10 Top-Rated Hotels in Caithness and Sutherland, Scottish Highlands, Scotland

August 6, 2022 Kiesha Cripe

Discover the best hotels in Caithness and Sutherland, Scottish Highlands, Scotland including Creag Na Mara, Bettyhill Hotel, Forss House Hotel, Premier Inn Thurso hotel, Inver Lodge Hotel, Altnaharra Hotel, Altnacealgach Motel, Royal Golf Hotel, Park Hotel, The Castletown Hotel.
Restaurants in Caithness and Sutherland

1. Creag Na Mara

Mey, Thurso KW14 8XL Scotland
Excellent
65%
Good
14%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
10%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 51 reviews

Creag Na Mara

Good for vegans. Comfy and friendly.

Reviewed By TonyCl

We stayed in the family room for 2 nights. Really comfy room, with everything we needed, and easy parking on site. Jo was friendly and really helpful with suggestions of places to go, local walks and things to see (which I don't think we would have found out about otherwise). We enjoyed Jo's thoughtful attention to detail, and she was very flexible in her breakfast catering. One of our family is vegan, and Jo made sure she had a cooked breakfast of the same standard as the non-vegans. We reckoned this is the most northerly B&B on the UK mainland. Great views. Highly recommend.

2. Bettyhill Hotel

Bettyhill Hotel A836, Bettyhill KW14 7SP Scotland
Excellent
64%
Good
28%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 569 reviews

Bettyhill Hotel

Looking out on to the magnificent Torrisdale bay, the Bettyhill Hotel, with its charming hospitality, invites you to the Scottish Highlands. Your adventure begins here. The privately owned Bettyhill Hotel is located centrally on the north Scottish Coast. A beautiful setting and historical location offer a touch of paradise unspoiled by time with rooms, restaurants and bar offering superb views of the surrounding mountains and sea. Its location is superb, giving magnificent views to the north-west over Torrisdale Bay. Centrally located in Bettyhill, the Bettyhill Hotel is ideal for touring across the rural Highlands of Scotland. Furthermore the area is rich in things to see and do including golf breaks, salmon fishing on the River Naver, walking and cycling, with castles and historic places a plenty. The Bettyhill Hotel is ideally located on the North Coast 500 route (NC500), which makes it a perfect stop-off point while exploring the region.

Lovely stay in beautiful setting

Reviewed By Elaine B

Hotel through Bettyhill in elevated position overlooking a beautiful bay. Stunning beach . Its possible to soak up the scenery by sitting at a picnic table in front of hotel. Hotel in good decorative order - we were fortunate to have a 1st floor front facing room so we could enjoy the Stunning views. Spacious clean room with en-suite. Sadly personally not taken with memory foam mattresses as they lend no back support. No lift. There is a public bar with pool table and lounge area. Separate hotel lounge and lovely bright dining room. Very nice dinner menu and lovely cooked breakfast. Friendly helpful staff.

3. Forss House Hotel

Forss, Thurso KW14 7XY Scotland
Excellent
69%
Good
19%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
3%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 508 reviews

Forss House Hotel

Forss House is a delightful 1810 country home nestling in 20 acres of woodland, below a waterfall, on the gently meandering River Forss. A 14 bedroom family owned hotel Forss House is an elegant comfortable haven that puts you instantly at ease with a welcoming staff keen to look after you.

