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4- and 5-star hotels in Banff
A shortlist of 4- and 5-star stays in Banff, United Kingdom, drawn from the 11 places listed on the site. It suits couples, families and small groups weighing up a hotel, lodge or self-catering cottage on this stretch of coast.
Staying in Banff
Banff is a small coastal town in the north-east of the United Kingdom, and the stays on this shortlist sit in and around it: Golden Knowes Road, Durn Road at Portsoy, Inverboyndie, Damside, Waters Edge, Bridge Of Alvah, Sandend, Harbour Road and Church Street. That spread matters. Some addresses put you by the water, others inland along the River Deveron or in a nearby village, so the choice is as much about setting as about star rating.
The range runs from one 5-star property to a group of 4-star hotels, lodges and cottages. Banff Springs Hotel is the largest and most conventional option, with 750 reviews and a guest rating of 4.4 out of 5, plus a restaurant, bar, room service and free car parking. The rest are smaller, often self-catering, which suits families and longer stays rather than a single overnight. Couples wanting a hotel with front desk and dining are best served by Banff Springs Hotel; families and groups should look at the cottages and the lodge.
The shortlist
Ranked by hotel class, then guest rating and number of reviews.
P'lace of Glassaugh
P'lace Of Glassaugh Glassaugh Lodge Portsoy, Banff, United Kingdom
Best for: Drivers
- Parking
- Kitchen
- Beach nearby
Why stay hereThis 5-star property in Portsoy earns a perfect 5.0 rating from 6 reviews, so it suits guests who want the highest standard in the Banff area. A kitchen with oven, dishwasher and microwave makes longer self-catering stays easy, while the fireplace and garden add comfort after a day by the nearby beach. Non smoking rooms and parking are provided, and a cot and high chairs keep it practical for families.
See P'lace of GlassaughBanff Springs Hotel
Golden Knowes Road, Banff, United Kingdom
Best for: Families · Drivers
- Free car parking
- Family rooms
- Beach nearby
Why stay hereWith 750 reviews and a 4.4 rating, Banff Springs Hotel is the best-established 4-star choice in town. A restaurant, bar and room service cover meals without leaving the building, and the terrace and garden look out over the sea. Guests have free Wifi, free car parking and a 24 hour front desk, and the hotel is wheelchair accessible, with family rooms for those travelling with children.
See Banff Springs HotelDurn House
Durn Road Portsoy Ab45 2Xt Banff, Banff, United Kingdom
Best for: Drivers · Pool and spa
- Pool bar
- Car parking
- Lounge
Why stay hereDurn House in Portsoy is a 4-star address built around shared spaces: a lounge, bar, restaurant and terrace, plus a meeting room for working stays. A fireplace, garden and pool bar give it a relaxed feel, and guests also get Wifi, car parking, a safe and a shuttle service. Wheelchair accessible throughout, it suits couples and small groups who want hotel service rather than a self-catering base.
See Durn House5 Distillery Cottages
5 Distillery Cottages Inverboyndie, Banff, United Kingdom
Best for: Drivers · Travelling with pets
- Free car parking
- Pets allowed
- Beach nearby
Why stay hereA 4-star cottage in Inverboyndie, 5 Distillery Cottages suits guests who want a quiet base with pets welcome. The garden and beach nearby set the pace, and fishing and a golf course are within reach for days out. Free Wifi, free car parking and non smoking rooms keep the essentials simple, so it works well for couples or small families touring the Banff coast by car.
See 5 Distillery CottagesButtermere Cottage
Damside, Banff, United Kingdom
Best for: Drivers
- Free car parking
- Kitchen
- Free Wifi
Why stay hereButtermere Cottage at Damside is a 4-star house for active guests: skiing, horse back riding, surfing, fishing and tennis are all on the activity list, and a golf course is close by. Inside, a kitchen with oven and dishwasher, a fireplace and cosy carpeted rooms make it a comfortable base, with a patio, picnic area and terrace outdoors. Free Wifi and free car parking are included.
