Ulbster Arms Hotel near Thurso

Hotels
8.8 (673 reviews)
Hallkirk , Halkirk , gb

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Free
Children allowed
Pets allowed

Facilities

Offsite parking discounted rates available
Non-smoking rooms
Restaurant
Room service
Family rooms
Pets allowed
BBQ facilities
Express check-in/check-out
Fax/photocopying
Facilities for disabled guests
See all facilities

Review Highlights

Pros:
Friendly staff
Great location
Modern rooms
Good amenities
Cons:
Abrupt breakfast service
Noise from neighboring rooms

Categories

Cleanliness
8.19
Rooms were clean but had issues with TV remote; overall cleanliness meets standard.
Service
9.16
Staff were generally friendly and welcoming, although breakfast service was noted as abrupt.
Location
9.2
Good location near the River Thurso and close to ferry terminals.
Room Quality
8.65
Modern decor and comfortable rooms were appreciated, though some discrepancies in arrangement were mentioned.
Amenities
8.68
Adequate amenities reported, including spacious common areas.
Value for Money
9.14
Perceived as a good deal given facilities and overall experience.
Food and Beverage
8.69
Food was generally praised though breakfast experience was mixed.
Overall Experience
8.66
Overall a pleasant stay with willingness to return despite minor issues.
* This sentiment is summarized by AI based on user reviews.
Updated at: 2026-01-08 03:57

Property Description

Riverside Charm and Modern Comforts

Historic Bar and Dining
Formerly a blacksmith’s workshop, our bar offers a cozy atmosphere to enjoy a range of drinks while watching your favorite shows on a 42-inch plasma TV. Indulge in a full cooked breakfast each morning and savor delicious lunch and evening meals at Anglers Nook.

Deluxe Double Rooms with River Views
Upgrade your stay by requesting one of our Deluxe Double Rooms with a picturesque view of the River Thurso. Enjoy complimentary local toiletries, locally baked biscuits, and modern amenities including flat-screen satellite TV, desk space, and tea & coffee facilities.

Convenient Location and Nearby Attractions
Situated just a short drive from Thurso town center, our hotel offers easy access to Thurso Golf Club and Thurso Rail Station. Explore the most northerly town on Scotland’s mainland and discover the beauty of the surrounding area.

Book now to experience a perfect blend of history and modern comfort at Ulbster Arms Hotel.

Check-in and check-out hours:
Check-out: 11:00 AM
Airport code: WIC

Property Policies

  • Parking

    Free private parking is possible on site (reservation is not needed).

  • Pets

    Pets are allowed on request. Charges may be applicable.

  • Children and extra bed policy

    Children of any age are allowed.
    Children up to and including 2 years old stay for free when using an available cot.
    Children up to and including 2 years old stay for free when using an existing bed.
    People no matter the age stay for free when using an available extra bed.
    Any type of extra bed or child's cot/crib is upon request and needs to be confirmed by management.

  • Internet

    WiFi is available in all areas and is free of charge.

Location

Guest Reviews

8.8
Based on 673 reviews
Cleanliness: 8.19
Service: 9.16
Location: 9.2
Room Quality: 8.65
Amenities: 8.68
Value for Money: 9.14
Food and Beverage: 8.69
Overall Experience: 8.66
R
Redvark • solo_traveller • gb
10
excellent hotel
Pros:

superb as always

Cons:

nothing

2026-01-27 • via Nuitee
J
JOHN • solo_traveller • gb
8
Excellent country hotel with good food and friendly staff!
Pros:

Nice village just outside Thurso. Twenty minutes from the North Link Ferry terminal to Orkney. Friendly hotel with bars and dining room. Comfortable bedroom with good shower.

Cons:

Nothing really. I am a frequent visitor as it is convenient to stay at on the way to Orkney.

2026-01-25 • via Nuitee
A
Alison • couple • gb
10
2026-01-19 • via Nuitee
J
Jennifer • family_with_children • us
9
A good place to stay near Thurso
Pros:

Ulbster Arms was a perfectly fine accommodation. The location is great and the room was comfortable. There were two radiators in the room which we did not notice until it was 3am and SO HOT. Our fault, but just fyi.

2026-01-19 • via Nuitee
B
Bernard • couple • gb
8
overall worked well
Pros:

NA

Cons:

Bigger evening menu

2026-01-19 • via Nuitee
D
David • couple • gb
7
Pros:

Food was good, bedroom was a little dated and needs a little tlc.

Cons:

Some areas needed a good clean.

