Macdonald Aviemore Hotel

Macdonald Aviemore Hotel descritpion

The 3-star Academy Hotel is part of the Aviemore Holilday Resort, across from Aviemore Train Station. It offers family rooms and access to the resorts pool, spa and restaurants.
Set in the Scottish Highlands Cairngorms National Park, Aviemore is a renowned ski resort. There is a mountain train and Spey Valley Golf Course us just a 5-minute drive from the hotel.
Rooms at the Hotel Academy have private bathrooms with baths and showers. They also include TVs, radios and Wi-Fi is available in public areas of the hotel.
Therre is a kids club for children with indoor and outdoor activities. There is an on-site bar which has evening entertainment.
The Aviemore Resort has a kids club, gym and many treatments available at the spa. There is also the Sprey Valley Shopping Centre, the Highland Food Court and Giovanni’s Italian Restaurant.

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Facilities of Macdonald Aviemore Hotel

Pets ：Pets are not allowed.

Food & Drink ：Bar

Internet ：Free!WiFi is available in all areas and is free of charge.

Parking ：Free!Free private parking is available on site (reservation is not needed).

Services ：Laundry

Reviews for Macdonald Aviemore Hotel

Review 1：That we had to go out of the complex for a swim and the sauna was out of order.

Review 2：I asked for a room in a quiet location and got one at the end of the corridor.

Review 3：The exterior of the building and reception area is very drab . However our room was beautiful . The coffee shop is only so so . No gluten free cakes so we had to buy packets of biscuits in the shop . In this day and age , many many people are gluten free and therefore it is a plus to accommodate their diet .

Review 4：The room was large and airy with a superb bed . Lovely pillows and the temperature was perfect . Good quality toiletries and towels and very peaceful bearing in mind it was Hogmanay .

Review 5：Common areas were tired, and we so disapointed with the food. Christmas lunch was like a school dinner with meat rationed! Breakfast was worse, really poor quality sausages etc

Review 6：Nice newly refurbed room, good soft play for little people

Review 7：No hot water on day of arrival and no hot water until following morning. No lighting at entrance to accommodation (partially sighted member of the party could not see) pool water & area cold

Review 8：The friendly restaurant staff

Review 9：Additional charge for soft play area. Not many restaurants open at the time we visited.

Review 10：Excellent swimming pool on site. Staff were very helpful, rooms lovely.

Review 11：The leisure facilities were poor, the pool was very cold, the sauna wasn't working, neither was the flume or the jacuzzi when we stayed.

Review 12：The rooms were lovely, clean and the staff were also friendly.

Review 13：A more informed leaflet about the facilities and sample menus would have been handy. Had to use my phone to find details.

Review 14：The reception staff were very helpful and the dining staff were very welcoming.

Review 15：Check out time was far to early, being able to check out of our room after 1pm would have been much better suited.

Review 16：Staff were extreamly friendly and helpful.

Review 17：Would have preferred to stay in nicer building as ours was full of families. We were the only people there without kids. Not particularly cheap at £139 for one night! Also in bar ordered two large glasses of red wine. Was more than would usually have in a large glass but reflected by price of £11 for each glass. Would have been nice to be told larger than normal!

Review 18：The bedroom was lovely but didn't like the building.

Review 19：The only negative I have is that the hotel bar only sold bottled beer and there was not much option in the way of snacks, also we were not told about the sports bar till 9pm but that's a very small negative.

Review 20：I liked everything about our trip away, the hotel was lovely and the staff were great. The trip on the Santa express is a must the kids will love it.

Review 21：Room was in the wrong hotel, hairs all over bathroom & rubbish under the bed! Didn't look like it had been cleaned, when I brought it up with hotel saff the rubbish was picked up but nothing else. Gross! Santa experience was poor, definitely not worth £10! Pool was freezing & dirty.

Review 22：The Steakhouse & wine list were great

Review 23：Room was not made up when we returned on the Sunday night. Housekeeping had to come up at 6.30pm to do it after I complained.

