The Balavil Hotel Newtonmore - Restaurant, Bars & Swimming Pool

Hotels
9 (865 reviews)
Balavil Hotel, Main Street , Newtonmore , gb

Free
Children allowed

Facilities

WiFi available
Free WiFi
Parking
Free Parking
Non-smoking rooms
Swimming pool
Restaurant
Heating
Family rooms
Hiking
See all facilities

Review Highlights

Pros:
Friendly staff
Clean rooms
Great food
Comfortable stay
Cons:
Noise from other rooms
Soft pillows

Categories

Cleanliness
9.14
Overall sentiment indicates rooms were clean and well-maintained.
Service
9.11
Staff were consistently described as friendly and helpful.
Location
9.15
Conveniently located for exploring the area and easily accessible.
Room Quality
8.6
Rooms were described as comfortable, though some found beds too soft.
Amenities
8.63
Basic amenities were satisfactory; however, slight improvements suggested.
Value for Money
9.09
Many guests expressed great satisfaction given the price.
Food and Beverage
9.14
Meals were frequently praised for quality and taste.
Overall Experience
9.11
Guests often left with positive feelings and high likelihood of return.
* This sentiment is summarized by AI based on user reviews.
Updated at: 2026-01-06 05:16

Property Description

Luxurious Amenities

Balavil Hotel offers a range of luxurious amenities for guests to enjoy, including a refreshing swimming pool, an inviting on-site restaurant, and a cozy bar.

Enchanting Surroundings

Situated in the heart of the picturesque Cairngorms National Park, Balavil Hotel provides the perfect backdrop for a relaxing getaway. Guests can immerse themselves in the beauty of nature while still being close to various attractions and activities.

Activities Galore

From tennis to skiing, guests at Balavil Hotel can partake in a variety of activities during their stay. Whether seeking adventure or relaxation, there is something for everyone to enjoy at this charming hotel.

Experience the perfect blend of luxury and nature at Balavil Hotel. Book now for an unforgettable stay amidst the stunning landscapes of Newtonmore.

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
Airport code: INV

Location

Guest Reviews

9
Based on 865 reviews
Cleanliness: 9.14
Service: 9.11
Location: 9.15
Room Quality: 8.6
Amenities: 8.63
Value for Money: 9.09
Food and Beverage: 9.14
Overall Experience: 9.11
O
O386FWdouglasc Family
10
Will come back again
Pros:

Can not fault the hotel for the food room and service.

2026-08-07 via Tripadvisor
S
Seth couple nl
6
Pros:

Bar & restaurant

2026-08-07 via Nuitee
6
617pamd Couples
10
Nice stay and staff are a credit to this hotel
Pros:

On arrival we were greeted by a very nice gentleman. The first room we were given overlooked the street and had a window that didn't close properly so you could hear traffic noise quite loudly. My husband asked about the possibility of another room and we offered an alternative at the back of the hotel so we were very pleased. The staff here were all lovely and they did their upmost to help and nothing was too much trouble. The rooms are basic but clean and everything you would expect, tea making facilities, iron, hairdryer etc. The food was good, great service and overall we enjoyed our stay here. We didn't use the pool so can't comment on that. Car park is across the road from the hotel and did get full so a couple of occasions we had to park on the street but not a big deal as ample places. Would definitely stay here again.

2026-08-05 via Tripadvisor
C
christinesY874AV Couples Amersham, Buckinghamshire, England
10
Just what we were looking for ….and more !
Pros:

Very comfortable and charming hotel with great staff , tasty food and well appointed rooms
Good quality bedding and a huge bathroom with walk in shower , bath and a large vanity unit for all of our stuff
Nice big fluffy white towels and got an extra one to use at the pool which is very small but I was the only one there , so no prob
We had breakfast and dinner both days and we really enjoyed the food
Well presented and very tasty
Staff were so friendly and happy to help
I read previous good reviews and they are all true , so go ahead and book this wee charming place . You will be well looked after and for a very reasonable price
Would def return and highly recommend

2026-08-04 via Tripadvisor
R
RPP01 solo_traveller gb
6
Pros:

Staff were amazing, helpful and knowledgeable and despite being busy were lovely to everyone.
Restaurant great and food amazing. Breakfast also great. Thank you.
Beds were very very comfortable

Cons:

Very noisy, doors slamming, rooms not great soundproofing. Tea and coffee pretty basic for the amount of money paid, not enough for 2 people.. One set of hair shampoo and soaps, not enough for two people.
Pool is very small and no towels available. Need to make it clear at checkin how to use the pool.

