We booked this on the way to a Winter Skills Course at Glenmore Lodge. It was excellent - just opp the station. V friendly, nice room and huge breakfast. Good soup too.

A friend and I booked a weekend in Aviemore so that I could tick skiing off my bucket list. The location of the hotel is perfect, being opposite the rail station in the main street and withing walking distance of all the town amenities but you would need transport to the ski slopes which are about 9 miles away. Hotel parking was not a problem and the reception area like the rest of the hotel is welcoming with all things Scottish everywhere ( tartan carpets, suits of armor and pictures of bygone Scottish people). We were able to check in early, our room being on the 2nd floor but alas, and this was honestly the only downside, no lift, so a bit of a trek up the stairs. Not so bad for us, but not so good for the elderly or infirm ( I would be classed as elderly by anyone under 30, but definitely not infirm yet).
The room was small but clean and well presented and had everything we needed. We decided to set about exploring the town and other local hostelries and to discreetly enquire with willing locals as to important matters like nightlife, food and drink. We kept getting the same response that the Cairngorm was the best choice for all of that, which was encouraging.
The bar at the Cairngorm is large and really nice, with a mixture of all ages, locals and visitors alike. The bar staff were very friendly and made us feel welcome and having sampled at least 4 other bars in town we decided to stay there in the evenings. There is live music most evenings and on the Saturday night, the place was packed out due to the popularity of the musicians who were playing that evening. The atmosphere reminded me of a night out in the Temple Bar, Dublin with traditional music played with unbridled frenzy. Busy though it was, there was no pushing or shoving to get a drink and the whole place felt really comfortable. There is a separate restaurant, plus food also available in the bar and outer areas. We elected to eat in the restaurant, and despite being very busy we were found a table promptly. The menu is good and well priced and after having eaten breakfast there earlier, I had no worries about the food.
The speed at which we were served was nothing short of a miracle and the entire service was fantastic. It is really refreshing to go to a restaurant where the food is perfect, the service is exceptional and there is absolutely nothing to complain about- I was really impressed.
We both thoroughly enjoyed our stay and I will return to the Cairngorm but give the skiing a wide berth as infirmity may have begun to set in, or maybe the whiskey seemed a better choice. Incidentally there are a number of nice bars and restaurants around the town, but the Cairngorm suited us just fine with less of a walk in the freezing cold later.
The Cairngorm is great value for money and a really good choice if you are staying in Aviemore or even just passing through en route to even more remoter and colder places further north and you will not be disappointed if you go there, unless you are anti Scottish or don't like their music.

Stayed in December with my friend for the 6th Year in a row....Love it more every year! Can't wait to get back this year. Lovely, comfy rooms....amazing breakie. All the staff are very friendly & helpful. Stayed with my friend for my birthday in December and we didn't even leave the hotel bar...the atmosphere and live music was brilliant! Defo have dinner in the hotel....at least once during your stay, gorgeous menu and yummy puddings!

Stayed here in December 2011 for two nights. A very convenient 30 second walk across the road from the railway station.
Really nice decor and ambience when entering the lobby, and it felt typically Scottish as soon as we walked in.
Very attentive friendly staff made us feel most welcome, and I would not hesitate to stay there again..
The pub/bar section of the hotel has a huge selection of wiskys, and a book listing them all and their characteristics is available to peruse for wisky novices like me..
All in all, an excellent hotel and would recommend.