The good the bad and the ugly

Reviewed By Maureenwillow

The good A beautiful location and lovely lounge and bar area. Lovely pillows. Good food. Lovely barman. The bad The hotel was full so we stayed in a cottage, There was no radiator or towel rail in the bathroom so we could not dry our towels. There was a small wardrobe but no storage - we were told the hotel owner had designed it this way - which meant we lived out of our suitcase. Our room was not made up - which was expected as bed and breakfast customers. The mirror in the bathroom is too low to see into. All very minor niggles but… The ugly We arrived 40 minutes early and asked if we could have a cup of tea. We were told no and that obviously we had not read our emails and the hotel was not open so we had to go away and come back after 3. Some of the staff were delightful but we had the same experience of previous guests with one waitress scowling at us and slamming down our plates at breakfast. We came back early one afternoon and decided to have a cup of tea in the nice lounge rather than sit on the bed in our room. The staff said they would send an electrician to our room as the kettle was obviously not working!!! On checkout we were presented with the wrong bill - when we queried it we were told it was correct and had to argue that it was not. No apology received. We mentioned about the room not being made up and we were told we should have phoned the hotel which we did not as it was 10pm when we got back to our room and we had no mobile signal in the cottage - again no apology. When we mentioned the minor items in the room which we thought needed changing we were just told that was the way the owner designed it. When we asked if there was storage in the hotel rooms we were told yes but that we had not paid much so implied we should not expect much. I don’t think £200 per night is cheap. When we queried our bill there were drinks on there. The hotel owner had offered us drinks in the bar the previous evening. We were told that the hotel owner offers lots of people drinks, but expects them to pay for them. It was such a shame as this was the worst experience of all the hotels we stayed at on the NC500. We appreciate there are difficulties obtaining staff but that does not excuse being rude to customers. Some of these things may seem petty but added together they did not make for a good customer experience We have brought all these issues up with the management, but they were not at all interested, Staying in the hotel may be a different experience, but we felt like second class citizens staying in the cottages. I have thought long and hard about writing this review as I do not leave negative reviews, but felt angry about how we were treated.

4. Premier Inn Thurso hotel

Ormile Road, Thurso KW14 7DL Scotland
Excellent
62%
Good
16%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
8%
Terrible
5%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 115 reviews

Premier Inn Thurso hotel

One of our northernmost hotels, Premier Inn Thurso is nestled in the heart of Thurso, a short walk from the banks of the River Thurso and only a mile from the golden sands of Thurso Beach. We're just a five-minute drive from wonderful historic sites like Thurso Castle, Old St Peter's Church and Holborn Head Lighthouse. Take a trip to the nearby Wolfburn whisky distillery or catch a show at the Mill Theatre. Enjoy a bite to eat at our in-house Thyme restaurant and after a bracing day out in Thurso, look forward to a relaxing sleep in one of our super-comfy Hypnos beds.

Value for Money

Reviewed By Abdul Fatta B

A stopover ended with a WOW factor. Warmth welcoming from wonderful staffs, with a clean room and perfectly functioning facilities, and amazing breakfast. Definitely will be booking Premier Inn from hereon whenever I am travelling in UK.

5. Inver Lodge Hotel

Iolaire Road, Lochinver IV27 4LU Scotland
Excellent
67%
Good
19%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
2%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 552 reviews

Inver Lodge Hotel

Our Lodge is surrounded by magnificent views. 21 Sea facing bedrooms, 2 also with mountain views. Spacious public areas and our Restaurant has panoramic views over Lochinver Bay and on towards the Isle of Harris. A truly special hotel, dogs are also welcome.

Excellent Location!

Reviewed By Lynne1153

We stayed here whilst in the local area. Our room was clean and spacious with super views of the harbour. The staff were really friendly and the breakfast was delicious. However, The drinks at the bar were incredibly pricey and I don't think it is a 5* hotel (certainly not compared to other 5* hotels that we have stayed at). The location was excellent and because of that I would definitely stay here again.

6. Altnaharra Hotel

A836, Altnaharra IV27 4UF Scotland
Excellent
58%
Good
21%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
7%
Terrible
4%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 247 reviews

Altnaharra Hotel

Originally a drover's inn, and with a history dating back to the late 17th Century, the Altnaharra Hotel has been attracting fishing enthusiasts from far and wide for over 190 years, earning itself a much-deserved reputation as a world class fishing destination.Retaining many of its period features reflecting its long history, the Altnaharra Hotel has been lovingly and meticulously restored to provide a getaway for fishing and shooting enthusiasts, as well as those looking for a relaxing and tranquil retreat.In addition, The Altnaharra offers two beautifully restored self-catering cottages, each with two bedrooms. We can also offer very affordable rooms in our log cabin, exclusively for LEJOG cyclists and Munro Baggers.

