Macdonald Forest Hills Hotel & Spa, Aberfoyle (Stirling) ∞ Discover spa retreats, reviews & deals for 2025

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About Resort

Kinlochard, Aberfoyle (Stirling), United Kingdom, FK8 3TL

Macdonald Forest Hills Hotel & Spa is a 4-star hotel located in a picturesque area known for outdoor activities and stunning natural beauty. The hotel features luxurious accommodations, an on-site spa, and excellent dining options, including award-winning cuisine. Guests can also enjoy access to local attractions like Loch Ard and various walking trails.

Rooms & Amenities

The Macdonald Forest Hills Hotel & Spa offers 55 classically-styled bedrooms featuring heather-hued tweeds, complimentary WiFi, and ranges from Standard Rooms to Super Deluxe Suites. Many rooms provide picturesque views of Loch Ard or the gardens. Dog-friendly options are available to accommodate guests traveling with pets.

Dining Options

Dining at the hotel includes the AA rosette award-winning Garden Restaurant, which serves locally sourced dishes with panoramic views of Loch Ard. Casual dining is available at Rafter's Bar, and a selection of meals can be enjoyed in the cozy Lounge. Guests can also indulge in a delicious afternoon tea prepared by the expert culinary team.

Leisure & Activities

Leisure activities include a spa with ELEMIS treatments, an indoor pool, and fitness facilities equipped with Technogym equipment. Outdoor enthusiasts can participate in mountain biking, kayaking, and gorge walking, supported by on-site adventure specialists. Nearby attractions include the Queen Elizabeth Forest Park and Loch Ard, perfect for hiking and cycling.

Business & Local Area

For business events, the Macdonald Forest Hills Hotel & Spa has meeting spaces accommodating up to 120 guests, providing facilities for successful gatherings. The hotel is 60 km from Glasgow and offers easy access to regional attractions, including Stirling and historic sites like Doune and Stirling Castle. The charming village of Aberfoyle, just 6.5 km away, offers shops and locally produced gifts.

“Nestled in a stunning forest setting, the hotel offers a tranquil escape while being conveniently close to all the places we needed to visit.”view full review

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“A beautiful resort with potential for improvements.” view full review

Top location:Highly rated by recent guests(8.8)

Check-in/Check-out

from 15:00-23:59

until 11 am

Amenities

Public parking is possible on site for free.

Wireless internet is available in public areas for free.

Other information

You can start your day with a full breakfast, which costs GBP26 per person per day.

There are no extra beds provided in a room.

Pets are allowed on request.

Number of rooms:55

Former name

Macdonald Forest Hills Hotel & Resort

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Select your room type

The hotel offers a variety of rooms including double rooms, family rooms, and suites with breakfast, free cancelations, and special deals

Standard Family Room

Max:

2 persons

295 sq. feet

Bed options:

1 Double bed

Shower

Heating

room details

Check Prices

Suite

Max:

2 persons

240 sq. feet

Bed options:

1 Double bed

Shower

Heating

room details

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Standard Double Room

Max:

2 persons

220 sq. feet

Bed options:

1 Double bed

Shower

Heating

room details

Check Prices

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Getting around

Explore a range of transportation options for your spa getaway

City Centre

Aberfoyle (Stirling) 4.1 mi

Airports

Glasgow (GLA) 36.0 mi

Edinburgh (EDI) 53.0 mi

Bus

Bus stop 4.6 mi

Facilities

The hotel offers amenities for your comfortable stay and unforgettable experiences

Relaxing Spa Retreat

“The spa facilities were excellent, with a soothing atmosphere that allowed me to fully unwind after a long day.” view full review

Comfy and Spacious

“The room was surprisingly large, with a comfy bed and ample space to move around, making it perfect for relaxing.” view full review

Luxurious Bathroom

“The bathroom featured a spacious layout with high-quality Elemis toiletries that made for a pampering experience.” view full review

Delicious Dining Options

“I thoroughly enjoyed the meals, particularly the breakfast that offered a wide variety of freshly prepared options.” view full review

