Macdonald Highlands Hotel at Macdonald Aviemore Resort

Hotels
•
Macdonald Hotels & Resorts
7.3 (3588 reviews)
Aviemore, Inverness-Shire , Aviemore , gb

listing image 1
Show all photos
Free
Children allowed
Pets allowed

Facilities

Offsite parking discounted rates available
Electric bicycle charging station
Fitness facilities (surcharge)
Non-smoking rooms
Swimming pool
Restaurant
Room service
Terrace
Family rooms
Pets allowed
See all facilities

Review Highlights

Pros:
Friendly staff
Clean facilities
Good location
Cons:
Uncomfortable beds
Poor reception service
Limited amenities

Categories

Cleanliness
7.88
Multiple reviews praised the cleanliness of the hotel.
Service
7.35
Service was generally friendly, but some reception issues were noted.
Location
8.39
Location was highlighted positively throughout the reviews.
Room Quality
6.84
Some rooms were comfortable; however, issues with beds and updates were mentioned.
Amenities
6.37
Amenities such as spa restrictions and no evening entertainment were points of dissatisfaction.
Value for Money
7.33
Additional charges for amenities raised concerns about value.
Food and Beverage
6.88
Food quality was mentioned positively; however, service was inconsistent.
Overall Experience
7.35
Overall, guests had a pleasant stay but noted significant areas for improvement.
* This sentiment is summarized by AI based on user reviews.
Updated at: 2025-12-20 11:25

Property Description

Luxurious Accommodations
The Macdonald Highlands Hotel offers 4-star rooms with modern amenities, ensuring a comfortable stay for guests. From flat-screen TVs to free WiFi, each room is designed to provide a relaxing retreat within the Cairngorms National Park.

Gourmet Dining
Indulge in exquisite dining experiences at Aspects Restaurant, where guests can savor contemporary Scottish cuisine made from fresh, seasonal ingredients. With a variety of dining options available across the resort, culinary delights are always just a step away.

Leisure Facilities Galore
Guests can enjoy exclusive access to the resort's leisure facilities at the Aviemore Activity Centre, including a leisure pool, gym, and soft play area. Whether seeking relaxation or adventure, there's something for everyone at Macdonald Highlands Hotel.

Book now to experience the ultimate blend of luxury and leisure at Macdonald Highlands Hotel within the award-winning Macdonald Aviemore Resort.

Important information:

The credit/debit card used to book a pre-paid rate must be presented to reception on arrival at the hotel. Please note that failure to do so will result in an alternative payment method being required.

Please note that not all spa and fitness facilities are currently available.

For guests staying on a Dinner, Bed and Breakfast package, a EUR 25 spend towards food can be enjoyed in one of the poperty's restaurants.

Children aged 12 and under can stay and take breakfast for free when sharing a suitable room with two adults. Child dinner will be charged separately dependent on the menu chosen

When booking 7 rooms or more, different policies and additional supplements may apply.

Guests may experience noise from 22 to 24 August 2025.Please inform of your expected arrival time in advance. You can use the Special Requests box when booking, or contact the property directly using the contact details in your confirmation.
Guests under the age of 18 can only check in with a parent or official guardian.

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

Property Policies

  • Parking

    Free private 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.

  • Groups

    When booking more than 7 rooms, different policies and additional supplements may apply.

  • 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 16 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

7.3
Based on 3588 reviews
Cleanliness: 7.88
Service: 7.35
Location: 8.39
Room Quality: 6.84
Amenities: 6.37
Value for Money: 7.33
Food and Beverage: 6.88
Overall Experience: 7.35
S
Stephen • couple • gb
9
Had an amazing stay and will definitely be back.
Pros:

Excellent location and the breakfast was excellent as usual. Good selection.

Cons:

.

2026-04-18 • via Nuitee
V
Vickers • family_with_children • gb
8
Perfect for families
Pros:

Great location, fantastic for families and especially great for kids who loved pool, soft play, play park. Clean. Staff really nice.

Cons:

Rubbish good options at lunch. A bit tired and dark decor wise.

2026-04-18 • via Nuitee
S
Susan • solo_traveller • gb
8
2 night mukti-generational stay
Pros:

Lots of thinga for kids to do, at no extra cost.
Not a far walk to main street for shopping.
Friendly helpful staff.
Rooms large and plenty space.

Cons:

Italian restaurant, food mediocre and served warm, not hot.
We didnt know about ir find the kids activity room, games room etc until laat day.

2026-04-18 • via Nuitee
E
Emma • family_with_children • gb
8
I’d go back again if there was a bounce back offer
Pros:

Breakfast ok just standard
Spa was 10/10 Susie was brilliant
Kids activities grass sledding and archery was great

Cons:

Pillows not that supportive I might’ve got unlucky.
Pool a bit too cold to enjoy.
Activity centre didn’t have anything really for older kids 10-12.
Aspects restaurant had brilliant staff but was ridiculous price.

