Craigellachie Hotel of Speyside

A hotel where you can actually feel the history There is something very special about The Craigellachie Hotel. Our room was lovely — neat, clean and comfortable, with attractive décor and lots of thoughtful historical detail. What we particularly enjoyed was that the history didn’t simply feel decorative. The building and its surroundings somehow allow you to actually feel it. We enjoyed dinner at The Copper Dog. The food was good, although for us it wasn’t the standout element of our stay. That honour belongs to the whisky bar — and particularly to Oscar. Oscar was brilliant. His whisky advice was excellent, but it was the stories and conversation that made the evening memorable. He brought the whisky and the history of the area alive for us and turned what could simply have been drinks at a hotel bar into one of those lovely travel experiences you remember afterwards. In a place like Speyside, that matters enormously. You don’t only want to drink the whisky; you want to understand some of the people, stories and history surrounding it. We left feeling that we had experienced a little piece of Speyside rather than simply stayed in a hotel. And if Oscar is behind the bar, definitely have a seat and let him guide you. 🥃

If I was forced to think of something I would say that I miss a magnifying mirror.

Location was perfect for my needs. Breakfast was superb. Food was excellent in the evening and the Quiche Bar is just one of the best whisky bars in Scotland. The staff were some of the nicest and friendliest staff I have met in the hospitality business. reception member of staff was exceptional in welcoming. Oscar in the Quiche Bar was superb in his knowledge and his suggestions of drams.

I can't think of anything to be honest. The hotel met all my needs and exceeded my expectations

We stayed three nights in a Snug Double Room. The room had a decent size, with an armchair, a desk and a wardrobe. The bathroom came with high-quality own-brand toiletries, including shampoo, conditioner, body lotion and shower gel, which was a nice touch. Parking is available on site. The hotel has two restaurants. We ate at the Spey Inn twice and were very happy with it. The atmosphere is relaxed, yet the food is genuinely high quality. The Quaich Bar is a real highlight. There is a drinks menu, but the value really comes from the bartender's advice. He asked what we liked and put together a tasting flight for us on both occasions. His knowledge and the selection were excellent, and not limited to local whiskies. The location is ideal for exploring Speyside. Even though the village itself is small, the hotel has everything you need, including a generous lounge to relax in. Staff were very friendly throughout. Breakfast was solid. Warm dishes can be ordered from the menu, and there is also a small buffet. With a longer stay the variety is limited, but the quality was good, for example sliced ham and a really good piece of salmon that was clearly fresh rather than pre-packaged.

The double bed in our Snug room was on the narrow side, with a fairly soft mattress. This is not really a complaint, more a point worth knowing before booking. Taller guests might want to book a room with a larger bed instead, as these are available.

Beautiful location close to the highway. The bar was great! The brisket was amazing!

The whiskey bar was over priced. The bed was too soft.