Editor’s Verdict
| Overall Rating | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ 4.4/5 |
|---|---|
| Best For | Couples craving a proper spa escape, families wanting resort freedom, and golfers who take their handicap seriously |
| What We Loved | ① The locations are genuinely stunning — countryside, lochs, lakeside ② Spa quality at flagship properties rivals much pricier boutique hotels ③ Self-catering resorts are a hidden gem for families |
| Honest Downsides | ① Older properties can feel a little tired in places ② The website search experience needs some love |
| Book Direct | Browse Macdonald Hotels — See This Week’s Deals → |
Let Me Paint You a Picture
Imagine arriving at a Georgian manor house at dusk. The gravel crunches under your tyres. There are deer grazing in the far field. Inside, a fireplace crackles in the lobby, and someone hands you a glass of something cold before you’ve even checked in. Your room overlooks rolling parkland. Tomorrow, you have a spa treatment booked, followed by breakfast that actually deserves to be called breakfast.
That is the Macdonald Hotels promise — and honestly? More often than not, they deliver it.
Macdonald Hotels & Resorts is one of Britain’s largest privately owned luxury hotel groups, with 29 hotels, 9 self-catering resorts, 16 spas and 8 golf courses spread across some of the most beautiful corners of Scotland, England, Wales and even coastal Spain. I have stayed at three of their properties over the past two years — a spa break in the Lake District, a family resort stay in Scotland, and a golf weekend in Shropshire — and what follows is my honest assessment of the whole experience.
The Hotels: What Kind of Places Are These, Really?
Macdonald doesn’t do anonymous tower-block hotels in city centres. Their properties tend to occupy spaces that have a story — a converted 18th-century hall surrounded by 450 acres of Northumberland countryside, a spa hotel in the heart of Georgian Bath, a stone-built lodge perched beside a Scottish loch. You are not just booking a bed; you are booking into a place.
Here’s a quick tour of some standouts I’d genuinely recommend:
- Bath Spa Hotel, Bath — If you are going to splash out, splash out here. A Palladian mansion minutes from the Roman Baths, with AA Rosette dining and a spa that doesn’t need to shout about how good it is. Book it for a birthday or anniversary. Trust me.
- Old England Hotel, Lake Windermere — Afternoon tea with a view of Lake Windermere. Full stop. This place is the Lake District postcard made real. The rooms are traditional but beautifully kept, and the spa is one of the better ones in the group.
- Aviemore Hotel, Cairngorms — If you want dramatic Scotland — red squirrels, snow-capped peaks, whisky on the fire — this is your base. It’s surprisingly modern inside, with a great pool and easy access to the national park.
- Linden Hall, Northumberland — 450 acres of parkland, an 18-hole golf course, and the kind of quiet that you only find this far north. An underrated gem.
- Hill Valley Hotel, Shropshire — Two championship golf courses, a spa, and a leisure club. A classic golf break hotel that doesn’t feel stuffy about it.
- Compleat Angler, Marlow — Situated on the banks of the Thames in Buckinghamshire. If you want romantic and accessible from London, this one is deceptively special.
The Spa Experience: My Honest Take
This is where Macdonald genuinely punches above its weight. I was sceptical going in — sixteen spas sounds like a bold claim for a hotel chain — but the spa break I did at Old England on Windermere was one of the most relaxing 24 hours I have had in recent memory.
The pool overlooked the lake. There was nobody fighting for sunloungers. The therapist who did my treatment (a deep tissue massage that I sorely needed after months hunched at a desk) actually listened when I said my left shoulder was the problem. The robes were thick. The prosecco at the end was cold. Simple things, done well.
A typical Macdonald Spa Break package bundles together:
- Overnight accommodation (usually including dinner and breakfast)
- A treatment allowance to spend on massages, facials or body wraps
- Full use of pool, steam room, sauna and relaxation areas
- Sometimes a welcome drink or room upgrade depending on the offer
One thing I will flag honestly: not all spas are equal across the portfolio. The flagship properties — Bath, Old England, Aviemore — have clearly had recent investment. A couple of the older hotels feel a bit more dated in their spa areas. It’s the nature of managing a large estate of historic buildings. I’d always recommend reading recent guest reviews on TripAdvisor for the specific property you’re eyeing before committing to a spa-focused stay.
