This was our 6th year Aviemore - always with Great North Lodges - and won't be our last! We're a family of 8 now, with 3 adult children and their partners.
Positives:
Kincardine holiday lodge surroundings are stunningly beautiful. The lodge was immaculate on our arrival and has a wonderful living area with 3 large comfy sofas and a very spacious open plan dining area. The views from the hot tub and large decking area (which encompasses the back of the lodge) are spectacular and so tranquil. Our 3 spaniels absolutely loved the freedom of the vast surrounding woodland and river banks which was expansive enough to keep them (or small children) entertained, but safely restricted from the river (and the rest of the Cairngorms!) by a cattle grid and fencing round the perimeter. The locals we met on our frequent riverside walks were very chatty and friendly and made us feel very welcome. Our bed was super comfy, but two of the children were less impressed with theirs. It was also good to discover a washing machine hiding away, which wasn't mentioned in the details! In the main building of the lodge there are two bedrooms and a shared 'family bathroom' which has a bath and separate shower. Then, accessed by going along a short covered outdoor walkway, there is another twin room with an over-bath shower and one double with a bath only, no shower. The lack of en-suite showers might be a problem to some people, but we're in the bath camp so it didn't matter!
Negatives:
There were a few minor gripes, which are only trivial, but would probably stop us returning to this particular lodge. One being that the decor and finish was a bit off the luxury and finesse of previous GNL Lodges (two of which we have returned to several times). It just seemed tired and seemed to have had very little investment since the 1990s. The kitchen was inadequate for cooking (eg the top oven had no trays that fitted) and we really missed a BBQ option. Would have happily cooked on the fire pit but again, no provision of cooking vessels suitable for this. We were very excited to find a fondue pot, only to be dropped again when we realised it was only big enough for two people - despite the cabin sleeping 8.
Other reasons we wouldn't return here are purely personal. As are family now comprises 8 grown up adults we’re keen to leave the car parked once we arrive on holiday and spend most of the time out and about on foot or bike, so for us this location was a bit too remote as a car was needed to access most places. I’m sure the location would be especially fabulous for a young family who tend to stay home in the evenings and have to travel by car for days out anyway. There is no off road cycling to and from the property, but there is a beautiful river walk from the door which loops back through lovely woodland if you cross the little road at each end.
Everyone was keen to tell us the owners of the lodge were the owners of House of Bruar. Given this knowledge, we were extra surprised at the 'tiredness' of the lodge. Some of the furnishings were a bit tatty and there wasn't even a complete set of dinner and side plates the same size and the quality of the kitchen accessories was cheap. Not up to the usual standards we have come to expect from GNL and of a property in this price range.
I wouldn't not recommend this property, but I'd certainly suggest looking at others you could get for them price (or less). None the less, a holiday in Aviemore can never truly disappoint. :)