Very expensive for what you got. Upstairs quite tired looking.

2026-08-03 via Nuitee
B
brucestevenson916 Family Forfar, Angus, Scotland
10
Great wee pub
Pros:

Great wee pub, pool table, dog freindly & lovely staff.

2026-07-21 via Tripadvisor
I
Isabel couple gb
10
Lovely hotel with friendly, helpful staff, delicious food and comfortable room.
Pros:

It was traditional, comfortable and spacious. We loved it!

2026-07-20 via Nuitee
J
june solo_traveller gb
10
Fantastic break.
Pros:

Fantastic hotel. Great facilities, room large and bright, large comfortable bed, had everything we needed including fan which was a bonus as we were fortunate to have great weather. Breakfast great - hot and cold buffet, good selection and evening meals were delicious (fantastic steak pie). All staff friendly and looked after us well. Highly recommend The Balavil. We will definitely be returning.

Cons:

No complaints at all. Everything was perfect.

2026-07-19 via Nuitee
C
Craig solo_traveller gb
8
2026-07-17 via Nuitee
S
stephen couple gb
7
Room was clean and tidy. Lack of attention to detail and room facilities.
Pros:

Food was cooked OK.

Cons:

Service could be better. Food choice and presentation could be better.

2026-07-16 via Nuitee
J
James solo_traveller gb
8
A pleasant, family-run hotel who do their best to make guests fell welcome and wanted.
Pros:

A warm welcome from the staff throughout my stay. They understood I was a walker and were enthusiastic and supportive. The food was excellent, especially dinner. There were a few problems with my room when I came back in the evening of the second day but they handled these very promptly and efficiently. The location is superb for hillwalking and the town is pleasant and peaceful.

Cons:

The traffic going past on the road outside my window seemingly all night! I had to keep the windows open because the weather was sunny and warm, and I am not complaining about that; never take good weather for granted in the Highlands. A bedroom at the back of the hotel would have been quieter. The road is a trunk road (A86), so gets a fair bit of traffic. I think it was made worse because of overnight repair works at the west end of town. It is a long, straight road and you can hear the traffic coming from a long way off.

2026-07-15 via Nuitee
M
Marianne extended_group se
9
2026-07-15 via Nuitee
K
KiltyMan2014 Couples Glasgow, Scotland
10
Perfect hotel for those visiting the area, good food & drink
Pros:

Nice homely, friendly, family-run hotel, excellent food, well-appointed rooms. Extensive whisky and gin menus too!

2026-07-10 via Tripadvisor
A
Almudena couple es
7
Normalito sin flexibilidad
Cons:

Esta mas viejo que en las fotos
No hay flexibilidad para nada. Les da igual que vayas con un bebé si el desayuno acaba a las 9:30 y son las 9:27 no son capaces ni de sacarte un yogur para el bebé

2026-07-08 via Nuitee
B
bobaW9287UK Business
10
1st class stay.
Pros:

Excellent, friendly and very helpful staff. Lovely hotel with great food and very comfortable rooms.

2026-07-01 via Tripadvisor
C
Claudia solo_traveller de
6
2026-06-21 via Nuitee
R
Rachel family_with_children gb
4
Would not book again
Pros:

I liked that the staff were very helpful and there was a swimming pool for my daughter to use during the stay.

Cons:

I did not like the price we had paid for what we got, the room was small with 3 single beds, kettle not great, no cups or teaspoons only paper cups with cardboard stirrers. Not the cleanest, we found stuff under one of the bedroom cabinet including someone else’s keycard.

2026-06-19 via Nuitee
P
Peter solo_traveller za
10
Pros:

Pool, restaurant, very helpful staff

Cons:

N/A

2026-06-11 via Nuitee
C
Corey solo_traveller us
10
Pros:

Nice hotel, bar & restaurant staff. Clean rooms, nice shower.

Cons:

No air con or fan!

2026-06-10 via Nuitee
C
Correia couple ie
8
2026-06-01 via Nuitee