Aberdeen Arms Hotel Tarland

Hotels
5.1 (345 reviews)
31 The Square, Tarland, , Tarland , gb

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Free
Children allowed

Facilities

WiFi available
Free WiFi
Parking
Free Parking
Non-smoking rooms
Restaurant
Pets allowed
Hiking
Express check-in/check-out
Cycling
See all facilities

Review Highlights

Pros:
Friendly staff
Convenient location
Comfortable beds
Cons:
Cleanliness issues
Room conditions
Limited amenities

Categories

Cleanliness
2.35
Multiple reviews highlighted issues with cleanliness, including filthy conditions and unpleasant odors.
Service
6.35
Staff received positive remarks, particularly about their friendliness and helpfulness.
Location
7.35
Location was frequently praised as being convenient and ideal for nearby attractions.
Room Quality
4.35
Mixed reviews with noted comfort but also issues like lack of heating and cleanliness concerns.
Amenities
5.35
Basic amenities were available, but some guests felt more could have been offered.
Value for Money
6.35
Guests noted the price as low and reasonable given the quality, but some felt misled.
Food and Beverage
4.35
Limited mentions, but some guests enjoyed the live music and local bar atmosphere.
Overall Experience
4.35
The stay was generally average, with potential for improvement highlighted.
* This sentiment is summarized by AI based on user reviews.
Updated at: 2025-12-20 10:08

Property Description

Historic Charm
Experience a piece of history at Aberdeen Arms Hotel Tarland, a charming 18th-century property located near iconic landmarks like Balmoral Castle and Craigievar Castle.

Modern Comforts
Each room at our hotel is thoughtfully equipped with a flat-screen TV, kitchenette, and cozy bed linens, ensuring a comfortable stay for all guests.

Outdoor Adventures
Located in the picturesque town of Tarland, guests can explore the great outdoors with activities like hiking, golfing at Aboyne Golf Club, and skiing, making it an ideal destination for nature enthusiasts.

Book your stay at Aberdeen Arms Hotel Tarland now and create unforgettable memories in the heart of Scotland.

Important information:

A deposit may be required at the property.

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

Location

Guest Reviews

5.1
Based on 345 reviews
Cleanliness: 2.35
Service: 6.35
Location: 7.35
Room Quality: 4.35
Amenities: 5.35
Value for Money: 6.35
Food and Beverage: 4.35
Overall Experience: 4.35
W
Watson • solo_traveller • gb
4
Aberdeen Arms Tarland
Pros:

Price & Location & Manageress husband drove me twice into Ballater which helped me out enormously

Cons:

I was travelling alone so the negative issues where not a problem

2026-07-21 • via Nuitee
H
hankin • solo_traveller • gb
6
Lacked soul and seemed like a place on the way down, has so much potential with investment and marketing
Pros:

Location

Cons:

Mould in the bathroom sealant and no shower curtain
No interaction with the staff, bar seemed shut except for one night which I missed, apparently a really good local talented musicians plays traditional music.
Why this isn’t advertised I don’t know.

2026-07-16 • via Nuitee
D
David • solo_traveller • gb
1
Shocking!
Pros:

I was booked in for one night and couldn't stay as the room was smelling heavily of damp and there were several bluebottles flying inside!! No toilet roll in the bathroom. I would like a refund of the £80 I paid as I had to go elsewhere and pay for a night. A dreadful accommodation! Nothing to like!

Cons:

Everything!

2026-07-14 • via Nuitee
M
Martin • solo_traveller • de
8
2026-07-13 • via Nuitee
G
GORDON • extended_group • gb
10
Great hotel
2026-07-10 • via Nuitee
R
Raymond • couple • gb
3
We got what we paid for!
Pros:

The location was great It was comparatively cheap.

Cons:

There was no reception area and finding a member of staff was difficult when we arrived to book in. We were told that we had to pay in advance when we finally found someone but as there was a general smell of damp we asked to see the room first. It was acceptable on first look but once we were in properly it was apparent that the person who had installed the shower and sink had no skills at all! The shower in our room had no curtain and there were large patches of black mould. The mastic around the sink can only be described as architectural ie very uneven, lumpy and very well spread! Unfortunately this meant that there were dirty patches within it as it was too ridged and uneven to clean.
The bed was soft and it was possible to feel the springs.

