Burnett Arms Hotel, Banchory

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Roger Button left this review about Burnett Arms Hotel

This large sprawling Hotel built around 1830 is situated on the main road from Aberdeen to Balmoral and it is said that Queen Victoria would often drop by for an afternoon tea and was even forced to stay here a night due to travel difficulties. Whilst it is still first and foremost a Hotel, there are 2 bars and you won’t need to put on any regal airs to pop in for a pint or a meal

The bright white façade has several interesting features including the portico main entrance, the impressive Royal Coat of Arms above the main entrance, a lesser Burnett Coat of Arms, and an old fashioned AA sign.

The interior is divided into 4 disticnt areas. The main entrance leads straight into the reception area which is more of a holding area for hotel guests but with with pub like seating and a TV in one corner. Off to the left is the separate restaurant which is for more formal dining. The main bar is in the middle of the pub and certainly doesn’t possess any great feel of opulence. The décor is quite plain and unfussy with half paneled walls, a few shields and old pictures of the town on the walls. The ambience was fairly sedate and mild mannered as one would expect of a hotel bar. There is a small bar menu with main courses between £7-12 and our only meal here was perfectly adequate. There is a solitary Real Ale (Deeside Lulach) which was reasonably priced and of decent quality.

The separate Public Bar has more of a sports bar feel with multiple TVs and a pool table. Note that there are no hand pumps in the Public Bar so trips to and from trhe Main bar are necessary if Ales are your prsuassion.

On the whole it is a friendly and comfortable enough place with good service although you initially expect it to be a bit more up market. It’s certainly worth popping in as part of a trawl around the village’s beer options and you will find a lot worse on your travels in the area.

On 28^th July 2010 - rating: 6
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