The Boat Country Inn & Restaurant

We booked the winter dinner bed and breakfast offer. Check in was friendly and super welcoming. We were asked if we had a reservation for the evening meal and if not they could book that for us. We had a lovely menu to choose from with lots of options for starters, main and dessert. We enjoyed a 3 course meal and a full Scottish breakfast the following morning. The beds were very comfortable, the rooms were quiet and the location is ideal for exploring! There’s a small train station next door. We had our car with us so drove to Aviemore in under 10 minutes. We would definitely recommend and definitely return! A truly lovely stay!

We had a lovely one night stay for valentine’s in one of the garden rooms which was great as it had the patio doors onto decking leading onto a grassy area for our dog to explore. Would be lovely to sit outside on the table and chairs in the warmer weather. Only downside was the decor and carpet were a bit tired but very clean. Food was very good - we ate in the bar area as we were able to have our dog with us which she loved. I had one of the best steaks I’ve had for a long time - good quality meat cooked well. Added bonus is that it’s right next door to the Traitors railway station! Hoping to be back later in the year!

Garten Boat we wish you were nearer and our legs stronger. Your staff were particularly helpful (I'm a wee bit disabled), High point was dinner, much changed upward from 5 years ago. Your maitre'd did everything it seemed and did so very well. We used an Itison voucher and have encountered subtle and not so subtle modification, both food and accomodation, but not with you, thank you. We would not look further when next in your area!

Warm welcome from all staff and a friendly, relaxed atmosphere. Winter dinner bed and breakfast deal was excellent value - it was busy when we stayed and dinner service was slow, but when the food arrived it was freshly prepared and generous. Super dog friendly too and the garden rooms were perfect for four legged guests. Lots of lovely walks from the doorstep too.

Such a gem of a place. The location is amazing with lots of beautiful walks on your doorstep. The service was excellent, such a lovely room with dog friendly garden access. We had inclusive dinner that was really yummy and the breakfast was perfect. The building itself was also really lovely. Great value..couldn't fault.

Our small twin was a bit tight, we were offered a bigger room on the 2nd night, didn't take it as we were only staying 2 nights. The staff are super, friendly, helpful and chatty. Dinner was good, my starter could have been a bit warmer, and breakfast was ok, good range of teas. The location is great, it's been a few years since we've stayed here and, it is so much better now. We'll certainly be back as soon as possible. Thanks to all.

We had a wonderful stay at this hotel. The food was genuinely delicious, with generous portions and plenty of options suitable for a range of allergies, which was greatly appreciated. Prices were very reasonable throughout. Our room was spacious, spotless, and extremely comfortable. The staff were consistently friendly, attentive, and welcoming, creating a warm atmosphere from the moment we arrived. The Christmas decorations were absolutely charming and added a lovely festive touch to the whole experience. Overall, a thoroughly enjoyable stay — highly recommended.

Stay & Rooms: We stayed over New Year on a Hogmanay package while winter climbing. The welcome was warm, with friendly staff and a cosy fire. Check-in was mostly smooth, although my father’s name had been recorded incorrectly. The rooms were clean, quiet, well stocked, and very warm, which was excellent for drying gear. All toiletries were lemongrass and ginger scented and especially enjoyable. The shortbread left in the room after each clean was a genuinely nice touch. For the price, the lack of a bath was disappointing, and there was some black mould in the bathroom, which stood out given the cost. That said, this is the Highlands, with tough conditions for buildings and staff alike, and it felt understandable rather than negligent. There were also minor maintenance issues, including a very heavy window held open with a wooden block, which eventually fell out of the window. Food & Dining: Dining was mixed. Despite booking tables each night, we often waited 20 minutes or more to be seated, and main courses regularly took close to an hour to arrive. The restaurant felt understaffed throughout, with frequent forgetfulness: butter missing for bread, bookings not remembered, and espressos left at the bar instead of brought to the table. This created a mildly chaotic, almost mockumentary-like atmosphere. Menu availability was inconsistent, with several dishes and even Hogmanay specials unavailable. All meals carried a 10% service charge. Food quality varied, but the pie was excellent every night. One beef rump steak was delicious and good value at £27, while another night’s steak was extremely tough and had a texture reminiscent of a wellington boot. Breakfast was adequate but uneven. On the first morning, the porridge arrived lukewarm with clearly undercooked oats. By contrast, the porridge on the second day was very good. Staff & Atmosphere: Staff were consistently polite, cheerful, and clearly doing their best under pressure, though communication between them was often lacking. A highlight was the Pied Piper during the Hogmanay celebrations, who was excellent and later served as our waiter. He was calm, professional, and very courteous. On the second night, live music from Edward White and his “organic jukebox” lifted the whole restaurant. Songs such as Sweet Caroline, Mamma Mia, and a generous portion of the Shrek soundtrack created a lively and memorable atmosphere. Overall: Despite some organisational issues, this was a thoroughly enjoyable stay. Warm rooms, thoughtful touches, friendly staff, and a strong atmosphere outweighed the flaws. A solid four-star experience, and we would happily stay again.