On lake.At this Stirling hotel, you'll be within half a mile (1 km) of Go Country, Forest Hills Water Sport Centre and 6 miles (10 km) of David Marshall Lodge Visitor Centre. Rob Roy's Grave and Doon Hill and Fairy Knowe are also within 6 miles (10 km).
What's nearby
Rob Roy's Grave - 6 min drive
Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park - 17 min drive
Loch Ard Forest - 23 min drive
Ben Lomond - 30 min drive
Queen Elizabeth Forest Park - 31 min drive
Getting around
Balloch Station - 28 min drive
Glasgow International Airport (GLA) - 74 min drive
Restaurants
Liz Macgregors Coffee Shop - 6 min drive
The Station - 6 min drive
The Faerie Tree - 6 min drive
Brig o' Turk Tearoom - 15 min drive
The Pier Cafe - 9 min drive
About this property
Macdonald Forest Hills Hotel & Spa
Family-friendly 4-star hotel with 2 restaurants
Macdonald Forest Hills Hotel & Spa offers its guests a full-service spa, outdoor tennis courts, and an indoor pool. There are 2 restaurants on site. You can unwind with a drink at one of the 2 bars/lounges. Public spaces have free WiFi.
A health club, a sauna, and spa services are also featured at the family-friendly Macdonald Forest Hills Hotel & Spa. Self parking is free.
This 4-star Stirling hotel is smoke free.
55 guestrooms or units
2 levels
2 buildings
2 dining venues
2 bars or lounges
Built in 1904
Poolside lounge chairs
Breakfast available (surcharge)
Coffee in lobby
Dry cleaning
Self-service laundry
Front desk (24 hours)
Storage area for luggage
Front-desk safe
Concierge
Wedding services available
Game room or arcade
Pool or billiards table
Terrace
Garden
Outdoor picnic space
Newspapers for purchase
Fireplace in lobby
Elevator
No smoking on site
1 conference room
Macdonald Forest Hills Hotel & Spa offers 55 accommodations with hair dryers and irons/ironing boards. Digital television is provided.
Bathrooms include shower/tub combinations and complimentary toiletries. Guests can surf the web using the complimentary wireless Internet access. Housekeeping is provided daily.
Guests can indulge in a pampering treatment at the hotel's full-service spa. Services include deep-tissue massages, facials, body wraps, and body scrubs. A variety of treatment therapies are provided, including aromatherapy. The spa is equipped with a sauna.
The spa is open daily. Children under 18 years old are not allowed in the spa without adult supervision. Guests under 18 years old are not allowed in the spa.
Awards and affiliations
Eco-Certified Property
This property participates in Green Tourism Program, a program that measures the property's impact on one or more of the following: environment, community, cultural-heritage, the local economy.
Languages
English, Hungarian, Polish
Property amenities
Family friendly
Arcade/game room
Indoor pool
Laundry facilities
Mini golf
Playground
Soundproofed rooms
Internet
Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
Available in some public areas: Free WiFi
Parking and transportation
Free self parking on site
Wheelchair-accessible parking available
Food and drink
Full breakfast available for a fee daily 8 AM–9:30 AM: GBP 18.00 for adults and GBP 12.50 for children
2 restaurants
2 bars/lounges
24-hour room service
Coffee/tea in common area(s)
Things to do
2 outdoor tennis courts
Arcade/game room
Billiards/pool table
Fitness center
Full-service spa
Indoor pool
Mini golf
Playground
Racquetball/squash
Sauna
Steam room
Accessibility
If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
Bathroom emergency pull cord
Elevator
Wheelchair-accessible parking
Wheelchair accessible (may have limitations)
Room amenities
Entertainment
30-inch TV
Cable/satellite channels
Bedroom
Bed sheets
Blackout drapes/curtains
Heating
Bathroom
Free toiletries
Hair dryer
Private bathroom
Shampoo
Shower/tub combination
Towels
Food and drink
Electric kettle
More
Desk
Dryer
Iron/ironing board
Soundproofing
Policies
Check-in
Check-in start time: 3:00 PM; Check-in end time: midnight
Contactless check-in available
Late check-in subject to availability
Minimum check-in age: 18
Check-out
Check-out before 10 AM
Contactless check-out available
Special check-in instructions
Front desk staff will greet guests on arrival at the property
For any questions, please contact the property using the information on the booking confirmation
Access methods
Staffed front desk
Pets
Pets: GBP 15.00 per pet, per night (maximum GBP 25.00 per stay)
Only dogs are allowed
Maximum 2 pets
Food and water bowls are available
Restrictions apply
For more information, you can reach out to the property at the number on the booking confirmation
Service animals are exempt from fees
Children and extra beds
Children are welcome.
