The Forbes Arms in Aberdeenshire

Had a lovely evening meal at the Forbes Arms Hotel in The Bridge of Alford. The food was excellent and good variety and good quality, nice portions. Service was really good, friendly, and well cared for. Good value and nice atmosphere. They have really spent a lot on bringing this old hotel to a first class place to dine or stay.

We stayed for one night with three other couples. It’s been recently renovated to a really high standard and the fitting are outstanding quality. The food is very good and the quality of the produce is excellent. I’m live less than an hour away and I’ll defo be back. Would be lovely in a sunny day as there is an outdoor terrace.

There were 12 of us for Sunday lunch. The starter , main and desert were absolutely devine. I had a trio of haggis, white and black pudding on a whisky cream sauce (amazing) then roast pork followed by sticky toffee pudding. Will definitely be returning soon. 10/10 chef!!!

We just enjoyed an overnight stay with breakfast. It was a short but sweet stay. Our room was perfect, lovely view over the Don,nice decor, comfortable bed. Some nice touches like homemade shortbread, teacakes. Our breakfast was very good, and plenty of it, pastries, cooked breakfast with local ingredients. Next time we stay we are looking forward to trying the restaurant. Staff were lovely and nothing was a bother.

Booked for lunch one Sunday in August Our Sunday group prior to a Tullynessle concert. The roasts were all amazing as we each had something different And it was no problem for one of our party to have a smaller portion

What an amazing place. Everything is excellent, the room we stayed in was superb. Firstly the smell of the room was amazing, then the decor which is to a very high standard indeed. Everything has been thought of and is very luxurious. The little touches, homemade shortbread, fresh milk, tunnocks teacakes and caramel wafers. Then the most important thing for my partner....the shower!! Very spacious and in his words......the shower alone was worth the money! Then the towels.....the softest I have ever experienced in a hotel! The staff are very friendly and helpful. We had a great stay and would definitely go back.

We came here as a family and small dog twice and loved it. Nothing was too much trouble for the staff and the food was excellent. A lovely place to come - thoroughly recommend!

We would highly recommend the Forbes Arms.The rooms are extremely comfortable, delicious homemade shortbread on arrival.Friendly staff and delicious food both in the bar at dinner and at breakfast.Beautiful surroundings and well worth a visit.

This is the second time our Zumba group of 20 ladies have attended The Forbes Arms for lunch. We pre ordered to help the kitchen out and it worked well. Beautiful setting, good food and the service was excellent. Special Thanks to Debbie, Jennifer and Findlay for looking after us so well, it just makes it extra special.

We regularly visit The Forbes Arms. The food and service is excellent. The Sunday Roast is a favourite and highly recommended. The staff are friendly, attentive and a credit to the hotel. Special mention to Joe in the restaurant, who is always smiling, helpful and a joy to see!

We came along on a Saturday evening as a group of 4, expecting to be seated in the usually quiet bar area but turned up and it was incredibly full (which is actually great to see). The team were amazing in finding us a space even though we just dropped in without a reservation. They couldn’t have been more helpful. Our food and wine was delicious but the friendly staff made this place top tier.

Dinner to mark a special occasion. Booked a table for 7 diners. Arrived early so we checked in with reception and went to the small lounger bar to wait for everyone to arrive. Staff were friendly, nice cosy room we sat down and ordered our drinks. The hotel were hosting a large event /party and as folk started to arrive the compact bar filled up and was unbearably noisy. Not a good start for a relaxing evening. We were waiting for our family to arrive, but even though having explained twice we were still asked by staff as there was concern we hadn’t booked a table! Seated in the main dining hall, we had a look through the menu, we were asked for a drinks order but explained that as we were having wine we wanted to wait and pair it with the food. Order taken, we were brought our starters, although the child’s starter food did not arrive and we had to ask for it. Main courses came out and we were missing two, the order has been noted incorrectly. We explained the correct order and just asked that both dishes be brought out together. I have to say that the standard of food was excellent. Staff were attentive. We finally got the two missing mains but by that time the rest of the party were nearly finished. Although we were happy with our server, mistakes happen. We were given a new server for our dessert order. Now I realise staff are under pressure but I don’t think I have ever heard someone speak so rudely and so impatiently before! There was certainly no need. Manners are a large part of a hospitality service role. As is keeping calm under pressure. We ordered our desserts, drinks, coffees and again we received half the order with rest coming about 10 minutes later. My partner had to ask 4 times for the child’s dessert. To sum up the venue is beautiful, it has been restored to a high standard. Staff, apart from one, were happy, attentive and friendly. The food was excellent. I just feel that when staff have large parties they loose sight of the rest of their guests needs. Definitely room for improvement on service. We are locals so we’ll give the Forbes arms another chance and see.

