Macdonald Aviemore Woodland Lodges

Great stay as far as facilities were concerned. However staff generally let the hotel down, things that should have been in the room weren't, and fixing issues took forever

I really want this place to be better it’s so well positioned but mainly it’s unloved and poorly managed. The good we ate in the restraunt in the highlands hotel which was excellent, the welcome at check in was great, the lodges are spacious. The bad lights in the street up to the lodges were mainly out replaced midway through our stay, pitch dark walk back from the main hotels and pool, lights at the lodge were out replaced next day, there was a hole in the wall of our lodge and in one of the chairs. The games room wasn’t open at the pool on requesting it to be opened the response was we only open It during the Scottish school holidays or weekends despite us being their during English school holiday time with English friends accompanying us with their kids at our recommendation an absolute embarrassment for Scotland. it was open later following a discussion with management, pool opening hours were limited which was fine but when it was open 80% of the space as taken up for lessons which they certainly didn’t need appreciate there needs to be a balance but it needs better managed the young pool attendants just seemed to do whatever the swimming lessons team asked for, the slide was also switched off during lessons as the swimming lessons complained it was too noisy absolute nonsense, breakfast was good but for the first two days they created unnecessary congestion by sitting out empty warming trays every morning taking up space for no reason frustrations guests how all opened up empty trays, instead of spreading out the food they did have which they eventually clicked to do after raising it to management it’s basic stuff. Hopefully they get a management team who put in more effort but the reality is likely with there location they’ll continue the mediocre maintenance and I’ll probably stay again because if you want to stay somewhere in Aviemore for kids with a pool it’s your only option. Such a shame such potential.

It could be amazing, but… It has the makings of a great resort but falls short on so many levels. It’s really tired with the woodland lodges in need of a refurb. Things like loose tiles in the bathroom, faded/worn carpets / kitchen cupboards misshaped and not closing properly. Kitchen facilities in the lodge also weren’t great. No oven for cooking, no knives for chopping food, pans were dirty in the cupboard too. There were no cushions on the couches in the lodge for added comfort and a rug underfoot would have been appreciated. The staff were friendly enough but just didn’t go the extra mile where needed. We requested a high chair in the lodge for our baby but they forgot and when I asked again they said they couldn’t get one until the next day. I then suggested that maybe they could borrow from one of their 3 restaurants. They then managed to organise this but no one was available to deliver to the lodge for me. I had to carry the high chair from the hotel to the lodge whilst carrying an 8 month old baby. As I said, their were friendly, helpful when prompted but just a bit thoughtless in their delivery. Great woodland area for our little boy to explore but things like fallen fences and barbed wire should be taken care of maintenance. The team in the kids activity centre were really friendly and the pool / soft play were nice and clean. This was the reason I booked this place but I don’t think I’d return again until a refurbishment takes place.