Free
Children allowed
Pets allowed

Facilities

Offsite parking discounted rates available
Parking
Non-smoking rooms
Restaurant
Room service
Terrace
Pets allowed
Packed lunches
Ski storage
Non-smoking throughout
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 2896 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
A
Arnaud • couple • fr
7
Bel hôtel situé en face d’une très jolie gare. Très bons conseils reçus de la réceptionniste (en français)
Pros:

Accueil chaleureux, bar très convivial. Très beau bâtiment et hall d’entrée.

Cons:

Salle de bain pas pratique. Aucun emplacement pour poser affaires perso. Ventilation ne fonctionnait pas.
Chambre sombre et vue pas attrayante

2026-05-09 • via Nuitee
C
Conor • solo_traveller • ch
5
2026-05-09 • via Nuitee
S
Siegurd • extended_group • nl
9
Pros:

Al vaker hier gelogeerd. Personeel is vriendelijk, grappig en goed. Ontbijt was uitstekend

2026-05-09 • via Nuitee
B
benjama2025 • Family
2
Never coming back!
Pros:

We have been coming here for years and have always loved it. But our last visit in April will be our last. Price is ridiculous expensive! Food not as good. Atmosphere terrible.
The staff used to be amazing but now they look like they don't want to be there.
For 1 course meal for 2 adults and 2 kids cost £90 and now got a parking fine, even tho I put in our reg number on the tablet.
Never coming back and it's a shame as it was our favorite place to eat in aviemore.

2026-05-08 • via Tripadvisor
A
Alex • couple • gb
10
Cons:

No lifts

2026-05-08 • via Nuitee
C
Caroline • extended_group • fr
10
Un emplacement exceptionnel pour visiter Édimbourg à pied !
Pros:

L’emplacement, la qualité des équipements et de l’appartement.

Cons:

Tout était parfait !

2026-05-07 • via Nuitee
K
Karina • solo_traveller • de
10
Pros:

Außergewöhnliches Frühstück.
Frisch morgens zu bestellen.
Sehr, sehr lecker 😋

2026-05-07 • via Nuitee
C
catrionah399 • Family
2
Disappointed, Avoid avoid avoid
Pros:

After going to the Cairngorm Hotel for many years and having fantastic meals each time, I can't say my experience this time was the same. Menu greatly reduced, prices greatly increased, plate sizes massively reduced. Waitress took items of one plate and placed on another when order was wrong, allergies not taken into consideration. Staff attitudes disappointing. Food dry and tasteless. Avoid.

2026-05-06 • via Tripadvisor
J
J8565JVdavew • Family
2
Unfair parking fine!
Pros:

DO NOT GO HERE! Registered car in device on reception and still got a parking charge notice! Bought 2 coffees. Now have the stress of appealing the poxy parking fine.Could work out to be the most expensive coffees ever Bought. Never again.

2026-05-06 • via Tripadvisor
J
Jennifer • extended_group • gb
10
2026-05-06 • via Nuitee
S
Shantay • solo_traveller • us
10
Quick stop on our way through! Room and complimentary breakfast were wonderful!!
Pros:

Walking distance to shopping, grocery store, and eateries. The property is very old, in all of the best ways! It has so much character and charm!

Cons:

Rooms were a bit small, but, understandable due to the age of the building.

2026-05-05 • via Nuitee
F
Fay • solo_traveller • gb
7
Pros:

Brilliant location
Really good breakfast
Very comfy bed

Cons:

No soundproofing between rooms
Some dust in corners
Price of room

2026-05-05 • via Nuitee
H
haanen • solo_traveller • nl
8
Mijn verblijf in het Cairngorm Hotel
Pros:

het hotel had een perfecte ligging in het centrum van Aviemore, alles was snel te voet bereikbaar. Bezoek zeker het oude treinstation en maak een rit met de stoomtrein. Her personeel was vriendelijk en zeer behulpzaam. Het ontbijt had een echte wow-factor bijv. roerei met zalm, of egg Benedict; ongelooflijk lekker. De kamer was voldoende ruim en de badkamer was netjes en bood dat wat je verwacht. Zeker in de winter lijkt me dit een topgave aanrader.

Cons:

Geen negatieve aspecten aan dit verblijf.

2026-05-05 • via Nuitee
D
Dinemarie • couple • nl
9
Gezellig Schots familie hotel met uitzicht op de Cairngorn. Bergen en golfbanen dichtbij
Pros:

Gezellig familie hotel. Met eigen bar en restaurant zonder geluidsoverlast.
Sfeervol Schotse inrichting. Heerlijk bed en bankje met uitzicht op de prachtige Cairngorn bergen

Cons:

Niks

2026-05-04 • via Nuitee
M
martin • solo_traveller • jp
9
Is it worth it.
Pros:

Been a few times and keep going back. Nice location and hotel. Food was ok and staff really good.

Cons:

We admit to being surprised at the prices . We were overcharged for our dinner on first night but only realised when it was too late to mention. Charges are awful for drinks. £8.50 for one medium wine is ridiculous (tesco £6.25 for a better wine per bottle ) £6.00 for a pint of lager also ridiculous. Food prices are overwhelming.

2026-05-04 • via Nuitee
S
Sunnygirls200 • Family • Devon, England
2
Stay away
Pros:

Have been going to this hotel for many many years and it has been absolutely amazing over the years.
HOWEVER we visited last week and it was absolutely atrocious! Food quality very very poor and prices absolutely ridiculous! I don’t mind paying ££££for good food but honestly this is absolutely awful! £39 for a steak that Tesco sell for £7 and 100% better quality!
Never again!

2026-05-03 • via Tripadvisor
M
markeV7439UL • Family
2
New management now has poor experience and food. AVOID.
Pros:

It's under new management and this hotel is no longer deserving of past good reviews. It is now way overpriced for mediocre food and poor service. They are not willing to do anything to resolve complaints. Atmosphere in the dining room is non existent and they wont let you sit in the bar - unless you have a dog, then they will apparently. Also the new parking has lead to many fines of legitimate customers because they do not tell you you need to register.

2026-05-03 • via Tripadvisor
D
Diane • solo_traveller • gb
10
2026-05-03 • via Nuitee
H
Honeyman • couple • gb
9
Great stay in a great location
Pros:

All very good

Cons:

Bar prices ridiculous.main barman rude to his young trainee o his first day.

2026-05-03 • via Nuitee
T
Thomas • couple • gb
7
Growth location nice staff good breakfast
Pros:

The location was great our room was OK the bed was comfy but was above the bar with was noisy with the entertainment but was only on till 11.45

Cons:

Bar prices were far uo high I know it's a hotel but £6apint is very expensive

2026-05-03 • via Nuitee