Macdonald Forest Hills Resort, Kinlochard, Aberfoyle
STYLE AND SUBSTANCE
The Macdonald Forest Hills Resort certainly lives up to its name with swathes of wooded areas and a gently sloping incline down towards the shores of Loch Ard. Facilities include a spa, swimming pool and beautiful landscaped grounds perfect for strolling.
SLEEPING MATTERS
A choice of one, two and three-bedroom self-catering apartments. We enjoyed views of the gardens from our large balcony.
One downside was the lack of Wi-Fi in the apartments – it was only available within the public buildings. Limited mobile phone coverage in the area only compounded this: either a blessing or a curse depending on your inclination.
Since our stay, the resort says that Wi-Fi is now available within all its apartments.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
There are two restaurants. The weekend we stayed a wedding was taking place, so we avoided the main hotel building – which offers more formal dining in The Garden Restaurant – and opted for a casual evening meal at the Rafters Bar and Bistro, located within the leisure complex.
The menu has traditional pub fare – fish and chips, burgers et al – alongside Italian-themed cuisine including pizza and pasta. If you are peckish at lunchtime or mid-afternoon, the cocktail bar in the hotel serves food from 11am until 5pm.
Around half a mile from the resort is the highly recommended Wee Blether Tearoom (weeblethertearoom.co.uk) where you can get breakfast, brunch, light bites and mouth-watering home baking. Currently closed for the winter season, it will reopen on March 29.
DRINK IN THE SIGHTS
The well-stocked bars should cater for most tastes be it swish cocktails, a cheeky G&T or an ice-cold pint of lager. If you are on a tight budget, you can always BYOB – there's a Co-op in nearby Aberfoyle – and keep something in the fridge back at the apartment.
NICE TOUCH
A lovely pine sauna in our two-bedroom apartment was an unexpected treat.
ABOUT THE AREA
The resort is in the heart of the Queen Elizabeth Forest Park – part of the sprawling Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park – making it a perfect base to get out and explore the surrounding countryside and lochs.
The drive over the Duke's Pass from Aberfoyle is stunning. It is around 40 minutes by car to the pretty town of Callander which has some great shops and cafes.
Stop off at Glen Finglas near Brig o' Turk where a thick carpet of bluebells covers the floor of ancient woodland through April and early May.
Alternatively, head north-west up the B829 past Loch Chon and Loch Arklet to Stronachlachar on the banks of Loch Katrine which is home to The Pier Cafe (thepiercafe.com), a delightful gem where you can grab a bowl of cullen skink or coffee and a cake while enjoying relaxing views over the water.
The Go Country Adventure watersports centre (gocountry.co.uk) on the shore of Loch Ard next to the resort offers kayaking, paddle boarding and an inflatable obstacle course, as well as high-octane activities such as orienteering, gorge walking and mountain biking.
DEALS
Spring breaks start from £69 per night in a one-bedroom apartment that sleeps four. Throughout March, pets can stay for free. Visit macdonald-resorts.co.uk or call 01877 389500.
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