Free
Children allowed
Pets allowed

Facilities

Offsite parking discounted rates available
Parking
Non-smoking rooms
Family rooms
Pets allowed
Non-smoking throughout
Board games/puzzles
Evening entertainment
Staff adhere to local safety protocols
Guest rooms disinfected between stays
See all facilities

Review Highlights

Pros:
Friendly staff
Great location
Value for money
Cons:
Uncomfortable mattresses
Hot water issues

Categories

Cleanliness
7.41
Facilities are clean, but some mentions of old mattresses and wear overall.
Service
7.88
Staff were friendly and helpful throughout the stay.
Location
7.92
Located in the heart of the town, perfect for accessibility.
Room Quality
6.37
Rooms described as comfortable, but some issues with mattress comfort.
Amenities
6.9
Good facilities, but some complaints about water issues.
Value for Money
7.36
Good value at this price point with accommodating services.
Food and Beverage
6.91
Breakfast quality noted as good but with some room for improvement.
Overall Experience
6.88
Enjoyable overall experience with recommendations for future stays.
* This sentiment is summarized by AI based on user reviews.
Updated at: 2026-01-10 04:34

Property Description

Charming Hotel in Forres

Convenient Location: Located just 43 km from Inverness Castle, Carlton Hotel offers easy access to nearby attractions such as Elgin Cathedral and Castle Stuart Golf Links.

Modern Amenities: Enjoy a comfortable stay in non-smoking rooms equipped with free WiFi. Unwind with a drink at the on-site bar or grab a snack at the snack bar.

Nearby Landmarks: Explore the area with ease, as Inverness Railway Station is only 42 km away, and Brodie Castle is a short 6.6 km drive from the property.

Ready to experience comfort and convenience at Carlton Hotel? Book your stay now!

Check-in and check-out hours:
Check-out: 10:00 AM

Property Policies

  • Pets

    Pets are allowed on request. Charges may be applicable.

  • Parking

    Free public parking is possible at a location nearby (reservation is not needed).

  • Children and extra bed policy

    Children of any age are allowed.
    You haven't added any cots.
    You haven't added any extra beds.

  • Internet

    WiFi is available in the hotel rooms and is free of charge.

Location

Guest Reviews

7.2
Based on 1322 reviews
Cleanliness: 7.41
Service: 7.88
Location: 7.92
Room Quality: 6.37
Amenities: 6.9
Value for Money: 7.36
Food and Beverage: 6.91
Overall Experience: 6.88
N
Nigel • solo_traveller • gb
10
Pros:

Friendly reception, comfortable bed, ideal location

Cons:

Nothing

2026-05-15 • via Nuitee
T
Toni • solo_traveller • gb
10
Pros:

Kind and friendly staff. Traditional Scottish feel. Attended a funeral and staff went above and beyond to facilitate every need.

2026-05-14 • via Nuitee
L
Larry • solo_traveller • gb
8
Pros:

The location was ideal for local amenities and days out. A lovely 300 year old building. The staff we spoke to were pleasant.

Cons:

What i am about to say is not a reflection on the hotel and staff at the Carlton Hotel.
We have never been away before and I wanted to book a birthday surprise. After reading reviews I booked and payed for a six night stay. Sadly we had to hand the keys back after our third night. We just couldn't cope with the sheer amount of stairs.
Again I want to stress it was not the Carlton Hotels fault. It was our mobility problems that caused us not to be able to manage the Hugh amount of stairs.

2026-05-14 • via Nuitee
J
jackie • solo_traveller • gb
1
Would not return requires a good health and hygiene overhaul
Pros:

No

Cons:

The hotel was a disappointment from arrival to departure. The room was dark, lots of electrical cables, curtains did not work, shower was impossible and did not work. Was in room 20 paid more for a larger room would not return. Breakfast was minimal, 2 cereal packets, 4 apples, no dairy free milk alternative our quality all round.

2026-05-13 • via Nuitee
R
Roger • couple • gb
9
2026-05-13 • via Nuitee
M
Matthew • solo_traveller • gb
8
Warm Friendly welcome, comfortable sleep
Pros:

Very friendly welcome by the bar lady. Clean room

Cons:

Obviously the hotel needs an update, but if you can see past that then you can enjoy your stay.

2026-05-11 • via Nuitee
C
Conner • solo_traveller • gb
9
10/10 would stay again
Pros:

The staff were super friendly, the rooms were a good size, the food was great and the bar well stocked. Spent the night in the hotel bar and the staff took good care of us had a great night with them and some locals. The bed was super comfortable as well got a cracking sleep and the full breakfast in the morning was brilliant. 100% will be staying again and recommending the Carlton to anyone else needing somewhere to stay in fores. The bang for your buck here is superb.

