Northern Sands Hotel

Hotels
8.8 (935 reviews)
Northern Sands Hotel , Dunnet , GB

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Free
Children allowed

Facilities

WiFi available
Free WiFi
Parking
Free Parking
Non-smoking rooms
Restaurant
Heating
Terrace
Family rooms
Luggage storage
See all facilities

Review Highlights

Pros:
Friendly, professional and helpful staff
Excellent restaurant and breakfast
Beautiful location near Dunnet Bay
Comfortable, well-equipped rooms with comfy beds
Spotless, modern rooms
Good on-site facilities (restaurant, pool/bar)
Cons:
Some rooms are small/cramped with limited in-room seating
Small shower cubicles in certain rooms
Limited outdoor relaxing space
Occasional report of mattress odour (one reviewer)

Categories

Cleanliness
9.2
Multiple guests explicitly described rooms as spotless, very clean and modern; one minor comment about a mattress smell from a single reviewer.
Service
9.4
Repeated praise for friendly, professional and helpful staff across many reviews; staff often described as welcoming and attentive.
Location
9.4
Frequently noted as superb/beautiful and very convenient for Dunnet Bay, lighthouse visits, NC500 route and ferry access.
Room Quality
8.2
Rooms often described as comfortable, well equipped and with huge comfy beds, but several mentions of small/cramped rooms, limited seating in-room and small shower cubicles.
Amenities
8.5
Good on-site facilities referenced (restaurant, pool/table, general facilities); one comment noted limited outdoor relaxation space.
Value for Money
7.4
Value was not frequently discussed explicitly. Overall high quality and excellent food, but a few comments about cramped rooms and limited outdoor relaxing lower perceived value for some guests.
Food and Beverage
9.3
Many reviews praise the restaurant and breakfast as excellent, delicious, varied and with a Scottish twist; food repeatedly called very good.
Overall Experience
9
Overall sentiment is very positive (e.g., '10/10', 'best stay', 'loved every minute'); guests describe a genuine, warm atmosphere and highly recommend the hotel.
* This sentiment is summarized by AI based on user reviews.
Updated at: 2026-08-13 03:25

Property Description

Luxurious Accommodations
Experience comfort and style at Northern Sands Hotel, where each room is equipped with a HD Smart TV, private bathroom, and complimentary Scottish toiletries. Enjoy the convenience of free WiFi during your stay.

Delicious Dining Options
Indulge in a variety of menus featuring local produce all year round, including a full Scottish breakfast. Unwind at the on-site bar and guest lounge, complete with a Sky TV for entertainment.

Exciting Local Activities
Explore the picturesque village of Dunnet with activities like walking, surfing, and horse riding. Visit the nearby Dunnet Bay Distillery for a taste of local spirits.

Ready to experience the beauty of Dunnet? Book your stay at Northern Sands Hotel now!

Important information:

All bedrooms are on the first floor and accessed via stairs as there is no elevator.
A deposit may be required at the property.

Check-in and check-out hours:
Check-out: 10:30 AM
Airport code: WIC

Location

Guest Reviews

8.8
Based on 935 reviews
Cleanliness: 9.2
Service: 9.4
Location: 9.4
Room Quality: 8.2
Amenities: 8.5
Value for Money: 7.4
Food and Beverage: 9.3
Overall Experience: 9
T
Trevor • couple • ca
9
Good value for money
Pros:

Great location and friendly staff
Food was excellent

2026-09-18 • via Nuitee
M
Michael • couple • gb
8
Good size room, decent food made up for the bad weather.Staff were very friendly and informative.
Pros:

Big room & bathroom, bed very comfy & bedding spotless. Spacious shower. Evening meal in restaurant was very nice.

Cons:

Seals around shower very mouldy , shame as the bathroom is lovely, coffee with breakfast was awful.

2026-09-16 • via Nuitee
B
Bremner • solo_traveller • gb
9
2026-09-15 • via Nuitee
R
Richard • couple • gb
8
A pleasant stay with good breakfast
Pros:

The room was spacious and comfortable with a good outlook.

The dinner main course was spot on even if it was dhal!

Serving smoked haddock for breakfast was a real treat.

Cons:

The starter of prawn cocktail was actually just some shrimps in sauce. Not a good recommendation for an hotel by the sea.

2026-09-14 • via Nuitee
R
Richard • solo_traveller • gb
8
Pros:

Great location and friendly staff

Cons:

Breakfast was functional and ok but some more options would be good....

2026-09-13 • via Nuitee
C
cerys • couple • gb
7
Good location
Pros:

Staff were extremely helpful

Cons:

Room was small but comfortable

2026-09-12 • via Nuitee
W
wendy • couple • gb
10
Excellent stay
Pros:

Very clean modern property with friendly staff and excellent food

Cons:

Nothing

2026-09-12 • via Nuitee
J
Jörg • couple • de
10
2026-09-12 • via Nuitee
G
Graham • solo_traveller • gb
8
2026-09-11 • via Nuitee
H
Helma • couple • nl
10
Fantastisch
Pros:

De ligging, mooie kamer, comfortabel bed en douche, vriendelijk personeel en prachtige omgeving

Cons:

.

2026-09-11 • via Nuitee
J
Janet • extended_group • gb
10
WillLgo back
Pros:

Great food

2026-09-10 • via Nuitee
P
Philip • solo_traveller • gb
10
Clean, cosy and comfortable.
Pros:

Clean, modern accommodation with cosy rooms and excellent bar, restaurant and breakfast. Staff were friendly and helpful.

2026-09-09 • via Nuitee
I
Iris • couple • nl
9
2026-09-08 • via Nuitee
J
James • solo_traveller • gb
10
Pros:

Breakfast was excellent and the check box option was great, so I only got what I wanted

2026-09-07 • via Nuitee
G
Gerhard • solo_traveller • at
8
2026-09-05 • via Nuitee
A
Andrew • couple • gb
8
X
Pros:

The evening meal was exceptional. Excellent quality and taste. We both had soup starters then lamb. 10/10

Cons:

Nothing

2026-09-02 • via Nuitee
T
Tom • solo_traveller • gb
5
Pros:

The staff were friendly, the location is great for Thurso,

Cons:

The wifi was very poor, it kept dropping off. My room was very small and the mattress appeared smaller than the bed. The food wasn't good, the mac cheese was watery and the breakfast had no seasoning when cooked.

2026-09-02 • via Nuitee
E
Eddie • solo_traveller • gb
10
Pros:

Staff were friendly and helpful. Second time staying here and just a brilliant hotel. Food is excellent 👌 breakfast is fantastic and very well run.

Cons:

Nothing all great

2026-09-01 • via Nuitee
M
Mathilde • solo_traveller • gb
10
Pros:

Great location. Lovely staff.

Cons:

Nothing

2026-08-31 • via Nuitee
S
stephen • couple • ph
9
Pros:

The evening dinner was cooked to perfection. The breakfast was excellent.
Staff were friendly and courteous.

Cons:

Our ensuite bathroom was very small.

2026-08-30 • via Nuitee