Macdonald Aviemore Hotel

Stayed for three nights, as it was our 10 year anniversary. The room they gave us was room was 3011 in the Aviemore hotel, which had just been painted that morning, dust sheets left outside the window. The toxic paint fumes were unbearable. Asked duty manager to check, he stayed, for less than 10 seconds as he couldn't bare the fumes. He informed us that he would try and sort the problem out. We Stayed in the room with the window open for a further 40 minutes. We went to the reception where we were shocked to find out nothing was happening. We informed another duty manager of our situation, he immediately called his manager who put us in the Highland hotel, Sam the duty manager of that hotel informed us that the room we were in had just been painted that morning!!, and was sorry for any inconvenience. We were informed that we would be staying at the Highland for the rest of our stay. Next morning we were contacted by Aiden who informed us that we would be moving again into an adapted room for our daughter. He stated that the room would be cleaned and ready in the hour, two hours later and packed the room was still not ready, so from 10am in the morning and several stressed phone calls later, day ruined, we finally got into the room at 5pm. We unpacked and tried to make the best of the rest of Saturday. Sunday we went out for the day, I placed the room service card on the door handle, as the room needed cleaning especially the disabled toilet and the shower seat, also needed new towels and tea condiments. We arrived back to our room, we were horrified and shocked at the condition the room had been left in, who ever came into our room only changed two towels, no cleaning had been done, no beds made or changed, no clean cups or tea condiments left, disabled toilet not cleaned, immediately informed the same duty manager about state of room, he informed me that room service had gone, he informed me that he would note our complaint, and we would have to stay in the room as it was!! I informed him that if the duty manager did not come to speak with me, I would go and get the queen size quilt and myself and my daughter who is in a wheelchair would camp out at reception. He made a call and the duty manager a man called Ryan came five minutes later and spoke to me. He apologised and was deeply concerned about the ongoing issue apon issues that we were having. He stated that this would be brought to the attention of the owner Jacob, he also assured me that I would be receiving a telephone call the next day, this never happened!! We are still waiting!! This was over a week ago. Ryan changed the bedding and the towels as well as giving us condiments, he in my opinion was the only person as a manager who helped us!!

We were at Santa weekend break and it was fantastic, entertainment on point, our youngest is dairy free, gluten free and there wasn’t much option on the menu however one of the chefs ( sorry didn’t get his name ) colourful arms very helpful James / John maybe helped us out went to the kitchen and catered for us Oliver was so excited. Please pass on our thanks and we will definitely be back

Staff in all hotels and shops were incredibly helpful and pleasant. I have to say I feel for them given the facilities were not 4 star. Hotels are dated which sometimes cannot be avoided but the lift malfunctioned leaving us stuck inside moving between floors for some time. On checking reviews it seems the lift has been broken and out of order in and off for a number of weeks. Noticed during our stay that it was signposted as not in use and then back in use once the maintenance team reviewed but again it was taken out of service for once again malfunctioning. This is a safety concern and the lift should be checked and inspected by OTIS to ensure safety of both resort employees and guests - suggest that the management team take the proper action around this defect. The bars were poorly stocked, all advertising cocktails but missing the key ingredients to make these. The bar staff were accommodating and offered alternative options, very much doing the best with what they had but this lack of planning is unfair on these employees who have to be front of house and manage guests expectations. If there are supply issues it might be more feasible for a board menu instead of a printed one with drinks options so these can be easily adjusted. Our room was absolutely fine, rather plain but clean. Communal areas were being cleaned while we were there reassuring us that all areas were kept clean. Breakfast was nothing to write home about but but a selection for everyone.

