Ulbster Arms Hotel near Thurso

Hotels
8.8 (692 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 692 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
C
Claire • couple • gb
8
Pros:

Great breakfast. Plenty of choice. Excellent standard throughout.

2026-04-29 • via Nuitee
M
Marco • extended_group • nl
8
Mooi en gezellig hotel op een mooie locatie.
Pros:

De ligging naast de Thurso rivier is prachtig. Een perfecte uitvalsbasis voor het noordoosten van Schotland. Lekker eten en een sfeervolle lobby en restaurant.

Cons:

Badkamer is schoon, maar is wel echt aan vervanging toe. Past biet bij de rest van het hotel.

2026-04-29 • via Nuitee
P
Peter • solo_traveller • gb
9
2026-04-26 • via Nuitee
W
Wendy • couple • gb
10
Great option for an overnight stay on this leg of the NC 500
Pros:

Friendly staff
Good sized room with lovely roll top bath in bathroom
Cosy comfortable lounges
Excellent value food options and great choice at breakfast

Cons:

Nothing really to dislike

2026-04-24 • via Nuitee
C
Christine • couple • at
8
Nettes Hotel für Durchreise in den Norden
Pros:

Frühstück ausreichend, Filterkaffee, Obst und Joghurt vorhanden, kein Schinken und Käse. Bestellung von Frühstücksmenüs möglich.

2026-04-20 • via Nuitee
P
Paul • solo_traveller • gb
10
Consistently excellent.
Pros:

Stayed here many times for both work and pleasure and the hotel always provides excellent service and facilities. The breakfast is excellent.

Cons:

Nothing

2026-04-20 • via Nuitee
C
Claudia • couple • de
5
2026-04-19 • via Nuitee
C
Caroline • couple • gb
8
A wonderful stay and great friend staff with excellent food
Pros:

Staff and food excellent

Cons:

Pillows not comfortable personally
Lack of phone usb / usc ports by bed

2026-04-19 • via Nuitee
G
Gavin • solo_traveller • gb
10
Superb!
Pros:

Only stayed for one night, however the hotel staff were excellent, and the cleanliness and facilities were top notch. Room size was impressive, along with the ensuite bathroom. Evening meal was amazing and I would highly recommend the 8 hour slow-cooked blade of beef. Breakfast menu was excellent and the Full Scottish was one of the best I have had when travelling for business. Excellent value for money all-round and will definitely be back when I return to Caithness.

Cons:

Nothing!

2026-04-16 • via Nuitee
I
Inglis • family_with_children • de
10
Pros:

Everything

Cons:

Nothing

2026-04-14 • via Nuitee
A
annecoghill • couple • gb
10
A wonderful stay visiting family.
Pros:

The breakfast was wonderful, especially the smoked fish. Thank you.

Cons:

Nothing.

2026-04-14 • via Nuitee
C
Carol • couple • gb
9
Lovely, clean and comfortable and properly dog friendly
Pros:

Clean, comfortable, good sized space, liked the decor.
Love the library and lounge where you can relax with a glass of wine.
Truly dog friendly!
Staff lovely.

Cons:

Would have liked a softer pillow.

2026-04-13 • via Nuitee
S
Sam • solo_traveller • gb
10
2026-04-11 • via Nuitee
C
CM • couple • gb
9
Excellent, comfortable centre for NE coast exploration
Pros:

Very comfortable, beautifully furnished and decorated hotel, with varied menu of great quality. All staff were welcoming, local, well trained and efficient. Service was attentive and friendly. Standard room was perfect, with daily housekeeping. Bed was comfortable and room heating could be varied easily, including opening window. Clientèle appeared to be locals, fishers, professionals and NC500 travellers. All were welcomed equally. Quiet centre for exploration. Lovely, short walks close by.

Cons:

One early morning awakening as glass was emptied into bins outside the room…..but short-lived. Otherwise a lovely, quiet holiday destination.

2026-04-08 • via Nuitee
S
Stewart • couple • gb
8
Lovely hotel located by lovely river, with friendly staff and good food and comfy bed.
Pros:

Lovely building and location.

Cons:

Nothing to dislike.

2026-03-28 • via Nuitee
E
Euan • couple • gb
7
Decent stay
Pros:

Location & parking are both very good; food is excellent, service was ok.

Cons:

Roll top bath with a shower head to n it - continental idea that doesn’t work. Awful mess with water everywhere.

2026-03-28 • via Nuitee
A
andrew • couple • gb
8
Nice hotel, good staff
Pros:

Breakfast was excellent, served by very helpful and friendly staff.
Evening meal very good quality
Room very spacious and very nice,

Cons:

its dog friendly though, and I smelt dog in my room, more and more i experience this, its not nice for people who don't have dogs , a dog friendly hotel leave the potential for a dog to have been in the bed that you are now sleeping on, the room was very clean , no problem there.
Also I had a dog sitting next to me with the occasional sniff whilst I was eating breakfast, dog owners think that us non lovers of dogs are miserable, but imagine eating breakfast with an animal that you dislike sitting next to you.

2026-03-24 • via Nuitee
J
James • solo_traveller • gb
9
Pros:

Very good food and generous portions. I had no space for desert after the fish and chips! I had to go back the next week to try the cheesecake. Helpful staff and reasonably appointed rooms.

Cons:

Suggest some herbal tea or decaf options in the rooms for the evenings would be a great detail.

2026-03-17 • via Nuitee
P
Paul • solo_traveller • gb
10
2026-03-02 • via Nuitee
R
Redvark • solo_traveller • gb
10
excellent hotel
Pros:

superb as always

Cons:

nothing

2026-01-27 • via Nuitee