2026-04-18 • via Nuitee
F
Frances • solo_traveller • gb
7
Pros:

The range of facilities, the quality of the food and the friendly staff.

Cons:

The hotel is a bit run down and showing its age. The bedside plugs in our room were for round pinned plugs. My husband couldn't plug his sleep apnea machine in, so had to go without it for the duration of the holiday.

2026-04-18 • via Nuitee
K
Kimberley • family_with_children • gb
10
Excellent!
Pros:

Staff are beyond amazing. Pool and activities for families are fantastic. Very family orientated place, 100% recommend.

Cons:

Bed was quite firm, I'm used to softer.

2026-04-17 • via Nuitee
J
Justice • couple • gb
10
2026-04-17 • via Nuitee
K
Kyle • couple • gb
7
Pros:

Staff are very friendly and helpful. Locations was ideal

Cons:

No non pet friendly rooms

2026-04-16 • via Nuitee
M
Melanie • solo_traveller • gb
9
2026-04-16 • via Nuitee
H
Hazel • solo_traveller • gb
5
Pros:

Good location

Cons:

Rooms very dated deluxe room not worth the money, Breakfast choice not good

2026-04-16 • via Nuitee
J
JEAN-YVES • solo_traveller • fr
9
2026-04-15 • via Nuitee
S
Sara • solo_traveller • es
10
Resort familiar 100% recomendable
Pros:

Las instalaciones perfectas. Habitaciones amplias y limpias. Zonas infantiles y piscina cubierta de 10. Ideal para familias.
Personal muy amable.
Probamos el restaurante italiano y estuvo muy bueno.
Buenas relación calidad precio.
Todo 100% recomendable.

Cons:

Las almohadas algo incómodas.

2026-04-15 • via Nuitee
M
Mark • solo_traveller • gb
10
2026-04-14 • via Nuitee
L
LOREDANA • family_with_children • gb
10
I had an amazing stay at this hotel. The room was spotless, comfortable, and very well maintained. The pool area was bea
Pros:

Room, pool, restaurant

2026-04-14 • via Nuitee
S
Sonul • family_with_children • gb
8
2026-04-13 • via Nuitee
S
Sharon • solo_traveller • gb
10
Highland fling
Pros:

Just a decent base for the townnor buzzing around. Nice to have the option of facilities, we didn't use them as we were out during the day.then again for our dinner. Food in the restaurant was lovely, ate here the last night.

Cons:

Tbh nothing, just maybe needs a wee lick of paint to freshen it up. My shower was particularly hot, so something for folk to be aware of but other than that nothing.

2026-04-13 • via Nuitee
A
Annette • couple • gb
8
2026-04-13 • via Nuitee
N
Nicola • solo_traveller • gb
6
Disappointing … had it not been for the swimming pool (slide and wave machine) and our own plans for the daytime, it wou
Pros:

Accessibility to the activity centre.

Cons:

Unfortunately quite a few things!
(1) The whole place was rather shabby and dated and was more like an institution than a hotel.
(2) It felt as if we were sleeping next to a motorway, which in a way we were as the A9 was right outside the window.
(3) Didn’t feel that the experience warranted the price point.

2026-04-13 • via Nuitee
E
Eilidh • family_with_children • gb
10
Great stay, we'll be back
Pros:

The rooms were lovely, staff really helpful and friendly. Having access to the pool, steam room and sauna. Great location close to the main street. Free parking, lovely little bar and breakfast was amazing. Bed was so comfy.

Cons:

Nothing

2026-04-13 • via Nuitee
N
Natalie • solo_traveller • gb
9
Great family stay
Pros:

Wow. What a beautiful location. Great for families and dogs. Lots to do on the resort and locally. Great walks around the hotel. Room was spacious and comfy. Hotel staff couldn't be more helpful. Aspects restaurant staff were fantastic and really made our 70th family dinner a night to remember. Food was decent and breakfast had lots of choIce. Entertainment in the evenings was good and not noisy. Swimming pool was fantastic. Grass sledging was great fun.

Cons:

Very expensive to drink and eat and shop on site (to be expected). Nice treat but imagine it would get very pricey if staying a few nights with a family and on a budget. Swimming pool was a tad chilly, and it had ran out of towels (used room towels instead) and it wasn't clear slides don't open until 10am. Lots of cold kids and grumpy parents waiting about in the pool til then. More dog waste bins around the site would be good couldn't find any so used normal bins instead. Maybe some dog drinking and washing stations to clean and dry muddy paws and refresh after hot days in the sun. A dog treat in the room or at reception be good too. Also maybe a dog section in the shop with affordable treats and toys. Not sure who buys t-shirts and tops for £70-140! A mini fridge in the rooms and a kettle that is quick to boil!

2026-04-13 • via Nuitee