I’ve written before about how the quality of your accommodation can shape your entire travel experience.
We’ve left some cities with a poor impression mainly because of where we stayed. Conversely, when you find the right place it can become one of the trip’s highlights. That’s exactly what happened during our visit to Aviemore in Scotland.
We travelled there to visit a live herd of reindeer that roam the nearby mountains, and after some disappointing hostel experiences in Edinburgh we wanted somewhere comfortable, welcoming and ideally serving a cooked breakfast. We found all of that at Dunroamin B&B.
From the moment we arrived we felt like part of the family. The owners, Lorraine and Jim, welcomed us warmly and even offered a few bottles from the local brewery where Jim works.
Our room was a delight after the cold, sparse space we’d had previously. Instead of a paint-smelling, WiFi-less room we found a huge, soft, comfortable bed and a cozy atmosphere. There was even a small Christmas tree in the corner, which made the room feel especially festive.
The next morning we went down for breakfast to a steaming pot of coffee, fresh fruit and yogurt. Before long a full plate of Scottish breakfast classics arrived: sausage, eggs, bacon and black pudding. After months away from home, that fry-up was a wonderful treat.
We spent our days in Aviemore sampling local food and drink, getting some work done and simply relaxing. The comfortable bed made a big difference to our rest and enjoyment—small comforts really add up on the road.
Travelling long term makes it hard to always find or afford accommodations like this, but occasionally it’s worth the splurge. Sitting inside with a warm drink while watching the snow fall outside felt perfectly seasonal and restorative.
It doesn’t get much more Christmassy than that.
We were given a reduced rate for our stay at Dunroamin B&B, but that did not influence our opinions. The welcome and cozy atmosphere were genuine, and our views remain honest.