Free
Children allowed
Pets allowed

Facilities

Offsite parking discounted rates available
Non-smoking rooms
Restaurant
Room service
Terrace
Pets allowed
Packed lunches
Ski storage
Non-smoking throughout
Board games/puzzles
See all facilities

Review Highlights

Pros:
Friendly staff
Great food
Clean rooms
Good location
Cons:
Limited parking
Small room size
Shower pressure issues

Categories

Cleanliness
7.96
The rooms were very clean but some issues with shower pressure were noted.
Service
8.93
Customer service was outstanding from front of house, restaurant, and housekeeping.
Location
8.97
Excellent location, directly across the road from the railway station.
Room Quality
7.92
Rooms are great but some concerns about small size and low ceilings noted.
Amenities
8.45
Standard quality for this hotel tier.
Value for Money
8.41
Lovely food and great value for money.
Food and Beverage
8.96
Excellent choice of meals and fantastic breakfasts.
Overall Experience
8.43
A pleasant hotel experience with friendly staff and good atmosphere.
* This sentiment is summarized by AI based on user reviews.
Updated at: 2025-12-20 11:34

Property Description

Central Location in Aviemore

Located in the heart of Aviemore, the Cairn hotel is the perfect base for exploring the Cairngorms and enjoying various outdoor activities. Its convenient location on the main street ensures easy access to shops, facilities, and nightlife, making it an ideal choice for travelers looking to experience the best of the Highland resort.

Comfortable Accommodation and Warm Hospitality

The Cairn hotel offers 3-star accommodation known for its warm atmosphere and friendly service. Guests can start their day with a full highland breakfast and enjoy a comfortable stay in a privately-owned hotel that prides itself on providing a caring and welcoming environment.

Outdoor Activities and Family-Friendly Amenities

Surrounded by its own wooded grounds and close to Rothiemurchus Estate, the hotel offers outdoor activities for all ages, from quad treks to deer farms. Whether you're into hill walking, fishing, or winter sports, the Cairn hotel caters to all interests, ensuring a memorable stay in Aviemore.

Book your stay at the Cairn hotel and experience the best of Aviemore's hospitality and outdoor adventures.

Important information:

Please note that all of our bedrooms are on the first and second floor and the property does not have a elevator.

We do not accept Group Bookings.

Pets are accepted on the first floor bedrooms but not permitted in the restaurant or bar.

There is a wheelchair elevator at the front door which provides access to the restaurant and bar areas.

Reservations of 3 or more rooms are considered a group and as such are subject to differing booking terms, with a 10% non refundable deposit.This property does not accommodate bachelor(ette) or similar parties.

Check-in and check-out hours:
Check-out: 11:00 AM

Property Policies

  • Parking

    Free public parking is possible on site (reservation is not needed).

  • Pets

    Pets are allowed on request. Charges may be applicable.

  • Internet

    WiFi is available in all areas and is free of charge.

  • Children and extra bed policy

    Children of any age are allowed.
    Children up to and including 2 years old stay for free when using an available cot.
    Children up to and including 2 years old stay for free when using an existing bed.
    You haven't added any extra beds.
    Any type of extra bed or child's cot/crib is upon request and needs to be confirmed by management.

Location

Guest Reviews

8.5
Based on 2721 reviews
Cleanliness: 7.96
Service: 8.93
Location: 8.97
Room Quality: 7.92
Amenities: 8.45
Value for Money: 8.41
Food and Beverage: 8.96
Overall Experience: 8.43
T
Thomas • couple • gb
10
Beautiful place
Pros:

A beautiful hotel in an amazing location. Staff were so friendly and attentive. Nothing was any trouble.

Cons:

.

2026-02-14 • via Nuitee
B
Beatrice • couple • gb
9
2026-02-14 • via Nuitee
P
Patrick • family_with_children • at
9
2026-02-13 • via Nuitee
A
António • solo_traveller • ch
9
Fantastic stay! Will definitely come here again next time in Aviemore!
Pros:

- The room was very clean and the bed comfy.
- The staff were all wonderful and very friendly. My particular compliments to Charlie, Claire, & the breakfast staff for having been so helpful and welcoming, making this stay feel like a true holiday.
- The hotel's location made it easy for the use of public transportation such as buses and the train.
- The hotel's overall décor and atmosphere were an absolute treat.
- The hotel's restaurant and bar were of very good quality.

