Looking for the best hotel in Thurso?

On the banks of the River Thurso in the village of Halkirk, the Ulbster Arms Hotel is a 10-minute drive from Thurso town centre. Here are 10 reasons why we believe this is the best hotel in Thurso. Come and stay with us and see for yourself!

1. The perfect location

The Ulbster Arms is situated in a peaceful spot on the banks of the River Thurso. This provides a more serene and picturesque setting, while still being within easy reach of Thurso town centre. You can get into town by car or taxi in 10 minutes or by bus in about 20 minutes. If you’re bringing your own car, we have private parking located to the rear of the hotel, free for all guests.

An aerial view of the Ulbster Arms Hotel in Halkirk showing its rural landscape and location at sunset

2. Traditional and modern accommodation

We offer a choice of hotel rooms, with something for all tastes. Whether you stay in our traditional 19th-century hotel, or in one of our modern wings on the hotel grounds, all rooms come with an ensuite bath and/or shower room, complimentary toiletries, in-room tea/coffee-making facilities, a TV and high-speed Wi-Fi.

3. Highly-rated reviews

Our guest reviews speak for themselves! We’re currently rated 4.5/5 on Google Reviews, 4.5/5 on TripAdvisor, and 94% on Facebook Reviews.

Executive room in the Ulbster building

“Lovely stay at Ulbster arms. Room was comfortable, staff were welcoming and the restaurant was great! Exceptional value for money, cannot recommend enough…”

Google review, September 2024

4. A family-friendly hotel

Thurso and the Caithness region make a fantastic family holiday destination. We have 3 family rooms, each with a double bed and a single bed with ensuite. Cots, high chairs and other provisions are available on request.

5. We’re dog-friendly too

No one gets left behind with our dog-friendly facilities! Dogs are welcome in most hotel rooms and within designated public areas of the hotel. We also offer dog-friendly drinks and dining in our bar and lounge.

A dog lying by the fire at The Ulbster Arms Hotel

6. Exceptional guest service

The warmest of welcomes awaits you at the Ulbster Arms. Every member of our team is dedicated to providing a memorable experience for guests. We go above and beyond to make every stay special, and we feel this sets us apart from the rest.

7. Local expertise

Our knowledgeable team is on hand to help and advise you throughout your stay. Whether that’s recommending local activities, arranging transportation or giving directions, we know the local area well and we’re always delighted to share our insider tips.

A friendly receptionist greeting a guest at reception in The Ulbster Arms Hotel in Caithness

8. Delicious dining experiences

We offer a wide range of dining options. From the bar, which serves an informal menu alongside a selection of spirits, lager, cider, beer, cask ales and soft drinks. To Beat 4 Restaurant, presenting a more formal fine dining menu. There’s also space to relax in the library, lounge and outdoor beer garden.

9. Extensive fishing faciliites

The Ulbster Arms has long been a popular fishing hotel. We organise salmon fishing on the river with ghillie hire, rod and reel hire and transport to and from the beat. In the hotel grounds, we have a Ghillie’s Room for ghillies and guests to meet, a Rods Room for safe storage, and a Drying Room for drying wet clothing overnight.

Fishing in Scotland

10. Exclusive offers and packages

Finally, every season we offer special packages and deals that are not available elsewhere. So, take a look at our special offers page and see what we have! From book direct discounts to seasonal specials, you’ll find something for you. Book directly on our website to receive the best deal or contact us for further information.