I LOVE TO BE BESIDE DEESIDE
Who needs to go abroad when there are fantastic places to explore on a staycation in our breathtakingly beautiful country?
WHEN the sun shines at home, you don’t need to go abroad for a great family holiday.
So when the chance of a trip to Banchory Lodge on beautiful Royal Deeside came up, we jumped at it.
The hotel and its surroundings are stunning at the best of times but we struck lucky – checking in on one of the hottest days of the year.
As we made our way up the long, tree-lined drive, we were greeted by the glorious sight of the grade II-listed Georgian building playing host to an outdoor wedding.
Resplendent in the sunshine, brightly dressed guests were toasting the new Mr & Mrs with glasses of bubbly on the lawn.
The only downside to arriving at a thriving and animated hotel was that the car park was completely full – not the best when you are trying to unload a packed car with two impatient kids in the back.
Unpacking tackled, it was time to chill and the atmosphere was relaxed as guests soaked up the incredible views on the outdoor terrace. It didn’t take our two adventurous boys – Angus, five, and Lewis, two, long to spot Banchory Lodge’s best feature – the river.
Sparkling in the sunshine, it was inviting them to rush straight down.
My husband Gary, the kids and I spent numerous hours paddling in the water, jumping from stone to stone, basking on the rocks and fishing with bandy nets.
Who needs TV or iPads when there’s a river to explore?
It was a joy to watch them frolic in the water and revel in nature. Although, the kids didn’t catch a single fish, they were fascinated by the salmon leaping out of the river and making their way upstream. The nearby Falls of Feugh were also a hit for more salmon-spotting.
We eventually managed to drag them indoors so we could investigate our new surroundings.
The hotel has 28 bedrooms, all individually styled with a mix of new and old.
The rooms were clean, fresh and, most importantly, quiet.
We had a large wooden double bed with a fold down sofa and Z-bed. It was spacious and we still had plenty of room left for the boys to bounce around.
The large bath went down a treat with the boys and the huge shower that filled the bathroom was a hit with the adults.
There is plenty to do in the local area – including shooting, walking, fishing, watersports and golfing.
A park and BBQ area are a short walk from the hotel.
Banchory Sports Centre and Swimming Pool is just up the road, and Go Ape at Crathes
Castle and Drum Castle are only a few miles away, too, so you’ll find plenty to keep the kids busy.
We opted for our afternoon tea on the first day, thinking a sweet treat would perk us up.
It is served from 2.30pm to 4pm every day and didn’t disappoint.
With a mountain of sandwiches, pork sausage rolls, fruit scones, cakes and biscuits, there is something to suit all tastes.
It is priced at £16.95 and I topped mine off with a glass of Prosecco – well, we were on holiday after all.
After a full day of activities, we were keen to sample the dinner menu. The recently upgraded bar has booths and leather sofas, giving a warm and cosy feel. It was bustling and busy from 6pm onwards with a mixture of locals and residents.
The contemporary wallpaper kept my two-year-old entertained – its black-and-white animals seemed to come alive.
Water and treats are available for your waggy-tailed companion, too.
The bar leads on to the terrace where the kids sampled the childrens’ menu.
It has something for everyone with a traditional little roast dinner, chicken strips, or bangers ’n’ mash. We loved the idea of the “mashing up” your own pasta dish – brilliant for fussy-eating kids.
A three-course meal would set you back £11.50 but all dishes can be bought individually.
Having the little people tucked up in bed, my husband and I took advantage of our patio and glorious weather to dine outside.
Our terrace was above the bar terrace but was sectioned off with beautiful flower boxes, giving a little privacy.
Being served our dinner safe in the knowledge that the kids were in earshot was heavenly and we were able to relax for the first time in months.
The warm winter salad (£6.50) filled with crispy kale, sprouts, pine nuts, parmesan and topped with a delicious lemon dressing was a healthy start then I polished off their fish ’n’ chips (£14.50).
My husband is more adventurous than me and had seared scallops (£11), Stornoway black pudding, pancetta and compressed apple, followed by Gressingham Duck (£18.50).
In the morning, we ate breakfast while watching the River Dee flow past.
A plentiful selection of cooked and continental were on offer but my sweet tooth meant I couldn’t see past the deluxe French toast.
At times the hotel was very busy with wedding guests and service could take a little longer. But with the perfect location and perfect weather, we were truly spoilt.
And if you’re not as lucky as us with the weather, the hotel have a selection of brightly coloured welly boots at reception – ready for those muddy puddles.