General

No smoking on site
Free Wi-Fi in public areas
Free parking
Safe deposit box
24-hour reception
VIP check-in/ -out
Express check-in/ -out
Pets allowed
Rooms/ Facilities for disabled
24-hour security
Locker room
Lift
Coffee shop
Vending machines
Smoke detectors
Fire extinguishers
Key card access
Key access

Sports & Fitness

Fitness centre
Canoeing
Hiking
Cycling
Tennis court
Billiard tables
Darts
Table tennis
Mini golf
Fishing

Guest Parking

Electric kettle

Services

Pet amenities available
Room service
Housekeeping
Laundry
Welcome drink

Dining

In-room breakfast
Restaurant
Bar/ Lounge area
Picnic area/ Tables
Packed lunches
Special diet menus

Business

Meeting/ Banquet facilities
Fax/Photocopying

Children

Cots
Children's menu
Children's play area
Game room

Facilities for people with disabilities

Bathroom for disabled

Spa & Leisure

Indoor swimming pool
Sun loungers
Sun terrace
Garden area
Spa & wellness centre
Sauna
Steam room
Jacuzzi
Pedicure
Manicure
Waxing
Facial
Treatment room
Beauty treatment
Massage

Room features

Heating
Sitting area
Terrace
Garden furniture
Tea and coffee facilities
Ironing facilities
Rollaway beds

Bathroom

Separate tub and shower
Free toiletries

Self-catering

Electric kettle

Location

Kinlochard, Aberfoyle (Stirling), United Kingdom, FK8 3TL

Map view

Kinlochard, Aberfoyle (Stirling), United Kingdom, FK8 3TL

City landmarks

Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park Scottish Highlands FK8 3SX

Queen Elizabeth Forest Park

1.9 mi

Ben Venue

2.6 mi

Loch Chon

3.0 mi

Balquhidder Old Kirk

Rob Roy's Grave

3.7 mi

Loch Ard Forest

3.6 mi

Queen Elizabeth Forest Park

Loch Ard

4.0 mi

Doon Hill and Fairy Knowe

4.1 mi

Nearby

Loch Ard

1700 ft

Restaurants

Wee Blether Tea Room

3400 ft

Lochside Kinlochard

Reviews and Ratings <br />

Feedback from previous guests about their experience.

80%

loved the resort and would return for another relaxing stay

Beautiful views

Excellent leisure facilities

Room cleanliness issues

Remote location

8.0/10

Great

Rooms

7.6

Location

8.8

Service

7.8

Dining

7.0

Jonathan

United Kingdom, February 2025

7.4/10

I had an enjoyable stay at the resort spa, particularly thanks to its stunning views of Loch Ard. The overall dining experience was quite delightful, although a few meals took longer than expected. While the service was exceptionally friendly and accommodating, the cleanliness of the room was a bit lacking and affected my comfort. It's a fantastic location for nature lovers, but do keep in mind that it feels quite remote.

Rooms

6.0

The room lacked the cleanliness I expected, and being pet-friendly meant I experienced some dog hairs, which was problematic due to my allergy. The view was nice, but the room overlooked the car park, which wasn’t ideal.

Service

7.0

Service was overall incredible and friendly, especially with our children, but I did encounter a rather snobby and rude attendant at breakfast, which diminished the experience.

Location

9.0

The location right in front of Loch Ard is truly beautiful. It's surrounded by forest, offering fantastic opportunities for outdoor activities, although the remoteness might not suit everyone.

Dining

7.0

Dining was nice with good vegetarian options, though some dishes took a bit too long to arrive and didn't meet the high price expectations.

Facilities

8.0

The leisure facilities, particularly the pool and spa treatments, were very enjoyable and well-maintained.

Beautiful views

Room cleanliness issues

Jonathan

United Kingdom, December 2024

8.0/10

I had a wonderful stay at the hotel, surrounded by breathtaking natural beauty and enjoying top-notch amenities. The staff truly went above and beyond, making my experience even more enjoyable. However, there were a couple of hiccups with breakfast timing due to busy service and some room issues upon check-in. Overall, it was a delightful getaway that I would gladly repeat.