2026-07-02 • via Nuitee
F
Fuchs • couple • de
5
Pros:

Leider gab es entgegen der angegebenen Ausstattung weder Restaurant noch Frühstück. Die Dame war sehr freundlich, jedoch keine Unterstützung bei der Suche nach einer Möglichkeit für ein Abendessen. Das Zimmer war gemütlich, jedoch jede Menge Schimmel im Bad.

Cons:

Kein Restaurant, obwohl bei der Buchung angegeben, leider Bad voller Schimmel.

2026-07-02 • via Nuitee
G
Gregory • couple • au
3
Dont go there.
Pros:

Good sized room

Cons:

Lobby smelled of smoke. Shower pressure was very poor. An old used bar of soap was provided. Room had animal hair on the floor and toothpaste stain on bathroom tap. Beds creaked when you rolled over or moved. Carpets were old and dated

2026-06-29 • via Nuitee
G
Gema • extended_group • us
9
An interesting stay in the heart of the Highlands
Pros:

The spirit of this property was the highlight of our trip through the Highlands. An old hotel, in a very quiet mini village, with the feeling we were the only guests there, with windows to the local cemetery. Beds were comfortable and clean, plenty of hot water in the shower, what else we could want?

Cons:

I liked the old, even mysterious aura of this place. The place is old and maybe in need of renovations but that would kill the atmosphere. I liked it all.

2026-06-21 • via Nuitee
T
Thomas • family_with_children • fr
8
2026-06-15 • via Nuitee
A
Anita • couple • nl
4
2026-06-13 • via Nuitee
E
Ewan • couple • gb
10
Quick, easy, comfortable and cheap
Pros:

Cheap and good location

Cons:

Bit dated

2026-06-13 • via Nuitee
C
Ciarra • extended_group • gb
6
Pros:

Beds were comfy

Cons:

Shower didnt really work more than a dribble

2026-06-11 • via Nuitee
G
Gisela • solo_traveller • de
5
Pros:

Das Zimmer (ausser Bad) war sauber und renoviert.

Cons:

Das Badezimmer war eine Katastrophe, an Dusche und Waschbecken Schimmelflecken, insgesamt nicht zu empfehlen.

2026-06-10 • via Nuitee
A
Andrew • solo_traveller • gb
6
Pros:

Very friendly staff even got some bottled beer we liked to drink in bar goot to have a microwave in room if needed

Cons:

Poor shower bathroom drains smelly could do with a re vamp

2026-06-01 • via Nuitee
A
Andrew • solo_traveller • gb
5
Acceptable based on expectation from previous reviews.
Pros:

Comfortable bed. Clean sheets. Good television.

Cons:

Room not cleaned and bin not emptied for 3 days. Shower soaked bathroom floor. Had to ask for milk to be replenished. No sign of any staff when checking out. Very poor WiFi signal.

2026-05-29 • via Nuitee
B
Bydałek • solo_traveller • gb
7
2026-05-28 • via Nuitee
G
Geoffrey • solo_traveller • gb
5
Very poor condition and staff unfriendly wouldn’t recommend staying here .
Pros:

Quite little village the pub down the road had excellent food

Cons:

Shower didn’t have curtain or door on it so floor got wet which you could see from over they years the bath needed updating considerably. Staff want friendly at all they didn’t even speak much apart from here’s your room number and pass key code

2026-05-26 • via Nuitee
P
Peter • couple • gb
3
Clean but very basic and cold. No draft beer
Pros:

Location

Cons:

Pub but no draft beer. Music night but we were the only people in the pub. Was frozen at night as radiator off as well as fan heating in en-suite. Slept with socks on and head under the quilt. Very basic but cheap. Clean but won’t stay again

2026-05-20 • via Nuitee
C
Chris • couple • gb
7
2026-05-12 • via Nuitee