Suidhe Lodge, KINCRAIG

Rated 5/50 by EdandPhil on 2nd December 2018

"We rented the Suidhe on the recommendation of a group of friends who have been here many times. They were absolutely right! There were eleven of us, using all 6 bedrooms. The down sides? Yes fire doors are heavy. Rather that than the alternatives. Some of the decor is tired. Or to put it another way, the house has been very well cared for and the decor is in keeping with the character of the place. It's not the place for white walls and shiny glass surfaces. Cleanliness. When we stayed the house was clean and tidy with fresh linens and a wholesome feeling. Crockery and cutlery were fine and plentiful. The hot tub. Our party used the hot tub and didn't have any issues with other people. We knew, from the descriptions, exactly what we were going to get in terms of other accommodation on the site. The Best Bits............ The furniture was in keeping and very comfortable (except for one chaise long in the lounge). Some of the pieces are quite beautiful, as were the artworks around the house. My bed, the four poster, was brilliant. None of our party had a sleepless night. The log fire in the lounge was fantastic with all of the fuel included in the rental. The kitchen is adequate for a large party but the dishwasher fills up quickly. The amount, range and quality of the crockery, cutlery and utensils were all excellent. The bar at the back of the house is a great addition. The cask beer is local and kept very well. The bar is well stocked enough to keep locals and visitors happy and satisfied. On Thursday evenings, an informal group of musicians turn up and play for their own amusement and are smashing entertainment. The location of the Suidhe is it's major advantage and one of the reasons we will go back. Loch Insh is a mile away and easy on foot with good stretches of footpath. The Watersports Centre, apart from offering watersports and dry-slope skiing, is a great place to eat lunch or dinner. There is some good, non taxing walking to be had around here. Loch An Eilien is a delight with a made-up path all the way around. There is a car park close by and the area around Rothiemurchus deserves exploration. Up the road from there is Glenmore Forrest Park on Loch Morlich. There is so much to do around there that you will never be short of entertainment. Our party to the walk up to Lochan Uaine (Green Loch). That was a smashing walk and I recommend it for anyone, including wheelchairs. At about an hour each way, it's worth planning your visit there. This has only scratched the surface of the location around The Suidhe. The scenery outside the window and across the main road is spectacular and FREE. We have stayed in places in Yorkshire, Wales, Cornwall and elsewhere. The stay at The Suidhe was one of the very best and we will certainly make a point of going back."

Rated 2/50 by David B on 24th April 2018

"Mike (the owner) was friendly and helpful. The house is large and at first glance has a wow factor. I love that it has a log burner but wish it was installed in the bigger sitting room and kitchin. Before arrival we was told we could not go to the house before 4pm as it is being cleaned. Im not so sure it was cleaned, all plates had grease film. As did the cutlery. Some of the drinking glasses was dirty and so before we even got going had to put all we would use during our stay in the dishwasher. The remote controls for the tv did not work for most of the tvs on arrival. Spider webs all over the place. The lodge had alot of the owners personal belongings photos pics and other things you would not expect to see. Fire doors at the top of the stairs are heavy and an absolute pain. The upstairs seems sonewhat confused as it still resembles a hotel/B&B feel to it. Carpets are lovely but the decor in some of the rooms needed a good paint and update. If you dont want strangers to see you in the hit tub dont use this one. I was gobsmacked to see people casually walking past in an area which i initially thought was for our private use. As there are other lets this is not the case. We had a good time but i think for the price of the rental being asked it needs alot of money spent on it to get it up to scratch."

Rated 3/50 by Jb1273 on 20th April 2018

"The location was approximately six miles from Aviemore which was a lovely place to visit. The advertising of the house was slightly misleading; the house itself is lovely, cozy and spacious however its not as secluded as it appears. During the day and in the evening when the pub is open people are often walking past the windows and park outside your front door. There is very little privacy when using the hot tub as other rentals are in the grounds and people walk very close by and can see you clearly; the pub window looks directly into the hot tub. The owner Mike is friendly and helpful however for the price it cost to stay we would have expected the crockery/grill to be clean and the remote controls to work and not having to ask for a replacement DVD player as it did not work either. The property advertises 8 TVs when there is only 7 (one bedroom short). The property advertises Sky when it is actually Preview and WiFi is poor, one living room has a log fire the other is closed off therefore often chilly until the radiators come on at 18:00. We would recommend this property to rent however it is in need of comfort updates and a bit of TLC. The property is in need of up to date advertising as it does not state other rentals are directly in the grounds as the photos are quite misleading; we thought we would be "away from it all" when you actually feel you are in a "fish bowl". Lovely views, friendly owner but disappointed with "home comforts" really needs a tumble dryer and some beds need new mattresses."

