Macdonald Academy Hotel

Never again. For what we paid for a “deluxe” room we had some expectations but were sorely disappointed. Not even bottled water in the room (even though that’s what is advertised on their website). No fridge, no drawer space, filthy carpets and one of the worst breakfasts we’ve ever had in a hotel restaurant. Food cold, stale bread, soggy fruit and a carpet which has never seen a hoover in about 20 years. We were given a £25 voucher to use on food and drink. But we’d have to have been held at gunpoint to step back in that restaurant so decided to use the £25 in the bar. The bar - difficult to describe but looked like a lounge in a retirement home. With absolutely no atmosphere. This hotel is so dated and in severe need of a refurbishment. And soon. The building is in total disrepair and the corridors and rooms are so old and dirty. The staff look like they’d rather be anywhere else and I don’t blame them. This is a 2 star hotel at best.

We stayed here for 5 days in a 4 person hotel room. Room is a bit on the old side. The beds are good though. We were in 2128 and this room was directly connected to swimming pool, so ideal for the children so you don't have to drag with all your stuff! Pool was really fine for the kids. Also includes a sauna and Turkish bath. You'd have to be 16 to get in. In the room was missing something of a small fridge or something so we could keep some drinks cool for the evenings or to take for days away (because you often go out). As stated in previous reviews, the park is dated. And that's right. What a shame there is so much more to get out of it! An upgrade is really necessary. There is a nice playground for small children! There is enough space for the older children to build something of a football field (does not have to be large). Now you notice that the older children don't really do anything around the hotel. That would really be an asset. We had breakfast with it. This was fine and was continuously replenished. Small activities are also organized. We have used it once. This would be something of a comedy, a singer turned out. Unfortunately, there was hardly anyone in the lounge. The staff is fine. We had asked for information about the fire in the Cairngorms and walks. Unfortunately, the staff who were behind the desk at the time could not tell us much about it. That was a shame, long live chat gpt then! All in all had a great stay. As mentioned earlier, it is a fine hotel in itself, but could really use an upgrade. Setting is beautiful! Unfortunately the fires did not go to the Cairngorms. From behind the hotel you can also easily reach the mountains with a path. Have your walk of about 2 hours with beautiful views! It is also recommended to go to the working sheepdogs and to the Cairngorm rendeer deer. Unforgettable moments! As a restaurant, la taverna is highly recommended. Delicious pastas and good service.

We stayed at Macdonald Highlands Hotel for one night (23–24 July), booking two rooms for our family during our Scotland holiday. While the hotel's location is convenient for exploring Aviemore and the surrounding Highlands, our overall experience was disappointing, especially considering the premium price. The interiors and guest rooms feel dated and are in need of refurbishment. The furniture, curtains, and overall décor looked old, making the rooms feel dark rather than warm and welcoming. Accessing our rooms was also inconvenient. We had to navigate multiple corridors, doors, and staircases, with the lift located quite far away, making it difficult to transport luggage. The check-in time of 4:00 PM is later than most hotels and significantly reduced the time we had to explore the area. We ended up waiting in the lobby before we could access our rooms, and since we had to leave early the following morning, we effectively used the hotel only as a place to sleep. Breakfast was acceptable but fairly limited, with fewer choices than we expected from a hotel in this category. Parking was another challenge. Spaces are limited, and guests arriving later in the day may struggle to find a convenient spot. Overall, while the location is good, we did not feel the hotel offered value for the price paid. A comprehensive renovation and modernization of the rooms and public areas would greatly enhance the guest experience. Based on our stay, we would consider other accommodation options in Aviemore for future visits.