Macdonald Aviemore Woodland Lodges in Highland

This review is for the “Hotel Aviemore, the apparent children’s hotel. When we arrived we were surprised at how run down the place looked and commented that the Hotel Highlands was much closer to the pool and playground. So when we checked in we asked the unmotivated receptionist whether a rebooking was possible. “No-they are fully booked and these rooms are especially for kids and are nicer and bigger” The room was a disgrace. A so-called sofa bed, with 2 metal loungers with an extremely thin mattress. No place! Bathroom extremely small. The TV was almost coming down from the ceiling and the safe was broken. At dinner we checked online the availability of the Highland Hotel (part of the whole resort) and lo and behold, more than a room with 3 good beds!! So we asked the nice lady at the reception of the Highland Hotel whether we could change. “Of course,” was the answer. So we completed the formalities and were able to enjoy our vacation. Rooms in the Highland Hotel are definitely better, but the mattresses are saggy and daily housekeeping is limited to the absolute minimum. But no matter, still worlds better! Management: as a suggestion for improvement, training for the receptionists would be beneficial; they should please not lie to the money-making customers. Pool: ok, fun with kids Soft play area: awesome! 4 floors and in good condition

Great location, accommodation very 👍

Overall amazing definitely a wonderful space to stay

I cannot agree with bad reviews here. Luckily we has only great experience at the lodges.

Had a lodge with a family of 5. Very spacious and comfortable lodge. Rooms were nice (if a bit dated) and clean. Lovely and decent sized sitting area. No oven which was a massive disappointment for "self catering"

Please do not book these woodland lodges. The quality is very poor with peeling paint, freying carpet and a very poor quality kitchen with no oven. The cost is certainly too high for the quality and standard of accommodation. I have raised a complaint six times and have received no reply further evidencing the poor standard of this accommodation. I was assured a refund for an item which was not as I asked and this refund has never been received. Absolutely awful customer service.

Lovely Woodland Lodges , meals available at the on site hotels and Conference Centre. Good quality food at all the venues visited. Good service from staff. A very good on site theatre with super facilities.

I don't understand the negative reviews, yes our lodge would benefit from new sofas but other than that it's lovely. See for yourself, the staff are very courteous and polite and I would definitely come back. 5* from us 👍

The lodge is clean and comfortable, but should not be described as 'Luxury'. They are far from it. Very old fashioned and in need of some modernisation. No oven (apart from a microwave combi) and no washing machine. Not exactly fully catered. But the lodge did the job for what we wanted. We opted for the inclusive breakfast which is in Giovannis in the nearby Morlich Hotel. Was OK, nothing special but certainly not worth the extra money. The staff are not good either. They always looked as if they didn't want to be working there. No get up & go at all. No attention to detail either. Why put a soup spoon out for cereal? No milk on the tables and no teaspoons. Come on Macdonalds, you can do better than this. If you want good, efficient staff, take yourselves over to the Winking Owl. Their staff are top rate! They actually engage with people. Maybe you should look at employing UK staff rather than staff from abroad who have no interest in the UK Hospitality Industry, and just see it as a job!

Been here several times, unfortunately standards have really slipped, won’t be back. No housekeeping service this year, apparently changed in the small print - even though prices are up 41% compared to the same stay last year; including no replacement towels for a three night stay- guest services informed us that this is a self-catering lodge (although it was booked on a Bed and Breakfast basis), since we weren’t planning on eating the towels and paying over 323.00GBP per night some towels shouldn’t have been too hard to replace. Also, the lodge suffered from a general lack of maintenance, most of the glasses and crockery was chipped in some way or another, the bathroom floor was warped / bouncing and various nicks / divots out of most wall surfaces. The exterior is looking shabby, instead of replacing grip netting on the outside decking the holes have been stapled, watch for sharp edges in the case of an unfortunate slip.. Would have been a 1-star review however the location is very convenient for local amenities. Many minor niggles summed to a poor experience at premium rates; luckily there are many alternatives in and around Aviemore.

Great weekend staying in a luxury lodge. Better than a home from home.