Macdonald Forest Hills Hotel & Spa, Aberfoyle

Stayed 18th May 2016

This is actually a review of two parts and the below ratings are based on the good - the Bistro and staff there. The bistro suisor, chef and staff generally were excellent; very pleasant and chatty and keen to ensure good food and service. I really could not fault them. Unfortunately, the hotel side of things was the opposite, excluding reception staff. The waiters could hardly crack a smile and did not interact at all. This was compounded by a sewerage leak or similar that took over two days to resolve and was so bad that we chose not eat there. That did mean we found the bistro on the first night and they did accommodate the quick swap without a problem, so it worked out well for us in the end. For a resort of this quality the staff in the hotel really need to improve or they will damage their image.

Stayed 8th May 2016

Lovely hotel and food was excellent. Would visit this hotel again in the future. Very good value as well. We used the swimming pool and sauna each day and enjoyed this as well. Would recommend this hotel to family and friends. Staff were very friendly and approachable as well.

Stayed 8th May 2016

Lovely hotel and food was excellent. Would visit this hotel again in the future. Very good value as well. We used the swimming pool and sauna each day and enjoyed this as well. Would recommend this hotel to family and friends. Staff were very friendly and approachable as well.

Stayed 1st May 2016

Well we got off to a bad start the receptionist sent us off to our room but never gave us a key, enjoyed the pool, sauna and steam room. the evening meal, maybe we weren't posh enough but the main meal was almost the same size as the starter then came the sweet course I didn't know you could get so little on such a big plate, and no were not big people. then back to the room and no heating man came and no the heating doesn't work. then the fire alarm goes off at about 11pm due to someone showering with the door open no sign saying not too! . well at least we got a good breakfast (buffet) but they ran out of some food according to some of the guests we spoke to later poor show for such a fancy place.one of the dining staff who was working very hard in my view was getting harassed by other staff right in front of us one of who was a manager I think, not nice.

Stayed 30th April 2016

We enjoyed the stay however when we checked in they had only one room for us when we had booked two with myhotelbreak. . Luckily they found a room for us. Similarly we had booked in advance by telephone for dinner on Saay and Sunday, but they had no reservation for us on the Sunday evening. This meant a wait until resolved. Monday breakfast was extremely poor - an hours wait for cooked breakfast and practically nothing laid out in the buffet area after 9.15. Seemed grossly understaffed for a Monday bank holiday. Breakfast, when it came was actually very good. Please pass on commends to Macdonald hotels.

Stayed 19th April 2016

From the moment we checked in we were given a warm welcome. Our room was very comfortable and spacious with a wonderful outlook of the gardens towards the loch and was lovely and clean. Our booking included dinner and although the menu was not extensive, gave enough choice throughout our stay. The food was well presented and delicious. We found the staff to be friendly and attentive and nothing was too much trouble, which added to our experience. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay and will definitely make a point of returning again.

Stayed 18th April 2016

Superb location with fantastic views all around. The room was large and very comfortable. Facil excellent. Staff pleasant and accommodating.

Stayed 14th April 2016

It was a lovely hotel but I would have preferred a bath in the bedroom We ate in the Rafters bar on the first night and after being shown the wine list we picked a bottle only to be told there was only a choice of 2 My wife had the smoked haddock croquettes which did not have any fish in them but the waiter was excellent and said we would not be charged for them The breakfast next morning was poor and the portions were tiny and we did not get what was asked for It also looks as if the bread used for toast is the cheapest bread you can get from any saver range in a supermarket We did not eat in the hotel on the second night and the breakfast the next day was better in that we got what was requested but it was cold It is a shame as the staff were decent especially the young man on reception who booked us in and was very helpful in every way The hotel and bedroom was lovely but it is severely lacking in the things that makes it 4 stars

Stayed 10th April 2016

Hotel in lovely setting. Leisure pool sauna steam room and jacuzzi good. Breakfast evening meal good. Thought the price for a dash of lemonade that was added to 1/2 lager for a shandy a bit steep at 80pence which made the price £3.30 for the half pint .

Stayed 6th April 2016

Enjoyed our stay very much and would return.Time waiting for cooked breakfast was slightly excessive.

Stayed 3rd April 2016

Hotel was nice, however, there was mould around the room window and the trickle vent was damaged/missing.

Stayed 20th March 2016

Arrived at the hotel for husbands birthday treat and were greeted with a very warm welcome from lovely friendly young man. The hotel reception and lounges were beautiful in every way, especially the log fire in the bar! Amazing views and gardens. Rooms were a bit dated but clean. Food was good but we preferred MacDonald Cadrona Hotel's food (personal taste) Lovely big swimming pool and spa. Very friendly staff and the bar manager at the Bistro was a great guy and nothing too much trouble for him. Overall, a great stay and would gladly return.

Stayed 13th March 2016

A very nice hotel set in a spectacular area , good sized bedrooms offering a a nice seating area plus a king size bed,meals were well presented although a little on the small side, the only negative would be the drinks cost - a bit on the expensive side , overall a good choice for anybody wishing to escape for a nice relaxing break.