Review 24：Facilities were excellent and very close to Hotel. Ideal for our young family.

Review 25：Given a complimentary upgrade to the "4 star" hotel, however found property to be a bit tired and. Service in both restaurants (Steakhouse and Italian) was below average with poor attention from staff. Staff also seemed easily confused with the simplest of requests. It's from menu on first night not available even though restaurant booking was in the early evening. Observered other diners complaining about service and not much being done to improve on this. Leisure facilities very disappointing, pool cold, jacuzzi not in working order (described by a local resident as having been broken for about 3 years), sauna also not in working order!

Review 26：Location, cleanliness and food.

Review 27：The hotel, despite being refurbished, felt quite dated. There was only one receptionist on the desk, which meant long queues at check in an out. The room was OK but quite tight, and you couldn't fully open the wardrobe without trying to move the table and chairs, which were squeezed in by the vanity table and chair on the other side. The key card constantly needed reprogrammed too. I was told this was because I'd held it next to my phone, but even when I made sure this wasn't the case the card would still not work and I'd have to trail back to reception again.The facilities in the hotel were very limited and there was no lounge area. The bar did not have the facilities to serve hot drinks, and the barman warned us it would be almost £5 for a cup of tea in the other part of the resort if we wished to go there. The craft materials from the afternoon activities were still lying around the bar in the evening and hadn't been tidied away. The entertainer was openly moaning over the microphone that he was shattered after working his third straight 14 hour day!Breakfast was served in another building, which we knew, but it was chaotic. The table and chairs felt crushed in, so we had to keep asking the people next to us to squeeze in so we could get in or out of our seats, and they did the same with us. This was made worse because you don't get served tea or coffee at your table, so you have to go and get it yourself. This also increases the volume of people wandering around trying to get sorted. There were no trays, so you had to do separate runs for hot drinks, cold drinks and breakfast. It felt quite stressful. I felt that every time I turned around I'd bump in to someone. The staff were great, and very efficient at clearing tables. It's just a shame they could not be tasked with helping with hot drinks, which would limit traffic to people getting their breakfast.

Review 28：It was a useful hub to go and explore. Our children loved the bunk beds in their own little space.

Review 29：Long wait checking in. No ground floor room available. Restaurant was in different hotel both evenings and service was poor. We were overcharged and it took staff sometime to correct at checkout. All in all we were dissatisfied and would not recommend this hotel.

Review 30：Leisure centre and situation. Room was comfortable and bed excellent.

Review 31：They don't supply "cots" only travel cots, not the same! The three we had were disgusting! Sick stained & really dirty/grubby, not what I'd put my 5 month old in, staff not help full with the matter, very disappointed!!

Review 32：Excellent place to be with children, plenty for them to do.

Review 33：A dead fly on the windowsill and somebody else's pill on the carpet by the bed - could not give 100% for that! Otherwise very clean and comfortable

Review 34：Location, swimming pool, sauna etc.,

Review 35：The Building design and external facade. The initial approach really lets everything else down.

Review 36：Rooms well appointed, very clean. Breakfast excellent. Don't be fooled by the terribly bland and clearly local council planning department enforced design!!

Review 37：Nothing to fault.

Review 38：We had a poorly baby and staff were very accommodating allowing us to order room service a d take meals up to our room from the restaurant. Really lovely hotel. The food was excellent. Great facilities. We usually stay at the Hilton in Aviemore and would say both of these hotels are excellent.

Review 39：The water was not very warm. My showers were barely warm and on the second day the water was so cold I had to boil the kettle for a wash at 6.30am.

Review 40：The meals were really good and the hot food really was hot.

Review 41：The outside of the hotel we stayed is was not very appealing. No staff at reception. No wifi as promised when booking. Leisure facilities ok but jacuzzi and sauna not working

Review 42：The bed was extremely comfortable

Review 43：Breakfast was far away in a different hotel and there were no sauna or jacuzzi facilities in the resort at all. The choice for food was poor, the Italian restaurant was terrible.