Rated 5/50 by GraemeLeighonSea on 13th February 2018

"We booked the Suidhe Lodge for a family holiday to celebrate a birthday. We had a fantastic week, the house is in a wonderful location, with a gentle walk down to Loch Insh close by. The owners are really friendly and helpful and let us use their two canoes, which they supplied with oars and life jackets, all free of charge. The grounds were perfect for the two small children in our group, with the play area and slide an unexpected bonus. We also enjoyed using the hot tub and the outside fireplace as well as the summer house. The house is beautifully furnished and very well equipped, especially the kitchen which has a dishwasher and a washing machine. We mainly self catered and found all we could possibly need in the kitchen. There is a Tesco in nearby Aviemore which is well stocked. All the bedrooms were comfortable and en suite. We also really liked the co-located Suie Bar, which was very friendly and had a good selection of ales and beers on and also has a pool table. The Bar has a folk night on once a week, which a few of our group went to and really enjoyed. Despite being so close, we didn't hear any noise from the bar when in the house or gardens. Our only reservation initially we the close proximity to the A9 but in actual fact this did not cause any problems and wasn't even audible. We went out on many trips both jointly and separately and thoroughly enjoyed walking locally and further afield out in the Cairngorms, which are breathtaking. There are also many parks and attraction nearby, which would suit a wide range of ages. We would wholeheartedly recommend Suidhe Lodge to anyone looking for a group holiday in a fantastic location with all the comforts of a wonderful house and the many extras including a bar on your doorstep."

Rated 5/50 by Rhonahowie52 on 30th October 2017

"A group of friends and I stayed here for a week-end and had a fabulous time. The house was so warm and comfortable with fantastic bedrooms and well equipped kitchen . The hot tub was excellent and well used. I can't wait to visit again. Thank you so much"

Rated 5/50 by Stuartianmac on 21st June 2017

"We booked the Suidhe lodge for a weekend in June and had a great time everything you need and more, the pub attached is also friendly and serves good beer."

Rated 5/50 by SterRog on 29th January 2017

"Hired this cottage for mine and my brothers 40th birthday celebrations. We have been renting cottages for 15 years now for our birthday each year and this is by far my absolute favourite and the first time I have taken to write a review! We had 7 adults and 8 kids ranging from 6 months to 15 years. Bedrooms beautifully done out, fab kitchen to seat us all, loads of space that we didn't feel on top of each other, well placed for activities, lovely owners and a hot tub to boot!! Literally what more could we want! Will definitely be back!"

Rated 5/50 by Bruce B on 14th September 2015

"Owners on site were very helpful but not intrusive. Traditional large comfortable lodge house, with the added advantage of being attached to the Suidhe (pronounced suie) bar. Great hot tub too. Well placed close to local attractions, loch Insh and Aviemore."

Rated 5/50 by Felicia B on 10th September 2015

"beautifully furnished house with plenty of space for 15 people with a Nice garden, big enough for childrengames. great and small enjoyed the hot tub. With a Nice lake at walking distance, and the cairngorn national park nearby, a good place for nature lovers. We would love to come back and certainly recommend this house."

Rated 5/50 by Jill B on 23rd February 2015

"We stayed in this lovely Victorian house as a family of 3 generations and 13 people with ages ranging from 18 months to 74 years, not forgetting a large black Labrador dog! There was plenty of room for all of us and the enormous dining room table allowed us to share very enjoyable evening meals. There was no shortage of equipment for cooking too. The friendly, but unobtrusive, owners provided ample wood for a wonderfully warm fire every evening in the cosy lounge. The adjoining public bar was discreetly hidden away from the house but, once we found it, was a great hit with everyone and everyone was very welcoming. The hot tub was an added bonus and greatly enjoyed by those brave enough to try it in the rather wintery weather we had."

