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 2928 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
N
Nikolaos • solo_traveller • de
5
Tiny room for a not so tiny price
Pros:

Great location. Clean room.

Cons:

Personnel rather unfriendly during check in. We had the snug room which is really snug -- hence low price/quality ratio.

2026-05-30 • via Nuitee
D
Douglas • solo_traveller • gb
7
3 night stay
Pros:

excellent location in centre of town, staff also excellent and helpful, great choice at breakfast from the buffet and excellent cooked breakfast also food at night 1st class, plenty parking space which is a bonus when staying in the town centre, trains and buses right outside hotel.

Cons:

only dislike was the bathroom which was very small and shower lacked water pressure but just enough to get washed

2026-05-30 • via Nuitee
E
Erin • family_with_children • us
10
2026-05-30 • via Nuitee
A
Anneliese • couple • at
7
2026-05-30 • via Nuitee
E
Elliott • solo_traveller • gb
9
Relaxing
Pros:

An old style hotel but beautiful, clean very helpful staff and definitely stay again.

2026-05-30 • via Nuitee
S
Sally • couple • gb
9
Very pleasant
Pros:

Typical Scottish

Cons:

No aircon

2026-05-29 • via Nuitee
M
Mark • couple • gb
7
2026-05-29 • via Nuitee
M
Mark • solo_traveller • gb
7
Pros:

Location is very central and easy to get to

Cons:

Breakfast pancakes were very tough and chewy

Also the room was very hot

2026-05-27 • via Nuitee
N
Nathalie • couple • fr
9
À recommander
Pros:

L ambiance
Le service

Cons:

Groupes de musique le week-end : musique beaucoup trop forte
Perturbant le repos dans la chambre

2026-05-27 • via Nuitee
K
Katherine • solo_traveller • gb
8
2026-05-27 • via Nuitee
P
Peer • solo_traveller • de
9
2026-05-26 • via Nuitee
M
mutch • extended_group • gb
5
If it wasn’t for the staff it would have been awful
Pros:

Staff were excellent

Cons:

Bed really uncomfortable. Rooms poorly designed. Cashless. Coombed ceiling dangerous with positioning of bed.

2026-05-26 • via Nuitee
R
Rudolf-Alexander • solo_traveller • de
7
2026-05-26 • via Nuitee
K
Katarina • couple • rs
9
Pros:

Huge comfortable beds, great location- bus station is right out front. Breakfast was excellent.

Cons:

There was loud live music one of the nights (we were on the first floor).

2026-05-25 • via Nuitee
J
June • couple • gb
8
Sting in the tail when booking for dinner.
Pros:

Lovely atmosphere, for the most part and friendly staff. Room was really nice, although VERY warm

Cons:

Incredibly disappointed to check in and discover that we couldn't eat in the restaurant as it was fully booked. Hotel guests should have priority and having to go and search for somewhere to eat after a long journey, was really disappointing. No apology or remorse shown.

2026-05-25 • via Nuitee
L
Linda • solo_traveller • gb
8
2026-05-25 • via Nuitee
P
Peter • family_with_children • ca
9
2026-05-25 • via Nuitee
S
Stewart • solo_traveller • gb
9
Pros:

Lovely little hotel in beautiful surroundings. Your breakfast staff are exceptional 👍

Cons:

Nothing

2026-05-24 • via Nuitee
M
Michael • couple • de
8
2026-05-23 • via Nuitee
H
Henry • couple • us
10
Cairngorm Hotel has a great location on the High Road, excellent staff, and fine dining.
Pros:

Breakfast was ample, a splendid buffet spread and excellent cooked dishes; dinner was equally good, and the evening bagpipes concert at the front steps was an unexpected delight. We had a problem with our bedroom heater, and a staff member carried a portable heater up two floors of steps to give us heat until the problem could be corrected--that's going the extra mile. It would be good to know in advance that the hotel is on a cashless system, so that one could come prepared with small bills for tipping, if so desired.

2026-05-22 • via Nuitee