Name: The Lodges At Craigendarroch Country Club
Address: Braemar Road, Ballater, Aberdeenshire, AB35 5XA
Price range: US$155+
Rating: 6.8

The Lodges At Craigendarroch Country Club Ballater Exterior photo

Key details

About the Hotel

Braemar Road, Ballater, AB35 5XA

Close to the Cairngorms

Great

8.7

/10

Loved by The Lodges At Craigendarroch Country Club guests

Luxurious feel

Comfortable beds

Modern bathrooms

Well kept grounds

"We had a sauna in our lodge and a bath which was a spa pool .bliss."

Sarah from United Kingdom

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"Leisure centre was excellent, kids loved it."

Philip from United States

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"Lodge well equipped and warm with new bathrooms and comfortable beds."

Ross from United Kingdom

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The Lodges At Craigendarroch Country Club: A family-friendly resort in the Cairngorms with an award-winning restaurant and full-service spa

Lodges & Accommodations

Two-bedroom and three-bedroom lodges offer private balconies, fully equipped kitchens, and in some units a private sauna and whirlpool bath. Each lodge has a dining area, washing machine, and garden views. The upside-down floorplan places living areas upstairs for mountain views.

Wellness & Spa Facilities

The indoor swimming pool is open all year, with a separate kids' pool. Spa facilities include a sauna, steam room, hot tub/Jacuzzi, and a range of body treatments and facials. Guests can also book personal training sessions or join yoga classes.

Dining Experience

The Keiller Brasserie, an award-winning on-site restaurant, serves à la carte breakfast and local cuisine. The bar offers wine/champagne and a lounge area with billiards and table tennis. Special diet menus are available, and kids' meals are offered.

Recreation & Activities

Tennis and squash courts are available on site, along with a golf course and live sport events. The games room has billiards and table tennis, and the hotel organizes seasonal outdoor events. A children's playground and kids' outdoor play equipment are provided.

Location & Surroundings

The resort is 16 km from Balmoral Castle and 45 km from CairnGorm National Park. Ski resorts are approximately 30-40 minutes away by car. Ballater village is a 20-minute walk along scenic paths with shops and cafes.

Highlights

Location: 16 km from Balmoral Castle, 45 km from CairnGorm National Park

Accommodations: Private balconies and in-unit saunas in select lodges

Dining: Award-winning Keiller Brasserie on site

Wellness: Year-round indoor pool with sauna, steam room, and spa treatments

Activities: Tennis, squash, golf, billiards, and table tennis

Family: Children's playground and kids' outdoor play equipment

Must-do experiences

Visit Balmoral Castle and enjoy its stunning gardens and grounds.
Taste the local haggis at The Notch restaurant for an authentic dish.
Take a scenic walk along the River Dee for breathtaking views.
Explore the Ballater Heritage Centre for fascinating local history.
Join a distillery tour at Royal Lochnagar for whisky tasting.

Location: Perfect

9.5/10Review score

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Highlights from guests

Sports & FitnessLeisure Spot-On

The swimming pool, sauna, and steam room provided great relaxation. I also enjoyed a game on the squash court.

Kevin from Canada

Review on

DiningLovely Restaurant

The haddock and skinny chips were amazing. Brunch was very good value and quality.

Alice from Australia

Review on

Spa & LeisureLovely Spa

The whirlpool bath was a surprise bonus. The spa opening and closing times are great and peaceful.

Rajesh from India

Review on

BedroomComfort Defined

The recently renovated bedrooms feature comfortable beds and quality linen ensuring a restful sleep.

Ingrid from Sweden

Review on

Select your preferred room

Choose from standard rooms, family suites, or deluxe options — with breakfast and flexible rates

Studio Apartment
2 persons
36 m²
1 Double bed
Bathtub
Heating
room details
Studio Lodge
2 persons
36 m²
1 Double bed
Bathtub
Heating
room details
1 Bedroom Lodge
2 persons
66 m²
2 Single beds and 1 Sofa bed
Balcony
Bathtub
room details

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Hotel facilities and services

Each hotel provides modern amenities for a relaxing and pleasant stay

Facilities: Perfect

9.1/10Review score

General

Non-smoking rooms
Free parking
Safe deposit box
24-hour reception
Express check-in/ -out
No pets allowed
24-hour security
Locker room
Lift
Barber shop
Smoke detectors
Fire extinguishers
Key card access

Sports & Fitness

Fitness centre
Skiing
Hiking
Horseback riding
Cycling
Tennis court
Golf course
Billiard tables
Table tennis
Squash
Yoga class
Sports trainer
Fishing

Services

Welcome drink

Dining

Restaurant
Bar/ Lounge area
Outdoor dining area
Special diet menus

Business

Fax/Photocopying

Children

Cots
Playpen
Board games
Children's menu
Children's pool
Children's play area
Game room

Spa & Leisure

Indoor swimming pool
Sun loungers
Sun terrace
Garden area
Leisure/ TV room
Spa & wellness centre
Sauna
Steam room
Jacuzzi
Pedicure
Manicure
Waxing
Facial
Treatment room
Beauty treatment
Body wraps
Massage

Room features

Free Wi-Fi in rooms
Heating
Sitting area
Dressing area
Patio
Terrace
Garden furniture
Tea and coffee facilities
Dining table
Ironing facilities

Bathroom

Washing machine
Free toiletries

Self-catering

Electric kettle
Dryer
Cookware/ Kitchen utensils

Media

Flat-screen TV
AM/FM alarm clock

Room decor

Carpeted floor

The Lodges At Craigendarroch Country Club Location

Braemar Road, Ballater, AB35 5XA

Map view

City landmarks

Golf Course

Ballater Golf Club

2.25 km

Church

St Kentigern's Church

1.43 km

Gallery

Larks Gallery

1.74 km

Gallery

The Ballater Gallery

1.95 km

Church

Glenmuick Church

2.1 km

Gallery

McEwan Gallery

1.37 km

Nearby

Crathie and Braemar 9km west of Ballater

Crathie Church

310 m

Explore Ballater

Local Highlights Near The Lodges At Craigendarroch

Crathie Church

4 minutes' walk

Historic church known for its striking architecture and serene setting, often frequented by the royal family.

