The Balavoulin - Pub With Rooms Aviemore Exterior photo

Key details

About the Hotel

125 Grampian Road, Aviemore, PH22 1RL

Near the Strathspey Steam Railway

Great

8.9

/10

4.5

Loved by The Balavoulin - Pub With Rooms guests

Friendly staff

Clean rooms

Delicious food

Comfortable beds

Excellent location

Free parking

"We shared a chicken chilli pizza, wow ! It was amazing, huge chunks of tender chilli chicken, slices of chilli."

Classymags53 from United Kingdom

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"Breakfast choice was five star (we usually have vegetarian option)."

Philip from United Kingdom

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"Rooms spot on, tidy, clean very comfortable beds with good pillows and quality duvet."

Matt31212013 from United Kingdom

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3-star pub accommodation in central Aviemore with on-site ski pass sales

Dining & Bar

The Balavoulin serves dinner nightly from 5pm, focusing on locally sourced ingredients and cooking techniques like slow-roasting. The bar offers an evolving cocktail menu alongside extensive selections of Scotch whisky and gin. A full Scottish breakfast is included, with made-to-order options including vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free meals.

Rooms & Sleep

The 7 guest rooms include King Rooms, Double Rooms, and Economy Twin Rooms, each with a private bathroom, flat-screen TV, and mountain or inner courtyard views. Rooms are furnished with parquet floors, tea and coffee supplies, and extra pillows. Comfortable bedding and blackout curtains support rest after a day outdoors.

Activities & Ski Services

An on-site ski pass sales point allows guests to buy lift tickets directly at the hotel without travelling to a separate office. The property is 10 km from Landmark Forest Adventure Park and 14 km from Highland Wildlife Park. Bicycle parking is provided, and staff can recommend nearby hiking and cycling routes in Cairngorms National Park.

Family & Pet-Friendly

Children are welcome, and the restaurant offers a kids' menu with smaller portions and child-friendly options. Dogs are allowed in the bar and restaurant area, making it convenient for guests travelling with pets. The property has a garden, outdoor furniture, and a picnic area where families can relax together.

Entertainment & Local Access

Live sports events are shown in the bar area, including football and rugby matches on multiple screens. The pub hosts local Celtic rock bands on certain evenings. Aviemore rail station is within walking distance, Highland Wildlife Park is 9 miles away, and Inverness Castle is 30 miles by car.

Highlights

Dining: locally sourced dinner menu with slow-roasting

Bar: evolving cocktail menu and 30+ whiskies

Ski: on-site ski pass sales point

Activities: 10 km from Landmark Forest Adventure Park

Pets: dogs allowed in bar and restaurant

Parking: free private parking for all guests

“This place struck me as exceptionally well-managed, particularly given how busy the pub gets. It's more than just standard pub fare; the smaller menu focuses on quality, evident in both dinner and the locally-sourced breakfast. With its attentive staff and inviting atmosphere, I can easily see why guests return.”

Grace WhitmanContent & Editorial Director at Familyhotels

Location: Perfect

9.5/10Review score

View our interactive map

Highlights from guests

DiningBreakfast Bliss

Breakfast was included. I enjoyed a cooked-to-order meal; very tasty and fresh. Dinner in the cozy restaurant was also fabulous. Booking ahead is worthwhile.

Olivia from Canada

Review on

BedroomComfy Nights

The bed was super comfortable with quality duvet and pillows. Blackout curtains made for a great sleep. Rooms were clean and modern.

Noah from Australia

Review on

Guest ParkingEasy Access

Central location with spacious on-site parking. Very easy to find. This was a great advantage in a busy area.

Isabella from New Zealand

Review on

Sports & FitnessHillwalking Base

Received a packed lunch instead of breakfast, because I left very early for hillwalking. It was supplied without any problems.

