Darroch Learg Hotel

What a great spot! Hotel room was very pleasant, bright, clean and homely feeling and dinner was delicious. There is a tasting menu with some subs available. It wasn't very clear what is the sub for what similarly with breakfast menu which was confusing for other tables too and it seemed like the staff were not entirely sure themselves however they kindly gave us everything we asked for.

Especially memorable for us was the truffled mac n cheese starter, fish soup and homemade lemon flavoured bread (which they kept coming! - hungry bf into happy bf). I loved the dining room with glass all around and above and fantastic views out. Also our tea pots came with these super cute covers so we wouldn't burn ourselves. Service was indeed beyond expectation during whole our stay. Many thanks and hope to visit you again

Service is excellent. Place is very nice. Food is okay. The 55 fixed menu (drinks excluded) should be known in advance. And, please, drop that pasta salad and serve a proper steak.

Beautiful building with wonderfully friendly host & hostess, Fiona & Nigel. Food was sublime, tasty with courses to complement each other. My disability was acknowledged and I was helped where needed. Thoroughly enjoyable evening. Thank you

Super little hotel perched above the glen with nicely refurbished rooms, bar, lounges and a conservatory restaurant. Very clean and welcoming (helped by being pet free no doubt!) Dinner and breakfast both superb - Go on treat yourself!

Beautiful location & very friendly staff make this our ideal getaway. We look forward to coming back in the years to come. Would highly recommend

We first visited Darroch Learg with our late parents 60 years ago when it first opened- and then returned regularly as a family for short autumn breaks. Our parents continued to be regular guests after we left. home and we celebrated our mum's 80th birthday there. Our visit this weekend - 3 siblings and partners- was a wonderful way of re-capturing memories and making new ones. Fiona and Nigel are excellent hosts with a team of friendly staff. Wonderful food, breathtaking views and extremely comfortable rooms. Best treat!

Fine dining at its best! Lovely evening from start to end. Relaxed welcome, drinks in the lounge while we looked at the Menu. Four courses 55, not a massive choice of dishes, which didn't worry us, but may be worth checking options when booking? Attentive service but with no interruptions whilst eating! Wine a little pricey, but good selection. Superb food throughout with good size portions, I would have preferred some seasonal vegetables as opposed to the side salad but it didn't distract from an excellent meal. Will definitely be back.

Excellent food and service and a superb wine list in beautiful surroundings. Consistent quality always, we've been here before and it is just as good today as it has been in the past.

The Darroch Learg Hotel is located on the edge of Ballater in Deeside, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. This lovely family run hotel and restaurant, standing in wooded grounds on the slopes of Craigendarroch, has ten bedrooms, bar with a good range of spirits, including local whiskey and gins, comfortable and stylish sitting rooms and lovely views from the many large windows.

Following recommendations from local residents, we booked an evening meal and found the service from all staff to be very friendly and first class. Meals are served in the large and sunny conservatory, with views of the surrounding colourful gardens. The fixed menu of 4 courses plus coffee included delicious homemade bread and alternative courses were available if any were not to your liking.

There was also a full vegetarian menu available. The food was incredible, a real tribute to the masterful chefs and showed why the hotel has been accredited so many culinary awards. There was never a feeling of being rushed and coffee could be enjoyed in the lounge afterwards. This was true Highland hospitality and is highly recommended.

It was OK. The hosts were lovely, setting was beautiful, lounge and hotel is lovely. Food was average. Service though didn't match the price tag of the meal. May sound picky but.we arrived early to go to the bar. When waiting we were asked to choose from the menu. 30 minutes before we were due to eat we were asked to go to our table for the starter.

Our wine wasn't filled up at any time, the actress thought I was trying to catch her out when I asked what cheeses there was (she seemed a bit offended that I asked), when served our tea\coffee at the end, we hadn't even finished our drinks. The meal, wine and beer was a pricy for something average but what saved it and got it 4 starts was location.

Wonderful meal. Food first class as was service. Would thoroughly recommend x

What a fantastic meal again Fiona & Nigel & their staff. Meal was just superb.

Fabulous find in Ballater - from the moment we entered we enjoyed the friendly welcome of the hosts. The food was superb and the service was first class, would highly recommend this restaurant and is on our list for a return visit to stay

Every single course was excellent. The service was first class and the owners were warm and friendly. I remember reading an article a number of years ago in a Sunday newspaper which gave it a very good review which highlighted the fact that the owner limited the mark up on wine very significantly. My understanding is that the same practice is still being applied and in my view this is both commendable and something other " quality " hotels and restaurants should consider.

Superbly hospitable welcome and warmth throughout our stay. Highly recommended. We first visited 11 years ago and they've been through some challenges since but the new look is exquisite. All is to a very high. standard. Fabulously comfortable rooms, well stocked with gin and whisky and the restaurant has to be be the best in the area. We'll be back.

Fantastic Sunday lunch, food was delicious and service was so friendly. Fiona and her staff were absolutely brilliant with our 9 month old daughter, going above and beyond for her. Thank you all for such a great time today, we will be back next time we are in Ballater x

We stayed at this lovely hotel for two nights, wish it could have been for longer! The decor is beautiful and the atmosphere is warm and inviting with stunning views. We also really enjoyed the food which is. always a big part of our holiday. During breakfast we loved watching the red squirrels and in the evening our dinner was totally delicious with excellent service. This hotel is also in a great location as it's a short walk to the wonderful village of Ballater. Many thanks and look forward to returning again soon.

Just spent a lovely weekend at the Darrick Learg Hotel. Our first stay but certainly not the last. Everything was just perfect from our welcome on arrival, our room ( No 4), and the food. Fiona and her husband went out of their way to make our stay special. So good we have already booked another weekend in September. Should be listed as 5 Star. Fantastic place.