See Buttermere CottageTammie Norrie Cottage
2 Swordanes Inverboyndie, Banff, United Kingdom
Best for: Drivers
- Free car parking
- Kitchen
- Beach nearby
Why stay hereTammie Norrie Cottage is a 4-star option in Inverboyndie with the sea in the facilities list and a beach nearby. It is kitted out for family self-catering, with a kitchen including oven, dishwasher and microwave, plus a cot and high chairs for younger guests. Fishing and a golf course nearby, free car parking and non smoking rooms make it a straightforward base for a coastal stay.
See Tammie Norrie CottageOcean View
5 Waters Edge, Banff, United Kingdom
Best for: Drivers
- Free car parking
- Kitchen
- Beach nearby
Why stay hereOcean View at Waters Edge is a 4-star cottage whose name matches its location, with the sea listed among its facilities and a beach nearby. Families are looked after with a cot and high chairs, and the kitchen has an oven, microwave and refrigerator for self-catering. Golfers are close to a course, and free car parking and non smoking rooms round out the practical side.
See Ocean ViewCraig Alvah Lodge
Bridge Of Alvah, Banff, United Kingdom
Best for: Families · Drivers
- Free car parking
- Pets allowed
- Family rooms
Why stay hereCraig Alvah Lodge at Bridge Of Alvah is a 4-star property for guests who want space and a garden setting. It welcomes pets and offers family rooms, with horse back riding, fishing, surfing and tennis among the activities, plus a golf course nearby. Inside there is a kitchen with dishwasher, a bath and shower, and free Wifi and free car parking are provided for a comfortable stay.
See Craig Alvah LodgeSandend Cottage
56 Sandend, Banff, United Kingdom
Best for: Drivers · Travelling with pets
- Free car parking
- Pets allowed
- Kitchen
Why stay hereSandend Cottage is a 4-star coastal retreat at Sandend with the sea in its facilities list. Pets are allowed, and the fireplace, garden and patio give it a homely feel, while the kitchen with oven and dishwasher supports longer stays. A golf course is nearby, free Wifi and free car parking are included, and high chairs and a cot are available for families.
See Sandend CottageBellevue Holiday Cottage
131 Harbour Road, Banff, United Kingdom
Best for: Families · Drivers
- Free car parking
- Pets allowed
- Family rooms
Why stay hereBellevue Holiday Cottage on Harbour Road is a 4-star property with apartments, the sea in its facilities and a beach nearby, so it suits guests wanting a harbour-side base. Pets are allowed and family rooms are available, with a games room and a kitchen including oven and microwave for downtime indoors. Free Wifi and free car parking are provided, and a patio adds outdoor space.
See Bellevue Holiday CottageDriftwood Cottage Portsoy
Church Street 60, Banff, United Kingdom
Best for: Families · Drivers
- Free car parking
- Pets allowed
- Family rooms
Why stay hereDriftwood Cottage Portsoy is a 4-star cottage on Church Street that welcomes pets and suits families, with family rooms and a cot. A fireplace, garden, patio and terrace provide places to relax, and the kitchen with oven and dishwasher handles self-catering. Free Wifi and free car parking are included, and a coffee maker, hairdryer and toiletries are among the conveniences.
See Driftwood Cottage Portsoy
The shortlist side by side
| Hotel | Class | Parking | Pets |
|---|---|---|---|
| P'lace of Glassaugh | ★★★★★ | Yes | – |
| Banff Springs Hotel | ★★★★ | Yes | – |
| Durn House | ★★★★ | Yes | – |
| 5 Distillery Cottages | ★★★★ | Yes | Yes |
| Buttermere Cottage | ★★★★ | Yes | – |
| Tammie Norrie Cottage | ★★★★ | Yes | – |
| Ocean View | ★★★★ | Yes | – |
| Craig Alvah Lodge | ★★★★ | Yes | Yes |
| Sandend Cottage | ★★★★ | Yes | Yes |
| Bellevue Holiday Cottage | ★★★★ | Yes | Yes |
| Driftwood Cottage Portsoy | ★★★★ | Yes | Yes |
From each hotel's own listing on this site; a dash means it is not listed.
