Huntly Arms Hotel Aboyne, Aboyne

The hotel is set in a beautiful valley next to the river, which was also good for our needs. The rooms had a mix of positives like towel sculptures and champagne but also overlooked a heap of old mattresses and tall weeds. The service offered assistance promptly but had some issues like barging into the room unexpectedly. The dining experience was hearty with freshly cooked eggs but suffered from a power cut affecting the toast and drinks. The facilities were adequate but still in the midst of refurbishment.

The hotel is conveniently located in the center of Aboyne, but is in need of some maintenance and cleaning. The staff were friendly but limited in their ability to assist. The dining options were basic and supposed to be an extra cost. Overall, the building requires significant renovation work.

The hotel had some mixed aspects. The rooms need a refurb badly; they were quite big with a wobbly four-poster bed that raised safety concerns. Additionally, the direct proximity to the bar led to cigarette smoke filling the room, and the bathroom window couldn't be properly closed. On the bright side, the location was absolutely beautiful for bed and breakfast purposes, situated in a lovely valley. However, it required a good clean and lacked some essential information like what to do during a fire alarm. The dining experience was okay with limited choices and slow restocking, though fresh Mediterranean dishes were available. The service obviously lacked at times but staff were trying their best, being friendly and accommodating. Overall, the hotel had potential but fell short in some critical areas.

The hotel's location was absolutely brilliant, ideal for the Illuminator Event. The rooms, though large and airy with a huge double bed and single bed, were not made up during the day. The service, while lacking a basic understanding of customer needs at times, had some very helpful and pleasant staff. The dining experience, offering a good selection of cooked food and cereals, was help-yourself style but could have been more timely. The building needs some attention, with a single pane glass window and some maintenance required, yet the breakfast was one of the best I've had. The hotel facilities were decent, but there is room for improvement.

The hotel is situated right in the middle of Aboyne, which is in a beautiful valley and great for touring the area. However, the rooms are nothing like the pictures shown online and could do with a makeover. The food menu is quite expensive, with dishes like macaroni cheese priced at £9 or more.