Superior Two Bedroom Apartment | Terrace/patio
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Reviews of Macdonald Forest Hills Resort

4 out of 5
Macdonald Forest Hills Resort
Kinlochard, The Trossachs, Stirling, Scotland

Reviews

7.6

Good

Rating 10 - Excellent. 36 out of 114 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 40 out of 114 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 20 out of 114 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 12 out of 114 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 6 out of 114 reviews" "

7.8/10

Cleanliness

7.6/10

Staff & service

7.0/10

Amenities

6.8/10

Property conditions & facilities

6.6/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

8/10 Good

Stacey

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2024

8/10 Good

Tony

Travelled with partner
Liked: Property conditions & facilities
The excellent view from the apartment. The welcome package with dishwashing tablets and cloths and utensils. The apartment was well equipped and had everything you needed to cook a meal. The apartment was cosy and clean. We did feel the pricing of the meal at the bar was expensive for what you received and wasn’t value for money. On the whole the staff were nice and friendly. There was an occasion when we arrived at our apartment and the smell in the apartment was not to our liking, we made a staff member aware but there was no suggestion to help remedy this which we feel would have been good service. Overall, we would be happy to come back.
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Kevin

Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 4 nights in Jan 2024

2/10 Terrible

Jordan

Travelled with partner, Travelled with group
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed in the self catering lodges and it looked like something out of a care home. Furniture dated back to the 60’s and a musty/damp smell throughout. Shower screen was hanging off, bath panels were hanging off and the drawers didn’t have runners so were lying squint. The WiFi only worked in the main living room, and at this it kept cutting out. We weren’t allowed to book breakfast or dinner as it was kept for hotel guests. Poor attitude from staff, false advertisement of lodges and just an overall disappointing stay.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2024

8/10 Good

James

Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2024

6/10 Okay

Amanda

Travelled with family
Liked: Staff & service
Great place but could be better
Overall lovely hotel and location with great facilities. All staff we encountered were polite, helpful and friendly. We ate in the Garden Room restaurant with our kids and it was more upmarket but lovely food and staff, just more expensive which was expected. One member of staff had a slight body hygiene issue and a dirty shirt which you wouldn’t expect in a more upmarket restaurant but he was very friendly and served us well. We stayed in an apartment which was very spacious and had good facilities like a sauna and corner bath but some things needed upgraded or didn’t work. Our main issue with the apartment was that although it was clean, there were dog hairs on the throws on the beds and this is not good for people who have allergies. My partner has allergies to dogs and it can bring on his asthma. It would be good to have the option of having a room or apartment that is totally pet free but this isn’t the case unfortunately. The changing rooms in the swimming pool building need upgrading but there are a lot of other things to do during the day that we didn’t see.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2024

10/10 Excellent

Moira

Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2023

4/10 Poor

Maura

Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2023

6/10 Okay

James

Disliked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Very tied apartment but enjoyed stay overall
Good location and nice apartment except the apartment was very tied and equipment was very worn, rubbish out side room was there for a couple of days and bedroom was noisy because large wimdow on to corridor plus sounds from staff smoking area and servixe area. Enjoyed the stay and good facilities with gym pool sauna and steam room and enjoyed the spa treatments.
Stayed 6 nights in Nov 2023

8/10 Good

John

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Quais

Liked: Property conditions & facilities
Disliked: Staff & service
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2023

6/10 Okay

JM

Travelled with family
A bit disappointing as had no hot water for first day and a half but receptionist Sam suggested while we waited for maintenance we would be fine as we could use the electric shower. Unfortunately the electric shower didn’t work either and the other 2 showers were mixers so ran cold. Maintenance eventually checked electric shower, door fell off it as he was checking it, and reported he’d have to order a new shower. We had a nice meal in the hotel and the dining staff were fab. But the carry on with the water was pretty poor and we didn’t find that Sam cared at all. I asked for a late check out to which she agreed but she took no initiative at all to offer us any sympathy or compensation - it felt like our issues were an inconvenience to her.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2023

