Macdonald Lochanhully Resort

Having been in Dornie when mum husband took unwell and required life saving surgery in Inverness. I wad looking for accommodation near Inverness for him to have a few days recovery before heading home. This was booked very rushed, reading some of the reviews afterwards I was really concerned as my husband has surgical wounds. The staff were amazing and on arrival knew who I was. Our cabin was immaculate. I have to say some of the reviews are extremely unfair. The bedding was spotless and cosy. Some of the fixtures are tired but nothing that would cause me concern. I think people need to be mindful these holiday lodges are in the middle of the Scottish Highlands and will have families and travellers use them and so they will take quite a lot of abuse due to the weather etc. The bathroom was spotless with lovely modern tiling. Again the suite a bit dated but all clean and usable. The kitchen was spotless and well equipped with cutlery, dishes etc. Washing up liquid and cleaning clothes etc provided. Which in my experience in other properties are not always the case. We did use the heating, even though it is summer as my husband had been on a warm hospital and felt it cold at times and I found the heating to be very efficient. The sun room provided us hours of amazing sights. Deer, red squirrel, various birds, a pea hen, woodpecker, wren and of course ducks! This was the haven we needed and I think people need to be realistic when booking these types of properties. You won't get lush piled carpets are they aren't practical for the landscape and weather. We will absolutely be back. Our fur baby loved the gorgeous walks and I adored the nature. Thank you to the staff. You all do an amazing job.

**Review: McDonald Lochanhully Resort** Our recent stay at McDonald Lochanhully Resort had its ups and downs. The location is absolutely fabulous, set in the stunning Scottish Highlands. The natural beauty and peaceful surroundings are perfect for a relaxing escape. However, the cabin was a disappointment. It felt basic and tired, with outdated furnishings and visible wear and tear. The double bed was particularly problematic—it was so small that we had to sleep in separate rooms. Fortunately, there were only two of us, but this cabin would be far too small and uncomfortable for a group of six as advertised. Despite these issues, the resort's beautiful setting is its greatest asset. The tranquil environment and breathtaking scenery provide a wonderful backdrop for a getaway. With significant updates to the cabins, especially more adequate sleeping arrangements, McDonald Lochanhully Resort could be an outstanding destination.

Good value and good location but we were four adults. It’s only really big enough for three adults or two adults with two children. Had to make up a bed for the fourth person in the small room and it was cosy to say the least. Couldn’t check in until 5pm but the cleaning left a lot to be desired. Dirty grill pan and a piece of sausage left under the sofa ( we only moved it to see if it might make a more comfortable double bed!) Limited plates and kitchen equipment. OK for a couple nights but don’t expect too much. Good bathroom and heating was effective. Seemed to be popular with tradespeople looking for an inexpensive night

We stayed in a 2 bed lodge for 3 nights. This lodge could sleep six but it would be a mighty squeeze. One room has a double bed with hardly enough room to walk around the bed. The other room has a single bed with a trundle bed underneath to pull out which wouldn’t leave any room to get into bed! Two other people could sleep on the settee. There is only enough seating for three in the lounge (the settee and one armchair) .The lodge would be very crowded with six people in it. Although there is a table and 6 chairs in the sunroom there isn’t room for six bodies in those chairs! There is a nice area of decking outside but no chairs to sit on. The bedroom blind fell off on the second evening. The receptionist came very quickly to fix it but, sadly, it fell off again in the morning. The light in the fridge didn't work The lodge was looking rather tired and in need of a bit of TLC , particularly the decking and rails outside. The steps up from the carpark to the lodge were in very poor state verging on dangerous. The information, in the welcome sheet which we got on arrival. and in the book in the lodge amazed us. Apparently, we' re to be charged for electricity. There were also charges for extra toilet rolls, kitchen rolls and towels . When we checked out we discovered that these charges didn’t apply to us as we had booked online! (Check this before you book just to be sure this is correct) It would have been good to know that when we arrived. This wasn’t a cheap stay. We could have stayed in a rather smart B&B for the same price. Having said all that, it is a lovely situation, and the weather was wonderful.

