Located on the southern edge of Aviemore, Premier Inn is an unlikely hotel to be recommended on a website with small-ish boutique hotels from smaller hotel chains. Yet its compact build and recent construction sets up this Premier Inn into an environmental category, with excellent outdoors access. For Cairngorm visits near to Inverness, Premier Inn suits well – the celebrated conversion of a service station enables running, cycling and swimming well.

The Premier Inn Aviemore is prominently located on Grampian Road at the southern entrance to the town, providing an ideal gateway to the Cairngorms National Park and its outdoor activities. The building’s design, overseen by LMA Architects, aimed to harmonise with its Highland setting, featuring predominantly vertical timber cladding which was intended to “silver over time,” complemented by zinc accents.

The hotel itself is a relatively modern addition to the area’s accommodation landscape – 27 rooms span a narrow band of room types with utilitarian finishes. The project was officially approved and planned after submissions in late 2016, and the 60-room property was eventually constructed and opened in 2020.

The interior design follows the Premier Inn standard, offering well-insulated, flexible rooms with their signature beds and hot, powerful showers – a key facility for any outdoors-orientated visits. On-site restaurant, Thyme for a basic breakfast.

Within Aviemore, note Foxfire Coffee for specialty coffee.

Training Notes

Runners have ample trails within and around Aviemore, with the Cairngorms to the east for rangefinding trail runners. From Premier Inn, use a flat trail to Rothiemuchush, and continue further to Loch Eileen for a spectacular trail with loch and castle centred.

Cyclists can pick up bike rentals in from Aviemore Bikes whose bike hire fleet include Gravel and Mountain Bike models. Take gravel route or the road south to Kingussie and sample the trails overlooking the Glenfeshie valley (some are fire trails).

Swimmers have the indoor pool at Aviemore Activity Centre and several locks for summer months.

Book at premierinn.com