
GARDEY • couple • fr
10
2026-03-20 • via Nuitee
S
Susan • couple • gb
7
Pros:

Loved the building and surroundings. Cosy Log fire. Evening meal was big portion (price was a tad dear)
Scenery was amazing

Cons:

Bed wasn't comfortable and booked a room with garden view which we didn't get...it was a side view of an out building with a syive on the wall.
Breakfast was poor, no hot food

2026-03-18 • via Nuitee
F
Frank • solo_traveller • gb
10
Fantastic all round.
Pros:

Beautiful place. Friendly staff.

Cons:

Nothing

2026-03-17 • via Nuitee
T
Tereza • couple • it
10
2026-03-15 • via Nuitee
B
BERNABE JESUS • extended_group • es
8
Bonita opción en el discurrir por tierras altas
Pros:

Precioso hotel en las tierras altas de Escocia. Ubicación muy tranquila. El personal muy amable. La habitación muy coqueta. El baño antiguo pero bonito. La cama muy confortable.

Cons:

El desayuno algo justo y la cena quizás un poco cara para lo que ofrecen. Comedor muy agradable. Poca presión en el agua de la ducha.

2026-03-14 • via Nuitee
M
Michaela • couple • de
8
Insgesamt hatten wir einen angenehmen Aufenthalt hier
Pros:

Diese Unterkunft ist wirklich sehr haustierfreundlich. Unser Hund ( und wir) wurden sehr herzlich empfangen und es gibt direkt am Haus schöne Wege für eine kleine Gassi-Runde. Die Einrichtung des Hauses hat uns sehr gut gefallen. Die Köchin war sehr herzlich und das Essen war sehr lecker.

Cons:

Das Bett könnte eine neue Matratze gebrauchen. Und im Badezimmer war es jetzt im März sehr kalt, trotzdem Heizung, weil es sehr durch das Fenster zog.

2026-03-14 • via Nuitee
A
Athanais • couple • fr
10
2026-03-13 • via Nuitee
M
Manon • couple • fr
10
Super séjour dans cet hôtel. Les employés sont top, la nourriture également et la cadre tout autant. Foncez
Pros:

L’atmosphère
Le personnel
Le restaurant
L’environnement

2026-03-12 • via Nuitee
V
Vendula • extended_group • gb
10
2026-03-10 • via Nuitee