Rated 5/50 by Ciasinclair on 31st January 2015

"We stayed here for a relaxed meet up of several women in their 30's. The property is well maintained and has a lovely hot tub and garden which we made full use of. We were a bit worried prior to booking as the property backs on to a pub but actually we were not really aware of any of the people coming or going there but was also nice to have it there had we wanted to go in. There is a lovely kitchen dining area which is where we spent most of our time making lots of meals and the kitchen is very well equipped. The property is nicely decorated and the bedrooms are all very nice although some are quite a lot bigger than others. I would definitely recommend this property and stay there again. It would suit any group of people, young people or familys alike."

Rated 5/50 by Grahame C on 19th January 2015

"Just had a fantastic weekend at the Suidhe. If you are looking for the perfect place in the Cairngorms to enjoy everything that the area can offer look no further......We will be back."

Rated 5/50 by Sue I on 4th January 2015

"We stayed at Suidhe Lodge over the Christmas week 2014. Two families - 4 parents and 8 young adults ( 18 - 24 years ) and 1 dog. The accommodation was perfect, plenty of room for us all to spread out and make ourselves comfortable. Wendy (the owner) had obviously spent a lot of time decorating the lodge for Christmas - it was truly beautiful. We arrived to be welcomed by Mike (the owner) and the smell of mince pies and mulled wine wafting through the house - a perfect start !! The rest of the week just continued to get better. We frequented the bar/pub attached to the house and always felt welcome and part of the local community. Wendy and Mike live on the top floor of the house but you would not have known they were there. They went out of their way to make us feel at home and provide any extras that we needed (including a rolling pin and baking tins to make our own mince pies). The hot tub worked perfectly at all times. The surrounding countryside was beautiful with plenty of opportunities to walk the dog. All in all a wonderful Christmas was had by all - thank you Wendy and Mike."

Rated 5/50 by Ciasinclair on 7th October 2014

"We stayed here for a reunion of school friends. A beautiful setting and a lovely good sized house with nice sized bedrooms all with bathrooms. A lovely open plan kitchen into great sized dining room with all necessary equipment, was great for holding large candlelit dinners. lounges were really comfortable and cosy with log stove. Hot tub worked well and was a good size, the garden is really well kept and was great for playing in. I would definitely come back here again."

Rated 5/50 by Sabrina D on 10th August 2014

"My friends and I stayed at Suidhe Lodge for a week following our final exams at uni. The house was really lovely, the rooms clean and everything was in excellent conditon. The garden is also gorgeous and spacious with (the highlight) a hot tub. The owners were so nice to us, recommending acitivities in the area and never failing to be incredibly kind even in the face of our stupidity when handling the hottub. There's a pub on site that is also really nice. We had a really great time here and I can't recommend this place strongly enough."

Rated 5/50 by LliamW on 8th April 2014

"My friends and I had a great weekend at 'The Suidhe Lodge.' We spend every day boarding up at the Cairngorms and then enjoyed the hot tub and fire in the evening. All in all a great weekend! Thanks!"

Rated 5/50 by Yoshy M on 16th March 2014

"Great location, with lovely scenery. Lovely helpful staff and owners. Great Hot tub which we used a few times."

Rated 5/50 by Louis S on 4th February 2014

"Stayed here with several of my friends and had an amazing time. The house is in a really nice place, with fantastic views all around. Really nice people too, who were a great help with helping us plan and organise our trip. We spent a long time in that hot tub too! Over all, really nice house, really good service and I'm sure they'll be seeing us/me again! 10/10"

Rated 5/50 by Mornageddes on 4th February 2014

"I stayed at the Suie over the winter holidays with my family. I loved every minute of my stay. The owners lived on site which was handy if you needed anything, they were friendly kind people. The atmosphere was really relaxed and the whole area was beautiful. It is close to the ski fields and have a pub on site so we only had to walk around the corner for a quiet drink with the locals who were all really friendly. I had a wonderful time and would definitely visit again."