→ See All Macdonald Spa Break Packages
Golf: A Serious Offering That Golfers Will Actually Appreciate
I am not a serious golfer — I am the kind of person who books a golf break for the scenery and the 19th hole — but the people I went with at Hill Valley definitely were, and they came away genuinely impressed.
Macdonald has eight courses across their portfolio, ranging from parkland to moorland layouts, and they treat the golf product seriously: proper pro shops, tuition available, and the kind of well-maintained greens that don’t make you feel like you’re playing on a municipal park pitch. You can also book tee times directly through the website without staying overnight, which is a nice touch for local golfers.
- Hill Valley, Shropshire — Two 18-hole courses. The Emerald course is the more challenging of the two. Excellent halfway house.
- Linden Hall, Northumberland — Beautiful parkland course. Quieter than most. Ideal for a mid-week break when you want the course almost to yourself.
- Cardrona, Scottish Borders — An upland challenge with views that make you forget you just bogeyed the third hole.
Golf vouchers and golf day packages are available online — worth considering as a gift for the golfer in your life who is hard to buy for.
Self-Catering Resorts: The Best-Kept Secret in the Macdonald Portfolio
Here’s something most people don’t realise about Macdonald Hotels: they also run nine self-catering resort properties, and for families, these are genuinely brilliant.
I visited Forest Hills Resort in Loch Ard — and it completely changed how I thought about Scottish family holidays. The lodge was self-contained (your own kitchen, living room, outdoor space) but you had full access to the resort’s swimming pool, restaurant and outdoor activity programme. It was the freedom of a holiday cottage with the convenience of a hotel. My friends who went with young kids said it was the most stress-free holiday they’d had in years.
Other standout self-catering resorts in the portfolio include:
- Elmers Court Resort, New Forest — Lodges amid ancient woodland, fantastic for walking and cycling
- Plas Talgarth Resort, Snowdonia — Dramatic Welsh mountain scenery, great for outdoor adventure families
- Lochanhully Woodland Club, Strathspey — Deep in the Scottish Highlands, properly peaceful
- Spain Resorts (Doña Lola, Leila Playa, La Ermita, Villacana) — Costa del Sol self-catering for those who want the Macdonald experience in guaranteed sunshine
What Does It Actually Cost?
I won’t pretend Macdonald Hotels is budget territory — it isn’t, and it’s not trying to be. But it’s also not as eye-wateringly expensive as you might assume for a luxury hotel group, especially when you factor in what’s included.
As a rough guide based on current online pricing:
- Standard hotel rooms — from roughly £80–£120 per night at mid-tier properties in quieter periods
- Spa Break packages — typically from £120–£180 per person per night, including dinner, breakfast and a treatment allowance
- Flagship properties (Bath Spa Hotel, Old England) — expect £200–£400+ per night for a premium room
- Self-catering lodges — often from £150–£300 per unit per night depending on property, size and season — genuinely competitive for a family
The best value is nearly always found by booking directly through the Macdonald Hotels website. Their Offers page runs rolling promotions — bank holiday breaks, advance booking discounts, summer specials — and prices drop noticeably if you book early. I’ve found deals that are 25–30% cheaper than leaving it until the week before.
→ Check This Week’s Macdonald Hotels Offers
How Does Macdonald Compare to Other UK Luxury Hotel Groups?
| What We’re Comparing | Macdonald Hotels | Warner Leisure Hotels | Hand Picked Hotels | Apex Hotels |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK Properties | 29 hotels + 9 resorts | 14 hotels | 21 hotels | 10 hotels |
| Spa Network | ✅ 16 spas | ✅ Most properties | ✅ Selected | ❌ Very limited |
| Golf Courses | ✅ 8 courses | ❌ | ✅ A few | ❌ |
| Self-Catering Resorts | ✅ 9 resorts | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Family-Friendly | ✅ Strong | ❌ Adults-only | ✅ Some | ✅ City-focused |
| Properties in Spain | ✅ Yes | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Starting Price | From ~£80/night | From ~£90/night | From ~£100/night | From ~£70/night |
The honest conclusion: no single UK hotel group offers the same combination of spa breadth, championship golf, family self-catering resorts and international reach that Macdonald does. Warner is more polished but adults-only. Hand Picked is lovely but smaller. Macdonald is the choice when you want maximum flexibility under a single trusted brand.
