The Barrel Hotel Ballater Exterior photo

Key details

About the Hotel

Ab35 5Ne The Barrel, 6 Church Square, Ballater, Ballater, AB35 5NE

Steps from Glenmuick Church

Great

8.6

/10

Highly rated by guests who stayed at The Barrel

newly decorated room

good food

full cooked breakfast

dog friendly

great location

"The bed was very comfortable."

Dustin from United Kingdom

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"Room was spacious and clean, very comfortable."

Sharina from United Kingdom

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"The bathroom had a huge shower and a great flow of very hot water."

Georgia from United Kingdom

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"Nice clean and tidy comfortable room."

Colin from United Kingdom

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"Room was very clean and a fantastic shower"

James from United Kingdom

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The Barrel in Ballater: Traditional Pub with Rooms, Live Music, and Free Parking

Overview

The Barrel in Ballater is a family-friendly pub with rooms in the centre of Ballater, next to the village green and a free car park. The Barrel has free parking, a sun terrace, and outdoor furniture. The Barrel provides daily housekeeping, private check-in and check-out, and CCTV security in common areas and outside the property.

Accommodations

The Barrel has refurbished family rooms with private bathrooms, walk-in showers, free toiletries, and carpeted floors. The Barrel provides heating, non-smoking rooms throughout, and key access. The Barrel welcomes pets with pet bowls, and dog stays have no extra charge.

Dining & Bar

The Barrel's traditional family-friendly restaurant serves British cuisine for lunch and dinner. The Barrel offers vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options, and kids' meals are available. The Barrel serves a cooked-to-order breakfast for an extra charge, and its bar has a selection of wine and champagne.

Entertainment & Facilities

The Barrel has a sun terrace and outdoor seating area with outdoor furniture. The Barrel offers bicycle parking for guests. The Barrel provides meeting and banquet facilities, and live music takes place in its bar.

Location

The Barrel sits in the centre of Ballater, next to the village green and a free car park. Balmoral Castle is up the road, and the hotel is 19 km from Aboyne Golf Club and 33 km from Craigievar Castle. Aberdeen Airport is 65 km away.

Highlights

Location: Centre of Ballater, next to the village green and free car park

Rooms: Refurbished family rooms with private bathrooms and walk-in showers

Dining: British restaurant with vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options

Breakfast: Cooked-to-order breakfast available for an extra charge

Entertainment: Live music performances in the bar

Pet policy: Dogs welcome with pet bowls and no extra charge

Facilities: Sun terrace, bicycle parking, and meeting/banquet facilities

Must-do experiences

Enjoy a scenic hike at Loch Muick for stunning views.
Taste the local haggis at The Auld Kirk for a true Scottish meal.
Visit Ballater's Victoria and Albert Museum for local history.
Explore the quaint shops on Ballater's Main Street for unique crafts.
Take a distillery tour at Royal Lochnagar for whisky tasting.

Location: Perfect

9.5/10Review score

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Highlights from guests

Guest ParkingConvenient Parking

The free, large public car park is located right next door, making arrival and departure effortless.

David from United Kingdom

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DiningDelicious Meals

Hearty breakfasts, lovely lunches, and excellent evening meals were consistently served.

Sarah from United Kingdom

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Room FeaturesComfortable Rooms

Rooms were consistently described as very clean, comfortable, and having everything needed.

Mark from United Kingdom

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BathroomSpotless Facilities

Bathrooms were noted as clean, ensuring a fresh and pleasant experience.

Emily from United Kingdom

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Select your room type

The Barrel offers a variety of rooms including double rooms, family rooms, and suites with breakfast, free cancelations, and special deals

Double Room
2 persons
10 m²
1 Double bed
Heating
Shower
room details
Small Double Room
2 persons
10 m²
1 Double bed
Heating
Shower
room details
Double Room Private Bathroom
2 persons
14 m²
1 Double bed
Heating
Shower
room details

Show all rooms

Price and Room Availability Calendar

Check availability and prices for your dates now!

