Name: Novar Arms Hotel
Address: Balconie Street, Evanton, Scotland, United Kingdom, Evanton, Highland, GB
Price range: US$119–US$149 per night
Rating: 8.3

What guests think

At Novar Arms Hotel, guests consistently praise warm, helpful service, while feedback on rooms is mixed, citing generally clean spaces alongside dated decor, small layouts, and uncomfortable or old mattresses for some.

Several reviews note inconsistencies in upkeep, including mildew or drain odors in a few bathrooms and shabby or tired common areas. Food and drink receive strong praise for hearty, good value pub meals, though a few guests found some breakfast items and coffee disappointing. Many mention convenient access to attractions and the NC500, while the quiet village can feel isolated with limited alternatives nearby. A practical base for exploring the area.

Facilities

Cleanliness

Rooms

Service

Location

Dining

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AI-generated summary based on recent guest reviews

Facilities

The on site pub and bar are welcoming and popular with guests; the hotel is also dog friendly. Few other facilities are discussed in reviews.

Related guest reviews

10

Mark

2 Jun 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Quaint, homey feel. Comfy bed, great meal in pub, staff friendly and helpful.

10

Bruce

27 Aug 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

Friendly staff, good food, relaxed and dog friendly. Spotlessly clean. It's an old building so yes it has some superficial scuffs around the edges but if you want something ultra modern, go and stay at an airport.

8

Craig

12 Apr 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Had a 1 night stay here whilst working away. Lovely little hotel with friendly staff. Good food & drink options & being on the NC500 route a good atmosphere around the pub with others visitors also interacting with eachother. Would recomend to anyone looking for somewhere to stay around that area.

8

Kenneth

21 Sept 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

The service, friendliness and ambiance is all just great My only downside no steak on the menu

10

Margie

12 Jul 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

These folks are the absolute nicest! The room was great, the food was great!

6

Mary

4 Oct 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

The mattress was very uncomfortable. Furnishings were old. Bathroom was ok. The breakfast was very good and the bar area was colorful. Staff was helpful.

10

Joanne

9 Sept 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Lovely little hotel. Rooms were spacious. Pub downstairs was very welcoming

10

Andrew

5 Jul 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Lovely stay with my dog Room had been redecorated and bathroom refurbished recently Dinner was good , generous portions and sensibly priced There is a great woodland for dog walks on the doorstep

10

Angus

14 Jul 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Novar Arms Hotel. Is warm & friendly, from the bonnie lasses behind the bar & waitress,+ locals on my side of bar, Food is excellent, comfy bed how could ask for MORE.

10

stephen

13 Sept 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

All members of the group thought this was an absolute jewel. The rooms were clean tidy and comfortable. We availed ourselves of the bar and the drinks were spot on. for food we all had the steak pie which was fabulous. Breakfast was again fantastic and for the price was an absolute bargain. the staff were great friendly and no dramas there are many hotel chains could learn lessons from this establishment. thank you

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AI-generated summary based on recent guest reviews

Cleanliness

Rooms are generally clean and tidy, with several noting spotless spaces. Some reports cite mildew or drain odors in bathrooms and shabby or tired common areas.

Related guest reviews

10

Paul

2 May 2025

·

Stayed 5 nights

Very clean rooms with good facilities and a very clean bathroom. Really friendly staff and great food.

6

Helen

21 Aug 2023

·

Stayed 2 nights

bedding clean,lovely clean large towels, breakfast fine …. room was tatty, loose headboard, really needs updating new beds, paintwork when door closed light shines through all around frame, windows filthy, even though at back of hotel still noisy first thing staff helpful and nice just really in need up the update input of cash ….. not worth the £125 a night £70 fairer as it is atm

4

James

1 Aug 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Hotel was tiered and needed a good clean

10

Paul

24 Jul 2025

·

Stayed 4 nights

Clean and tidy rooms, very friendly staff and great food

10

Donna

23 Sept 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Cleanly and friendly.

8

Karen

25 Aug 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

The bed was comfortable, the room was clean. There was mildew in the shower, but it had excellent water pressure.

8

Gwendolyn

24 May 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

My room was very clean. Evening meal was hearty: steak pie and chips.

