Forss House Hotel

The gardens around the hotel are lovely, and the setting is peaceful. We had a great two-night stay, felt right at home thanks to the welcoming, friendly staff, and really enjoyed the excellent food and wide choice. We’d happily recommend a visit.

The hotel itself is beautiful, and so is the decor. It’s in a lovely location, though the gardens could use a bit of care. The food was excellent, and every member of staff was so pleasant.

Joe, who I believe is the manager, was fantastic, and the service from him was outstanding. We were also treated to a free room upgrade and some extra surprises with dinner, including upgrades to the wine pairing for the tasting menu. This was one of the nicest places we’ve stayed. We were travelling the NC500 for my partner’s birthday, and the grounds were amazing. The building also showcases its history beautifully. We’ll definitely be back.

The hotel is small, nicely decorated and set in secluded grounds a short drive from Thurso. Walks around the grounds are marked in the room, and the welcome and atmosphere on arrival were lovely. The bar is two connected rooms, with a fire in the first and seating for both couples and groups. Our room was generally nice, the bed was comfortable, and the bathroom was beautifully decorated. But there was no bathroom heating. Reception said it was broken when I asked, and the hotel was full. It felt like a fridge, especially overnight. The quilt filling was very uneven, with clumps in some places and none in others. The kettle had to sit on the floor to boil. We ate dinner in the conservatory, right opposite the kitchen door. For the price, the food was disappointing. The scallops were tiny, and although the menu said Forss chips came with every main, we each got four. The table beside us seemed to get bigger portions. The puddings disappointed too. Staff were chatty and busy. At checkout, we were told our bottle of wine was free, with an apology from the manager. I would have preferred to hear that at check-in and have the option to pay for a reasonably priced wine.