Macdonald Aviemore Hotel

4.0 star property

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Photo gallery for Macdonald Aviemore Hotel

Restaurant
Front of property – evening/night
Beach
Golf
2 indoor pools, pool loungers

Reviews

7.2 out of 10
Good

Popular amenities

  • Bar
  • Gym
  • 24/7 front desk
  • Pool
  • Breakfast available
  • Laundry

Explore the area

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Macdonald Aviemore Resort, Aviemore, Scotland, PH22 1PN
  • Place, Strathspey Steam Railway
    ‪2 min walk‬
  • Place, Rothiemurchus Estate Visitor Centre
    ‪3 min drive‬
  • Place, Loch an Eilein
    ‪6 min drive‬
  • Airport, Inverness (INV)
    ‪50 min drive‬

Room options

Standard Room, 1 Double Bed with Sofa bed

7.0 out of 10
Good
(7 reviews)
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 Double Bed and 1 Double Sofa Bed

Standard Room, Multiple Beds

  • Sleeps 5
  • 1 Twin Bed and 2 Double Beds

Standard Room, 1 King Bed

8.0 out of 10
Very good
(4 reviews)
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

Standard Room, 1 King Bed with Sofa bed

  • Sleeps 4
  • 1 King Bed and 1 Double Sofa Bed

Standard Room, Multiple Beds

9.0 out of 10
Wonderful
(2 reviews)
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 Twin Bed and 1 King Bed

Standard Room, 1 Double Bed with Sofa bed

8.0 out of 10
Very good
(3 reviews)
  • Sleeps 4
  • 1 Double Bed and 1 Double Sofa Bed

Standard Room, 1 Double Bed

8.0 out of 10
Very good
(5 reviews)
  • Sleeps 4
  • 1 Double Bed

Standard Room, 1 Double Bed

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(2 reviews)
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Double Bed

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About this property

Macdonald Aviemore Hotel

Family-friendly hotel with 2 indoor pools and a health club
Along with 2 indoor pools, this smoke-free hotel has a restaurant and a health club. Free WiFi in public areas and free self parking are also provided. Additionally, a bar/lounge, a sauna, and a conference center are onsite.
Macdonald Aviemore Hotel offers 108 accommodations with coffee/tea makers and hair dryers. Satellite television is provided. Bathrooms include shower/tub combinations and complimentary toiletries.

This Aviemore hotel provides complimentary wireless Internet access. Business-friendly amenities include desks and phones. Additionally, rooms include irons/ironing boards and blackout drapes/curtains. Housekeeping is provided daily.

2 indoor swimming pools are on site along with a children's pool. Other recreational amenities include a waterslide, a health club, and a sauna.

Children under 16 years old are not allowed in the swimming pool or health club without adult supervision.

The recreational activities listed below are available either on site or nearby; fees may apply.

During your stay at Macdonald Aviemore Hotel, you're just a quick walk from Strathspey Steam Railway. Enjoy features like free WiFi in public areas and free self parking, plus 2 indoor pools.
  • Free WiFi
  • Free self parking
  • Grab something to eat at the restaurant or stop for a drink at the bar/lounge
  • Full breakfast served daily for a fee
  • Splash around at the waterslide or swim in the 2 indoor pools
  • Services include a kid's club, dry cleaning/laundry, and tour or ticket assistance
  • Onsite recreation includes a gym, a steam room, and a sauna
  • Steps from Strathspey Steam Railway and 5 minutes by foot from Spey Valley Golf Course
Macdonald Aviemore Hotel offers its guests 2 indoor swimming pools, a waterslide, a health club, and a sauna. There's a restaurant on site. You can enjoy a drink at the bar/lounge. Public spaces have free WiFi.

Business amenities include a business center and 10 meeting rooms. A children's pool, an arcade/game room, and gift shops/newsstands are also featured at the family-friendly Macdonald Aviemore Hotel. Self parking is free.

This 4-star Aviemore hotel is smoke free.

For a fee, guests can enjoy full breakfast daily from 7 AM to 10:30 AM.
Macdonald Aviemore Hotel has a restaurant on site.

Awards and affiliations

Eco-Certified Property
This property participates in Green Tourism Program, a program that measures the property's impact on one or more of the following: environment, community, cultural-heritage, the local economy.