Facilities

The Barrel offers amenities for your comfortable stay and unforgettable experiences

Facilities: Great

8.6/10Review score

General

No smoking on site
Parking
VIP check-in/ -out
Pets allowed
Security
Smoke detectors
Fire extinguishers
Key access

Services

Pet amenities available
Housekeeping
Welcome drink

Dining

Restaurant
Bar/ Lounge area
Special diet menus

Business

Meeting/ Banquet facilities

Children

Cots
Children's menu

Spa & Leisure

Live entertainment
Sun terrace

Room features

Free Wi-Fi in rooms
Heating
Terrace
Garden furniture

Bathroom

Free toiletries

Self-catering

Electric kettle

Media

Flat-screen TV

Room decor

Carpeted floor

The Barrel Location

Ab35 5Ne The Barrel, 6 Church Square, Ballater, Ballater, AB35 5NE

Map view

City landmarks

Church

St Kentigern's Church

680 m

Landmark

Crathie Church

2.08 km

Gallery

McEwan Gallery

2.58 km

Nearby

Church

Glenmuick Church

50 m

Gallery

The Ballater Gallery

180 m

Gallery

Larks Gallery

400 m

Restaurants

Chalmers Bakery Ltd

70 m

Golf Road

Shorty's Ice Cream Parlour

150 m

25 Bridge Street

Phoenix Chip Shop

230 m

2 Viewfield Road

Explore Ballater

St Kentigern's Church

9 minutes' walk

This historic church features stunning architecture and serene grounds. A perfect spot for quiet reflection.

Crathie Church

25 minutes walking

Known for its beautiful stained glass windows, this church is significant in Scottish history and welcomes visitors.

The Ballater Gallery

3 minutes' walk

Showcases local artists and stunning landscapes. A must-visit for art lovers and culture enthusiasts.

Hiking in Glen Muick

30 minutes driving

Offers thrilling trails with breathtaking views of nature. Be sure to pack a picnic for an unforgettable day out.

Yoga at The Crannog

10 minutes' walk

A relaxing yoga studio offering classes for all levels. Perfect for replenishing energy in a calm environment.

Chalmers Bakery Ltd

1 minute' walk

A quaint stop for freshly baked goods and coffee. Ideal for a quick breakfast or delicious pastries for later.

Phoenix Chip Shop

3 minutes' walk

Offers classic fish and chips in a casual setting. Great for a laid-back lunch or dinner after a day of exploring.

The Ballater Pavilion

3 minutes' walk

Hosts various events, including film nights and live shows, perfect for families and couples seeking fun activities.

The Royal Deeside

20 minutes driving

Known for its vibrant nightlife, it features various bars where you can unwind with local spirits and live music.

Getting around Scotland

City Centre
Ballater 3 min · 200 m
Airports
Aberdeen (ABZ) 95 min · 63 km
Inverness (INV) 166 min · 110.5 km
Bus
Bus stop 15 min · 9.5 km

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Property information and rules

Check-in

from 15:00-22:00

Check-out

from 07:00-10:00

Internet

Wireless internet is available in the hotel rooms for free.

Breakfast

You can start your day with a full breakfast, which costs GBP 12.5 per person.

Pets

Pets are allowed on request.

Guest Reviews and Ratings

Feedback about The Barrel from previous guests about their experience.

Breakfast

9.1/10

Cleanliness

9.1/10

Comfort

9.1/10

Facilities

8.6/10

Free Wi-Fi

7.2/10

Location

9.5/10

Paid Wi-Fi

7.5/10

Staff

9.3/10

Value for money

8.7/10

Pros

Charming rooms

Spotlessly clean

Comfortable beds

Central location

Cons

Poor soundproofing

Low shower pressure

No reviews yet on our siteUnfortunately, our guests have not yet left any reviews for this hotel, but you can read reviews from Booking.com.

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The Barrel in Ballater: Photos and Reviews

About the Hotel

Highly rated by guests who stayed at The Barrel

Overview

Accommodations

Dining & Bar

Entertainment & Facilities

Location

Highlights

Must-do experiences

Select your room type

Price and Room Availability Calendar

Facilities

General

Services

Dining

Business

Children

Spa & Leisure

Room features

Bathroom

Self-catering

Media

Room decor

The Barrel Location

Guest Reviews and Ratings

Next best alternative