Ulbster Arms Hotel near Thurso

Hotels
8.8 (760 reviews)
Hallkirk , Halkirk , GB

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Free
Children allowed

Facilities

WiFi available
Free WiFi
Parking
Free Parking
Non-smoking rooms
Restaurant
Room service
Heating
Family rooms
Garden
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.

Important information:

A deposit may be required at the property.

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

Location

Guest Reviews

8.8
Based on 760 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
S
Susan • couple • gb
5
We must be the unluckiest couple - Dale 6 not for us - although other rooms look really good.
Pros:

Room was clean and warm. Dinner and breakfasts were excellent.

Cons:

Room was VERY small it consisted of a double bed, 2 x small bedside tables, dressing table and chair, which also contained tea making facilities (if you sat at the dressing table or used the tea making facilities the other person could not access the other side of the bed) and a small television Down the corridor was the "wardrobe area" and a shower room with toilet and sink. There was however an ironing board and iron, although I cannot imagine how anyone would be able to move in the room, if used. Compared with some of the other rooms which had a additional bed, two comfortable chairs to sit on, a large double bed and a large television there were no little luxuries and no curtains just blinds. Dinner - table that we sat at was very sticky even after being wiped by restaurant staff. Breakfast - hated being asked to wait while a table (2) was made up while another couple just walked in and sat at a table (4) and were served immediately. Another pet hate are condiments that are either empty or not working (pepper mills) this occurred at both breakfasts. Lounge - strange scratching and squealing noises from inside the window seat - reported discreetly to receptionist. I did pass these comments onto management on departure who have failed to respond after one week.

My disappointment is now compounded by management responses. Owing to the delay in being served, the TWO guests that were seated and served before us, left the restaurant before us and were certainly not joined by ANYONE else.

2026-09-19 • via Nuitee
G
giuseppe • solo_traveller • it
8
Pros:

Anche la dependance dove abbiamo dormito era nuova e tenuta bene

2026-09-18 • via Nuitee
I
Ivana • family_with_children • gb
10
2026-09-17 • via Nuitee
J
John • couple • ie
6
2026-09-16 • via Nuitee
R
Ray • couple • gb
10
Nice friendly relaxing hotel.
Pros:

Room was lovely with great view over yhe river. Staff were friendly and happy in their jobs. Good relaxing environment.

Cons:

Silly little step coming in from the rear car park easy to trip over.

2026-09-14 • via Nuitee
R
ROGER • solo_traveller • es
9
Pros:

Muy autentico, muy acogeder, personal muy agradable!!

Cons:

Habitaciones un pequeñas.

2026-09-14 • via Nuitee
M
Michael • solo_traveller • gb
8
2026-09-13 • via Nuitee
R
Robin • extended_group • de
9
2026-09-12 • via Nuitee
W
Wink • solo_traveller • gb
9
2026-09-10 • via Nuitee
P
Pawel • couple • at
8
2026-09-09 • via Nuitee
A
Anja • couple • de
10
2026-09-09 • via Nuitee
K
kathleen • solo_traveller • gb
10
Had been recommended to stay here and would recommend it to anyone doing NC500 as I was
Pros:

Easy parking; Good Food; efficient and pleasant staff; well situated for my journey on NC500

2026-09-08 • via Nuitee
A
Alessandra • couple • gb
10
Stunning
Pros:

Beautifully done from the rooms, to the bar, restaurant, food, setting and atmosphere. The best food we had on the NC500.
So cosy, clean and comfortable. We would love to come back and stay a few more nights.

Cons:

It was perfect. If we were being picky, some local beers behind the bar would be lovely!

2026-09-06 • via Nuitee
G
Gary • solo_traveller • gb
8
2026-09-06 • via Nuitee
K
Karine • solo_traveller • lu
8
Pros:

Un bel endroit proche de la rivière

Cons:

Qualité des lits

2026-09-03 • via Nuitee
P
Pache • couple • ch
9
2026-09-03 • via Nuitee
D
Dominic • extended_group • gb
7
2026-09-02 • via Nuitee
M
Michael • family_with_children • gb
10
2026-09-01 • via Nuitee
G
Gillian • extended_group • gb
9
Comfortable and clean room, food and drink options were great and staff were really friendly and welcoming.
Pros:

Clean, spacious room. Food and drink options were great and staff were very friendly.

Cons:

N/A

2026-09-01 • via Nuitee
R
Rick • couple • us
10
A truly unexpected delight that become one of the highlights of our trip.
Pros:

It was inviting. The buildings. The grounds. The common rooms - library, restaurant, bar.

Cons:

Nothing.

2026-08-30 • via Nuitee