Macdonald Forest Hills Hotel & Spa
3.7
Good(2,657 Reviews)Resort in Scotland
4-Star Resort
Reasons to book
Free cancellationFull refund if you change your mind
Great for petsBring all your friends and family, even the furry ones
Includes essentialsGarden, Pool, Pets allowed and more
About this resort
Just 6 miles from the foot of Ben Lomond, this friendly 4-star hotel has a quiet location, on the shores of Loch Ard. It has a spa, a select menu of wines and whiskies, and an on-site activity centre.
Amenities
Pool
Pets allowed
Internet / Wifi
Smoking allowed
Parking
Laundry
Balcony or Patio
Hot tub or spa
TV
Wheelchair accessible
Gym or Fitness Center
Garden
Family friendly
Map of Scotland
Available Rooms
1 Double • 215 ft²
Sleeps 2
You'll be directed to Booking.com for availability & pricing
1 Double • 269 ft²
Sleeps 2
You'll be directed to Booking.com for availability & pricing
1 Double • 236 ft²
Sleeps 2
You'll be directed to Booking.com for availability & pricing
1 Double • 290 ft²
Sleeps 4
You'll be directed to Booking.com for availability & pricing
1 Double • 215 ft²
Sleeps 2
You'll be directed to Booking.com for availability & pricing
$$$$
Reviews
3.7
Good(2,657 Reviews)100% verified reviews
3.7
كل شي جميل والموظفين لطيفين جداً
بعد مكان الفندق وعدم وجود ارسال ، اصناف الطعام محدوده
3.7
Good food
Mediocre service, too rigid - especially the staff at the restaurant. Why is it necessary to make a reservation for breakfast on a weekend? Needed a restaurant reservation for dinner despite being a hotel guest. When we got there, there was no seat available, despite plenty of tables being free...then we asked to eat at the bar, which the restaurant manager as well as the assistant manager refused. In the end, we ordered room service and stopped the waiter on the way and ate at the bar. The restaurant itself never filled up. Unreal
3.7
The scenery and the way the rooms and the hotel are decorated was why we wanted to come and that also looked nice when we came.
Our rooms were very cosy and nicely decorated which we were very pleased about but that was sadly the only good thing about our stay. It said we could call the reception to get ice for an ice bucked but they told us to go down and get it from them. We didn’t get housekeeping in the room even though we were out of the room by 11.15 to go explore. We obviously needed more toilet rolls since we didn’t get the house keeping and when we called about that they also told us to come get them ourselves. If we ordered room service, would they have told us to come down and make it ourselves? We also bought breakfast for both the days we stayed there for 10 o’clock and when we came down for breakfast the second morning (on time) they said the kitchen was closed because of some renovation that no one had told us about. The breakfast was also not very good. The pastries were really dry and the warm breakfast we ordered was very disappointing. Also the first morning where we actually got breakfast it took ages befire we got the coffee we had ordered or got to talk to a weightier, and the same with the table beside us. I would completely understand if they were understaffed or it was busy but there was not many people in there. We went to the spa facilities to go check out the pool and when i got in the ladies locker room and went in the shower i was pretty disgusted. The first shower door i opened i just had to close because it looked dirty in there and on all the other ones where it looked okay, i looked up and the ventilator or whatever it was hanging in the roof abore the showers were clogged with what in the best case is dust, if not mold. It was disgusting. The pool area also looked pretty outdated and something i would expect a cheap kids pool to look like.
3.7
The setting is lovely and the surrounding area is perfect for walking and biking. The grounds and the view from the hotel were very nice. The spa was also very nice. I didn’t swim or use the other facilities so can’t comment on them. Some of the staff were nice.
It’s very run down and it smelt of musty dog, especially in the suite I stayed in. The bathroom is lovely and modern but with some mould. There was a buzzing sound in my room that never turned off, no idea what it was but it was driving me a bit crazy. The carpets need replaced desperately to help with the smell and over all impression of the hotel.
3.7
A quality hotel in beautiful surroundings. Excellent catering.
