Stayed here during business/work trip, excellent place to stay if you want great food and service. Beautiful views from restaurant and rooms. Bit of a steep climb up to the hotel but great for working off those excellent neeps and tatties. First time here but will be back.

Having frequented the Knowes on numerous occasions over the past few years I have yet to be disappointed with my meal. Having read the previous review I felt it was necessary to speak out and say, what a shame that the couple moan to the world, yet could not have shared their disappointment with the management and allowed them the opportunity to offer a solution.

The staff and management are indeed warm and welcoming - at least this is one statement that is accurate.

We didn't stay at this hotel so can't coment on the rooms, we were staying locally in a rented cottage. We popped in one night for a drink, and was greeted to a warm welcome from the friendly barmaid, who gave us some tips of places to visit, she was most helpfull so helpfull that we decided to eat there the following night. What a BIG MISTAKE, the food was terrible my husband had Venison or so it said, it could have beeen anything but certainly wasn't venison. I had paprika & corinader Lamb with rice, unfortunatly couldn't find any lamb. So we ate what we could then paid and left. Didn't want to complain because the barmaid was so so nice. Went to the chippy instead total waste of money!!
The couple on the next table were non too happy with their meal either. Think they need to get a new chef.

Firstly, we spent two nights here as part of our honeymoon,couldn't have been made to feel more welcome throughout, and on our departure we were given a bottle of Knowes hotel wine to keep for an anniversary!

The hotel itself is very clean and tidy, nicely presented and our room was large with a lovely en suite bath/shower room. Modern and with everything you would expect - apparently the hair dryers are excellent (and who am I to argue!).

Great views can be had (see photos) from the rooms, the bar and the restaurant. In fact, it seems most postcard pictures of Bamff Bay and Macduff are taken from the hill a few yards to the west of this hotel.

The location is great for exploring the area - couple of companies run boat trips from the harbour, there is an acquarium nearby and we surfed at Bamff! You can easily explore further afield from this location - we visited Tomintoul (highest town - also part of the whiskey trail) on the way up, and Lochness is about 1hr 45mins away, with the best bits of the coast much nearer. Cairngorms, and Aviemore and other ski areas probably within 90mins, maybe less on a good run.

The food is spot on - breakfast fresh and hearty, better than most hotels (and I stay in a lot for work). The evening fayre was uncomplicated and very good - Cullen Skink (local specialty) in particular was super. The second night we were there was 'curry night', and the curry, chips, naan, rice and drink were exactly right after two hours surfing. Make no mistake, this is not fine dining (although dishes were nicely presented and very well cooked) but it was good food.

No doubt there are more fancy and 'upmarket' looking hotels in the area, but I would bet good money that you will have the best experience here. Nothing is too much trouble for the staff - they even helped us track down my wifes swimsuit (left at the surf club!) when my phone reception was poor.

It was a beautifully quiet and relaxing stay. We very much hope to go back one day and would recommend a stop here in the strongest possible terms.

Superb hotel. Book it.