10

Richard

8 Jul 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

Very nice polite staff...nice clean room comfy bed excellent

6

Samantha

5 Jun 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Hotel room was very clean, a little outdated but was spotless which was really good. However the rest of the hotel was not to the same standard and spoiled my feeling of being comfortable in the hotel.

4

Lorna

10 Sept 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Shabby, cramped hallways, bedroom and bathroom.

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AI-generated summary based on recent guest reviews

Rooms

Room quality varies: some are spacious and comfortable, but others are very small with dated furnishings, and mattresses are often described as old or uncomfortable. Occasional noise and minor amenity issues are noted.

Related guest reviews

8

Carl

25 Jun 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Very nice staff who looked after us. Quiet apart from the seagulls. However the decor could need a revamp and some TLC. It’s an old pub but curtains etc can easily be fixed and it stays light very late and blackouts must be a certainty

8

Janet

22 Aug 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Decor a bit tired

8

RAY

21 Aug 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

Hotel and staff were friendly food was good but surroundings were a bit dated,

8

Christine

16 Aug 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

Enjoyed our stay, only complaint no mirror in the bedroom, a necessity . Will be back though

8

Danae

17 Aug 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Great service and lovely staff. The rooms are well appointed and very clean. The bed wasn’t the most comfortable though unfortunately.

6

Alistair

24 May 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

Clean and tidy.Food was good and a very reasonable cost. Room was a bit sparse could do with a chair or at least some hooks to hang your clothes. A tad expensive for the room as walls were very thin and easily overheard.

6

Nick

13 Sept 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

The staff are great, but very disappointed with the bed, the mattress was old and very uncomfortable!

6

Mary

4 Oct 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

The mattress was very uncomfortable. Furnishings were old. Bathroom was ok. The breakfast was very good and the bar area was colorful. Staff was helpful.

10

Joanne

9 Sept 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Lovely little hotel. Rooms were spacious. Pub downstairs was very welcoming

6

Andrea

18 Jun 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

Very small rooms. Poor and old matresses.

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AI-generated summary based on recent guest reviews

Service

Service is consistently praised as friendly, helpful, and accommodating, with staff going above and beyond during disruptions and special requests. Hospitality from locals and the bar team adds to the welcoming feel.

Related guest reviews

10

Mark

2 Jun 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Quaint, homey feel. Comfy bed, great meal in pub, staff friendly and helpful.

10

Nadim

27 May 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Staff was friendly and very accommodating.

10

Leanne Michelle

1 Sept 2025

·

Stayed 9 nights

The staff at the hotel was very friendly and gave us information on places to visit! Highly recommended!!

10

Paul

24 Jul 2025

·

Stayed 4 nights

Clean and tidy rooms, very friendly staff and great food

10

Margie

12 Jul 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

These folks are the absolute nicest! The room was great, the food was great!

10

William

29 Sept 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

Staff were all very friendly and extremely helpful. Particularly when we asked to move to another room. So helpful and polite, excellent service.

10

Angus

14 Jul 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Novar Arms Hotel. Is warm & friendly, from the bonnie lasses behind the bar & waitress,+ locals on my side of bar, Food is excellent, comfy bed how could ask for MORE.

8

Paul

11 Jul 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

Very friendly and accommodating staff.

8

colin

6 Aug 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

Staff went out of their way to help storm flosis hit when we were there power of for two days,they did there best supplied sandwich fruit drinks and a bottle of wine

10

Robert

24 Aug 2023

·

Stayed 3 nights

We were stranded for 3 nights while waiting for a tyre for our rental car. We blew a tyre driving back from Skye. The roads are full of potholes and this is a common occurrence. Unfortunately for us the tyre was an unusual size and we just had to wait. The staff at the Novar Arms Hotel were wonderful. We were very lucky that there was a vacancy. We filled in the time with a bus trip to Inverness and some local walks. There's a Harry Potter film location nearby.

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AI-generated summary based on recent guest reviews

Location

Convenient for the NC500 and nearby attractions, with woodland walks close by. The village is quiet and can feel isolated with limited alternatives nearby.

Related guest reviews

8

Carl

25 Jun 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Very nice staff who looked after us. Quiet apart from the seagulls. However the decor could need a revamp and some TLC. It’s an old pub but curtains etc can easily be fixed and it stays light very late and blackouts must be a certainty

10

Linda

30 Aug 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

Lovely area with easy access to attractions. Cozy, clean and dining on site.

