Suidhe Lodge

The house feels homely and has excellent facilities, with room for a big family or a group of friends. Our hosts were really helpful. The pub next door is run by villagers and was a lovely place to spend the evening, with good beers including several low-alcohol options. An outstanding Air BnB.

We had a wonderful holiday, and both the house and grounds are lovely. A few parts of the house could use some modernising, as they make the place feel a bit too businesslike.

We loved having the hot tub, a brilliant way to start or end the day. The cottage is also well placed for days out, with Aviemore just five minutes away by car and its Aldi, Tesco and other shops. Smiffys Fish and Chips are worth a visit. The owner gave us a friendly welcome, and there was a scone with butter and jam plus a little vase of wild flowers waiting for us. A lovely touch. The stale smoke smell from the wood burner was noticeable as soon as we walked in, though, and we could smell it again in the second bedroom. The kitchen is bright and airy, laid out well and stocked with what we needed for cooking and eating, including utensils, cutlery, plates, a dishwasher and a large fridge freezer. Bedroom 1 was bright, generously sized and nicely presented. Bedroom 2 is a family room, but felt quite dark even with the curtains open. For us, the living room was the letdown. It was gloomy enough that we needed the lights on in the middle of the day. The furniture was fairly comfortable, but the TV seemed small for the room and oddly placed. A larger screen mounted on the wall might work better. The bathroom is small, and the toilet acts as a doorstop. The shower enclosure leaks, and we weren’t sure about the wooden display shelves inside the shower. It was a great experience overall, but the cottage didn’t have the wow factor for us.

There’s plenty to do nearby, either on foot or with a short drive. This is a fantastic holiday rental near Aviemore, with spacious grounds, a kids’ play area and a hot tub.