Forss House Hotel

“This a restaurant review (phenomenal) not the hotel (didn’t stay there)”

I couldn’t find a place to rate just the restaurant at this beautiful country retreat a few miles west of Thurso on the NC500 route, so here’s my review of the restaurant’s dinner service. FANTASTIC and best meal so far during my Scotland vacation. The lamb was cooked to perfection, the cauliflow... more

I couldn’t find a place to rate just the restaurant at this beautiful country retreat a few miles west of Thurso on the NC500 route, so here’s my review of the restaurant’s dinner service. FANTASTIC and best meal so far during my Scotland vacation. The lamb was cooked to perfection, the cauliflower soup was delicious and the desserts A+. My only suggestion for the wait staff is to provide at least a quick rundown of the cheeses that were provided. Setting 🫶👍 Service 👍 Food 🫶🫶👍👍👍🙌🙌🙌 Value for money—most definitely!! Reservations are a must for those not staying at the hotel and this place is well worth a stop.

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“Great stay whilst driving the NC500”

We had a fab stay here during our NC500 trip. The staff were friendly and helpful, the room was spacious and had a lovely bathroom. Our evening meal was truly special, we had the three course meal and both of us enjoyed every course (especially those little Gruyère canapés…). The whisky sel... more

We had a fab stay here during our NC500 trip. The staff were friendly and helpful, the room was spacious and had a lovely bathroom. Our evening meal was truly special, we had the three course meal and both of us enjoyed every course (especially those little Gruyère canapés…). The whisky selection is great, and as we’re not really big whisky drinkers, we asked one of the staff for his opinion. After a chat, he selected a really fantastic whisky that we’d have never found on our own! Great stay and would happily stay again.

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“Who does the staff recruitment and training?”

A classic example of how an otherwise excellent establishment can be badly let down by poor recruitment, training and supervision of customer-facing staff. This is in most respects a very good hotel (if slightly overpriced by fair comparison). The buildings are attractive, the rooms, decor and f... more

A classic example of how an otherwise excellent establishment can be badly let down by poor recruitment, training and supervision of customer-facing staff. This is in most respects a very good hotel (if slightly overpriced by fair comparison). The buildings are attractive, the rooms, decor and furnishings are all nice quality, all is clean and well-presented, and the general atmosphere is appropriately quiet and traditional. The restaurant is also pretty spot on - as expected for two AA rosettes, with an interesting menu, all dishes well prepared and presented, and the ambience is quiet and elegant. BUT..... The standard, training, manner, dress and deportment of the front of house staff is just totally inappropriate and inadequate for the level at which this hotel is aiming (and charging). This applies to both reception and restaurant. The individual staff members do try their best within their limitations, but recruitment of correct calibre individuals, the training, and the supervision here is a serious and short-sighted failure of management which has an immediately detrimental effect on customer perception and overall guest experience. The only other misgivings are the rather scruffy and unkempt appearance of the grounds through which guests must walk between buildings. So overall a very good hotel, with restaurant to match, that is sadly let down by things that could easily be rectified.

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