6/10 Okay

Verified traveller

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, room comfort
Disliked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities
1980s time warp for setting and service
We stayed in a two bedroom apartment which looked like it hadn’t been decorated since the 1980s. Facilities were good and everything was very clean however paint flaking away from ceilings and mould in bathrooms was very disappointing. The sauna in the apartment was a nice treat and we had lots of space which was great with two kids a dog. Views out of the living room was lovely too. The food in the hotel was nice but the service was terrible. Nobody seemed to be in charge and service was shambolic at times and painfully slow at best. Prices on menus didn’t reflect what was being charged and in general expensive for the setting and service. I’ve stayed in very nice hotels that don’t charge as much for a pint. My wife visited the spa and said it was excellent. The pool area was a bit run down with lots of things out of order throughout the hotel. There are also Elemis hand dispensers throughout toilets which are filled with different products which is misleading! The weather was terrible during our visit so there wasn’t much to do. There’s a section with books and one puzzle. Would have been great to see more games for some entertainment.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

David

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
3rd time here
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023

8/10 Good

Gillian

Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023

2/10 Terrible

Verified traveller

Travelled with family
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Avoid
Fantastic views and location but… Customer service was below average- most of the staff didn’t seem to care. State of apartment and cleanness was awful. In desperate need of renovation. Very disappointing, especially at 200 GBP a night, but seems the norm for McDonald hotels.
Entrance to Apartment- smelt awful
Mold in bathroom
Cheap plastic chairs in balconies
Tired and bad odour from sofa. Decor and furniture need serious renovations
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2023

4/10 Poor

Alistair

Travelled with family
Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Looks great on paper but doesn't deliver
Where to start??? Stayed 4 nights in the resort lodges, rated 4 star but it just shows whats wrong with the ratings system as it was no where near 4 star standard! The entire resort needs an upgrade, the facilities that looked good 30 years ago are now tired and broken and haven't been maintained properly. Tennis courts was an accident waiting to happen due to awful surface and pot holes ( I sprained my ankle in one), one court had no net! The equipment for the games hall was broken or they just didn't have it eg all badminton rackets with broken strings and shuttlecocks, basketball nets but no basketballs, putting green with grass a few inches long, table tennis with broken net and bats. The lodges were like stepping back into the 70's, old tired beds and sofa's, curtains and carpets covered in stains and at least 30 years old, broken toilet seats and the wi fi , when it didn't drop was really slow. The entrance stairs has missing and broken tiles so there's a comp claim in waiting. Check in AFTER 5pm, what a joke, especially as needed to be out by 10am when leaving. Why MacDonalds need a 7 hour turn around is beyond me as the cleanliness was poor and not thoroughly cleaned at all, too many cutting corners rather than doing it properly which sums this place up perfectly. The hotel setting and surrounding area is wonderful and this could be an amazing place to visit if they modernise and spend some money upgrading. Staff were friendly but seem to be fighting a losing battle
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Very relaxing quiet stay in a superioir apartment well appointment amenities and all u could want in the apartment clean and well equipt . Staff were friendly and courteous
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2023

4/10 Poor

Philip

Travelled with family
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Far from the mark
Hotel charges luxury prices but is very far from the mark. Amazing location but the hotel itself could be so much more. Service was awful too, made to wait for an excruciatingly long time for simple drinks, for food and when you have young kids that’s not the best.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2023

8/10 Good

Alex

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Sarah

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2023

6/10 Okay

Julie

Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2023

4/10 Poor

Barry

Travelled with family
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Not great
Beautiful location but hotel is very old and weathered. Pool was broken apparently which was half the reason for booking. Offered us a swim in a place 30 minutes drive away. Food was finished at 8.30 and nowhere close to get anything to eat. Prices were also really excessive for drink and food with no table service in bar even though plenty of staff around. I would say it was a lovely place 15 -20 years ago but it has been let go.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2023