Nothing
3.7
Stunning views, tranquility, comfort, helpful, polite, courteous staff. Very understanding and accommodating to families with toddlers (we have two boys aged 11 and 2).
Room was wonderful and very spacious for the 4 of us.
Would love to return as we visit the area every year.
Pool water temperature was a bit lower than we would have liked.
Restaurant prices somewhat steep.
We also had to draw the curtains during daylight hours (we were on the ground floor and people could see us - an inside curtain would have helped). But these are minor, minor blemishes. Overall it was SUPERB!! Highly recommended!!
3.7
The location is just breath-taking with stunning views over Loch Ard. We went kayaking at the Loch Ard Adventure Centre at the entrance to the hotel and in two nights used the pool, table tennis, football pitch, went for a run and went to Go Ape along the road for zip wire and walk to the waterfall. We also sat outside and enjoyed the beautiful view from the hotel. The staff were exceptionally friendly.
Food in the restaurant is a bit pricey but the staff were incredibly helpful and friendly.
Sauna and hot tub were not very hot. Tennis courts need some TLC.
3.7
Great hotel in a beautiful location, good breakfast/food, huge room, efficient housekeeping staff. Spa was superb. Good car park, & BnB cost.
Approach road dreadful in places with raised tarmac patches rattling the car suspension. Short staffed at breakfast caused queues. Ran out of bread, orange juice & HP sauce!
3.7
The location is amazing.
The £25 allowance towards dinner was a bit confusing.
3.7
Bed was comfy, room was big.
Everything else. Very disappointed. Returned after 17 years with fond memories, little changed for the better, lack of obvious renovation. Slow overpriced restaurant service. Dirty cold room, bathrooms and common areas. Charged £300 all in, for 1 night for 2 people.
Arrived to a King Deluxe which is good size and classic Scottish theme. The heating was not on (not for some time), needed to wear our jackets for up to two hours before it warmed up. Complained, but only offered an extra heater (not in the best condition). Needed a good paint, some black/possible mould in corners. Sofa was freezing to sit on.
Bathroom heating not on. Appeared not renovated for some time and was... Quite dirty. Build up of black scum under bath taps, not pleasant to look at when trying to relax, tile grouting black in places and mould. Instant hot water was good. No modern walk in shower with such a cost for the room?
Dinner was overpriced, good quality, but £40 sirloin is not matched with the sitting next to the window where some mould/black was along the sill. Being a local, I'm aware difficulties in old buildings, but expect a level if paying these prices. Staff were not particularly attentive, I had to chase for more drinks.
Breakfast: 40 minute wait for cooked breakfast (1 sausage, 1 bacon, 1 egg, 1 black pudding, beans, tattie scone). £25 if not included. Pay further £7 supplement for Eggs Benedict. Nearly sirloin price, £32 for egg and muffin sat next to the same dirty/mould window?
Ultimately the experience was ruined by cold room and dirty feeling, the service was not enough to elevate to price. I wouldn't expect dirty or cold conditions at my home, so would not expect to pay for them here.
3.7
great location…. can’t fault that
Hotel was so understaffed - well aware that’s a major problem for all hotels. No linen, felt so bad for reception who did their best as did other team members who were lovely. Dinner average at best but expensive. Rooms very tired.
3.7
The location so picturesque peaceful and in beautiful surroundings. Deer roam the grounds and other wildlife can be seen.
3.7
Location. Staff. Breakfast. Room.
3.7
Peace and quiet, staff very good.
Downside lift not working for 3 days
Lift not working for 3 days
3.7
We had a beautiful room and the food was excellent
Rooms at the back of the hotel are overlooking car park
3.7
Location was good
Staff not engaging and abrupt at times.
3.7
Location
View
The staff at the reception are not nice, way they speak are indecent (An example of a person emlia)
By accident we entered a wrong room but unfortunately the room key open the door (room key we received was unlocking more than one room in the hotel)
The hotel management was informed about the unsafe situation that we went through, and they considered it a situation that we should not report as an issue.
The maintenance service in the hotel is incompetent From the first day it was discovered that the bathroom WC flash in one of the rooms did not work, and the hotel was informed. flash in the bathroom was not fixed for two days.