Felt compelled to come and write a review. I booked, I read the reviews after and I was very nervous about my family of 5 spending 3 nights here BUT is was ok. Yes the cabin was dated, furniture and carpets could do with a revamp. However kitchen and bathroom was new and very clean, shower was actually excellent. Agree that the wooden panelling wasn't very clean and I had to go round it myself but it was fine. It was a great base for exploring surroundings, the resort itself was lovely. Friendly ducks and peacock coming to your cabin each morning. This was a good base for us, we didn't spend much time at the resort and we were straight to bed when we got home each evening. We used pool, steam and sauna and it was fine. Kids had a ball. I think you get what you pay for in Aviemore. I seemed to get a discounted last minute rate and would have been disappointed if I had to pay more for what we got, because it is very basic and in need of a bit of TLC but you don't go there to hang around and look at the dated interiors. 2 bed cabin was a squeeze for 5 of us but again not an issue as it's just some where to sleep. I would go back, we had a great October week in Aviemore and a great night sleep each night.

We arrived at 335pm, we thought check in was 4pm like ALL the other McDonald's resorts, to be told it was not till 5pm from a less than welcoming receptionist. As we had 2 small kids we asked if we could please get in slightly earlier as they eat around 5pm? He told us yes if we paid an extra £29! We used the toilet at reception which was disgusting, blocked sink and dirty toilet. There was no help or hi how are you from this receptionist just staring at us and rude! As soon as we got in to the lodge the smell of dampness was overwhelming. We could see at the side of the beds the wood panels had been sanded to remove damp spores recently as the varnish was off these areas! Check in at 5pm and out by 10am is something we've NEVER had on holiday either. All of us have been unwell since getting home and off work. ALL our clothes and jackets stank of DAMPNESS.

We love coming here its the best location we have ever found we have been coming here for years and spent thousands of pounds coming and totally fell in love with the place the children even call it there second home… The staff are very friendly and make you feel very welcome swimming pool all day every day is amazing kids love this… play parks for younger kids tennis court with free use of tennis bats what more could you want! You dont even need to leave resort to have a great holiday…Games room also on sight. BUT BUT BUT unfortunately over time we have noticed the lodges and swimming pool going down hill but we are just a normal family with no high expectations in life BUT the last time we visited October half term we found the lodge disgusting with dirt and i mean disgusting!! Our view from lodge window/conservatory was onto a dumping ground!! A mean wooden lodge in woods shouts peace and romance not a dumping ground!! The swimming pool and sauna was just as bad! A think steam room conditions keep its self clean thats why that looked not bad… Games room had nothing to play apart from giant 4 in a row… Pool table was all smashed with missing balls and balls flying out of hole in side and flying across room! Surely this is out of order!!!! kids used to love playing pool for £1… No board games only jigsaws with missing pieces tv and dvds great BUT tv didn't work and dvd cases were empty!! Laundry room is fantastic spending 5 days with young kids is great as can not possibly bring there hole wardrobe and very well priced as well and even get powder on sight amazing BUT was there in October and the place was also very dirty floors covered in spilt powder, window sill gross! Sign states empty filter before use shouldn't it state empty filter after use. I wouldn't dare leave my lint for someone else to clean out! Reception staff spend long hours in the complex area why is nothing getting done about this? This place could be thee best place in Scotland but its wasted with lack of effort or maybe money getting put into it, its so sad to see this wonderful place going down the pan… and i think we have been totally put off this time to the point we wont be returning… We dont ask for alot in life but when you save money for these treats you expect cleans and not dumping grounds.

We checked in late, around 9.30pm and by the time we unpacked our car and got inside we immediately noticed the terrible smell. It was very damp smelling, the main bedroom had a ridiculous amount of hair on the pillows and in the bedding, sheets were stained and just overall very dirty, dusty and rundown. We then discovered the terrible smell was coming from the bathroom, it was covered in black mold. It was so cold inside the chalet the bedsheets felt damp, and turning on the heater created even more terrible smells. As it was not almost 10pm we didn’t feel there was much we could do after a day of traveling - especially as the property was full. The next morning I reached out to the property, they did offer a solution for our second night and relocated us to the sister property in Spey Valley which was appreciated, but unfortunately was not very convenient and obviously for a family of 4 during a 2 night stay we had to repack and move, all while MacDonald resorts have refused to even partially refund our first nights stay. Unfortunately an £80 credit for their restaurant which we had no intention of eating at was not acceptable. I am still in shock that the resort think it acceptable to rent out a chalet in such a terrible state, and to then blame it on their housekeeping crew for not notifying management, the state it was in did not happen overnight this is months if not years worth of mold and damp growth. Very disappointed.