Stayed 27th March 2016

Positives: Stunning location, spacious room, friendly staff, enjoyed massage in the Spa, enjoyed the pool, Jacuzzi and steam room. Dinner - quality of food OK, presentation very good. Negatives: Room's sink had large, sharp cracks. When we were 5 mins late for our dinner reservation and I gave the time of the booking, the waiter turned and looked at the clock behind the bar! We had arranged earlier to have a table at the window and were shown to a different table by the same waiter. When I explained Jose had very kindly agreed to window table earlier, we were asked to wait and left standing in the middle of the restaurant until he returned and grudgingly showed us to a window table with "there was no note of that arrangement". We felt he was very condescending and embarrassed us. Bottles of wine were much more expensive than other similar hotel restaurants. Portions were small. The sauce I paid extra for with my steak was barely enough to coat it and had been standing on heat so long that there was a skin on top. I requested another which didn't arrive. I had to ask again. Meanwhile my steak had gone cold and my husband had finished his dinner! Breakfast was very disappointing. There were no pastries left and these were not replaced. I asked for a clean napkin as mine had lipstick on it (it actually looked fresh and not a stain that hadn't come out with washing!) and I had to ask a second time before I got one. There were no teaspoons, we got one very small portion of butter between us both, the toast was cold and tea was drunk out of a tiny espresso coffee cup! The hot breakfast was very small portions - one sausage, one piece of bacon and these were very pale and undercooked. My husband felt ill all day after his. Due to the disappointing dining experiences, I don't think we will return. Different members of my family have been coming for years and they say they are very surprised at the falling standards.

Stayed 12th February 2016

Breakfast seemed a bit hectic for staff, not getting order righto, staff were lovely though. Had soup at lunchtime which wasn't nice and was expensive.

Stayed 13th November 2015

Rooms well appointed. Food excellent. Staff very attentive. Cost of drinks slightly expensive. Great break.

Stayed 13th February 2016

The hotel was excellent our room was great, the parking just not enough spaces, we couldn't get a table in the garden restaurant will make sure we book a table in advance in future the restaurant above the leisure centre was nice but just like pub dining

Stayed 24th January 2016

Bit of a Curate's egg. Room was spacious, clean, well equipped and well maintained. Only flaw was cracked sink that needs replaced. Warm and quiet. Staff were polite and helpful but somewhat 'removed'. Not fully aware of customers and servicing. Beware the monopoly bar mark up. Expensive. Dining was challenging. On first night it was quiet and service was quick and ordered. On night 2 it was busy and staff seemed to be chasing their tails. After an hour we had not got past starters. On a very limited and repeated menu (4 x starters, mains and desserts) should have coped better. Food quality was variable. Tried duck. Had to order a steak knife to cut it. Night 2 tried salmon. Badly overcooked and about the size of my thumb. When enquiring of the chef was informed he wasn't in and the reason for the chaos was the sous chef was running the kitchen alone. On final morning woken by staff at 8.30 and informed we had 30 minutes to get off resort if we wanted to beat the main road being shut due to flooding. Consequently no breakfast and a very fast pack! mmmm.

Stayed 3rd January 2016

The hotel reception and general areas were nice, the room whilst large was tired and the bathroom shower area dirty. The leisure facil were good. However our whole hotel experience was ruined by very poor food. The portions were very small. I was served Heinz tinned tomato soup and at breakfast the scrambled egg was made from a powdered egg substitute. When we arrived at 4 pm we were told the only available dinner reservation was 9:30 pm, which was disappointing. Let us know if they change the chef. Please look at my other review from the following night at the Western in Ayr !!!

Stayed 3rd January 2016

had fantastic time at this hotel.Staff are terrific, food excellent, room also excellent. 5 out of 5

Stayed 20th December 2015

hotel was lovely. most of it just had a refurb. staff very attentive. food delicious. we had a room in bottom level rm8 it was large and comfortable.spa was very good large swimming pool spa, sauna,steam room. only thing that let it down for us was bar prices total rip off

Stayed 22nd November 2015

We had stayed in the Lodges at the resort more than once in the past but several years ago. The hotel was much the same but the spa bar area was poor. This was our second Classic Britain stay at a MacDonald Resort and bar prices at both places were very expensive.

Stayed 8th November 2015

The rooms were lovely but maybe slightly tired in areas and I did hope for a lock view room. Service was outstanding and the food was perfect.

Stayed 3rd October 2015

We had a great relaxing break. The hotel is beautiful as is the scenery and the meals were great. Staff were very attentive. Facilities are fabulous!

Stayed 27th June 2015

Hotel great but unfortunately when we booked I did say my daughter was in a wheelchair. We knew there was no room left with a wet room. The hotel had booked us in a room with access by stairs but they were brilliant and changed the room, so thankfully we arrived in time for them to do that as hotel was full, and had we been later this may not have been possible. There was still a steep ramp needed to get to our room but hotel staff very helpful. Great hotel but not ideal for wheelchair users. That is the problem with lovely old hotels