Review 44：we had a lovely comfortable room

Review 45：Nobody at main resort reception when we arrived although a member of staff did help to find out where we were staying. Small cafe beside kids soft play closed at 5pm when play area still open. Having come out of swimming my son played in soft play & we were looking forward to a drink but cafe closed. Noticed a few other families wanted to do same.

Review 46：Lots of activities for children to do.

Review 47：The resort overall is ideal for parents with Kids. The room was clean and fresh if a little cramped with two wing back chairs sandwiched in there but overall good. Breakfasts were great and very well organised.

Review 48：lack of clear directions and signposts around the resort (still have no idea where the game room is). Breakfast in a spereate building from our room was inconvienent. The facility also looked generally run down and in need of refurbishment

Review 49：Good facilities for children, good standard of breakfast

Review 50：Very slow breakfast, que to be seated was too long and the food has run out so we needed to wait for new to be cooked.

Review 51：The hotel itself was amazingly clean and very high standard finish. Huge bed, amazing pillows, everything was very classy and clean. Very satisfied and would stay again.

Review 52：Room excellent, but reception/public areas a little tired and let's down the overall effect of the hotel ( we were in The Aviemore Hotel)

Review 53：Easy walking to all facilities and the town

Review 54：as above , requests for a bed for my son was forgotten about, as was a request for more milk/ coffee for room.not a major inconvenience, but could be better.

Review 55：Very nice stay/ staff are great.reception/housekeeping little disappointing , asked for a couple of things for room, think they had forgotten had to remind them,not a big problem but, at the rates they charge , could be an improvement in that area.

Review 56：Nothing to complain about at all just wish we could have had an extra night for the same price we paid for the 3 we stayed.

Review 57：Great facilities for young kids all within short walking distance of each other.

Review 58：Hotel tried taking payment twice as well as charging us for an extra night. Given 3 incorrect bills in restaurant before we revived right one. Very disorganised.

Review 59：Lots of activities for children.

Review 60：We had some issues with the electricity as it was activated by our room key- which required some turning off and on again to work Some noise from the disco downstairs. Very busy car park due to a running event.

Review 61：Great location Loads to do with the kids Room was very comfy and clean Breakfast was lovely Very practical & enjoyable for a stay with young children We wished we had booked to stay for longer!

Review 62：Swimming pool could do with some childrens toys / floats and the changing rooms were a bit grimy

Review 63：Staff we're very friendly and professional! Lots to do for young family. Perfect base for many outdoors activities in the area. Super comfy bed and lovely clean room... Delicious breakfasts - we loved our stay!

Review 64：The only thing was at the swimming pool in the activity centre, not all facilities like sauna and jacuzzi wasn't working apart from that everything was excellent.

Review 65：The breakfast was of a high standard. Room was very clean and of high standard.

Review 66：Walls are very thin and we could clearly hear a male voice on the phone which had it been later on in the evening it would have been very annoying.

Review 67：Well located. Clean room and comfortable bed. Young lady at reception was very cheerful and helpful. Dining room staff were very pleasant too. Nice breakfast.

Review 68：Swimming pool in different building only one restaurant open on site we did not realise you had to book before arriving

Review 69：Room comfortable but entrance to rooms scruffy and grimy

Review 70：Lack of sincerity of management

Review 71：Complaint was not dealt with and the manager never called me on two separate requests. Never use again and never recommend

Review 72：Stay was in Aviemore hotel. The bar was poor, we ended up eating and drinking at the Macdondal Highland hotel with Steakhouse restaurant which was excellent! Cinema was not available.

Review 73：The room size, shower facilities, Breakfast was nice and non greasy! Amount of onsite parking, staff were friendly and helpful. Steakhouse restaurant and bar are very nice!