8

Brian

5 Jun 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Lovely friendly hotel. Good food nice staff. Downside a bit isolated ie not much else in village other than the hotel. No lift available

10

Philipp

31 Jul 2022

·

Stayed 4 nights

Sehr freundliches Personal und eine tolle Umgebung. Gerne wieder!

Translate

8

Craig

12 Apr 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Had a 1 night stay here whilst working away. Lovely little hotel with friendly staff. Good food & drink options & being on the NC500 route a good atmosphere around the pub with others visitors also interacting with eachother. Would recomend to anyone looking for somewhere to stay around that area.

8

Martin

13 Jun 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

A comfortable overnight stop on our way north

10

R. Bruce

3 Aug 2023

·

Stayed 2 nights

Great location - close to many tourist areas, the staff were friendly and helpful.

10

Andrew

5 Jul 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Lovely stay with my dog Room had been redecorated and bathroom refurbished recently Dinner was good , generous portions and sensibly priced There is a great woodland for dog walks on the doorstep

10

Robert

24 Aug 2023

·

Stayed 3 nights

We were stranded for 3 nights while waiting for a tyre for our rental car. We blew a tyre driving back from Skye. The roads are full of potholes and this is a common occurrence. Unfortunately for us the tyre was an unusual size and we just had to wait. The staff at the Novar Arms Hotel were wonderful. We were very lucky that there was a vacancy. We filled in the time with a bus trip to Inverness and some local walks. There's a Harry Potter film location nearby.

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AI-generated summary based on recent guest reviews

Dining

Food and drink receive strong praise for hearty pub meals and good value. A few guests reported disappointing breakfast items and coffee.

Related guest reviews

10

Paul

2 May 2025

·

Stayed 5 nights

Very clean rooms with good facilities and a very clean bathroom. Really friendly staff and great food.

4

A

22 Sept 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

The staff were lovely. No complaints there, and my room had been recently renovated, but the bathroom drains in my ensuite were really smelly. Also, the breakfast coffee was tasteless, and the scrambled eggs didn't taste like eggs.

10

steven

28 Apr 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Staff were really friendly and the meals were great value. Ensure you have breakfast it was very nice and not expensive

6

sheila

19 Aug 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Okay stay. Staff friendly. Good shower. Breakfast, I had burnt bacon, solid poached eggs and hard toast. Husband had the full scottish and said the beans were the best bit.

8

Kenneth

21 Sept 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

The service, friendliness and ambiance is all just great My only downside no steak on the menu

10

Margie

12 Jul 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

These folks are the absolute nicest! The room was great, the food was great!

6

Mary

4 Oct 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

The mattress was very uncomfortable. Furnishings were old. Bathroom was ok. The breakfast was very good and the bar area was colorful. Staff was helpful.

8

Gwendolyn

24 May 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

My room was very clean. Evening meal was hearty: steak pie and chips.

10

stephen

13 Sept 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

All members of the group thought this was an absolute jewel. The rooms were clean tidy and comfortable. We availed ourselves of the bar and the drinks were spot on. for food we all had the steak pie which was fabulous. Breakfast was again fantastic and for the price was an absolute bargain. the staff were great friendly and no dramas there are many hotel chains could learn lessons from this establishment. thank you

8

D.D.

11 Jun 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Nice people. Good breakfast.

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AI-generated summary based on recent guest reviews

Su	Mo	Tu	We	Th	Fr	Sa
		1	2	3	4	5
6 $119	7 $131	8	9 $133	10	11 $133	12 $128
13 $128	14 $133	15 $133	16 $133	17	18 $133	19 $133
20 $133	21	22 $133	23 $137	24	25	26
27 $141	28 $137	29 $149	30 $142

Su	Mo	Tu	We	Th	Fr	Sa
				1 $133	2 $133	3 $133
4 $142	5 $137	6 $137	7 $128	8 $137	9 $142	10 $140
11 $149	12 $149	13 $149	14 $137	15 $133	16 $142	17 $128
18 $142	19 $137	20 $149	21 $142	22 $137	23 $141	24 $149
25 $128	26 $137	27 $133	28 $149	29 $142	30 $149	31 $133

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About this property

Location

Guest reviews

Very good

Who stays here?

What guests think

Property policies

Check-in instructions

Good to know

FAQs about Novar Arms Hotel

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