Rated 5/50 by Blairg555 on 2nd February 2014

"My partner and I stayed in the log cabin at the suidhe lodge hotel which is located within the grounds there. It was very spacious for the price paid. 3 rooms inside it, with a large living room are and open plan style kitchen. AND it's own hot tub!!! The bar in the hotel was used heavily too. Good prices and selection of ales! Dart board and pool table also used heavily too. Friendly staff. Would recommend to anyone staying in Kincraig/Aviemore area."

Rated 5/50 by Nonared90 on 31st January 2014

"Wendy and Mike couldn't have done more to welcome us into the house. There is a pub attached to the house which as 2 families with young kids we were concerned about to start with but it is just lovely. A real community feel and we were welcomed to come in with the kids (they were lent some toys to play with while we had a small tipple!) The house itself exceeds the photos on the site, a truly gorgeous country house and the surroundings were stunning! We made great use of the fantastic hot tub outside the house which for myself and my husband really made the holiday. We will be returning and will recommend to our friends."

Rated 5/50 by Shirinbav13 on 30th January 2014

"I was here between Christmas and New Year for a few days at a family gathering and absolutely loved my stay. Its safe to say I didn't really want to leave as it was so friendly and welcoming. The service was fantastic and we were well taken care of. We stayed in the lodge which was beautifully decorated and homely. I was amazed that there was a hot tub, unfortunately i didn't get to use it as I hadn't brought along anything to wear in it, but a few friends in our group did and loved it! I'll definitely need to remember to pack a bikini next time!! We spent one of the evenings in the lovely wee bar which had a big open fire, which was so much fun, and again the service was fantastic despite the bar being completely jam packed due to the local darts tournament being on which was exciting to be part of, we also played pool and had a wee sing song with one of our friends playing the guitar towards the end of the night!! We had dinner that evening in the main house which was fantastic!! The charming decor is just lovely, and it has such a homely and welcoming atmosphere. A great little highland getaway!! I can't wait to come back!!!"

Rated 5/50 by Jaywol8299 on 29th January 2014

"We were a group of friends from all over Scotland. Who planned a gathering to celebrate a big birthday. The communal living space within the lodge is perfect for entertaining. The lovely kitchen with adjacent dining room with a huge table created a wonderful space to enjoy as a group. Suidhe lodge was a central location with plenty of local attractions to visit. Only 1 mile from the excellent highland wildlife park. At Loch Insh there was lots to do and the view from the restaurant was amazing. Alvie estate have an incredible Zip line. After a day roaming in the hills on foot,bike and on horseback the hot tub was a fantastic way to soak away the aches and pains. The adjacent pub was the perfect place to enjoy a selection of locally brewed beers besides a crackling log fire, complimented by local musicians giving an impromptu music session. We will definitely be back. Thanks for making us feel so welcome."

Rated 5/50 by EngineeringTomTom on 29th January 2014

"The Lodge offered a fantastic large place for an extended number of my friends from across the country and afar to meet up in a wonderful wintery paradise. The lodge was well equipped with plenty of space for cooking and preparing drinks etc. The welcome from the hostess Wendy was most pleasant and informative. The hot tub was amazing and went down as one of the highlights of the trip especially when the snow was falling all around with a refreshing beverage or two. Great location allowed for plenty of activities from casual walks to more energetic skiing or sledging. Rooms were lovely. Warm comfortable and quiet. Even with the party in full effect in the plenty of available space you can always find some privacy. The bar attached to the lodge provides great atmosphere with a mixture of welcoming locals and fine ales. Roaring log fire made a perfect place to warm up after winter activities. I would highly recommend and will be returning in the very near future!!"

Rated 2/50 by Kirsten C on 17th December 2013

"Stayed in the Suidhe lodge in September and was disappointed on our arrival to find that the hot tub which was included in the price was broken. During our stay the hot tub was never fixed. The owner attempted to add some hot water which would only heat it up for an hour/ 2 hours max each day - we expected to get full use of it. We were very shocked at the lack of privacy we had during our stay, with random people walking through the garden and beside the hot tub throughout the day as though it were a public foot path. We were also under the impression that we would have the full house to ourselves and were not warned that there would be people living in the room at the top of the house - we often heard people walking up and down the fire exit stairs to access the room. This made us feel very uneasy as these people also had access to the part of the house we were staying in. The countryside surrounding the house is lovely and will be back to stay in Kincraig however we will not be returning to the Suidhe Lodge."