Review 74：The corridors to our room never got vacuumed they had fluff in the same places for the 5 days we were there, the building was being upgraded so workmen around.Before we booked I phoned to make sure all facilities at the leisure center were working because of the upgards that were going on around the hotel, We had booked this hotel as it had pool sauna steam room, the sauna was broken on the Monday and we were told the engineer was bringing the part Tuesday and it would be fixed Tuesday. Everyday was a different reason why it wasn't working it was still broken Friday a very big disappointment. Staff didn't seem to be updated on the sauna problem.

Review 75：First night we ate at the Italian and it was ok, we ate at the steak house the last 3 nights because the food was superb on the first night we just had to keep going back. We had full breakfasts in the morning those were also very nice.

Review 76：Didn't get the family room that we had booked. Ended up having to pay for an extra room, as we would have been too squished in the room that they had given us (double room with two camp beds). WiFi is non existent. Hotel is a bit tired and in need of renovation.

Review 77：Location great. Activity centre fantastic.

Review 78：Booked online an hour before arrival but hotel hadn't received confirmation yet. Hotel staff made us walk to other side of resort to book in. Minimal parking onsite...we had to park in no parking zone. Couldn't find our way around resort in dark because street lighting was horrible.

Review 79：Clean room, comfy bed.

Review 80：The service in the restaurant was very slow and when the food did arrive it was cold. The restaurant was only a third full so they weren't exactly under pressure

Review 81：The Aviemore Macdonald Centre gave us an up-grade to their most opulent hotel in the group. Sumptuous bedroom with everything we needed. Very comfortable bed and crisp, clean bedding and towels. Sparkling clean bathroom with courtesy products. Full breakfast didn't disappoint. In-house massage the best I've had anywhere.

Review 82：The lack of a bar or lounge in the hotel, and therefore having to walk to another of the hotels for a drink. The lay out currently is confusing and the map doesn't really help. The bunk beds for the children are in a separate room, and would benefit from a curtain/door to block out light/noise from the bedroom. The hairdryer plug was broken and the water 'pulsed' meaning the shower temperature fluctuated.

Review 83：The Swimming pool was very good, as was the soft play area. The breakfast was good. The bed was very comfortable.

Review 84：Hotel was a bit tricky to find at first.....was in a complex with three other hotels and was dark, not lit up very well, and not signposted well.To add, the hotel we booked, the Macdonald Aviemore, was shut down, and had to use a phone in the reception to be told to go to another hotel, the Highland. Very strange.

Review 85：Room was very nice.......breakfast good.....and location good

Review 86：We had two nights where we had dinner , first was at the Steak restaurant , a nice relaxed atmosphere , we ordered two prawn cocktails , followed by Steak, starter was nice but a bit pricey for a few King Prawns and Marie Rose sauce, I know K Prawns are expensive as I have been a Chef for nearly 40 years, steaks were very good and great chips, mine was Blue, just right, my wife ordered Med, and came rare, she tried eating it but I could tell I was hard for her, the waitress came over and it was taken away to be cooked more, which I did and came back a little better, requested another portion of Peppercorn sc, where it sounded like our waitress said" we already had it", not our fault the steak wasn't cooked as asked, I then asked the restaurant manager the same , to which he said he will sort that, and guess what...,it never came, such a shame because I enjoyed mine and my wife didn't , Second night dinner, we fancied something simple, so pizza was on the cards, sorry to say but the restaurant stated Authentic Italian food, my wife's Pizza said King prawn, normal prawns is what she got, no taste whatsoever of Lemongrass and Ginger or Thai Basil, mine on the other hand was the Chilli Beef Pizza, that was just Bolonaise sauce on top with a few red Peppers , no heat whatsoever , I am sorry to say but it tasted like I was a frozen budget pizza from a supermarket , this didn't spoil our mini break we had a fantastic time.

Review 87：We liked the rooms, nice and clean, not much storage space, would have been better with drawers, as my wife was looking for. Most of the staff were nice.

Review 88：The staff seemed to have poor communication, and when we checked out the receptionist tried to charge us for our room again, although we had already paid. We went for the half board option, which essentially gave is £25 off our meal price at either of the hotels restaurants, but when it came to paying our bill from the night before, we were told that we had only booked for one person in a double room (we had actually booked for double occupation in a classic room, and a single occupant in a classic double. I was disappointed and a little upset this mistake was made and will be pursuing if further. Needless to say, I will not be returning.

