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3-star hotel Check-in 15:00 · Check-out 11:00

The Commercial Hotel

Stay at The Commercial Hotel, a 4.5-star inn in Tarland offering free breakfast, Wi-Fi, parking, and easy access to Cairngorms National Park and Craigievar Castle.

19 The Square, Tarland, Aboyne AB34 4TX, United Kingdom View on map
9/10
Exceptional Based on 330 recent guest reviews
Free Wi-Fi Free breakfast Free parking Accessible Room service
What recent guests emphasize

Positive traditional inn experience with well-equipped rooms and friendly service

Guests highlight comfortable, clean rooms and attentive staff, alongside a popular on-site restaurant and cosy bar offering hearty meals and a good selection of drinks.

Guests often praise

  • Comfortable, clean, and well-equipped rooms with thoughtful extras like USB chargers and hot water bottles.
  • Friendly and attentive staff providing welcoming, personable service, especially in the bar and restaurant.
  • High-quality, freshly cooked food with good variety including vegetarian and gluten-free options.
  • Cosy bar atmosphere offering well-poured pints and local beer selections.
  • Convenient free parking and strong Wi-Fi support the guest experience.

Worth knowing

  • Rooms are functional rather than luxurious, with no air conditioning or fitness facilities.
  • Some minor cleanliness details noted, such as a dirty TV remote in one review.
  • The vegetarian menu could benefit from more variety and simple comfort options.
  • Located in a traditional village setting, a few minutes’ walk from Tarland’s center.
  • No airport shuttle or pool amenities available.

Best for

  • Visitors seeking a traditional village inn with a relaxed, friendly atmosphere.
  • Travelers who appreciate a good hearty breakfast and quality dining onsite.
  • Guests wanting easy access to local attractions including castles and nature reserves.
  • Families and groups looking for kid-friendly amenities and accessible facilities.
  • Tourists preferring a smoke-free environment with free parking and Wi-Fi.
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About this property

Welcome to The Commercial Hotel

The Commercial Hotel is a traditional inn located in the heart of Tarland village, just a short walk from the central square. This village setting offers easy access to local attractions including Cairngorms National Park and historic sites like Craigievar Castle. The inn combines a classic countryside atmosphere with practical amenities suitable for a relaxed stay.

Accommodation features functional and comfortable rooms, with some guests noting thoughtful extras such as USB charging ports, robes, and complimentary beverages. Reviews highlight cleanliness and quiet surroundings, though a few minor comments about certain details have been noted. The hotel operates with check-in from 15:00 and check-out by 11:00, making it convenient for daytime exploration.

A key draw is the restaurant and cosy bar, praised for good quality food and friendly service. Visitors appreciate the welcoming atmosphere in the bar area, which serves a selection of beers including local brews. The free hot breakfast provided is considered a practical benefit for guests starting their day. Additional amenities include free Wi-Fi, parking, and room service, with a beer garden available for outdoor relaxation.

While the property does not offer air conditioning, a swimming pool, airport shuttle, or fitness centre, it serves well as a base for those seeking proximity to outdoor activities and nearby attractions such as Muir of Dinnet Nature Reserve and Kildrummy Castle. Families and visitors looking for a quiet, smoke-free environment will find it accommodating, though it is not pet-friendly.

Overall, The Commercial Hotel suits travellers looking for a straightforward and comfortable inn with convenient access to local points of interest. Its blend of functional lodging and local character has earned positive feedback from guests, making it a practical choice for visitors to this part of Aberdeenshire.

Summary compiled by GoHotelly editors from verified guest reviews, partner descriptions and editorial notes.
Facilities & essentials

What's on-site and what you should know before you arrive

The short version: what's available day-to-day, and the key practical details most travelers search for.

Most popular facilities

Free Wi-Fi
Free breakfast
Free parking
Accessible
Room service
Kid-friendly
Restaurant
Golf course
Bar
Smoke-free

Not available at this property

Pool
Air-conditioned
Pet-friendly
Airport shuttle
Fitness center
Verified guest reviews

What recent guests are actually saying

Reviews from travelers who stayed here in the last 12 months, grouped to help you spot the pattern quickly.

DM
David Mcmenemy Apr 19, 2026
8.0

Stay for 3 nights and had dinner 2 nights Rooms were comfortable and seemed clean enough.TV remote was a very dirty tho. Shower was good hot and powerful. Food was good and I really enjoyed it. Vegetarian menu could have been better tho with maybe something simple like Mac and cheese. Overall enjoyed staying there. I'd definitely stay again.