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and transport

  • Free self parking on site
  • Wheelchair-accessible parking available

Food and drink

  • Daily full breakfast available 7 AM to 10:30 AM for a fee: GBP 18 for adults and GBP 12.50 for children
  • A bar/lounge
  • A restaurant

Things to do

  • 2 indoor pools
  • Arcade/game room
  • Archery
  • Bicycle rentals
  • Children's club
  • Children's pool
  • Health club
  • Playground
  • Sauna
  • Shopping
  • Ski passes
  • Ski storage
  • Steam room
  • Waterslide

Family friendly

  • 2 indoor pools
  • Arcade/game room
  • Children's club (surcharge)
  • Children's pool
  • Laundry facilities
  • Playground
  • Supervised activities for children (surcharge)
  • Waterslide

Conveniences

  • 24-hour front desk
  • Gift shop/newsstand
  • Laundry facilities
  • Luggage storage
  • Safe at front desk

Guest services

  • Dry cleaning/laundry service
  • Housekeeping (daily)
  • Tour and ticket assistance
  • Wedding services

Business services

  • 10 meeting rooms
  • Business centre
  • Conference centre

Outdoors

  • Garden
  • Picnic area
  • Pool loungers

Spa

  • 2 treatment rooms
  • Aromatherapy
  • Ayurvedic treatments
  • Body scrubs
  • Body wraps
  • Facials
  • Manicures/pedicures
  • Massage

Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • Bathroom emergency pull cord
  • Braille/raised signage
  • Grab bar near toilet
  • Lift
  • Low-height counter and sink
  • Raised toilet seat
  • Wheelchair accessibility
  • Wheelchair-accessible parking
  • Wheelchair-accessible path of travel

More

  • 3 floors
  • Banquet hall
  • Built in 2000
  • Smoke-free property

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Bedsheets provided
  • Blackout drapes

Bathroom

  • Free toiletries
  • Hair dryer
  • Private bathroom
  • Shower/bathtub combination
  • Towels provided

Entertainment

  • 28-inch TV with satellite channels

Food and drink

  • Coffee/tea maker

More

  • Connecting rooms available
  • Desk
  • Heating
  • Iron/ironing board
  • Phone

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 4:00 PM; Check-in end time: 10:00 PM
Contactless check-in available
Express check-in available
Minimum check-in age: 18

Check-out

Check-out before 11 AM
Contactless check-out available
Express check-out available

Special check-in instructions

Front desk staff will greet guests on arrival at the property
Dinner is not included in half board rates for children age 12 and under who share existing bedding with a parent, and can be requested onsite for a fee.

Access methods

Staffed front desk

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.
  • Rollaway/extra beds are not available.

Payment types at the property

Important information

Optional extras

The fees and deposits listed below will be charged at the time of service, check-in, or check-out.

  • Fee for full breakfast: approximately GBP 18.00 for adults and GBP 12.50 for children

This may not be a comprehensive list. Fees and deposits are subject to change and might not include tax.

You need to know

This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business, or profession.
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
The name on the credit card used at check-in to pay for incidentals must be the primary name on the guestroom reservation
This property accepts credit cards; cash is not accepted
Safety features at this property include a carbon monoxide detector, a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, a security system, a first aid kit, and window guards
Please note that cultural norms and guest policies may differ by country and by property; the policies listed are provided by the property
Front desk staff will greet guests on arrival at the property.
If you cancel your booking, you'll be subject to the host's cancellation policy. In accordance with EU regulations about consumer rights, property booking services are not subject to the right of withdrawal.

We should mention

  • Reservations are needed for massage services and spa treatments. For reservations, contact the hotel before arrival using the contact information on the booking confirmation.
  • Connecting/adjoining rooms are subject to availability and can be requested by contacting the property at the number on your booking confirmation.
  • This property welcomes guests of all sexual orientations and gender identities (LGBTQ+ friendly).

National rating

This establishment has received its official star rating from VisitScotland, the National Tourist Board for Scotland.

Property is also known as

Macdonald Academy Aviemore
Macdonald Academy Hotel
Macdonald Academy Hotel Aviemore
Academy Hotel At Macdonald Aviemore Resort Scotland
Macdonald Aviemore Hotel
Macdonald Aviemore
Macdonald Aviemore Hotel At Macdonald Aviemore Resort Scotland
Macdonald Aviemore Highland Hotel Aviemore
Macdonald Aviemore Hotel Hotel
Macdonald Aviemore Hotel Aviemore
Macdonald Aviemore Hotel Hotel Aviemore

Reviews

Macdonald Aviemore Hotel Reviews

7.2

Good

7.6/10

Cleanliness

7.4/10

Staff & service

7.8/10

Amenities

6.6/10

Property conditions & facilities

6.8/10

Eco-friendliness
Rating 10 - Excellent. 129 out of 554 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 173 out of 554 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 136 out of 554 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 82 out of 554 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 34 out of 554 reviews

Reviews

4/10 Poor

M

Travelled with family
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Tired hotel!!!!!

Hotel is very tired. Rooms are ok nothing special not for the price anyway! No glasses at the bar for our pint of beer. No food served in bar downstairs. Toilets in bar are horrible. For the price they charged for a stay there, i wouldnt spend the money again!
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

6/10 Okay

Emma

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness
Disliked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities

Not value for money

Breakfast was basic but fine, bar service was terrible, barman didn’t know what he was doing. Rooms not serviced and shabby but adequate. Pool changing areas filthy, pool cold. Kids loved the soft play area. Location good. Staff friendly but not enough of them.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Ingrida

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

The best place for a family holiday.