NC500 stopover

Reviewed By Jacky N

Stayed at the hotel as everything on the NC500 route in the area was booked. So pleased we had to venture off the route. The hotel was lovely, miles from anywhere in stunning surroundings. Morag could not have done more to make us feel welcome. Food was exceptional. Really hope to go back again sometime.

7. Altnacealgach Motel

Ledmore, Lairg IV27 4HF Scotland
Excellent
58%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
5%
Terrible
8%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 131 reviews

Altnacealgach Motel

It’s really a 5 star Highland retreat -it’s all you could want or need

Reviewed By arcadiaaurora

Stayed here for 2 nights after a very stressful week and family bereavement. It was simply the best. From the moment we arrived to the moment we left we were spoiled rotten. I was so touched that my gluten free meals were so carefully prepared and Sue (the owner) even did a drive to Ullapool to get Gluten Free gravy. Having just drove that road let me tell you it’s not just like popping to the local Tescos down the road! So thank you Sue. Rooms are by far the best we have seen in this area. For the price it’s even better you will not and can not be disappointed. Bed was so comfy and the rooms have such lovely touches with tartan cushions and cute bedside tables and coasters and little tea tables. Along with a lovely little kitchenette stocked with all you could need. Shower was great and the best water for your hair honestly !! But with the delicious home cooked meals and great gins next door don’t bother cooking for your self. I would opt for the fab breakfast and dinners by Sue. We felt completely at easy and seriously loved every minute there. So much so we booked an extra night. It was just 5 star from start to finish. Loved loved loved it. X as for the views look at the pictures they speak for themselves.

8. Royal Golf Hotel

The First Tee Grange Road, Dornoch IV25 3LG Scotland
Excellent
62%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 364 reviews

Royal Golf Hotel

Just 20 metres from Royal Dornoch's first tee (ranked 2nd best in the world by Golf Digest), The Royal Golf Hotel and Apartments are a golfer's paradise providing a warm Highland welcome and luxury accommodation. Our hotel's 22 four-star, en-suite bedrooms are individually styled, and overlook both the golf course and the Dornoch Firth. Free WiFi internet access. A moments walk away are the hotel's twelve Apartments, with each featuring a fully equipped and modern kitchen, comfortable lounge and contemporary dining area. All apartments feature two large double / twin bedrooms and two bathrooms, with every luxury expected from these superior apartments. The Conservatory restaurant serves a wide variety of delicious, seasonal and locally sourced dishes in an informal and relaxed atmosphere. 'Camerons' lounge bar is a popular 19th hole destination with its well-stocked bar and range of single malt whiskies.

excellent hotel just yards form the first tee

Reviewed By JohnLBath

great for a golf trip. Fantastic staff couldn't have been more helpful. stayed with a group of 14. everything worked including the reservation. Ate there every night. Great service. Very smooth operation

9. Park Hotel

Oldfield, Thurso KW14 8RE Scotland
Excellent
36%
Good
41%
Satisfactory
16%
Poor
4%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 378 reviews

Park Hotel

If you’re looking for a family-friendly hotel in Thurso, look no further than Park Hotel. As your “home away from home,” the hotel rooms offer a flat screen TV and a desk, and getting online is easy, with free wifi available. Guests have access to a 24 hour front desk and newspaper while staying at Park Hotel. If you’re looking for something to do the list is endless , Old St Peter's Church (0.5 mi), and Lindsey Gallacher (0.5 mi) are a nice way to spend some time, and they are all within nce of Park Hotel. The staff at Park Hotel looks forward to serving you during your upcoming visit.