Cons:

Couldn't figure out the TV was my only issue but not even a big one.

2026-05-11 • via Nuitee
S
Samantha • solo_traveller • gb
10
Would recommend
Pros:

Great accommodation. Clean hotel. Would recommend.

2026-05-11 • via Nuitee
B
Bernard • extended_group • au
8
An interesting budget overnight.
Pros:

The staff were wonderful and helpful.

Cons:

Three flights of stairs with no lift.
Just a little difficult for oldies

2026-05-11 • via Nuitee
D
Douglas • solo_traveller • gb
6
Basic but adequate accommodation
Pros:

Basic accommodation that did the job

Cons:

Loud music noise from the bar

2026-05-11 • via Nuitee
R
Richard • solo_traveller • nl
6
Luckily just for one night.
Pros:

Reception is als the local bar.

Cons:

Bed was very hard.
Internet was not working.
Breakfast was very poor: Instantcoffee, no hot meals, had to ask for milk for my cereals. No private parking lot.

2026-05-09 • via Nuitee
M
Marion • couple • fr
8
2026-05-06 • via Nuitee
D
Dave • couple • gb
9
I would recommend the Carlton its a nice friendly hotel.
Pros:

The hotel is in a good location and the staff are brilliant. The bar is welcoming and the beer is good. They do food in the bar, I have never eaten there but it looks good.

Cons:

I had a large on suite family room on the top floor, it was a bit of a hike to get up there but in saying that I'm no spring chicken. The only thing that wasn't great was the shower. It was cold most of the time and then come through to hot. I spoke to the owner and someone did look at it but nothing could be done as it didn't change. Having reviewed my stay, the question is would I stay again and I definitely would.

2026-05-06 • via Nuitee
J
Jan • solo_traveller • nl
3
Zeer slecht, vies en douche kapot
Pros:

Het bed lag goed en de kamer was ruim

Cons:

De gedeelde douche was kapot, daarom moesten we een andere douche delen met nog 4 kamers, dit was een verdieping lager en een paar gangen door. Ondanks niet vol, werd ons geen andere kamer geboden. Het was verder vies, stonk in gang en trappenhuis. Het raam kon niet open, er was geen normale koffie bij het ontbijt. Alles oud en kapot. Advies; ga er niet heen, zeker niet op een zolderkamer. De douche zal niet snel gerepareerd zijn.

2026-05-05 • via Nuitee
J
Jeanno • solo_traveller • be
7
ik kan er mee leven
Pros:

eerste maal meer dan een uur gewacht en geen ontbijt gekregen de morgen nadien navraag gedaan en waren het gewoon vergeten hebben ze mij gezegd .

Cons:

geen douche op kamer of gang.

2026-05-03 • via Nuitee
N
Nicholas • solo_traveller • gb
9
2026-04-30 • via Nuitee
L
Louise • solo_traveller • gb
9
2026-04-30 • via Nuitee
B
Bart • family_with_children • nl
6
Prima, zeer basic hotel in het centrum van Forres. Verwacht niet te veel voor de prijs die je betaald
Pros:

De locatie is super, in het centrum van Forres. Alles op loopafstand en het park om de hoek.
De kamers zijn best ruim en de bedden zijn goed

Cons:

De douche is matig. In een van de kamers werd deze niet meer warm.
Het ontbijt is zeer minimaal, iets te minimaal zelfs.
Door de ligging in het centrum kan het, zeker in het weekend, wat rumoerig zijn op straat.
Het trappenhuis ruikt smerig

2026-04-28 • via Nuitee
K
Kathy • couple • gb
5
Run-down budget hotel or in other words, you get what you pay for.
Pros:

Great location on High Street, Forres. Fabulous old building! Staff pleasant.

Cons:

Three electrical outlets in the room via extension cords. (One utilized for tea kettle, one for TV, one for bed side lamp, none for cellphone charging or computer!) The TV didn't work. Staff said that they don't work in the back of the hotel. It was noisy but they provided earplugs. Decor basic but expected. Breakfast was Continental....instant coffee, stale bread, miserable fruit selection--we had to go out for a real breakfast elsewhere. Fine for a cheap overnight stay, but wouldn't want a repeat visit there. Clearly not much effort or interest put into making the place a decent hotel.

2026-04-28 • via Nuitee
S
Sérgio • couple • pt
7
2026-04-22 • via Nuitee