Well suited for a family holiday. Great location, stunning scenery. Highly recommend.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025

4/10 Poor

Taim

Travelled with family
Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Dirty rooms , carpets need to be replaced. Bathroom stains. Mouldy. In desperate need of renovations.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2025

4/10 Poor

Steven

Travelled with family
Disliked: Staff & service

Food/service well below Macdonald hotels standards

The hotel itself was fine - cheap and cheerful - and the staff there were really helpful and even gave us leisure passes despite arriving earlier than check in. What let the rating down and lets Macdonald hotels down overall was the terrible experience we had at the Italian restaurant despite knowing 2 of our party are gluten intolerant the 2x attempts at bringing inedible stone cold (uncooked/frozen) pizza bases and then expecting to charge the full bill in full view of rest of restaurant.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

6/10 Okay

PUNEET

Travelled with family
Liked: Staff & service, amenities
Everything is ok except the rooms which are now out dated, without aircon or ventilation. Activities are good and surroundings are amazing. But the resort and rooms need a major refurbishment.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

6/10 Okay

Vicky

Travelled with family

Average hotel.

The Macdonald aviemore hotel needs some updating but generally clean and tidy. The reception staff on the day got the job done but he wasn’t very friendly. We asked for a fan to which we got a two word reply ‘no fans’. My daughter left some belongings in a drawer after we checked out and after contacting the hotel several times we have not had any response about getting them back. The housekeeping staff apparently give the room a thorough clean including the drawers and so therefore should have found the belongings. Despite giving our date of stay and room number they haven’t been in touch. This is disappointing and I would have expected more.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

6/10 Okay

Amanda

Travelled with family
Property was a little dated and the waterpark was small. Our kids age 12 and 14 were too old to enjoy the full experience that younger kids would like. Dinner at Italian restaurant was good as was buffet breakfast.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

8/10 Good

Alastair

Travelled with family and small children
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Showing signs of wear and tear outside particularly. Staff very friendly, but overall perhaps a bit overpriced
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Umar

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed for the weekend with the family (2 adults & 2 kids aged 8 & 6). Room was a good size and clean. Great amenities on site - playpark, cinema, swimming pool, soft play & amazing pizza at the resort's Italian restaurant.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Good

We stayed for a couple of nights for a family getaway. The hotel was really nice, well maintained and needs we're comfy. Breakfast was good. The pool was a little smaller than expected and not very warm, but our 2 year old loved it
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

4/10 Poor

Lisa

Travelled with family
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities

Not a four star!

Hotel is dated and run down. The room had a musty smell. Breakfast buffet is awful. Staff were friendly
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

4/10 Poor

Margaret

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
Confusion re what Hotel we were booked into (3 on the property). Paid extra for bunk beds and extra TV received neither ie 2 put up beds instead. Buffet breakfast very disorganised. Food kept running out, butter, milk coffee etc from a H and S prospective dangerous practice to be expected to carry hot tea and coffee from buffet to table whilst children walking about.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Monica

Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

8/10 Good

Maureen

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2025

4/10 Poor

Verified traveller

Travelled with family
Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Hotel is really run down. Facilities are good but in need of a deep clean and upgrade. Room is dated and had a damp smell.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Kathleen

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The hotel is close to shopping, public transportation, and many sights in the Cairgorm National Park. Dinner options are available to guests with reservations, and the room was as advertised.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Johanna

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
We had a nice stay at MacDonald Aviemore! The staff was friendly and welcoming and the location was central to the shops and restaurants.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2025

6/10 Okay

Harry

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, room comfort
The part of the resort we stayed in whilst cleanliness couldn’t be faulted is beginning to look a bit tired. The food at the Fish Bar on the first night could have been better. There was no table check. We found the fish a little greasy but lovely chips. The room was clean and comfortable. We had breakfast both mornings and would have liked the cooked food to be a little hotter. For some reason (no explanation given) we were shown to a different part of the hotel for Sunday breakfast albeit others were shown through to where we had been the previous day. The ambiance of the Saturday morning room was far better. Again the cooked food temperature was a little wanting. Overall stay was “okay “
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2025

6/10 Okay

Mari

Travelled with family
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities

Room very small

The room was very small for a family of 4, the bunk bed area tiny and a bad whiff of body odour. Not value for money unfortunately
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Brendan

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

2/10 Terrible

Mantas

Travelled with family
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Dated, certainly not 4 star!!
Stayed 1 night in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Dulcie

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

laura

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2025

6/10 Okay

Sian

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
Can’t fault the staff and cleanliness of the hotel and facilities but the hotel itself is very tired externally. Flaking paint etc makes the building look awful and doesn’t give a good first impression for tourists. Other negative point is having to pay an extra £2.50 to get a latte out of the coffee machine at breakfast at time. This is rediculous when many low budget hotels have this included with breakfast.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2025