Rollaway/extra beds are available for GBP 15.0 per night.
Property payment types
Important information
Optional extras
The fees and deposits listed below will be charged at the time of service, check-in, or check-out.
Fee for full breakfast: approximately GBP 18.00 for adults and GBP 12.50 for children
Pet fee: GBP 15.00 per pet, per night (maximum GBP 25.00 per stay)
Service animals are exempt from fees
Rollaway bed fee: GBP 15.0 per night
This may not be a comprehensive list. Fees and deposits are subject to change and might not include tax.
You need to know
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
The name on the credit card used at check-in to pay for incidentals must be the primary name on the guestroom reservation
This property accepts credit cards; cash is not accepted
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a security system, a first aid kit, and window guards
Please note that cultural norms and guest policies may differ by country and by property; the policies listed are provided by the property
Charges for extra guests may apply and vary according to property policy. A cash deposit, credit card, or debit card for incidental charges and government-issued photo identification may be required upon check-in. Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in. Special requests can't be guaranteed and may incur additional charges.
This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business, or profession. The name on the credit card used at check-in to pay for incidentals must be the primary name on the guestroom reservation. This property accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Barclaycard. Cash is not accepted. For guests' safety, the property includes a carbon monoxide detector, a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, a security system, a first aid kit, and window guards in each accommodation.
This property charges consumption-based electricity fees.
We should mention
Reservations are needed for massage services and spa treatments. For reservations, contact the hotel before arrival using the contact information on the booking confirmation.
Guests may experience noise disturbance due to nearby construction work.
To make arrangements to bring your pet, contact the property directly at the number on your booking confirmation (please see the Fees section for related charges).
National rating
This establishment has received its official star rating from VisitScotland, the National Tourist Board for Scotland.
Property is also known as
Forest Hills Macdonald Hotel
Macdonald Forest
Macdonald Forest Hills Hotel
Macdonald Forest Hills Hotel Stirling
Macdonald Forest Hills Stirling
Macdonald Forest Hotel
Macdonald Hotel Forest Hills
Macdonald Forest Hills & Spa
Macdonald Forest Hills Hotel Spa
Macdonald Forest Hills Hotel & Spa Hotel
Macdonald Forest Hills Hotel & Spa Stirling
Macdonald Forest Hills Hotel & Spa Hotel Stirling
Macdonald Forest Hills Hotel & Spa Reviews
Reviews
8.2
Very good
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travellers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.
Rating 10 - Excellent. 324 out of 792 reviews
10 - Excellent
324
Rating 8 - Good. 275 out of 792 reviews
8 - Good
275
Rating 6 - Okay. 119 out of 792 reviews
6 - Okay
119
Rating 4 - Poor. 46 out of 792 reviews
4 - Poor
46
Rating 2 - Terrible. 28 out of 792 reviews
2 - Terrible
28
8.6/10
Cleanliness
8.2/10
Staff & service
8.2/10
Amenities
8.0/10
Property conditions & facilities
8.0/10
Eco-friendliness
Reviews
6/10 Okay
Verified traveller
17 Nov 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, room comfort
Nice room, great view, but very expensive
The room was lovely, with a seating area and balcony with a view over the loch which was absolutely stunning. Unfortunately the TV had no reception and the casting didn’t work which was disappointing. The breakfast was okay, but overpriced. The hotel also lost mains water due to a burst pipe in the area. This was outside of their control but meant they had to close the pool and spa which was one of the main attractions of the hotel. It was a very expensive stay just for a good view though.
