Perched high above the River Spey, the Dowans Hotel presents a stylish, contemporary retreat housed in a traditional Scottish manor complete with turrets. This is in the heart of the prime Speyside whisky production area, so if the wind is blowing in the right direction guests are treated to the distinct smell in the air.
The Dowans’ interior is plush and elegant, and perfectly appointed for indulging in gin or whisky tastings in The Still, the hotel’s own whisky library. Guests have a choice of dining in one of two restaurants, which offer casual and fine dining menus. Each of the 16 rooms is individually styled but beautifully furnished, and the hotel’s connection with the various local distilleries is evident throughout.
OUR OPINION:
This is a beautiful hotel, particularly for those who love their whisky.
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Photos of Dowans Hotel
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![Dowans Hotel, Speyside]()
Dowans Hotel, Speyside -
![Dowans Hotel, Speyside]()
Dowans Hotel, Speyside -
![Dowans Hotel, Speyside]()
Dowans Hotel, Speyside
Rooms
Each of the 16 rooms at the Dowans Hotel is a slightly different size and layout, but each has been tastefully styled with contemporary furnishings which are nevertheless in-keeping with the history of the property. Each en suite room is named after a different whisky, and there are various pictures or artifacts from local distilleries dotted around. Two rooms are housed within turrets, so have an additional circular daybed in the turret space. Every room has a coffee machine, a TV and free Wi-Fi and executive club and junior suite rooms get a complimentary whisky on arrival.
Location
The Dowans Hotel is located a 15-minute walk from Aberlour, a small but industrious town on the edge of the River Spey. There are around 50 distilleries within a 30-minute drive from the property. In addition, Aberlour also houses the original Walker's Shortbread factory. Aviemore, in the north of the Cairngorms National Park, is around a 50-minute drive away.
Food and drink
The hotel has two restaurants, the more informal option, 57, has excellent seasonal dishes ranging from local Scottish cuisine to pizza and midweek offers a ‘market menu’ with more intricate dishes. Spé is the fine dining restaurant, open on Friday and Saturday evenings only and offers delicious tasting menus. The hotel also has a well-stocked bar and The Still, a whisky library.
Facilities and activities
The hotel can arrange wildlife stalking opportunities, as well as fly-fishing on the River Spey with a local ghillie, on the Ballindalloch Estate beats. The fishing season runs between early March and the end of September. Gin or whisky tastings can also be arranged.
Tour ideas in Speyside
Our itineraries are there to spark ideas for how you could include a stay at Dowans Hotel as part of your trip. Treat them simply as suggestions, because every aspect of the trip we create for you will be yours to define.
Alternative places to stay nearby
Where possible, we like to offer a range of accommodation for each stop of your trip, chosen by our specialists as some of their favorite places to stay. To help you make the right choice, we give each property a rating based on its facilities and service, but we also look for hotels with distinct character or a location that can't be bettered.
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![The Station Hotel, Rothes, Speyside]()
The Station Hotel
Speyside
Speyside and nearby places
- The Cairngorms 51 kilometers away
- Inverness 60 kilometers away
- Loch Ness 76 kilometers away
- The Highlands 124 kilometers away
- St Andrews 129 kilometers away
- Fort William 135 kilometers away
- Glencoe 143 kilometers away
- Edinburgh 169 kilometers away
- Isle of Skye 178 kilometers away
- Loch Awe 178 kilometers away