4/10 Poor

Verified traveller

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, room comfort
Pool closed, informed too late to cancel visit 🙄
The hotel location is very good. We stayed in one of the apartments which was very clean but dated looking. Disappointed that the pool was closed as my family were looking forward to using it. I was notified that the pool was closed on the day after which I could of cancelled. I later looked at hotel reviews and found that the pool had been closed for a couple of weeks and I'm assuming I could have been told earlier but wasn't.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2023

6/10 Okay

Thanaporn

Travelled with family, Travelled with pets
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
Best view (lake, mountain and tree line) hotel I have ever stayed. The self catering apartment has spacious living space but very very tired and dated, made it looks unclean.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023

6/10 Okay

Sammer

Travelled with partner
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
It was very disappointing that the pool is shut in a spa hotel! We received a notification that was shut two days after the free cancellation period. Arrived in the hotel and it is definitely not air-conditioned! Facilities are dated and quite disappointing to be honest
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2023

4/10 Poor

Ian

Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Very disappointed better with Air bnb
Accommodation is desperately in need of upgrade. Accommodation is noisy - bathroom extractor fan was si noisy that we couldn't use it during the night, water system in our flat served other flats and was very noisy when others were using it, the sound of the upstairs toilet being flushed woke us. Kitchen equipment was old - tin opener was broken and wouldn't work, wooden spoon was shaped like a banana. The bed was so hard and uncomfortable that we had to use the quilt under us to make it comfortable enough to sleep. Mold on roof and around the bath. Dust flies into the air when you sit on the couch. Decor was so ild and mismatched. 3 different types of chairs at dining table, couched chairs and furniture alk mismatched. Old, dark puctures with large gold frames and lights were like something out of 1980's Swimming pool not open "due to water shortage" this was mid june after 2 weeks sun. Pool was one of our reason for booking here. Access to building up very steep slabbed hill. I am sure this was once a nice place but that would have been 30 years ago. Very disappointed.
Stayed 6 nights in Jun 2023

4/10 Poor

Vishal

Travelled with family
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Property is not maintenance and level of cleanliness very low They do not serve breakfast to guests staying in cottage and neither take booking in the restaurant
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

kevin

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 3 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Violet

Liked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Excellent location
Excellent location, hotel staff very friendly, good food options onsite. Only let down was the "Lodges" refuse facilities - bins overflowing and no apparent recycling available. Shame as this was the only negative
Stayed 6 nights in May 2023

6/10 Okay

Karen

Liked: Staff & service, room comfort
Fabulous location
Mixed feelings. We were wowed by the location, views, gardens, general bar and main restaurant areas. The staff were lovely and the main restaurant food was excellent. Our experience of the bistro food was poor We had spacious apartment (good deal offer), very old and tatty, - ‘heart sink’ moment on arrival to the block. The bed and linen was good quality and we slept soundly. The balcony was dirty and grubby.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2023

6/10 Okay

Gordon

Travelled with family
Disliked: Cleanliness
Seen better days...
Unfortunately the lodge we were staying in (Red Maple 2) had seen better days. Furnishings were stained and well out of date and not what we expected. Its a shame that the lodges have not been upgraded for obviously quite some time as the setting (Loch Ard) is such a beautiful area. If you don't mind ill fitting doors,exposed wiring and a general downbeat accommodation then this lodge is for you
Stayed 3 nights in May 2023

8/10 Good

Anna

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, room comfort
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Nicola

Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2023

8/10 Good

T

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, room comfort
Nice family break
We enjoyed our stay here. Really spacious lodge and well priced for our family of 5. Leisure facilities were good and food in garden restaurant was nice. Beautiful scenic spot
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Lesley

Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2023

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Picturesque but disappointing
Value for money was fantastic,however we booked two rooms + extra bed and unfortunately there was no extra bed. Our oven was also broken so made it difficult making our dinner. The location is beautiful,very picturesque and the grounds are well kept.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

David

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2023

6/10 Okay

Jacqueline

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness
Disliked: Room comfort
Worst place av stayed in.
I thought i booked a hotel room but got a lodge. So dated it smelt of really old. The sofa was well over used. Oven didnt work. My husband waited 40 mins for a cold cooked breakfast. No information from staff had to find everything out yourself. No kids menu so had to trave 4 miles to eat. Beautiful area stunning views. But i hate self catering. And dogs everywhere. Wont be back. Sorry but so dated its awful.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2022

6/10 Okay

Donald

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities
The setting is amazing and plenty of beautiful scenery and lovely walks for all! The rooms were very clean but extremely dated and really could do with an update.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Najmus

Travelled with family, Travelled with family and small children
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Location
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, room comfort
Lovely, peaceful, relaxing and beautiful surroundi
The staff were all amazing - so helpful and friendly - from the receptionists, to the restaurant manager, bar staff and cleaning staff - even the company cleaning the windows were friendly! The lodge was comfortable and well equipped.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Brian

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Wee break away
Our stay at Forest Hills was excellent, a great wee break. The view from our sitting room and balcony was lovely.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Robert

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Landscape was beautiful hotel was lovely location was fabulous
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Susan

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2022

8/10 Good

Jamie

Travelled with family
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Beautiful location, outdated accommodation
The location of this property is simply outstanding, and if you spend most of your time outdoors like we did, then you can overlook the dated feel of the apartment. We booked fully knowing it needed modernisation as it's clear from reading the reviews, and it didn't spoil our holiday in any way. The negatives first: - the apartment had a musty smell which needed a bit of Fabreze spraying around. - There was no Nespresso machine as advertised on their website. - The DVD player was only scart compatible and the TV only HDMI compatible, with no existing connection between them. I pointed this out to reception on 3 occassions and each time I was told housekeeping would be informed. Not once did anyone get back to me so we gave up on DVD nights with the kids which would have been fun. - Quite a few bulbs weren't working throughout the apartment. Such a simple fix surely but it kind of sums up the accommodation. Right, the positives: + Location is stunning and the grounds around the hotel are beautiful. + We ate in the hotel restaurant once and the food and service were excellent. + Loads of walks and activities in the area so bring your walking shoes! + The view from the window of our apartment was amazing. Huge window overlooking the hotel grounds and the loch and mountains beyond. + Hotel swimming pool was great. Kids loved it as it was quite warm.
View from the living room window
View from the living room window
Looking back at the hotel
Loch Ard
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2022

6/10 Okay

Teresa

Travelled with family
Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Poor
Extremely disappointed for the money we paid. After 2 years with nothing to do, they could have done tge lodges up!
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2022

8/10 Good

Jithen

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Great staff, amazing location but tired hotel....
Amazing location and great to be so local to glasgow. Hotel is tired and the price would warrant something a little more updated. The matresses also need to changed. That being said, staff were great, Cameron , Lilla and orsyla made for a memorable stay. I do think resturant is very overpriced for the quality of food. I would suggest take a bottle of wine as £35 for a Cab Sav that is £7 in tesco is a fair stretch but the view and people working at property make up for any shortfalls the hotel has. But i would strongly reccomend changing beds. NOTE : animals are allowed all over property and was a concern as i have asthma. But was very clean.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2022

6/10 Okay

James

Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
Forest Hills Weekend Break
Just a short weekend break in the self catering apartments. The property is set in an outstanding location with access to the hotel, spa and swimming pool. The self catering apartments are a very good option but are looking more than a bit tired and really require upgrading. we had a one bedroom apartment overlooking the loch and gardens with really nice views. The bed was huge and really comfortable but the leather settee in the lounge area was just done and needed replacing.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2022

8/10 Good

Christine

Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2022