Moreover the elevator is not working, According to what has been read from previous reviews, the elevator does not work. This indicates that the hotel is not interested in repairing faults and does not work for the comfort of its customers.
Due to circumstances beyond our will, we had to return to the country, due to the condolences of a family member. We asked the hotel to refund the amount for the two nights, but unfortunately the hotel management did not appreciate the humanitarian situation that we are going through and refused to refund the amount for two days which were remaining.
The operation manager (Claire) doesn’t want to see us and don’t give us chance to explain the situation regarding our early checkout.
Just for information for asthmatics peoples There’s no sanitary ventilation in the hotel (The smell is unpleasant from the carpets and the presence of dogs in all places in the hotel, such as the lobby, the restaurant, and others.
3.7
Very clean and super professional staff all round. Although when we went to enter our room (room 006) somebody from the inside ran to the door with a towel around his waste 😲 my wife and I were a little startled but not half as much as the couple who were already inside our room, he looked confused but said he had trouble with getting into the room himself and so he had got in because a late working room attendant let them into the room with the room attendants master key, he showed me that he was legitimate and showed my his keycard, but he obviously didn’t read it properly because his key was meant to be room 009 and not room 006, he obviously read it upside, down 😂😂🤣 so I asked him for his keycard and I gave him mine, then I went to the reception desk to tell them what had happened as I didn’t want him ordering something for the room and leaving without paying for it like a bottle of champagne as I would be charged to my credit card, the receptionist and night manager also looked surprised, then the man in my room appeared at the desk with a nightgown on and clearly he looked a little embarrassed 🫣 but we got it sorted and really it was a bit of a laugh for us anyway.
This is the second time we have stayed here and we would definitely come back again. The gardens are beautiful as is the view of the loch and mountains in front of the hotel.
Breakfast is not very good and there is no breakfast buffet either just plated breakfast, take it or leave it and it’s pretty expensive for what you get, also the coffee tasted like it was made early in the morning, it didn’t taste very fresh and was a bit of a let down. The hotels bar has a poor selection of beers on tap and their Guinness is poured from cans only.
3.7
BEAUTIFUL LOCATION - FOUND THE STAFF REALLY LOVELY. NICE HOTEL AND THE POOL WAS GREAT TOO. LOVELY DINING ROOM, GOOD MENU & FOOD (IF PRICY) & HELPFUL STAFF. BREAKFAST WAS GREAT. WAS A BIT WORRIED DUE TO SOME OF THE REVIEWS, TURNED OUT NOT TO BE THE CASE FOR US & WE HAD A REALLY GOOD STAY & WE WOULD GO BACK..
NO CURTAINS IN BEDROOM, ONLY POORLY FITTED BLINDS SO LIGHT DID FLOOD IN EARLY! RESTAURANT PRICES ARE VERY EXPENSIVE FOR THE STANDARD OF THE HOTEL - MORE LIKE 5* PRICES! DINNER ALLOWANCE DOESN'T GO FAR.. ROAD GETTING THERE - ALTHOUGH A STUNNING DRIVE & BEAUTIFUL VIEWS - IS A BIT OF A NIGHTMARE ESP IN BAD WEATHER
3.7
Beautiful scenery luxurious Loch and area clean rooms were great and comfortable all round. The grounds were exceptional
No complaints
3.7
The beds were comfy, the room was a good size and breakfast was good. A young waiter in Raffles was friendly and attentive. The grounds are very nice.
We had to wait nearly 30 minutes just to check in as (we were told) their was only one person able to man Reception who is able to check guests in. She was busy helping other guests with problems.
Reception quickly began to resemble a scene from ‘Faulty Towers’ with other guess queuing to report issues.
Nobody else was around to assist. I eventually found the manager from the main restaurant who thought it was reasonable for us to “just keep waiting.” We’d been traveling all day with our young child and dogs. It was getting late; we just wanted to check into our room , freshen up and find some food.
