Cambus O' May Traditional Highland Hotel

Hotels
8.6 (2447 reviews)
CAMBUS O MAY HOTEL , Ballater , gb

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Free
Children allowed

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 2447 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
C
Colin • couple • gb
3
Not recommended ! We would never go back. Grossly overpriced for what it was !
Pros:

Nothing

Cons:

Very tired and in need of some attention. Room cleaning consisted of clean towels and making bed !! All the furniture was old and past its sell by date. The most uncomfortable bed I’ve ever slept in !!!!!!

2026-07-25 • via Nuitee
J
Jeanie • solo_traveller • gb
9
2026-07-25 • via Nuitee
D
darren • solo_traveller • gb
10
Pros:

Picturesque, quiet, great rooms, great food, friendly staff

Cons:

The gravel car park and tight road, we were on motorbikes lol

2026-07-25 • via Nuitee
I
Ines • extended_group • de
9
2026-07-24 • via Nuitee
D
Deanne • couple • au
9
Friendly staff, good value and a quiet area
Pros:

A very quaint place that we came across and booked as a last minute decision after visiting Balmoral Castle.

2026-07-24 • via Nuitee
J
June • solo_traveller • nz
9
Beautiful hotel
Pros:

Gorgeous location surrounded by woodland.
Beautiful interior throughout the hotel.
Very good breakfast with plenty of variety.
We had the family suite which had a full fridge & oven. Perfect for our family.

Cons:

The duvet cover did not fit the inner on the main bed.
Kitchen had very limited utensils, eg. no sharp knives.

2026-07-23 • via Nuitee
A
Alexandra • family_with_children • de
10
Pros:

Wunderschönes Ambiente. Sehr gutes Essen.

Cons:

Nichts Negatives.

2026-07-23 • via Nuitee
M
Mairi • solo_traveller • gb
10
2026-07-22 • via Nuitee
C
carol • solo_traveller • gb
10
Pros:

Beautiful old building in fantastic location. Friendly and helpful staff.

2026-07-21 • via Nuitee
I
Isabel • family_with_children • es
6
2026-07-20 • via Nuitee
D
Darek • couple • pl
10
A wonderful place serving the best breakfast.
Pros:

What truly makes this place special is its owner—or, more precisely, the exceptional care she shows her guests. The impeccable cleanliness and beautifully designed interiors make you feel comfortable and welcome, despite the relatively limited space. The whole place feels warm, cosy and inviting.

Above all, however, there are the breakfasts. In all our travels around the world, we have never been served a breakfast like this in a guesthouse. It is a true feast for both the palate and the eyes.

This is a place you want to return to, just to experience the wonderful breakfast again and enjoy service of the highest standard.

Cons:

No such experience

2026-07-19 • via Nuitee
L
Luz • family_with_children • es
10
Maravillosa noche
Pros:

Es muy bonito y original. Está en medio del campo rodeado de bosques. Ha sido una estancia estupenda

Cons:

Estuvo todo muy bien

2026-07-19 • via Nuitee
E
Emanuele • family_with_children • it
9
Charming stay in the countryside
Pros:

Charming and fascinating location in the middle of the countryside

Cons:

Nothing

2026-07-19 • via Nuitee
S
Suzanne • couple • gb
7
Perfect for foreign tourists.....great location for Balmoral
Pros:

Quiet traditional country hotel with fabulous views and plenty of fresh air with friendly and helpful staff. Located very conveniently for a trip to Balmoral. Was a little like entering a Victorian time warp with a lot of decorations I might have seen at my grandmothers house.

Dinner was very good with a reasonable selection of malt whiskeys at the bar.

Cons:

Was a little like entering a Victorian time warp with a lot of decorations I might have seen at my grandmothers house also including the steel frame bed. However, this was comfortable enough and we slept well.

2026-07-19 • via Nuitee
T
Thomas • extended_group • at
10
Ein Hotel mit Stil.
Pros:

Ein „altes“ Hotel mit sehr viel Scharm. Vorzügliches Essen, sehr nettes Personal. Die Lage in den Wäldern ist super.

2026-07-18 • via Nuitee
P
Philip • solo_traveller • gb
9
Pros:

Staff were great, friendly and accommodating

Cons:

No real negatives

2026-07-18 • via Nuitee
C
Clare • extended_group • gb
8
A beautiful hotel will definitely stay again
Pros:

It was a lovely stay in the lodge will definitely book for a winter break

Cons:

The pull out bed was so uncomfortable 😳

2026-07-18 • via Nuitee
P
Peter and Morag • couple • gb
8
An interesting traditional Scottish hotel in a nice quiet location on a wooded hillside
Pros:

Quirkiness and traditional furnishings. Lovely local walks in the woods.

Cons:

Limited menu, no cooked breakfast

2026-07-18 • via Nuitee
G
GUEZ • family_with_children • fr
10
Superbe !!
Pros:

tout !
l’emplacement le charme la grande quiétude et … l’envie d’y revenir !!!

Cons:

peut être améliorer le petit déjeuner ?

2026-07-18 • via Nuitee
C
Caroline • couple • gb
10
Great stay. Lovely room. Great food
Pros:

Very authentic

Cons:

Loved it

2026-07-16 • via Nuitee