How to choose
For families
Banff Springs Hotel has family rooms, a restaurant and 24 hour front desk. Bellevue Holiday Cottage and Sandend Cottage both add family rooms, kitchens and high chairs, and Bellevue has a games room. Durn House offers family-friendly dining and a shuttle service, and its meeting room helps if the group needs space to gather.
Banff Springs Hotel · Bellevue Holiday Cottage · Sandend Cottage · Durn House
Pets welcome
Five of the listed properties allow pets: 5 Distillery Cottages, Craig Alvah Lodge, Sandend Cottage, Bellevue Holiday Cottage and Driftwood Cottage Portsoy. All five include free car parking and a garden or patio, which makes them practical for dogs, and each has a kitchen so you are not tied to set meal times.
5 Distillery Cottages · Craig Alvah Lodge · Sandend Cottage · Bellevue Holiday Cottage · Driftwood Cottage Portsoy
Self-catering
Most of the shortlist is self-catering. P'lace of Glassaugh, Buttermere Cottage, Sandend Cottage, Bellevue Holiday Cottage, Tammie Norrie Cottage, Ocean View, Driftwood Cottage Portsoy and 5 Distillery Cottages all have kitchens, and most add a washing machine, dishwasher and microwave. That suits families and longer stays more than a one-night stop.
P'lace of Glassaugh · Buttermere Cottage · Sandend Cottage · Bellevue Holiday Cottage · Tammie Norrie Cottage · Ocean View
Top-rated and serviced
P'lace of Glassaugh carries a 5-star class and a guest rating of 5.0 out of 5 from 6 reviews, the highest on the list. Banff Springs Hotel is the best-reviewed of the larger properties, 4.4 out of 5 from 750 reviews, and the only one with room service, a bar and a restaurant on site.
Where to stay in Banff
Portsoy
P'lace of Glassaugh is the 5-star pick with a 5.0 rating, Durn House is a 4-star with bar, restaurant and meeting room, and Driftwood Cottage Portsoy is a pet-friendly cottage with a garden and fireplace.
Our picks here: P'lace of Glassaugh · Durn House
Inverboyndie
Inverboyndie appears in two addresses, 5 Distillery Cottages and 2 Swordanes. Both are 4-star and both are pet-friendly, with free car parking and a garden, and 5 Distillery Cottages and Tammie Norrie Cottage each list beach nearby or a sea view among their facilities.
Our picks here: 5 Distillery Cottages · Tammie Norrie Cottage
Questions, answered
Which hotel in Banff has the highest guest rating?
P'lace of Glassaugh, with 5.0 out of 5 from 6 reviews. It is also the only 5-star property on this shortlist, and it sits at Glassaugh Lodge in Portsoy.
Which properties allow pets?
5 Distillery Cottages, Craig Alvah Lodge, Sandend Cottage, Bellevue Holiday Cottage and Driftwood Cottage Portsoy all list pets allowed. Each also offers free car parking and a garden or patio.
Where can I park?
Free car parking is listed at Banff Springs Hotel, 5 Distillery Cottages, Buttermere Cottage, Tammie Norrie Cottage, Ocean View, Craig Alvah Lodge, Sandend Cottage, Bellevue Holiday Cottage and Driftwood Cottage Portsoy. Durn House lists car parking without specifying that it is free.
Which is best for families?
Banff Springs Hotel has family rooms, a restaurant, a 24 hour front desk and a guest rating of 4.4 out of 5 from 750 reviews. Bellevue Holiday Cottage and Sandend Cottage also list family rooms, kitchens and high chairs.
Do any have a restaurant or bar on site?
Banff Springs Hotel has a restaurant, bars and room service. Durn House lists a restaurant, bars and a pool bar.
Which is closest to the centre?
The addresses list Banff without street-level distances to the centre, so none can be ranked on proximity. Banff Springs Hotel on Golden Knowes Road and Bellevue Holiday Cottage on Harbour Road are the only two with a Banff street address.
Can I cook for myself?
Most of the shortlist is self-catering. P'lace of Glassaugh, Buttermere Cottage, Sandend Cottage, Bellevue Holiday Cottage, Tammie Norrie Cottage, Ocean View, Driftwood Cottage Portsoy and 5 Distillery Cottages all list kitchens.