Rooms

7.0

The room was spacious and had a lovely ambiance, although I initially faced an issue with the room change due to cleanliness concerns. Once settled, it felt relaxing and comfortable.

Service

8.0

The service was exceptional, especially during dinner where the staff demonstrated great attention to detail and friendliness, but there was a bit of a wait at breakfast that could be improved.

Location

9.0

Nestled in a picturesque area, the hotel offered quick access to hiking trails and stunning views of nature, which made for a great backdrop to my getaway.

Dining

7.0

The food quality was impressive, especially dinner. However, the breakfast service was a bit disorganized with long wait times, which was slightly disappointing.

Facilities

9.0

I thoroughly enjoyed the leisure facilities including the spa and pool, which were well-maintained and inviting, providing a great escape after a day of exploration.

Impressive leisure facilities

Breakfast timing issues

Luke

United Kingdom, October 2024

7.6/10

The hotel's stunning location by Loch Ard is really a highlight, making it a serene spot to relax. The staff went above and beyond, always ready to help, which really enhanced my experience. The food quality at the restaurant was exceptional, especially at breakfast. However, I found the dining area a bit chaotic at times, which was a downside. Overall, a lovely resort, but there are improvements needed in the organization of the dining experience.

Rooms

7.0

I found the rooms to be spacious and comfortable, though a bit outdated in terms of decor and lighting. My room overlooked the parking lot, which meant I had to keep the curtains drawn for privacy.

Service

8.0

The service was generally very attentive and welcoming, especially from the housekeeping team, who were incredibly accommodating. However, there were a couple of incidents where staff seemed overwhelmed and could have been more attentive.

Location

8.0

The location is picturesque, perfect for enjoying nature with its nearby trails and a charming waterfall. However, the presence of many dogs around may detract from the peacefulness, particularly when they were not well-controlled.

Dining

6.0

While the food itself was amazing, I found the dining experience left something to be desired due to a lack of organization and variety at a higher price point. I had better meals elsewhere for less.

Facilities

9.0

The leisure facilities, particularly the spa, were impressive and really added to my enjoyment. I appreciated the availability of both a swimming pool and gym for relaxation or exercise.

Richard

United Kingdom, October 2024

7.4/10

My stay was at a lovely resort with breathtaking views of Loch Ard that truly provided a serene escape. I loved the spacious and comfortable rooms, but I found dining to be quite chaotic at times due to staff shortages. The facility's leisure options were excellent, and the gardens added to the overall charm of the resort. However, I found the dining service lacking, especially during peak times, which detracted a bit from the experience.

Rooms

9.0

The rooms were spacious and exceptionally comfortable, making it easy to relax after a day of activities.

Service

6.0

While the staff did their best, it felt like they were overwhelmed at times, leading to longer waits than expected.

Location

8.0

This resort’s location on the shores of Loch Ard is simply stunning, but being quite remote made phone service a challenge.

Dining

5.0

The dining experience was a bit of a shambles; it took a long time to get seated and then even longer for food service.

Facilities

9.0

The leisure facilities, including the pool and spa, were really well done and added great value to the stay.

Alex

United Kingdom, September 2024

9.6/10

My stay at the resort spa was a delightful experience highlighted by its breathtaking surroundings and exceptional amenities. The staff were incredibly accommodating and made my time there truly memorable. The dining options were top-notch, as every meal was a treat. While the spa services were wonderful, the Wi-Fi connectivity could be a bit unreliable. Overall, it’s a fantastic getaway for those looking to relax and unwind in nature.

Rooms

9.0

The rooms were spacious and comfortable, offering a peaceful retreat with lovely views.

Service

10.0

The staff provided exceptional service, being both helpful and welcoming throughout my stay.

Location

10.0

The hotel is perfectly situated, allowing for easy exploration of the nearby hiking trails and stunning natural landscapes.

Dining

10.0

Dining was a highlight, with every meal thoughtfully prepared using high-quality ingredients, making it some of the best food I've experienced.