Review 89：I like Aviemore as a base for the highlands, and the Macdonald Resort offers plenty to do for young and old alike. The room was comfortable and clean.

Review 90：Pool was cold for young children. Expected more from the pool to keep the children entertained.

Review 91：Staff were very friendly and helpful. Location of the hotel is fantastic great views and close to fun days out for the kids.

Review 92：We had to walk from one hotel to another for breakfast then that hotel was not doing breakfast either then we had to walk to another macdonald hotel for breakfast We thought we would just have to walk to one Anyway finally had a lovely breakfast at Highland Hotel .!

Review 93：Beautiful location and very clean room

Review 94：sound-proofing in room poor information about the hotel and the surrounding district in the room was lacking

Review 95：convenience of site for purpose of visit

Review 96：Aviemore Hotel is being refurbished witha 2 million pound plan. Completion date was last April but is still ongoing so there are no facilities on the premises, not even a bar, so you had to go out for meals etc.

Review 97：Room was excelent.

Review 98：had to walk to conference centre for breakfast- pouring with rain so not convenient Breakfast basic -cold soggy croissants but plenty of hot choices inc porridge

Review 99：location good comfortable bog standard hotel chain room

Review 100：We had to go to the conference centre for breakfast. Our key cards stopped working everyday we had to go to reception to get them redone.

Review 101：The room was very good

Review 102：Or room overlooked tesco and delivery trucks in from 3 am terrible noice that was aviemore hotel and workmen at 9.45 pm noice terrible had to get night manager

Review 103：No bar or dining/snack facilities within the hotel. The 250m walk to the centre for food and drink was just acceptable as it was dry but certainly wouldn't be if it were wet or cold.

Review 104：Room size and comfort

Review 105：We had a bit of difficulty finding which hotel we were staying in because the name on the website wasn't the same!

Review 106：The facilities are great and the staff are really friendly and helpful especially Chani on reception!

Review 107：The hotel was still undergoing renovations which was not stated on the website and a lot of the facility's where closed. Their was a mix up with our resavation and their was as screw in our bed.

Review 108：Poor facilities. Had to walk to another building for Breakfast, only one lift and only one person at Reception. Overall this is not a 4 Star property and we were disappointed with our stay

Review 109：Location

Review 110：Some spa facilities were unavailable and also children disappointed that the adventure playground was closed due to maintenance. Other activities being set up were only for much younger children

Review 111：Peaceful location and quality, cleanly room

Review 112：After trying three differents hotels in the Resort we arrived to this particular Hotel that is in the middle of getting refurnished, so was nothing going on. Very poor welcome with joiners and builders all around, allthough the girl in reception was Lovely! No nightime entertaiment either, just nothing going on to stay down in hall to have a coffee etc. Try to book the childrens play area (in other location next to pool) and always fully booked because was supervised. So my childrens in 3 days never got a try to it although we wanted to stay with them, was not allow; that we understand but they should give priority to hotel residents first. Breakfast was in the hotel nearby so every morning was a sort walk to get there. Nice in a good day! No handy when raining with children getting soaking after just been change.

Review 113：Location to shops, Friendly Staff, Good breakfast. Clean room.

Review 114：A few Facilities closed too early in the evening and outdoor park was closed for maintenance. Also water pressure in room in the morning kept dropping and tap in bathroom was loose and didn't work properly

Review 115：Great facilities around the complex and all easy and close to get to from hotel

Review 116：Staff were like robots waiting to pounce any second you were finished breakfast,all staff didn't smile apart from 3,2frm giavani restaurant

Review 117：Next to train station

Review 118：The rates were expensive considering the hotel is in need of the refurbishment it's about to undergo

Review 119：Perfect location, aviemore centre virtually on the doorstep! Chef in the breakfast restaurant during our stay was a particular favourite

Review 120：A four star hotel with no where to get food or drink inside the hotel! Room service took one hour and fifteen minutes to deliver a sandwich, they were reluctant to deliver a drink.

