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
R
Robert • solo_traveller • gb
9
Pros:

Good location, charge onsite (120kw), accommodation very clean

2026-10-15 • via Nuitee
C
Chris • solo_traveller • gb
8
Good location for visiting John o Groats and Wick etc
Pros:

very friendly staff, great location, good food in the bar and restaurant. Would definitely recommend this hotel

2026-10-14 • via Nuitee
P
Paul • couple • gb
9
Lovely place to stay, Good food and a little banter ( Great )
Pros:

Had a lovely overnight stay, Room was nice and clean with a comfy bed. We enjoyed a very nice meal in the restaurant and a few sherbets in the bar. Lovely breakfast with a little bit of banter thrown in ( great ) Would stay here again if in the area.

2026-10-12 • via Nuitee
A
alessandro • extended_group • br
10
Amazing Place
Pros:

Excelente space for North of Scotland. Great dinner.

Cons:

Is far away for everything (but that is the point of the trip)

2026-10-12 • via Nuitee
B
Bart • couple • be
8
2026-10-11 • via Nuitee
R
Rachael • solo_traveller • gb
8
2026-10-11 • via Nuitee
B
Bird • couple • gb
10
Exceptional, comfortable and relaxed.
Pros:

So lovely to find a hotel that exceeded expectations when so many in hotels in Caithness are poor. Room was lovely, with plenty of space, and a nice view. Great to have a safe dog walk along the river so close to the hotel. Food was great and we were lucky to hit Steak Night too! Staff all friendly and helpful. Nice whiskies, and a lovely relaxed atmosphere. Lounge area is comfortable too.

Cons:

Not much to improve on.

2026-10-11 • via Nuitee
A
alexander • solo_traveller • gb
10
2026-10-11 • via Nuitee
C
Clarke • couple • gb
9
Booked just 24 hours in advance, as we were touring Scotland. What an absolute gem of a place
Pros:

Lovely hotel. Everyhting about it was fab, our room was so comfortable. All staff very friendly.

2026-10-10 • via Nuitee
F
Fiona • extended_group • gb
9
2026-10-09 • via Nuitee
N
Neil • solo_traveller • gb
9
2026-10-08 • via Nuitee
W
William • solo_traveller • gb
10
Pros:

Everything

2026-10-07 • via Nuitee
P
Phil • couple • gb
5
The staff here work hard to make your stay pleasant, however some rooms are simply not fit for purpose
Pros:

The staff here work hard and are very pleasant. The food is good

Cons:

Our room was at the top of the hotel, up narrow stairs. There is no lift. For those with mobility difficulties and/or who need to carry heavy luge, these rooms are not suitable.

The bathroom set up is odd! The bathroom is open plan in the bedroom, with no possibility of privacy T all. The shower attachment is on the bath which is in the window of the bedroom. There is no separate shower.

2026-10-07 • via Nuitee
N
Nancy • solo_traveller • gb
9
Very comfortable stay
2026-10-07 • via Nuitee
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
ROGER • solo_traveller • es
9
Pros:

Muy autentico, muy acogeder, personal muy agradable!!

Cons:

Habitaciones un pequeñas.

2026-09-14 • 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