Cons:

- Bathroom mirror showed sign of age and ware. Was still fine to use. This is more of a nitpick.
- The lack of sound isolation regarding the noise from the bar had been made aware to me before arrival so that wasn't an issue. However, the sound isolation of the door to the hallway could be improved.

2026-02-12 • via Nuitee
J
John • couple • gb
8
Lively hotel bar with live music and cable sports tv in the bar. The breakfast staff were friendly and helpful.
Pros:

Location is very central in Aviemore with bus and train links just outside the hotel

Cons:

The lack of gluten free food was disappointing. Gluten free is not a life choice for people who are celiac or gluten intolerant it is a necessity.

2026-02-12 • via Nuitee
K
Karen • couple • gb
10
2026-02-10 • via Nuitee
R
Rona • couple • gb
9
Comfortable clean hotel and friendly staff
Pros:

Great location right opposite train station. Comfortable clean room, lovely fresh food and welcoming bar

Cons:

All good

2026-02-10 • via Nuitee
A
Angela Sutherland • couple • gb
10
Pros:

Lovely homely atmosphere, great staff and great food 1

2026-02-09 • via Nuitee
L
Laura • couple • gb
2
Unfortunately the place has gone downhill
Pros:

The room was spacious and the bed was comfortable; unfortunately, there was little else about our stay that we enjoyed.

Cons:

While the hotel itself was very nice and the room was comfortable, the behaviour of the staff significantly detracted from our experience. We had a meal booked on the Saturday, however the staff were unwelcoming and openly rude to the point that we felt uncomfortable and left before ordering food.

It is difficult to understand how someone working in a customer-facing role could display such poor standards of service. Sadly, this place appears to have gone downhill, and based on our experience I would not recommend it.

2026-02-08 • via Nuitee
A
Amanda • couple • gb
8
Aside from the queue & long wait to get into the restaurant, everything was great!
Pros:

Breakfast was lovely. Bar was great.

Cons:

Evening dinner was excellent in terms of quality of food & attentiveness of staff. However it was a long wait to get in. Very bizarre that you can't book a time as a hotel guest.

2026-01-31 • via Nuitee
J
Jessica • couple • gb
10
2026-01-31 • via Nuitee
S
Steph • couple • gb
8
Nice but pictures might not match your room at all.
Pros:

Lovely area, stunning reception and amazing staff

Cons:

Rooms definitely dont come anywhere near pictures, the space between the wall and bed was about the same as Easyjets leg room, barely anything! Bathroom was nothing like the pictures either, floor was gritty as if forgotten to be hoovered and stains all over bathroom. Lights were broken too, took a full minute of it flickering before it came on properly

2026-01-31 • via Nuitee
H
Heather • solo_traveller • gb
7
2026-01-30 • via Nuitee
H
Helena • solo_traveller • au
7
Great location and good value
Pros:

Centre of village and very clean and bed comfortable.

Cons:

Food wasn’t as nice as on previous visits.

2026-01-29 • via Nuitee
D
De Filippo • couple • gb
5
2026-01-28 • via Nuitee
N
Norma • couple • gb
9
2026-01-28 • via Nuitee
H
Hermione • solo_traveller • gb
7
Good location but small room
Pros:

Good location opposite the station
Nice breakfast and pleasant staff

Cons:

Small room, tiny bathroom, tiny tv

2026-01-27 • via Nuitee
C
Caroline • couple • gb
10
Will return
Pros:

Breakfast is fabulous. Staff great. Room size great

Cons:

N/A

2026-01-26 • via Nuitee
C
Charles • couple • gb
8
Central location for numerous walks/activities,
Pros:

Breakfast was prepared to a high stzndard

Cons:

Water pressure in shower not great
No lift, awaiting knee replacement. Second floor was challenging

2026-01-26 • via Nuitee
A
Ann • solo_traveller • gb
10
2026-01-25 • via Nuitee