Review 121：Staff were helpful and friendly and the room was excellent

Review 122：outside is shabby but understand it costs money - dirty nappy left outside by a guest obviously but no one picked up on it and again not the fault of yours is that the fire alarm went off during breakfast which meant we had to leave the dining room and breakfast and then go back in but there was no gas to cook eggs no glasses for juice so used a cup - not the end of the world but hey these things make it less enjoyable

Review 123：room was amazing and staff very friendly

Review 124：The difficulty in finding the hotel we were staying in. Huge complex, with several different hotels. Signs should be clearer, and should be made clearer which hotel you are staying in when booking.

Review 125：Room recently upgraded. So was in first class condition. Bed was extremely comfortable.

Review 126：We booked to stay in the highland but we were upgraded to the aviemore ,! . The reception area needs serious upgrading, the room was alright . We did view the hotel on the Internet and there seems to be confusion as to what to expect .

Review 127：a 4 star? hotel without a restaurant & bar is a joke. Walking 300 yards in the rain to go the central dining hall for breakfast is not acceptable. Hope you do not attempt to target international visitors from the developed countries, it will give a poor impression of Scotland

Review 128：refurbished room

Review 129：The room and, especially, the bed settee are not really appropriatefor a family of four. Bed settee was much smaller than expected my 6and 7 year totally filled it, no way they could share it next year andthe exposed framowork either side is dangerous! There is not enoughstorage space for four and access to this became impossible once thebed settee was out.

Review 130：Pool area, soft carpet and main furnishings in the room

Review 131：Poor breakfast. Hotel is in fact a series of rather dated bedroom blocks around centralized facilities. Rather overpriced for what it is - in no way could be regarded as luxury.

Review 132：Location. Comfortable room

Review 133：Nothing

Review 134：Very friendly welcome from all staff came in contact with especially girl in reception in Aviemore hotel who looked after our needs. We were on half board deal and ate in all 3 restaurants and would recommend them all also breakfast was very good. Will hopefully return soon

Review 135：Getting messed about trying to book in from one hotel to the other. better info about where the main booking in reception would be...

Review 136：The resort was brilliant everything was just what we wanted very harpy with our stay

Review 137：Very difficult to find a British member of staff to talk too about difficulties. Visited the cinema on site and the staff member (again not British) couldn't work the till and said my card was rejected on 4 tries. Finally got too talk with duty manageress who finally got this sorted but did make the point she had had a long day, as if a customer is interested in her hours of work. Not great customer relations there.

Review 138：Hotel clean. Service good..

Review 139：Location perfect for cycling, loads of tracks to explore. Aviemore Hotel has been revamped and is very comfortable, I would have no hesitation in going back and maybe next time the alterations will be finished. Food very good and staff extremely helpful. One young lady especially offered us help in loading our bikes onto the car in the pouring rain or hold an umbrella to keep up from getting wetter (how nice was that).

Review 140：Enjoyed the meals, both breakfast and dinner. Pool and sauna clean and liked the adult only time. The log cabin pub within the grounds was a hit also (can't remember what it was called)

Review 141：Restaurant in Highlands had a limited menu but tried steak house at nearby golf club which was fantastic. Reception will arrange transport between both places if asked.

Review 142：The entire complex had everything you could want and all to a high standard. Pool use was included in room rate which was brilliant. There was even a cinema and shopping center on site. Aviemore itself is also a very nice place to be.

The Fine Print

Please check-in at our central conference center upon arrival, where you will then be directed to the Academy Hotel.Family rooms can accommodate 2 adults and one child, or 2 adults and 2 children. The rooms are not suitable for more than 2 adults.The credit/debit card used to book the Advance Purchase rate must be presented at the front desk upon arrival at the hotel. Please note that failure to do so will result in an alternative payment method being required.Some of the spa and fitness facilities are not available at this current time.