Jack from Scotland

Review on

Choose from a variety of room types

Choose from a wide variety of rooms designed for families, including double rooms, family suites, and rooms with breakfast included

Economy Twin Room
2 persons
130 sq. feet
2 Single beds
Heating
Shower
room details
King Room
2 persons
155 sq. feet
1 King-size bed / 2 Single beds
Heating
Shower
room details
Double Room
2 persons
155 sq. feet
1 Double bed
Heating
Shower
room details

Availability and pricing for your selected dates

Book your family’s getaway in a snap with up-to-date availability and pricing!

Facilities

Each family-friendly hotel provides top-notch amenities for an unforgettable stay with your loved ones

Facilities: Great

8.7/10Review score

General

No smoking on site
Wi-Fi
Free parking
Express check-in/ -out
No pets allowed
Security
Luggage storage
Coffee shop
Smoke detectors
Fire extinguishers
Key access

Sports & Fitness

Wind surfing
Canoeing
Ski school
Hiking
Horseback riding
Cycling
Golf course
Fishing

Services

Housekeeping
Laundry
Dry cleaning
Ski pass vendor
Welcome drink

Dining

Restaurant
Bar/ Lounge area
Picnic area/ Tables
Special diet menus

Children

Cots
Children's menu

Spa & Leisure

Garden area

Room features

Heating
Garden furniture
Ironing facilities

Bathroom

Free toiletries

Self-catering

Electric kettle

Media

Flat-screen TV

Room decor

Parquet floor

Dining Onsite

At The Balavoulin - Pub With Rooms, diners can savor a delightful array of culinary options that celebrate local flavors and hearty dishes. With a welcoming atmosphere, it's the perfect spot to unwind and relish every bite while enjoying the cozy pub ambiance.

The Balavoulin - Pub With Rooms Aviemore Restaurant photo

Restaurant #1

Traditional Pub Fare

Ambiance

A charming and welcoming pub atmosphere, with rustic decor that invites guests to relax and socialize.

Key Offerings

Signature dishes focus on hearty comfort food made with care, providing a sense of home. Seasonal specials enhance the experience, adding a unique touch to each visit.

Reservation

Not needed.

Hours vary.

The Balavoulin - Pub With Rooms Location

125 Grampian Road, Aviemore, PH22 1RL

Map view

City landmarks

Landmark

Aviemore Ring Cairn and Stone Circle

2800 ft

Landmark

Glenmore Forest Park

2800 ft

Nature reserve

Craigellachie National Nature Reserve

5000 ft

Landmark

River Druie

5200 ft

Landmark

Extreme Dream Climbing Centre

4200 ft

Landmark

Rothiemurchus

1.5 mi

Park

TreeZone Aviemore

1.5 mi

Landmark

Loch Pityoulish

1.6 mi

Nearby

Aviemore Railway Station Dalfaber Road

Strathspey Railway

1800 ft

Aviemore Centre

1800 ft

Night club

The Vault

1800 ft

Restaurants

Cairngorm Kebab House

300 ft

168 Cairngorm Grampian Road

Smiffy's

1500 ft

Aviemore Shopping Centre Grampian Road Units 2 & 3 Shopping Centre

Ashers Bakery Ltd

1600 ft

4 Grampian Road

Fish&Chips

2200 ft

Aviemore Shopping Centre Grampian Road Units 2 & 3 Shopping Centre

Explore Aviemore

Aviemore Ring Cairn and Stone Circle

11 minutes' walk

Ancient stone circle offering views of the surrounding hills, perfect for history enthusiasts and serene walks.

Glenmore Forest Park

11 minutes' walk

Expansive park with scenic walking trails, loch views, and diverse wildlife. Great for outdoor family activities.

Craigellachie National Nature Reserve

5 minutes' drive

Nature reserve featuring stunning landscapes and hiking trails. Ideal for nature lovers and photography.

Rothiemurchus

5 minutes' drive

Popular outdoor destination with various activities including horse riding and fishing. Family-friendly experiences await.

Extreme Dream Climbing Centre

16 minutes' walk

Indoor climbing facility offering challenges for all ages. Great for thrill-seekers looking for adventure.

TreeZone Aviemore

4 minutes' drive

Aerial adventure park with zip lines and obstacle courses, perfect for families seeking excitement in the treetops.