2026-01-19 • via Nuitee
B
Benedikte • solo_traveller • gb
8
Cozy stay and clean room but a bit lacking in service
Pros:

Cozy common areas, fireplace, great food and clean room

Cons:

Considering we were the only guests at the hotel it would have been nice to not be overlooking the parking lot from the room. Staff was a bit inattentive at times and had to be chased down but everyone was nice.

2026-01-11 • via Nuitee
S
Sheila • couple • gb
10
Lovely stylish hotel
Pros:

Welcoming, friendly and comfortable

2025-12-09 • via Nuitee
M
Mathilde • couple • fr
8
Pros:

Bon restaurant, personnel vraiment sympathique.

Cons:

Notre chambre était collée à la salle de bain d’une autre chambre et à 7h du matin nous avons été réveillés par la douche de notre voisin avec pas seulement un bruit d’eau qui coule mais un bruit de canalisation vraiment très bruyant.

2025-11-09 • via Nuitee
A
Andrzej • family_with_children • gb
10
2025-11-04 • via Nuitee
L
Laura • family_with_children • gb
9
2025-10-27 • via Nuitee
A
Anne • couple • gb
10
Pros:

Couldn't fault any aspect.

2025-10-26 • via Nuitee
C
Charlotte • extended_group • fr
9
2025-10-25 • via Nuitee
A
Alan • couple • gb
8
Room clean and modern - breakfast time a little off putting
Pros:

Location was good by the River thurso. There were some walks from the Hotel and it was a short drive into Thurso itself. Over the road was a small 'Morrisons Daily' supermarket which was useful to purchase daily provisions. There was plenty of space to park a car and the room itself was small but had modern decor. Staff were on the whole pleasant and helpful. We thought rooms were in the hotel but found ourselves housed in a large lodge away from the main building which was split into a number of rooms. The breakfast options in the main were of a reasonable selection.

Cons:

On night one of our 5 day stay we found the TV remote didn't work. The next morning we handed the remote into reception who said they would get it fixed and return it to our room. Early that afternoon we found the remote had not been returned and went back to reception who said they had not had time to obtain two batteries during the past 5 hours. So we waited until the evening and found the remote was still at reception - but at last had new batteries !!
The breakfast are was hosted by an elderly lady who had a rather abrupt manner. My wife was rebuked for putting two pieces of toast on a plate for delivery back to our table being told - no, the plates are for croissants. She was handed a small toast rack and the plates were removed. On another morning we asked - why are there no strawberries this morning? To be told they are out of season and unobtainable - strange as every supermarket we visited in Wick/Thurso areas were well stocked with them - someone with a friendlier approach would make breakfast more enjoyable. Every table was meant to have a full milk jug for tea/coffee. We arrived to find a jug with a tiny amount of milk in it. So my wife switched the jug with one on the unoccupied table next door. When we mentioned this had been done we were told - no, you shouldn't have done that. You should have gone to the milk dispenser. We considered ourselves told - we will never darken her breakfast room again. I thought we were paying guests and not at primary school being chastised by the Teacher.

2025-10-24 • via Nuitee
J
Julia • couple • gb
9
2025-10-22 • via Nuitee
C
Caroline • couple • gb
10
Warm friendly welcome in a lovely inviting hotel.
Pros:

Ulbster is a lovely hotel, staff and food were wonderful.
Would definitely stay again

Cons:

Just a minor thing a spare pillow would be good

2025-10-21 • via Nuitee
B
Beth • solo_traveller • us
10
Fantastic "hidden gem" convenient to ferry terminals
Pros:

We stayed in the Lodge, just across the beer garden from the main hotel. It was a fantastic place, we had our private bedroom and bathroom and the shared dining area and lounge. Plenty of room, even a little refrigerator. Even though it was just the 2 of us, this would be a perfect setup for a family or several couples. best hotel breakfast I can remember ever! Cooked to order, lots of choices. The restaurant and bar were also really lovely and the service was great. We were delayed by bad weather getting to Orkney, and this was a rare gem of a find that we just happened across. Convenient to both Thurso and John o' Groats ferry terminals. Highly recommend.

Cons:

No complaints

2025-10-20 • via Nuitee
W
Will • solo_traveller • gb
10
2025-10-20 • via Nuitee
I
Ian • family_with_children • gb
9
2025-10-14 • via Nuitee
S
Sarah • couple • gb
10
Excellent place to stay with great facilities and at a great price
Pros:

Lodge was amazing. Spacious room with large excellent en-suite facilties.
The large communal room was an added bonus so we could sit at a table if we wanted and watch television in comfort on the large sofas provided
Food at the hotel was lovely

Cons:

Absolutely nothing we did not like

2025-10-14 • via Nuitee