The receptionist did eventually return and I can’t really blame her for being busy helping other guests. The poor organisation of the hotel is to blame. When we got to our room, we discovered that the sofa bed hadn’t been made up for our daughter (our booking confirmation clearly stated 3 guests staying in the room and Reception desk definitely had these details when we checked in (after the long wait). The Receptionist was very efficient in handling this problem and made up the bed for us . She did say to me that I had complained about her to her manager ( presumably the ineffective restaurant manager). I did think this was massively unprofessional and an apology would of been more appropriate. Not once did anyone say sorry for our long wait just to check in or the room not being made up correctly.
We chose to get some food in ‘Rafters’ restaurant. The food was massively over priced for what simple food was served.
We also found rubbish on the carpet under my daughter’s sofa bed: Crisp packets and chocolate wrappers.
The swimming pool was closed during our stay. We understand this is unforeseen circumstances so either compensation or the opportunity to cancel bookings should be offered as this is a prime reason for many people to chose the hotel. Other guests were clearly unhappy with this.
Lack of staff is a major issue at the hotel.
3.7
The breakfast and lunch was delicios.
The room big and Clean.
The price is for this Lokation outstanding.
I Love the big Garden and in Wish i Had more time to Explorer the lake.
I wanna come back If in can.
The spa was closed and IT couldnt be told when they reopend
3.7
location very special. stunning,
fantastic building, but really tired needs modernising, decorating
3.7
Excellent location and large room
Most staff helpful and friendly
Room was not serviced I had to ask for clean towels and coffee cups and glasses
I thought no they were short staffed
Eventually I asked a cleaner for a cloth etc and cleaned the toilet and sink myself
I was happy to do it but given the star ratings I shouldn’t need to
Especially when I paid £178 for the third night and that didn’t include breakfast!!
3.7
location is stunning, beautiful room with balcony & loch views. the food was delicious
the swimming pool was out of order for our complete 2 night stay.
3.7
The room, and the grounds were beautiful.
The outdoor deck had cobwebs and didn’t seem to be cleaned properly. It was just surprising for such a high quality location to see that overlooked. 
3.7
area and surrounding
unclean. Room smelled of wet dog. Food totally over priced
3.7
Grounds are amazing and beautiful views! Very comfy beds!
Food is appalling quality for the money. £26 to add breakfast, plus £7 surcharge for poached eggs on toast is genuinely insane. Staff in rafters struggling to carry more than one ridiculously oversized wooden board at a time so had to make needless journeys to and from kitchen. A pointless waste of time for them, time that could be better used giving the customer a better experience. If the staff could actually carry 3 plates instead of 1, they would have so much more time to focus on the customers. Calamari swimming in oil. Garnish was old, withered coriander and shrivelled chilli. Fish and chips was oozing grease. Simply not good enough for the money and really let’s the venue, the views and the hard working staff down. It feels very much like taking advantage of a captive audience. A lot of murmurs of similar discontent from everyone around us. Table next to us complaining about charging £8 for a child to get some plain ice cream.
3.7
Big room and comfortable . Good equipment. Leisure facilities very good . Nice gardens. Staff were friendly. We tried the wine tasting and I would recommend it to everyone as the host was very entertaining and enthusiastic.
Food not anywhere near the standard of just about all the places we have stayed especially the breakfast.
3.7
dog friendly, kayaking site over the road on Loch ard. staff friendly.
3.7
dog friendly, nice staff.
FAQs
How much does this resort cost compared to others in Scotland?
The average price for a rental in Scotland is $163 per night. This rental is $14 above the average.
Is parking included with this resort?
Yes, parking is listed as an amenity at Macdonald Forest Hills Hotel & Spa. For more information, we encourage you to contact the property about where to park.
Is there a pool at this resort?
Yes, a swimming pool is available for use at Macdonald Forest Hills Hotel & Spa. Enjoy the water!
Is Macdonald Forest Hills Hotel & Spa pet friendly?
Yes! This resort is pet-friendly. For more information, we recommend contacting the booking provider about animal policies.
What amenities are available at Macdonald Forest Hills Hotel & Spa?
We found 13 amenities for this rental. This includes pool, pets allowed, internet / wifi, smoking allowed, and parking.
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