 Poster: A snowHead
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Just trying to find somewhere decent to stay for next week - from Thursday the 2nd for four nights. Quite liked the look of The Boat House, £99 a night B&B, glass of wine and £20 dinner allowence. But the reviews are really hit and miss - people either love it or hate it. Second choice is the High Range Motel - staying in a one bed log cabin. £210 self catering for the four nights. I think the cost would be about equal once we have factored in buying food and eating out. The High Range has superb reviews accross the board. So, price being the same, do we stay at the Hotel and get the cooking done for us and a nice full scottish brekkie every day or in the Lodge as it has better reviews  Anyone been to either property? Opinions welcome, thanks.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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I stayed in the High Range in May a couple of years ago. Not sure I'd describe it as a log cabin, but it was a reasonable price for the two of us for a week (we wanted self-catering). The 'cabin' we were in was a bit tired, but comfortable enough. The restaurant/pizzeria at the High Range was very good, and it's walking distance into the centre of Aviemore (or it was in May, not sure it would be quite so pleasant in a gale-ridden December).
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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rob@rar, cheers
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Shimmy Alcott, jeez, the High Range, that brings back foggy memories of University races.
My father is a big fan of the Boat - I assume you mean the Boat Hotel in Boat of Garten?
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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and OMG the Winking Owl's still going. An institution.
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under a new name, under a new name, yes, thats the one. It did look lovely on the website - maybe a bit of sabottage re. the reviews? To be honest most that marked it down did so as it was a bit "tired" - but Rob reckons the High Range is too. Think I will go for the Boat and get my meals made for us - and no washing up lol.
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Shimmy Alcott, the High Range was "tired" in 1987. I guess they've probably decorated since...
Boat of Garten is a lovely little village (although it's been some years since I visited). I can check my Dad's opinion if you like?
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For that price you could buy a couple of down bags and bivi by the ski road.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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high range in aviemore 15 minutes from the ski hill righ at the start of the ski road, Boat of Garten village another 10-15 mins out via the main road or a bit closer via a back road (could be a bit dicey with weather). Boat is a nice wee place but a lot more to do in aviemore. High range just built the motel part a couple of years ago. that nextdoor la taverna restaurant is ace (same owners), and you're 10 mins walk from the centre of village. not sure if they did up the cabins when they built the motel
there is a nice restaurant in Boat too (the anderson, different from the hotel), and last time i ate in the hotel it was great, think the golf club around the corner allows the great unwashed in for a pint and your tea, but apart from that, that's pretty much it in Boat in terms of amenities apart from a couple of village shops (there is bizarrely a beverly hills section off up one of the side streets - great country houses and mansions for about a mile!)
Both are nice, but if you want to be close to the hill and have plenty of off-hill choice then aviemore is your best bet
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Have to agree with what Barry says. High Range motel was completely rebuilt around 3-4 years ago but don't think the chalets were, my sister stayed in the motel and liked it but you would have to go somewhere for breakfast. Never been to The Boat but Boat of Garten is a nice village but few amenities. How far have you looked as there must be a number of places in or near Aviemore that have rooms available.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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The Winking owl is a great pub, definitely go if you're in Aviemore. To be honest I would probably want to stay in Aviemore, it will have more of a holiday feel to it, particularly with all the recent snow.
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the restaurant @ the High range is nice, we ate there one night. It looked a bit "tired" though from the phtoos so we chose not to stay there - We stayed at the Ravenscraig at the other end of town, I can recommend that highly. The place next door looked ok,m and the rooms @ International Starters also looked okay.
If you feel like pushing the boat out then try the Dalrachney Lodge over in carrbridge, vv nice old place, the food is wonderful - try the venison, it;s great. Watch your teeth on the lead shot though. Edit: even if you don't stay here, gp fpr dinner one night. Just get a bar meal, it's the same menu as the restaurant but cheaper prices
http://www.dalrachney.co.uk/
It's worth having a look through this thread as much of the accomodation has been mentioned
http://snowheads.com/ski-forum/viewtopic.php?t=68286&highlight=
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You know it makes sense.
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I will be up for a week soon and a visit to the Mountain Cafe is a definite. Barry will the Cake Shop at Inchriach nursery be open in December, if we cant ski a visit there is a must.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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under a new name, please
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Poster: A snowHead
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larry1950, not sure about inshriach, they seem to have some odd opening times sometimes, that said they always do a popular line in Christmas decorations so good chance they'll be open - try the peanut-caramel cake nom nom nom
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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The Ravenscraig and The Cairngorm Hotel get a lot of very positive comments from people.
Boat is lovely if a little out of it all.
Dalrachney Lodge is suposed to be very nice too but again a little away from things.
McDonald Hotels often have last minute deals so worth looking out for them, as do the Hilton at Coylumbridge.
At the very cheap end of things the Aviemore Youth Hostel is very comfortable indeed.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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actually, if you can get a deal in the cairngorm hotel then it's probably the best in the whole valley, great food, brilliant pub (signs like "English spoken here" and "No ski boots in the bar" give you an idea - then there's the snuff machine  ). never stayed in the hotel but very popular with travellers and has a big clientele of repeat visitors. Good shout on International Starters too, good place to eat and good deals apparently. As others have said, you should actually be spolit for choice next week as it aint too busy right now - snow will make it busier but still not too mad for a few more weeks
Bit of a fuss doing the rounds right now as someone wants to stick a travelodge up near the high range, cant imagine the village needs anymore beds but also imagine it likely to be quite popular
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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The chippy in Aviemore is half decent btw.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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The Mountain Cafe is a must. Roo's Leap a good fun restaurant. The 'night club' is interesting!!
5% discount on www.holidayinaviemore.co.uk
If you email the discount code 'snowheads' until 5th Feb.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Thanks for all the info guys - will have a good look at all the suggestions later on and let you know what we decide.
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| scotia wrote: |
| The chippy in Aviemore is half decent btw. |
if you like your pizza deep fried - are they still doing it that way?
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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| barry wrote: |
| actually, if you can get a deal in the cairngorm hotel then it's probably the best in the whole valley, great food, brilliant pub (signs like "English spoken here" and "No ski boots in the bar" give you an idea - then there's the snuff machine ). never stayed in the hotel but very popular with travellers and has a big clientele of repeat visitors. |
+1. Stayed there twice last season, excellent and great value. Can recommend The Royal Tandoori too but not The Spice of India.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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| Shimmy Alcott wrote: |
| New skis arrive on Monday. Hope the Scottish pistes are kind to my bases! |
You're brave!! I've only just plucked up the courage to use my "new" skis in Scotland, and mine are 5 years old 
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| Shimmy Alcott wrote: |
Am gutted you wont be buying my birthday drink  |
I know, must be difficult. I spent enough money in the Doo Below last year that they surely owe me one or two. So, all you have to do is stride up to the big bloke with the beard behind the bar and say "Hello, I'm Shimmy Alcott where's my free birthday drink?" and he'll oblige (possibly).
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You know it makes sense.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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You have definitely struck lucky with the snow, there was tons of it yesterday, it snowed all day as well and is still snowing now with cold weather forecast all week to keep it nice and fresh, hope you have a great time. I was there yesterday and it was great, thinking about taking tuesday off work and will most probably be up next weekend as well, what a start to the season!
p.s I hope your new skis are fat or else you'll get lost in all the snow 
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FAQ
