Balavil Hotel Reviews

First Class Hotel. Great welcome from the moment we were greeted at Reception and throughout our entire stay. We were in Room 31 which was large and also had an extremely comfortable bed and the bathroom was recently modernised to a very high standard. Food was delicious and service was best ever. Treated to great 🎶 on Friday evening too 😄. Negatives - none. Well done to James and his team. Thank you 😄Can’t wait to return.

Staff were great not a bad thing to say about them or the food which was also excellent, but there are major road works directly outside the hotel which is obviously not the hotels fault but don’t expect to get any sleep (9 months work) the mattress is all 6 rooms we had were terrible, absolutely rock solid…. There are no blinds just a horrible thin curtain which serves next to no purpose. Roof is filled with large black bird nests so all You hear is them scurrying about while you try and sleep. This is a hotel you may stay in for one night as a stop gap while Travelling but certainly not anything longer than that we stayed 12 days through work doing nightshift and it was horrendous not slept well whatsoever … it’s a lovely building which needs a huge refurbishment as the rooms are tired, Could be a fantastic hotel with huge potential but as it stands it’s one to avoid and I won’t be back

Popped in for dinner when passing through Newtonmore. The menu could be described as good hearty food. Came relatively promptly and was nicely cooked and presented. Please note it's not a "cosy pub" atmosphere if that's what you're looking for.

We had a family celebration in the Balavil hotel at the weekend. There was 14 of us and all had different meals from the menus. The food was fantastic a varied menu and my elderly mother was able to have a small plate as she is unable to eat a normal size meal. Nothing was too much trouble. The staff were very attentive, very friendly and helpful. My elderly parents stayed in the hotel and said their room and facilities were excellent. Would highly recommend the hotel.

This was a stop gap as I traveled from Lewis to the Scottish Borders. As a solo female traveler it can be tricky to navigate but the staff bent over backwards to make me feel welcome & comfortable even seating me in a quieter area rather than the noisy, busy bar. All staff were amazing- reception, dinner, bar & breakfast. The food was great too. I will definitely be back.

Excellent hotel ideally located. The most friendliest of staff who did everything even before you asked. Stayed in room 31 which has a huge bathroom. Had dinner and breakfast and both were lovely. The breakfast was the best on our road trip around Scotland. Being southern softies, have not had much haggis but are now converts after eating the haggis starter at dinner and at breakfast. Would definitely return and highly recommend.

After a bad experience at a hotel we had paid for, my boyfriend and I came to this hotel who put us up for the two nights we had originally booked for when we had no where else to go. Staff were friendly and welcoming on arrival, gave us all the information we needed for our stay. They went above and beyond for us Our room was amazing, beds were so comfy and room was just a great size, plenty of space. The big bath was amazing to soak in after a day out exploring in the snow! We had dinner and drinks in the hotel restaurant and the food was high standard and tasted amazing! Nothing was too much for the staff who made us feel at home and always made sure we were happy and looked after. We also had breakfast both mornings and the food was just as amazing! A special shoutout to the staff who looked after us both days, James, Dave and Isla, yous were stars! 🌟 there was also another member of staff who looked after us at dinner the first night but we didn’t catch his name but he also went above and beyond for us! Would recommend this hotel for anyone whether if it’s just for a relaxing few days or if you want to explore! Amazing hotel, could not fault this hotel one bit, we cannot wait to come back again thanks again for looking after us 💫

There were six of us who went for a three day break on 30th December 2023. Well what can I say …. Service - excellent. From the time we booked in until we left, the service we received from all the staff was very good . Food - again - excellent. A great choice on the menu. Caters for everyone. Service was very quick and efficient. A glass of wine was served with every evening meal and this was a real surprise. Thank you. Rooms - very warm and comfortable. Pool - good size for a small hotel. Bar - good and friendly. We played board games and lots of space. Entertainment - just what we needed for a Hogmanay break. Funny and good. If you are looking for a few days away, I would highly recommend The Balavil Hotel. Would I go back ….absolutely. Thank you so much for looking after us.

As a single traveller I always worry about how I am treated. The Balavil is the most friendly I have ever used. The staff were very friendly and efficient. The room was first class and the food was also good. it also has a lovely and a very comfortable lounge. Overall a great experience for New Year.

Been to this hotel many times and will keep going back .. Great food and the staff are so nice … great hotel in a great location.. highly recommend. Bar has great selection of whisky and comfortable areas to relax

Stayed over on 27th as a9 closed, was an unexpected great stop with other guests in same position. 2 gents dealt with everyone superbly , cold beer, log fire, great food and comfy bed, will definitely make it a half way stop from Edinburgh to home in Dornoch in future, well done everyone!!

I had the best time as I was up visiting family and friends. I stayed at “The Balavil Hotel” for 3 nights bed and breakfast. The room was very clean and comfortable especially the bed which is always a must! The bathroom was spotless with plenty of towels provided. Breakfast was very good indeed with good continental range plus a full Scottish breakfast buffet fried eggs done to perfection. The servers always checking in replenishing tea coffee and toast. Well done guys I ate every night for dinner at the hotel and you need to make headway for the delicious food. However on my last night was Pizza night and wow top notch pizzas. I live down near Glasgow and your pizzas most definitely rival many eateries down here. Scrumptious well and truly. The whole vibe of the place made me forget and enjoy falling of the grid for 3 days. It’s a great family run hotel with all the team who have very genuine outgoing personalities to make you feel like nothing is no problem. I can’t wait to come back in January 2024. Well done and all the best Xx

Had a lovely stay here! Warm welcome, friendly staff, and locals. Enjoyed having a nice swim, before a delicious dinner. The room was super - comfy bed, super soft towels & space to sit and read a book. Thank you for a very relaxing & lovely stay!

Went as two couples. Was essential to pre-book, but this must be due to staff shortages (common all over Highlands) as there were loads of empty tables. Our table was in function suite along with others, very dull, drab and dim - the ceiling was dark grey/black. Menu looked good, drink & food orders taken swiftly, not long to wait for food, but when it came it was universally pretty awful. Venison casserole was supposed to have herb/ juniper/berry flavour but is was rather salty and looked like it had been cooked for a week, some pieces of mean were so dried out they were reduced to desiccated lumps of inedible fibre. The boiled carrots were undercooked and had not been scraped or topped, which always looks unappealing. Had to hold them down to cut them and not shoot off the plate. The boiled broccoli was hard and undercooked, but the surface was turned to ash as it had presumably sat under a warming lamp too long. The fish & chips was better, battered fish was good, but "chips" were massive thick things, not crisp on outside , fluffy in middle. More like a poorly done roast potato. Very disappointing. We live fairly locally and we are still looking for a reliable place to eat out at moderate price. The bar area looked more appealing and lively, maybe bar food might be a better bet. Good parking.