A lovely 4 night stay , myself and my granddaughter really enjoyed Aviemore , we were there during school term so it wasn’t overly busy . We have been lots of times over the years and last years experience was totally different to this years. Aspects was exceptional, the presentation was like something from master chef and the food itself was beautiful. Fish restaurant was very nice but overly priced and not by a tad either. Offsite landmark was very good and not not busy at all . My only negative was the swimming pool . We arrived just after 6 for a quick swim before dinner and I was greeted with (not hotel staff) a swim coach/teacher who rudely told us we couldn’t swim there and it was for them only , I was embarrassed, half naked getting shouted at , my granddaughter just wanted to abort mission . Lady on reception was extremely apologetic and said she would speak to them as this wasn’t the case and hotel guests are always priority. This needs to be addressed , we paid nearly £800 and we should be able to swim without this hassle. We did go again in the morning and it was very nice and quiet but the evening before put us on a bit of a deflater

We stayed in the MacDonald Aviemore Hotel so cannot comment on the other hotels on the resort however I can say we were extremely disappointed throughout our stay. Prior to arrival we had received communication from the hotel advising that we could not check in to our room until 4pm but could make full use of the facilities on the resort until our room was ready. When we arrived around 1.30pm we asked the extremely unhelpful receptionist where we could get something to eat and were advise the restaurants were all shut but could get some pub-grub at The Laggan Bar, so we went there where I spent £10 on a ham and mustard sandwich. Oh, but it did come with a salad which comprised about half a dozen leaves of rocket, one slice of cucumber (halved) and one cherry tomato (halved), all served in a tiny ramekin. My girlfriend opted for the tasteless Caesar salad with option chicken for £19. My son had the soup of the day (tomato) which he didn't enjoy. We then headed to the swimming pool as my 6-year-old son was excited to try out the flumes only to find out that the pool is closed in the afternoon and doesn’t re-open until 4pm. Same time as check in. Luckily there was a small soft-play area he could use until we could get checked in. So much for using the facilities. At check in we were greeted by the same miserable looking staff member who really needs a refresher course in customer relations. We were basically passed our room key without even an “enjoy your stay” or to be asked if we had stayed before and therefore knew where all the restaurants and facilities were. Guess we had to work this out on our own. The room itself was fine. Nothing special but seemed clean and tidy. The next morning, we had to ask at reception where breakfast was held and were shown to a very tired looking dining room and seated at a lovely sticky table to enjoy our lukewarm cooked breakfast. We spent the day away from the hotel and returned just before 5pm to find that housekeeping had visited the room and emptied the bin. They also took away 3 of the towels previously supplied without replacing them. Fortunately, there were still 2 left we could use. They also left the dirty coffee cups and glasses for us to clean ourselves before re-using. We weren’t expecting a full housekeeping service as we were only staying 2 nights but surely these points should have been met. The next morning, the day of departure, we couldn’t have a show as the water was running freezing cold. It eventually warmed up slightly but by this time we were already dressed, so we headed to the dining room (this time in the Highland Fish Bar which was a big improvement on the previous day) for another warmish breakfast. At checkout we were asked our room number, told that was us and sent on our way. The same receptionist didn’t even ask if we had enjoyed our stay. Perhaps this is commonplace as they fear the answers. All in all, we were very disappointed in this self-billed 4-star ho

On arrival we checked in and were informed that the lift was out of order and that we were on the 3rd floor, we were not informed before we arrived of the issue and it had been out of order for at least 2 weeks, no offer of another room on a lower floor or offer of a refund. Went up to the room and for a 4* hotel we were not impressed, very bland, dated and boring not to mention the dead flies on the carpet, huge spider on window, live flies flying about tried to open window to let it out and the wouldn't open, chips and cracks on walls, wardrobe door kept coming off rails, 2 tv's in room and neither of them worked. Extreme lack of UK sockets in the bedroom and for a suite I would have thought there would have been a dressing table with a mirror. Breakfast on the first morning was lukewarm, also maybe staff should be speaking to parents when their children are running around while people are trying to eat breakfast and their parents let them go over to the hot area and handle food with their hands and put it back in the containers where others had to select their food from. The lack of elevator took its toll on Saturday and I was bedded with a flare up of sciatica for the rest of the day. Went to check out on Sunday and as we were going down the stairs with our luggage a cleaner was throwing bedding down the gap in the stairs narrowly missing us. I would have had a better stay at Fawlty Towers.