Cairngorm Kebab House

2 minutes' walk

Casual spot known for delicious kebabs and generous portions. Ideal for a quick, satisfying meal after a day out.

Smiffy's

6 minutes' walk

Welcoming atmosphere serving classic pub food and local ales, perfect for a relaxed dining experience.

The Vault

7 minutes' walk

Vibrant venue hosting live music and events. Great spot for nightlife or a relaxed drink with friends.

Strathspey Steam Railway

7 minutes' walk

Historical steam train offering scenic rides through the Highlands. Perfect for families and history buffs.

Tips on navigating the city

City Centre
Aviemore 3 min · 700 ft
Airports
Inverness (INV) 87 min · 36.0 mi
Aberdeen (ABZ) 213 min · 88.0 mi
Train
Aviemore Railway Station 8 min · 2000 ft
Bus
Bus stop 11 min · 4.4 mi

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Property information and rules

Check-in

from 15:00-22:00

Check-out

until 10 am

Internet

Wireless internet is available in the entire hotel for free.

Breakfast

The hotel offers a full breakfast at the price of GBP 10.0 per person.

Children & extra beds

There are no extra beds provided in a room. There are no cots provided in a room.

Pets

Pets are not allowed.

Number of rooms:

Family-focused reviews and ratings

Read feedback from other families who have stayed to ensure you make the right choice.

Review summary

Based on recent reviews

Guests consistently praise the Balavoulin's excellent breakfasts and the enjoyable atmosphere of the pub downstairs. The rooms are generally described as modern and comfortable, though some have noted they aren't very spacious, and occasionally the shower pressure isn't ideal. With a convenient location near the centre of Aviemore, it's also a good value for the money.

Review score

Based on 4 verified reviews

8.4 /10

Great

100%

Recommend

Breakfast

9.8/10

Location

9.5/10

Facilities

8.7/10

Free Wi-Fi

8.8/10

Pros

Comfortable beds

Clean rooms

Good food

Great location

Cons

Small bathrooms

Poor soundproofing

logan from united states

Single

king room

4 nights in November 2025

Reviewed: February 03, 2026

9/10

quality food great selection freshly cooked breakfast

the breakfast had good quality food cooked well. the pub offered a great selection of drinks. freshly cooked breakfast was available each morning.

the shower pressure was not very good

0 Helpful

Dominic from United Kingdom

Single

King Room

3 nights in November 2025

Reviewed: January 11, 2026

9/10

convenient location breakfast choice well trained staff

I found the location very convenient, right on the main road. Breakfast offered plenty of choice, a great start to the day. Staff members were knowledgeable about local attractions (a plus for planning my hikes).

The shower pressure was a little low.

0 Helpful

Nicholas from Australia

Single

Double Room

3 nights in November 2025

Reviewed: January 06, 2026

6/10

thin walls unhelpful staff

i wasn't so happy with how thin the walls are. i could hear everything from the other rooms. also, i asked for some extra towels, but the staff seemed unhelpful. maybe they were just very busy or didn't understand.

0 Helpful

Samantha from United Kingdom

Single

Double Room

3 nights in August 2026

Reviewed: August 24, 2025

9.5/10

A Cozy Stay Above the Pub

quick check-in comfortable bed modern ensuite

The check-in was quick, and the staff seemed very friendly. The room was clean and the bed looked really comfortable. I slept so well! I loved that the modern ensuite included a nice shower.

The noise from the pub was audible in the room, hard to sleep before closing time.

Dining

9/10

Breakfast offered a good choice of tasty options with friendly service. I really enjoyed the fresh coffee, and the food was delicious every morning, setting me up for the day.

Service

10/10

The staff was very friendly and helpful throughout my stay. They seemed to go above and beyond to ensure guests have everything they needed, I appreciated it.

Location

10/10

The location was excellent, easy to explore nearby attractions. Parking was very straightforward and convenient, so I didn't have any issues when I arrived back at the hotel.

Rooms

9/10

My room was spotlessly super clean and cozy. The shower worked so well and felt great after a day of traveling. It was cozy.

0 Helpful

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