BALLATER HOSTEL, Ballater

Ballater Hostel is a five-star self-catering hostel in Ballater, east of Braemar, in North East Scotland. This 29-bed hostel (sleeps 32) is surrounded by mountains in the Cairngorms National Park, which has mountains, forest paths, rivers, and wildlife. Aberdeen is 65 km away. Guests at Ballater Hostel can enjoy activities like hiking, skiing, and cycling.

The hostel has seven en-suite bedrooms with showers and toilets. Bedding is provided. Every bed comes with a reading light and a power point. A travel cot is available. The six-bed and eight-bed dorms can be booked for private use. Rooms are 6 square metres. The family room includes a safe deposit box, heating, and a bathroom with a walk-in shower and hairdryer, and a flat-screen TV. It contains two beds. The quadruple room features soundproof walls, a seating area, and a bathroom with a shower and hairdryer. It contains four beds. Towels are included in private rooms, superior private, budget private and 4 bed private.

A self-catering kitchen is available for all guests. It is equipped with free tea/coffee/hot chocolate, an instant hot water boiler, a large electric oven with 6 electric hobs, two large fridges, two toasters, a microwave, and storage space. The kitchen also provides herbs, spices, cooking oil, cling film, and tin foil. The dining room and lounge feature two dining tables with benches and stools, a trestle table, a breakfast bar with two stools, two sofas, and bean bags. There is also a wood burning stove.

The hostel includes a drying room with a dehumidifier, a fan heater, hanging space, and newspaper. Guests can use the washing machine and tumble dryer for £4 per machine (washing powder included). There is an outside tap and hose for washing bikes. Secure bike storage is located at the front of the hostel. eBike batteries can be charged in the bike storage area during reception hours. Free WiFi is available.

The nearest airport is Aberdeen. The 757 Stagecoach bus connects Aberdeen Airport to Aberdeen bus/train station (bus every 15 minutes, journey takes 45 minutes). The nearest bus stop is Ballater (get off by the Co-op). If you pass the CLAN cancer support charity shop on your right you have gone too far. Landmarks nearby include McEwan Gallery (3 km), Larks Gallery (0.3 km), Crathie Church (2 km), St Kentigern's Church (0.5 km), The Ballater Gallery (0.3 km) and Glenmuick Church (0.3 km).