Sandras Backpackers





7.0Good
(870 Ratings)
"Our hosts were very hospitable, we'd booked the late train from Nairn to Thurso so arrived around 10:20pm, the reception sorted us out quickly and got us set up with our room. We hadn't eaten so was g..."
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4-Star Hostel
Great for petsBring all your friends and family, even the furry ones
Well priced for this locationPriced under area average
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Sandra's Backpackers is set in the center of Thurso, the UK’s most northerly town. This simple hostel offers rooms and dorms with free Wi-Fi, shared bathrooms, free bed linen and towels.
Shuttle available
Golf course (within 2 mi)
Free WiFi/internet
Free Parking
Non-smoking
Pets allowed
Heating
Kitchen
WiFi/Internet
Shared living spaces
Laundry services
Fire alarm
Fire extinguisher
Cleaning products
$$$$
7.0Good
(870 Ratings)
"Our hosts were very hospitable, we'd booked the late train from Nairn to Thurso so arrived around 10:20pm, the reception sorted us out quickly and got us set up with our room. We hadn't eaten so was g..."
Verified guestDon't miss out! Price and availability may change
Ratings and reviews
10.0 / 10.0
Our hosts were very hospitable, we'd booked the late train from Nairn to Thurso so arrived around 10:20pm, the reception sorted us out quickly and got us set up with our room. We hadn't eaten so was gonna stop by the Chinese next door for a quick bite before we went up but the man at reception said we could eat in at the dining area which was much appreciated. Also the next day we checked out and were allowed to stay in as long as needed as we were going to Orkney and our ferry wasn't till 7pm.
So all in all it was a very pleasant experience.
8.0 / 10.0
Friendly & helpful comms before arriving then shown around with genuine courtesy by the lovely host once there. Kitchen large, plenty of worktop/table space/seating and 2 cookers. Quirky and characterful. Few minutes walk to/from railway station. Lucky enough to have an upbeat & chatty dorm-mate. Genuinely pleasant hostel experience, even if it's in the back of beyond!
7.0 / 10.0
It's familiar because I have been a few times so the staff know me.
The top bunk beds sounded creaky which was a bit scary and I wasn't sure how safe they were.
The shower in our room was ok but there was a lot of water on the bathroom floor so I suspect things could be improved.
7.0 / 10.0
In great location, handy, and James was most helpful and amenable. Breakfast easy to self serve.
It's very hostel like. Well used, no curtain, just a blind so light all night. Bed linens clean. The whole place is just a bit tired. Pretty much as I expected for a hostel, but pretty expensive at over £70 for a night for a private room compared to other local b&b's.
7.0 / 10.0
The kitchen was very well stocked with lots of cereals, bread. Cheeses, various spreads. Yoghurt etc
Please of fresh food. James the owner was very helpful and friendly.
7.0 / 10.0
Close to Restaurants Central, parking available close by.
Creaking Boards
3.0 / 10.0
The family who owns the property was super nice.
The ceiling leaked water at 5am. When I got to my room at midnight, there was water all over the floor. You need a phone number to get assistance which isn't practical for foreign travelers with esims. There never was anyone at the front desk.
10.0 / 10.0
Nice combination between hostel and b&b
8.0 / 10.0
Was a one night sleepover to catch the early boat. My needs were simple. Was a very comfy stay, though and I loved the kitchen. Had all I needed. Safe storage for the bike too.
All was fine.
4.0 / 10.0
Nothing
Mattress was not good
Did not manage to sleep well
It was steep on one side and felt like i will fell down
8.0 / 10.0
Lovely small hostel, owners were very friendly, well stocked kitchen and included breakfast.
Could use a couple of cushions in the dinning area
8.0 / 10.0
Close to station, run by the family. Being alone in the dormitory gave me utmost freedom.
The kitchen was clean but needs to be organised. Plenty of cereals ,milk, jams and butter but all opened.
5.0 / 10.0
It was cheap
It was not that clean
8.0 / 10.0
I didn't have breakfast
Nothing
9.0 / 10.0
Central location, great kitchen with communal eating and place to meet and relax, comfy bed and clean facilities with a welcoming host.
Unfortunately no towels because of weather.
10.0 / 10.0
Very caring friendly staff.. down up earth, family run business. We were met half way up the street at 10:30 by the friendly James. Breakfast was help yourself..the hostel was home from home and had great kitchen facilities.
Nothing it was all good,
7.0 / 10.0
The location is at center city with easy parking and food/grocery shopping choices. The staff was very helpful to explain the street parking rules to avoid fining.
Wifi signal is very weak. Facilities are more hostel style: functional, basic, but not really comfortable.
9.0 / 10.0
The amazing selection they had of breakfast foods for everyone , and central location
Would have got wet getting to my room if it was raining
6.0 / 10.0
We did not expect a lot, knowing that we booked a hostel, not a hotel, so all was quite acceptable and friendly.
Floorboards above us were very sqeaky and the room was next to the entrance door, hence the room was not so quiet.