Loved my stay here. My room was beautiful and spacious with a fantastic view over the gardens to the loch. Very large cosy bed, little seating area and dressing table. The bathroom was bigger than mine at home! Tea and coffee supplies were well stocked as were the complimentary toiletries. Only one drawback - shampoo but no conditioner. All staff so friendly and attentive. Breakfast was divine accompanied by the views. Can’t rate this hotel highly enough. Thank you for making my stay so enjoyable, can’t wait to return in the spring.
Amazing location, the hotel grounds were beautiful, very friendly staff, food was fabulous, bedroom was bigger than I expected, cannot fault this hotel. Would defintely go back for another visit.
Donna
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2024
6/10 Okay
Yvonne
Travelled with family
23 Oct 2024
Liked: Staff & service
Beautiful setting and comfy room, food was really disappointing though and when I mentioned this at check-out the staff didn't seem surprised.
Yvonne
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2024
8/10 Good
Mark
Travelled with family
18 Oct 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
The hotel has so much potential but unfortunately let down on a couple of key areas. Firstly it’s looking tired but even some basic housekeeping would have tidied a lot of this up (broken tiles, lick of paint etc).
Main gripe though was the food and the price of it. Kids garlic bread was £5 and was basically just two slices of garlic bread from a supermarket with some cheese chucked on top. Then served undercooked. My wife and I both ordered 2 different curries (at £20 each) The sauce they served it in was miserly and it was the exact same sauce (despite being two different curries). The rafters bar and restaurant was closed (not enough staff it seems). We also ordered some nachos at £9. Hardly any cheese on them so most of them were dry. Second day we made sure to eat out elsewhere (but you need to be able to drive as it’s in the middle of no where). Went to nick Nairns place 15 mins away at port of Menteith. Dinner was far superior and cost less than our dinner the previous night.
Mouldy shower. Very tired. Understaffed. Pool was shut. Dinner menu basic and uninspiring pub food. Didn’t have any glasses of wine on list (order hadn’t arrived apparenty). Massively overcharged for another glass (£18). Poor breakfast selection. Overall, a very tired, run down place. Not recommended.
One night stay for my partners birthday. Check in speedy and room was very clean and comfortable. One of the complimentary bottles of water was empty but a call to reception resolved this promptly.
Bed was super comfy, views from room over the Loch were stunning.
Breakfast was delicious in morning. Probably one of best hotel breakfasts ever had.
Staff brilliant, location the best.
Limited mobile signal on most networks and WiFi patchy but when here for a getaway, you won’t need either.
Chris
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2024
10/10 Excellent
Malcolm
Business traveller
7 Oct 2024
Liked: Staff & service, room comfort
Asked for an upgrade but straight refusal
Would have been nice as the hotel was quiet !!!
Great staff and stay.
The only area for improvement is the front desk and restaurant manager relationship should be more cohesive for in-room dining (which we prefer to restaurant dining). Guests should not have to ask the front desk about in room menus and dining options, and then be told to ask the restaurant manager the same questions.
The view of the lake from our room window was lovely! Our visit was too short though and I did not get to use the pool or spa facilities. Will aim to stay at least 2 nights if we do go back.
Ruth Sasha
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2024
10/10 Excellent
Kevin
Travelled with group
19 Sep 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Lovely property with very good leisure facilities perfect room size and Lovely staff
Strange rules for booking meal slots for guests.
The Hotel seems to have a meal capacity that does not align with number of hotel guests. For example, you can be stranded at hotel (if you have a drink and cannot therefore drive that evening) without an option to eat any food on that particular evening.
My wife and I had a great stay at the McDonald resort. Our room had spectacular views across the front lawn and loch. The room was beautiful but our only comment would be that for such a large room the TV should be bigger. We just relaxed in the room rather than going for dinner. We ordered room service and the food was great! Bedding and bed was great and we had a great sleep. Would definitely recommend to any couple wanting a relaxing break.