Just back from overnight stay at Academy and whilst I left my feedback at the hotel don't expect anyone is listening. Room okay, bathroom mouldy and smelly, common areas of hotel smelled bad too. Nova pleasant experience.

In summer 2010, we spent 3 nights at the Aviemore Inn in the same complex. We enjoyed the stay but felt the room could have been better given the price. However my son, now 13, really liked the hotel, the meals and facilities; hence the return visit.

We booked 4 nights on the 'best available' dinner, bed and breakfast package in a 'classic family 3 room' in the Academy Inn. This was considerably better than the family room we had in the Aviemore Inn in terms of size, storage space, comfort and facilities. The room had a useful ski equipment cupboard, which we used to store walking equipment, and also an iron and ironing board, (pity no self service laundry facilities despite signs outside the hotel indicating otherwise). Apart from not providing any biscuits with the hospitality tray until day 3 -no complaints with regard to the room.

The Academy Inn has no full-time reception or restaurant. The reception is in the main complex, which also houses the breakfast restaurant, shops, conference facilities and cinemas. We arrived by train - the railway station is only 5 minutes walk away - however there are no signs directing pedestrians to the reception so last year we had an unnecessary circuitous walk with luggage round the rear of the complex following signs aimed at guests arriving by car. This year with prior knowledge, we went straight to reception.

Our room overlooked Tesco's car park where we identified another pedestrian issue - guests laden with shopping bags climbing over the stone boundary wall assisted by a loose pile of stones, which someone had placed on the hotel side. I also climbed over the wall; the stones were invaluable but not very safe. A pedestrian gate is needed as this route does provide a useful short cut to Tesco and nearby shops.
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Breakfast was a disappointment on the first two days - although we arrived well within restaurant operating hours, food choice was limited. The hotel caters for a lot of coach parties who leave early and I felt we had to make do with their left overs - breakfast did improve once guests for the forthcoming Harley Davidson event started arriving.

Evening meals were much better particularly in Aspects Restaurant in the Highlands Hotel - Giovanni's in the Aviemore Inn was not as good. Guests on the half board package had the choice of some of the dishes on the menu whilst others attracted a supplementary charge - one would expect this charge to apply to the most expensive dishes, (which it did), but it also applied to what seemed like a random selection of cheaper dishes, thereby limiting choice. Nevertheless there were always meat, fish and vegetarian options available at no extra charge.

The hotel has a 25 metre swimming pool with slide and adjacent fun pool, spa pool, sauna and steam room. This is a great facility but the spa pool did not function for the duration of our stay, the sauna was out of order for part of the stay and swimming opportunities were restricted when the local swimming club met, (taking up 4 out of 5 lanes of the pool), or the slide was in operation, (as the deep end was roped off presumably for safety reasons). The changing facilities were in need of refurbishment. There is also a well equipped gym.

Overall the Academy Inn provides a comfortable base close to the centre of Aviemore and to public transport facilities. Despite the large numbers of people staying on the complex, it never seemed overcrowded and noise was not an issue. Aspects Restaurant is very good both in terms of food quality and ambience. However Macdonalds need to work more on details - if they can do this, then the hotel would be very good. I would be happy to return and would particularly recommend the hotel for families.

Was so nervous after reading the reviews but no need. The room, staff and food was excellent! They even have children's entertainers who were first class. I was able to sample the spa treatments and can recommend the neck and back massage...bliss! The bed was so comfy and the breakfast delicious! We have had a superb family weekend and will definately come back - see you soon Macdonald Aviemore, thank you!

Firstly, I have to admit that we didn't actually stay here, because our experience of it was so bad!

We arrived without a booking and went to the resort reception to see if they had any availability for a family room for 1 night. We were half expecting to be told we were out of luck, but were pleasantly surprised when we were told there was a room available in the 3 star Academy hotel. The rate I was given was £180 dinner, bed and breakfast for a family of 5 (2 adults, 2 children and a baby in a cot). Bit expensive, but given the resort facilities for the children we thought we would go for it. However, by the time I had gone back to the car to ask the family if we should stay, returned to the reception, the rate had gone up to £208! When I queried it they said it would £186!

We were given rather vague directions as to how to find the hotel, and we were not told if it was a walk or a drive. Luckily we drove, as it would have been a long walk with baggage and baby in tow.

The signposting to this hotel is terrible and its situation is poor too. It feels like you are going round to the delivery entrance! Anyway, we found it and went to check out the room.

First impressions - awful. The reception (which is really a lobby) is old fashioned, tired looking has no atmosphere and no signposting to the lift. The lift lobby/ stairwell smelt damp and musty. The walls are a state and the doors and finishings are all bashed up. The lift is an antique and not particualrly efficient. The corridor to the room are also in a poor state.

We inspected the room and although it appeared to be clean, it was dated, old fashioned and not what I would have expected for £186 a night.

The overall impression was it looked like staff quarters, not a hotel. We had stayed in a Travelodge the previous night (£49.50 + £65 for dinner and breakfast out) and it was light years ahead. The Acadamey hotel is dire. Having subsequently read the reviews of this place, I am glad we did not stay.

Anyway, we went back to reception to say we weren't happy and they said there were rooms available at that rate in the 4 star Highland hotel. This irked me as why didn't we get offered this before? It felt like they were trying to leg us over at every opportunity.

We went up to the Highland and the reception was just the same. No atmosphere and teribly old fashioned. This one didn't smell, but it is in desperate need of upgrade. We didn't bother to inpsect the room, by this time we had seen enough, we just came home!

Needless to say, we were very disappointed with Macdonald hotels. If I had booked a holiday here I would be gutted. If this is what tourists say of Scotland then we Scots should be embarrassed!