6.0 / 10.0
Good location,
Communal kitchen / diner
Free breakfast
En-suite facilities
Room was old and tired
10.0 / 10.0
Love the place and facilities, clean and quiet so you can laugh loud all over the town can hear you ❤️
None
8.0 / 10.0
The house has a lot of personality! I liked the little 'odd' things around the rooms. They made me feel right at home. The kitchen had a great deal of equipment that you could use! The owner is extremely friendly and helpful. And I think my personal favorite was the bedding - I don't think I've ever liked blankets and pillows as much as I did here. I felt really welcomed and hope I can come back soon!
8.0 / 10.0
A large kitchen area, a fridge full of food, a cupboard with food left behind, wet tea towels, flags from countries around the world on the wall, video cassettes for rainy days, squeaky handles on the doors, creaky floor in the room, lumpy mattress on the bed, a heater that cranks up in the evening, an exhaust fan not working in the bathroom, a small shower recess, plenty of instant hot water…. Yes, this is definitely a hostel!
There is no internal staircase. Access to floors 2 & 3 is by external stairs which are open to the weather. Take care using them, especially when I rains.
3.0 / 10.0
The location and James was very helpful. Plenty of food for breakfast.
Everything was really old. The shower water was either very hot or very cold, the floors were really noisy. The doors squeaked constantly. There was only 2 bowls to have cereal in and they were very old and marked.. No barh mat was supplied. Tv in bedroom kept losing channels. The place is really old and rundown and expensive. Very disappointed in what I had to pay for the two nights. Definitely not value for money and I would not stay here again or recommend to anyone.
8.0 / 10.0
Locating , kitchen are nice
Room no 2. Toilet exhaust fan is not working and water is too hot
10.0 / 10.0
Excellent location in the centre of Thurso, a shame about the lack of available parking, however reservable spaces are available in a car park near by. We travelled by motorbike and the owners were very accommodating for our needs. The rooms were small but clean and provided everything we needed for a very comfortable stay. Indian restaurants, chip shops, pubs and convenience stores all within a very short distance made our stay even easier. I look forward to staying again on our future adventures around the stunning scenery that surrounds Thurso.
8.0 / 10.0
The hostel is conveniently located in the centre of Thurso, close to the bus stops and not far from the railway station. It's a taxi or moderate hike to the Scrabster ferry terminal. There are places to eat close-by, from a fish and chip shop across the street to a Sri Lankan themed cafe/restaurant and some good, if expensive, hotel restaurants. The hostel does a generous free breakfast on a help yourself basis. Dorms are reasonably comfortable, with all bedding provided. There are no curfews or similar hassles. Staff are friendly and helpful when present.
The hostel staff have other calls on their time and aren't usually in evidence, though there are contact phone numbers on the front door. Some might be concerned that the dorms can only be accessed up two steep-ish flights of iron stairs up the outside of the building.
9.0 / 10.0
It was a great place to stop for the night. Very accommodating staff, cycle storage offered, breakfast provided (appreciated the vegan options for milk and butter), and great location.
I found it a bit cold in the room and wasn’t able to adjust the heating, so would’ve preferred a thicker duvet (stayed in early April, and we’re not allowed to use our own bedding)
7.0 / 10.0
Was great location, right in the centre, staff were really friendly.
It's pretty old furniture and not the cleanest, could be better, but ok for one night sleep.
The window in room number 7 wasn't closing so I had to sleep with my window open(being alone in the dorm) was a bit chilly
8.0 / 10.0
The View was nice
There wasnt a bin in the room nor in the bathroom
10.0 / 10.0
Self service breakfast and kitchen was available. We liked it so much we asked to extend our stay twice instead of staying with family. Very nice. Definitely stay there again when I come back to Scotland.
There really wasn't any problems.
9.0 / 10.0
The man who received us is a very good man, welcoming and attentive. The place is well organised with a nice place to cook and eat.
None
9.0 / 10.0
Slept well, nice meeting other guests
Green emergency light kept room to light
2.0 / 10.0
The kitchen was overall in good shape and clean
We were staying in Room 2 which was bed bug infested. It looks like the little pest dwells there for a while now. The rooms were not very clean but ok for a hostel. If you stay there check the bed frame for signs of bed bugs.
8.0 / 10.0
good location and breakfast
wifi was weak in room 1 but fine in kitchen
8.0 / 10.0
Almost everything
Shower didn’t work properly
Main bedroom light would not switch off
7.0 / 10.0
it’s good for what it is. you have what you need in the room and it’s generally clean. it’s a good central location but not on the main road.
the shared facilities were not as clean as I’d have liked. However, it could have been a lot worse.
FAQs
Is parking included with this hostel?
Parking is not specified as an available amenity at Sandras Backpackers. For more information, we encourage you to contact the property about where to park.
Is there a pool at this hostel?
We didn’t find pool listed as an amenity for this hostel. It may be worth double checking if a pool is important for your stay.
Is Sandras Backpackers pet friendly?
Yes! This hostel is pet-friendly. For more information, we recommend contacting the booking provider about animal policies.
What amenities are available at Sandras Backpackers?
We found 14 amenities for this rental. This includes shuttle available, golf course (within 2 mi), free wifi/internet, free parking, and non-smoking.
