Macdonald Highlands Hotel at Macdonald Aviemore Resort

Hotels
•
Macdonald Hotels & Resorts
7.3 (3455 reviews)
Aviemore, Inverness-Shire , Aviemore , gb

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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 3455 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
N
Nikki • family_with_children • gb
7
2026-02-14 • via Nuitee
R
Raymon • solo_traveller • gb
6
It was fair and reasonable.
Pros:

The location

Cons:

Bit dated.

2026-02-12 • via Nuitee
M
Mark • couple • gb
9
A fantastic venue for exploring the Highlands
Pros:

Location good and very comfortable

Cons:

The coffee at breakfast is awful. I’m not a coffee snob but it honestly isn’t drinkable

2026-02-12 • via Nuitee
M
Martina • extended_group • gb
8
2026-02-12 • via Nuitee
P
Paula • couple • gb
7
Good
Pros:

Good service

Cons:

Staff clearing tables when still having breakfast

2026-02-12 • via Nuitee
S
Siobhan • couple • gb
8
2026-02-12 • via Nuitee
S
steven • family_with_children • gb
8
Short stay highland resort
Pros:

Great for the kids easy access to the pool/soft play. And amazing breakfast

Cons:

The window in the bedroom was very draughty.

2026-02-11 • via Nuitee
L
Louise • family_with_children • gb
10
Great stay and amazing value for your money.
Pros:

We had a family room with three beds and still plenty room .we had a lovely bathroom with overhead shower and plenty beautiful white towels/ soaps / shampoo and wash.A kettle with tea/ coffee and biscuits on arrival.breakfast was great with all sorts of choices.
The cleaner was awesome,in each day to turn the beds down for our return.she was friendly and very helpful and polite.
The night porters were also very helpful and professional when we had a sick child during the night.

Cons:

We very much enjoyed every aspect of our visit and would have loved to stay a little longer

2026-02-11 • via Nuitee
H
Hazel • family_with_children • gb
7
2026-02-10 • via Nuitee
S
Stephen • family_with_children • gb
8
2026-02-10 • via Nuitee
H
Helen • solo_traveller • gb
5
Fine
Pros:

Location

Cons:

No hot water for a shower. Outrageous prices for a glass of wine.

2026-02-10 • via Nuitee
R
Ron • family_with_children • gb
6
Stayed there before and I would say standards have dropped.
Pros:

Breakfast was average, cold plates on 2 of the breakfasts and the food not overly hot.

Cons:

On arrival we picked up our keys and after travelling up to our room we found another couple already settled in. They went back to reception and offered to move to another room which they did.

2026-02-10 • via Nuitee
G
Gill • family_with_children • gb
10
Pros:

Facilities they were absoloutley amazing.

2026-02-09 • via Nuitee
G
Gary • family_with_children • gb
8
Excellent hotel and location. We'll be back!
Pros:

Staff were helpful. We had a dog with us and they set up breakfast and dinner in area where we could take our dog.

Dinner was excellent in Aspects restaurant, and the service was also great.

The facilities were excellent, and very clean.

Cons:

The breakfast was only small negative. The bacon was left in a water, and just didn't feel cooked enough, for me anyway. Although there was a lot of choice for breakfast, it did feel like the food was almost secondary and didn't really do the the rest of the visit justice.

2026-02-09 • via Nuitee
A
Ashley • family_with_children • gb
10
Pros:

Everything ypu need on site. Close to all activities

2026-02-09 • via Nuitee
K
Keith • family_with_children • gb
8
2026-02-08 • via Nuitee
L
Lynne • couple • gb
10
Pros:

Remote

2026-02-08 • via Nuitee
S
Scott • family_with_children • gb
4
Not worth it
Pros:

Aviemore

Cons:

Hotel needs massive freshen up, like something out the 80s. Room was very small, dirty. For a room so small, 3 chairs and a table don't help.

Expensive and not worth it, bed was uncomfortable but that's just my opinion, others may think it's fine.

Burn mark on wall above a socket, shower head loose, and dog hairs on chair, no issue with dogs, I had mine with me but she's black, these hairs were white. Room generally just untidy, dirty and too small.

Breakfast in Aspects was lovely though, no complaints there

2026-02-08 • via Nuitee
S
Sara • extended_group • gb
5
Lovely family time but wouldn’t return with dog. Or eat in hotel restaurant
Pros:

Beautiful scenery.

Cons:

Advertised as dog-friendly but wasn’t really. Restaurant menu was over priced and food wasn’t great.

2026-01-31 • via Nuitee
O
Orsolya • family_with_children • gb
9
2026-01-31 • via Nuitee