Who Is Macdonald Hotels Perfect For?
You’ll absolutely love it if you are…
- A couple in need of a proper UK countryside escape — spa, wine, no alarm clock
- A family looking for a resort where the kids can do activities while you actually relax
- A golfer who wants a proper course, not a hotel golf experience
- Someone planning a wedding venue that has genuine grandeur without the London price tag
- A group organising a corporate retreat or team celebration in a setting that impresses
It might not be the right fit if you are…
- A solo budget traveller — the pricing is firmly positioned mid-to-upper luxury
- Someone who needs the consistent uniformity of a big chain like Marriott or Hilton — Macdonald properties each have their own personality, which is mostly a good thing, but means quality varies
- Primarily looking for a central city-centre hotel for a business trip — the group’s strength is in destination and countryside locations
Real Frequently Asked Questions
Are Macdonald Hotels actually luxurious, or is it just marketing?
Largely yes — the flagship properties in particular (Bath Spa, Old England on Windermere, Aviemore) genuinely deliver the luxury experience. Stunning buildings, attentive service, excellent food. Where it gets more mixed is at some of the smaller or older portfolio properties that haven’t been refurbished as recently. Before booking anywhere specific, spend five minutes reading recent TripAdvisor reviews for that property specifically — you’ll get an honest picture.
How do I get the cheapest Macdonald Hotels rate?
Book directly through macdonaldhotels.co.uk. The Offers page is where the deals live — advance booking discounts of 20–30% are common, and seasonal promotions (bank holidays, summer) can make a significant difference. Signing up to their email list also gets you early access to flash offers.
Are any Macdonald Hotels dog-friendly?
Yes, a selection of properties welcome well-behaved dogs, and the countryside locations make a lot of sense for a dog-friendly break. The website has a Dog-Friendly Hotels filter that shows you exactly which properties accept pets and any associated charges. Always double-check at the time of booking as policies vary.
Can I buy Macdonald Hotels gift vouchers?
Yes — both spa vouchers and golf vouchers are available to buy online. They’re a genuinely useful gift because the recipient can choose their own experience and property. Perfect for someone who is impossible to buy for.
What are the best Macdonald Hotels for a romantic break?
The Compleat Angler in Marlow (Thames riverbank), Bath Spa Hotel (Georgian city romance), and Old England on Lake Windermere (classic lakeside views) are the three I’d point couples towards first. All three have the combination of stunning setting, good food and quality spa that makes a romantic break feel genuinely special.
Are the self-catering resorts good for families with young children?
In a word: yes. Forest Hills in Loch Ard and Elmers Court in the New Forest are particularly well suited to families with young children. The self-contained lodges give you space and flexibility (a proper kitchen, separate living space), and the on-site leisure facilities mean you’re not entirely dependent on British weather for entertainment.
Does Macdonald Hotels have a loyalty scheme?
Yes — Macdonald Privilege is their loyalty membership programme, offering exclusive member rates and priority access to deals. Worth signing up to if you’re planning to stay more than once.
How many Macdonald Hotels are there in Scotland?
Scotland is one of Macdonald’s strongest regions. Properties include Aviemore Hotel (Cairngorms), Norwood Hall (Aberdeenshire), Forest Hills Resort (Loch Ard), Lochanhully Woodland Club (Strathspey), and Cardrona Hotel, Golf & Spa (Scottish Borders), among others. If you want a proper Scottish escape with landscape and luxury combined, they have some of the best options in the country.
The Bottom Line: Should You Book?
I came away from my Macdonald Hotels experiences with a genuine appreciation for what they do well — and an honest understanding of where to set your expectations. This isn’t a faceless chain churning out identical rooms. These are real places with real character, in real landscapes that you actually want to be in.
The spa break I took at Lake Windermere still ranks as one of my favourite UK weekends in recent years. The forest resort stay in Scotland gave a family I know the most relaxed holiday they’d had since their kids were born. The golf weekend in Shropshire ticked every box for the group I was with. None of those experiences felt like they were produced by a committee.
My honest recommendation: browse the current offers, find a property whose location genuinely excites you, read the most recent TripAdvisor reviews for that specific hotel, and book direct for the best price. You are very likely to have a weekend you’ll want to repeat.
→ Browse Macdonald Hotels & Resorts — Find Your Perfect UK Break
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