Aberdeen Arms Hotel Tarland

It's a bit rough and ready but welcome was genuine and warm. It is a budget hotel and the sheets were clean and bed were very comfortable and that alone was worth the money. There is a lack of budget hotels or b&bs in the area its mainly higher end. Which when you are volunteering (and funding yourself) at a sporting event, is all you need. It suited to stay in Alford and for that reason I would stay there again and most likely will next year.

Please look at the photos to form your own opinion. Sadly due to the aggression received upon complaining I will not describe the experience. A basic hotel room still means clean. I have never stayed anywhere like this. Ever.

Very friendly & helpful. Not large selection of on tap beer but you know it did not matter. We did not eat there but had very good menu for veggies & you could get a take away. After a long walk sitting outside in the sun was very pleasant. I’d recommend it.

Evening meal and a few drinks in this lovely local hotel. Food was spot on and inexpensive, drinks were value for money. A good honest pub with very friendly staff, we will definitely return before heading home.

Booked in for two nights with another couple and paid on arrival. Both rooms were filthy, carpets ill fitted, extension cables used to plug in appliances and a damp smell which was apparent throughout the hotel. We made the decision to cut our losses and instead stayed at the Commercial Inn just down the road. When we explained to the owner the reasons we couldn't stay she just took the keys with a shrug. We later learned from someone who used to work at the Aberdeen Arms that the good reviews are left by owners' family members and staff. Easily the worst hotel I have ever booked.

There should be a health warning issued with the *********** site where we found the hotel. The room smelt of musty, foosty, damp and sweat and the place could be doing with a damned good clean. The bed smelt of sweat and damp too :(. The shower was full of black mould: Black mold can be dangerous to your health, mainly causing respiratory issues. But in severe cases and for people with pre-existing health conditions, black mold can lead to pneumonia. The toilet looked relatively clean until you lifted the seat and lid - OMG! Stale pee and stains along with dust and whatever else had found its way into the nooks and crannies. Disgusting! Couldn't wait to get out in the morning - no shower or wash; went to a hotel in Ballater to get rid of the smell, grime, beasties and whatever else came out of that room in the Aberdeen Arms Hotel Tarland - yuck! How the hell 2 stars was achieved is beyond comprehension.