IY
islay younger Apr 16, 2026
10

The staff are wonderful the room looked lovely and so comfortable. The food in the restaurant tasted so nice. I highly recommend staying here.

MP
Megan Parker Apr 06, 2026
8.0

Quiet, clean, spacious and well appointed room. Room five included a couch, coffee table and vanity. The extra nice touches were much appreciated. A power strip with USB ports, power outlets next to the king sized bed, large bottle of cold water, cocoa included with the coffee selection, robes provided, and a hot water bottle were all really nice touches. It was a quiet stay as well. I wouldn't hesitate to stay again.

IB
Ian Butterworth Mar 28, 2026
10

Great friendly, traditional village Hotel with a bar which serves a lovely pint of Guinness !!. The food is also very nice.

CC
Chris Carr Mar 22, 2026
10

Fantastic place well presented comfortable rooms, the bars a cosy local pub feel and the restaurant serves food that's in great demand, I was lucky to have been staying there as I may not have got a table otherwise. To top it all in the morning they serve a hearty breakfast to set you up for the day!

DA
Derek Auchterlonie Mar 21, 2026
10

I stayed here for 3 nights. Room was clean, spacious and well equipped with USB chargers, hairdryer, tv, tea/ coffee/ chocolate, water etc. Parking at rear of hotel. Friendly bar downstairs and a restaurant that serves excellent meals. Already booked for next year.

EW
Elizabeth Wilson Mar 08, 2026
10

Three of us had lunch today. Got parked outside which was great as it was raining heavily. The choice was extensive, even for gluten intolerant me! Great service, very pleasant, cosy dining room. Food was freshly cooked. Prices very reasonable. Couldn't fault a thing. Would definitely return.

DC
David C Mar 08, 2026
10

I didn’t stay at the hotel but it’s perfect for drinks and food after riding the Tarland MTB trails. Great service too.

AB
Amy Blair Feb 23, 2026
10

MARK!!!!! Mark was absolutely amazing!! he made our experience worth it!! he was the most attentive and most personable waiter we have ever experienced! definitely made the experience worth while. he is a true asset the the commercial hotel and worth everything second of attention! gold star mark. you are a gems. keep being you!!!!!!!!

JW
James West Jan 27, 2026
10

This was a very good experience. Staying at the campsite in Tarland we visited the Commercial late afternoon, to see if we could get a bar meal. We got a decent pint from a local brewery, the Burnside, with both a craft IPA and a cask option, then booked our food for the lounge bar. We were called through, served quickly and efficiently and got our food. I had black pudding for a starter, which was very good, and my wife had spring rolls, which was one of the specials and she said they were very good as well. We both followed up with the steak pie, which had been recommended, and it really was something special. Short crust pastry, lovely tasty gravy and very well cooked beef, rounded off with a portion of chips and veg to share. The service was very good throughout the evening, friendly and attentive, without being intrusive. I've seen people commenting on the price, but we found it very reasonable. It's a fact of life that costs have all gone up, and for the quality of the ingredients and the service we thought it was decent pricing. A solid 5 stars. I've a habit of starting my food before taking photos- so bear that in mind when you see them.....

Location & neighborhood

Where you'll find The Commercial Hotel

Aboyne, United Kingdom

This classic village hotel is a 3-minute walk from central Tarland, 2.9 miles from Cairngorms National Park and 8.3 miles from Craigievar Castle.

  • The Square 1 min Walk
  • Cromar Court 6 min Walk
  • Albany 10 min Walk
  • Aberdeen International Airport 49 min Car · 1 hr 56 Transit
  • Inverness Airport 1 hr 56 Car · 5 hr 47 Transit
  • Dundee Airport 1 hr 40 Car · 4 hr 8 Transit
Things to do nearby

Worth the walk or a quick ride

Curated spots travelers usually pair with a stay in United Kingdom. Distances are rough real-world times, not straight-line.

Craigievar Castle (National Trust for Scotland) 1,155 reviews

Craigievar Castle (National Trust for Scotland)

Craigievar, Alford AB33 8JF, United Kingdom

4.6 · Castle
Kildrummy Castle 267 reviews

Kildrummy Castle

Kildrummy, Alford AB33 8RA, United Kingdom

4.6 · Castle
Muir of Dinnet National Nature Reserve 1,131 reviews

Muir of Dinnet National Nature Reserve

Dinnet, Aboyne AB34 5NB, United Kingdom

4.8 · Nature Preserve
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