St Kentigern's Church

18 minutes' walk

An iconic 19th-century church noted for its beautiful stained glass windows and tranquil graveyard.

Larks Gallery

20 minutes' walk

Contemporary art gallery showcasing local artists, with rotating exhibitions and art workshops.

McEwan Gallery

17 minutes' walk

A vibrant gallery featuring a diverse collection of artworks, specializing in modern Scottish art.

Mountain Biking

10 minutes' drive

Biking trails for all skill levels with rental services nearby. Thrilling rides through beautiful landscapes await.

Yoga Retreats

5 minutes' drive

Relaxing yoga sessions and wellness retreats available at local studios. Perfect for winding down after adventures.

The Clachan Grill

5 minutes' drive

Serves traditional Scottish dishes and locally sourced ingredients. Reservations recommended for evening dining.

The Retreat Cafe

10 minutes' drive

Casual eatery with a focus on fresh, healthy meals in a cozy atmosphere. Offers vegetarian and gluten-free options.

Ballater Village Hall

20 minutes' walk

Hosts community events like movie nights and talent shows. Family-friendly space for engaging local entertainment.

The Cairngorm Hotel Bar

10 minutes' drive

Lively bar with live music on weekends. Friendly vibe, perfect for enjoying a drink after a day out.

Getting around the city

City Centre
Ballater 15 min · 1.2 km
Airports
Aberdeen (ABZ) 96 min · 63.9 km
Dundee (DND) 163 min · 108.2 km
Bus
Bus stop 16 min · 10.1 km

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Property information and rules

Check-in

from 16:00-23:59

Check-out

until 10 am

Internet

Wireless internet is available in the hotel rooms for free.

Breakfast

A full breakfast is served at the price of GBP 20.0 per person.

Pets

Pets are not allowed.

Number of rooms:

177

Guest ratings and detailed reviews

Feedback about The Lodges At Craigendarroch Country Club from previous guests about their experience.

Review summary

Based on recent reviews

The Lodges at Craigendarroch offer a spacious and comfortable experience, with lodges equipped with everything you might need, including well-appointed, recently renovated bedrooms and bathrooms featuring comfortable beds. Guests often enjoy the leisure centre after outdoor activities and appreciate the convenient location for walks, as well as visits to Ballater, Braemar and Balmoral Castle. Some guests have mentioned issues with electricity charges and occasional maintenance concerns, but overall, the lodges provide a relaxing retreat surrounded by nature, offering amenities like a swimming pool and modern, clean facilities.

Review score

Based on 5 verified reviews

6.8 /10

Nice

100%

Recommend

Breakfast

10.0/10

Location

9.5/10

Paid Wi-Fi

6.5/10

Free Wi-Fi

8.2/10

Pros

Peaceful location

Clean lodges

Comfortable beds

Cons

Additional electricity charge

Dated furniture

Penelope from Greece

Family with children

Studio Apartment

4 nights in November 2025

Reviewed: January 25, 2026

6/10

metered electricity unclear explanation

The apartment included high quality bedding and towels. This added to the comfort of my stay.

The electricity usage was metered. The utility bill was presented without clear explanation of usage or cost per unit.

0 Helpful

John from United Kingdom

Single

2 Bedroom Lodge

4 nights in November 2025

Reviewed: January 18, 2026

9/10

beautiful scenery super clean lodge

the grounds were fabulous! set in beautiful scenery and nature. the two bedroom lodge was more than ample in size. the lodge was super clean.

the electric bill seemed high, though i was out for a considerable amount of time.

0 Helpful

rosemary from united kingdom

Family with children

2 Bedroom Lodge

4 nights in November 2025

Reviewed: November 30, 2025

6/10

mixed experience with utility costs

the squash court was available for use and that was acceptable.

i wasn't told that electricity use was metered at check-in (that detail really annoyed me). receiving a utilities bill at checkout at a luxury resort seems strange.

0 Helpful

Tony from United Kingdom

Family with children

1 Bedroom Lodge

4 nights in November 2025

Reviewed: November 21, 2025

6/10

utilities bill electricity information

the self-contained cottage provided a washing machine and a drying cabinet, quite practical.

i was not informed about metered electricity use prior to arrival or during check-in.. at checkout, i received a utilities bill. i found this unusual for a resort of this purported calibre.

0 Helpful

Connor from Canada

Family with children

2 Bedroom Lodge

3 nights in August 2026

Reviewed: September 17, 2025

7/10

adequate stay

kitchen necessities helpful staff pre-stay contact uninformed billing similar menus pub food

the lodge included all necessary items for the kitchen like tea and coffee which was convenient. i found the staff lovely as well. one lady contacted me before my visit to ensure everything was correct and she seemed genuinely helpful.

being charged for utilities upon checkout was a surprise. also, i noticed that the menus in the dining areas were quite similar resembling typical pub food.

0 Helpful

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