We elected, as a party of 6 adults and one 10 year old to have a celebration dinner at the Forbes Arms. Recently refurbished and re-opened,we thought it would be good to patronise a new and local business. What a mistake that turned out to be. The welcome was pleasant enough and once seated and offered drinks our orders for starters and mains were taken. The restraunt was busy but it took some time for the starters to come. The following mains were delivered sparodically and two forgotten entirely, in fact one had not even been written down. One of the party had to go and speak with a member of staff to find out why this was happening. As one late meal was a steak it was asked that the two remaining dishes be brought together. The steak was overcooked and not as requested, my guess being it was 'Resting' awaiting the production of the other dish. Some of the party decided to have desert or coffee. Once again the serving staff had to be reminded on more than one ocassion that these dishes were not forthcoming and a male server was particularly rude whilst taking the desert order that left us speechless. At no time did a senior member of staff offer any apology. It was left to junior serving staff to give a very cursory 'Sorry'. It appeared that a party of 22 was taking precedent to the detrement of other clients. On the food front, some of the dishes did not live up to the expectation described on the menu and did not represent good value. There is a dire need to have a restaurant supervisor overseeing proceedings especially when busy. If you can't manage the covers, reduce your capacity accordingly. We are local and have used the Forbes Arms in differing guises since 1970 and I am sad to say we will not be back. When the bill for a meal is in the hundreds then we expected better. Show the same respect to all your clientele regardless of the size of party.

Sirloin Roast Beef dinner off their Hogmanay menu. Two slices and more that 50% of the two slices were just fat. Slices not very thick . Complained I was disappointed about beef to the waiter. Sorry about that and nothing else! Not what I expected for about a £20 main course. Afraid we won’t be back.

Disappointing. Food luke warm. Tasteless. Greasy. Custard lumpy like scrambled eggs. Expensive mediocre pub food with pretensions of grandeur. On another note everything was skippy. The tables where your plate slid. The plates themselves where food also fell off onto slidy table and cutlery fell off as too slidy. Menu limited and not very exciting. If you take off stornoway black pudding and haggis you had nothing really. Great location staff very lovely. Decor very good.

Beautiful setting, super lunch and catering for so many at one time. Sadly no jokes in crackers🤣 Merry Xmas and good luck for your amazing hotel .

The hotel has recently been renovated to what looks like a high standard. Staff very friendly and helpful. Food good, however soup a little undercooked, however still nice. Having experienced the previous hotel, this is an excellent upgrade.

Parents visit regularly and this was my first visit - Wow!!! Staff are so friendly and very professional! The decor, ambience and everything from the cutlery to crockery is classy and elegant. Fine dining touches at an accessible price point. Can’t wait to go back. Food was delicious.

Perfect place to dine and relax. The food is really good and there is a wide choice on the menu. Large portion size. Lovely surroundings and great, attentive staff.

Lovely welcoming restaurant, good food, attentative staff. Had Sunday dinner here whilst on holiday on the area. Highly recommend.

We we’re the first staying guests and it was a wonderful experience. Best breakfast I’ve had for a long time, wonderful staff and just perfect touches like home made shortbread and tunnocks tea cakes in the rooms.

Today we had just the perfect Sunday lunch with friends. Great ambience, and very well looked after by the staff. The three course meal was spot on in terms of beautiful quality and value for money. A great experience and we will be back soon. Well done Forbes Arms

Visited for evening meal, had passed a few times during renovations, looked stunning. Inside has the same attention to detail. Nice selection of food, catered well for gluten free.. thoroughly enjoyed meal. Staff all very friendly., great place to visit.

Lovely lunch here. Lots of choices on the menu for all tastes. Staff very friendly helpful and efficient. Nothing too much trouble. Definitely recommend a visit. They do coffee and delicious looking cake too.