Expensive and noisy

Reviewed By PeterH9064

Booked this hotel 11 months ago at a price up to £20 more than being charged today! 23.15 and so noisy that I have been forced to write this review. Told not to expect to eat in the early evening due to a 40th birthday party event. Very disappointing.

10. The Castletown Hotel

Main Street By Thurso, Castletown, Thurso KW14 8TP Scotland
Excellent
40%
Good
34%
Satisfactory
16%
Poor
6%
Terrible
4%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 357 reviews

The Castletown Hotel

Nestled in the curve of Dunnet Bay, within the picturesque fishing village of Castletown, this family-run hotel is perfect for exploring Caithness, offering quality, affordable accommodation with free Wi-Fi and parking. Run by two local brothers, this attractive 18th Century property is infused with an authentic Scottish charm and it embodies all that is great about traditional Highland Hospitality. Comfort and relaxation are very much the cornerstones of their ethos and they are committed to creating a warm and welcoming ambience. Whether business or leisure, guests are perfectly positioned to make the most of North Scotland’s rugged coastline. The Hotel features 24 en-suite bedrooms, each of which has been lovingly decorated and furnished to a very comfortable standard. All rooms come fully equipped with all the necessary amenities one needs to make their stay as cosy as possible, including free Wi-Fi access, flat screen TV with freeview, hairdryer, duvets and complimentary tea & coffee making facilities. The Hotel offers accommodation to suit all different kinds of traveller, from Classic Double and Superior Double or Twin Rooms to Single and Family options. Specialising in traditional Scottish and British cuisine, the on-site restaurant has garnered an impressive local reputation for its delicious cuisine. Committed to using locally sourced produce wherever possible, there is a strong emphasis on creating quality home-cooked food fresh from the natural larder that is the Scottish Highlands.With its spectacular location and great facilities, the Castletown Hotel is an ideal venue for hosting a wide range of events and functions. Perfect for small parties such as wedding anniversaries, birthday celebrations and family gatherings, the Hotel can supply a tailor made menu to suit all palates and budgets.The Hotel is located in the flagstone village of Castletown, just a 5 minute drive from the A9 at Thurso. What’s more with free on-site parking, it is both convenient and accessible. The nearest city is Inverness, which is roughly a 2 hour 30 minute drive through some of the most spectacular scenery in all of Scotland. Thurso train station provides regular services to Inverness and the hotel is also located on the main bus route to and from the city. There are two car-ferry ports; one at Gills Bay and another at Scrabster, each just a 15 minute drive away. For those travelling by air, Inverness Airport offers flights to a range of national and European destinations, whilst the regional Airport at Wick is just a 20 minute drive away and receives flights from Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Kirkwall. The Hotel is located in the picturesque village of Castletown within Dunnet Bay in the northernmost Highlands of Scotland. Situated just a short distance inland, this historic village features its own local harbour and heritage centre.

Unbelievably Poor!

Reviewed By candycF8122CI

We booked in for a meal a week beforehand. When we arrived they had no knowledge of our booking and we were asked quite rudely if we were staying in the hotel. We were then directed by "Emma" to a waitress who was told "take this man over there!" We hadn't been seated for more than 5 minutes and we were asked three times if we were ready to order! The choice was poor - they took three drinks orders from us before we were finally able to make a proper order, as basic drinks were out of stock. Food choices were poor -everything apart from a couple of dishes had chips with them, and the meal we ordered was supposed to come with chips by had friend potatoes instead. The restaurant had two other couple in, and yet we waited 45 minutes for our meal. Staff were curt, had no real customer service or nice table side manner. One meal was pleasant and the other was far too over seasoned, making it impossible to eat. When we let the waitress know, she went off with no comment and when we came to pay, they knocked of the price of the cheapest drink, despite the meal and drink being virtually untouched, due to the over seasoning of the meal..we were due to stay for a jubilee quiz night that had been advertised, but there was no bunting, no nod to the jubilee and no atmosphere at all. We didn't stay, in fact I will never go to or recommend this restaurant again.

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