With a stay at Sandra's Backpackers Hostel in Thurso, you'll be within a 5-minute drive of Scrabster Ferry Terminal and Thurso Library. .This hostel is 0.2 mi (0.4 km) from Thurso Beach and 0.3 mi (0.4 km) from UHI North Highland - Environmental Research Institute.
Sandra's Backpackers Hostel offers 6 accommodations. Guests can surf the web using the complimentary wireless Internet access. Guests can make use of the shared/communal kitchen. Rooms have partially open bathrooms. Bathrooms include showers.
The recreational activities listed below are available either on site or nearby; fees may apply.
Make yourself at home in one of the 6 guestrooms. Prepare your meals in the shared/communal kitchen. Complimentary wireless internet access is available to keep you connected. Bathrooms with showers are provided.
This smoke-free hostel features hiking/biking trails nearby.
Featured amenities include luggage storage, laundry facilities, and coffee/tea in a common area.
Languages
English
Property amenities
Internet
Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
Available in some public areas: Free WiFi
Parking and public transport
No on-site parking available
Food and drink
Coffee/tea in a common area
Family friendly
Laundry facilities
Guest services
Front desk (limited hours)
Laundry facilities
Luggage storage
More
Smoke-free property
Room amenities
Bedroom
Bed sheets
Heating
Bathroom
Bathroom (partially open)
Shower
Towels
Entertainment
TV
Food and drink
Shared kitchen access
Policies
Check-in
Check-in start time: 11 AM; Check-in end time: 10:30 PM
Late check-in subject to availability
Minimum check-in age: 18
Check-out
Check-out before 10 AM
Special check-in instructions
Guests must contact the property in advance for check-in instructions; front desk staffed during limited hours
To make arrangements for check-in please contact the property ahead of time using the information on the booking confirmation
If you are planning to arrive after 10:30 PM please contact the property in advance using the information on the booking confirmation
Access methods
Front desk (limited hours)
Pets
Pets stay free
Service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees
Welcoming dogs only
Restrictions apply; for more information contact the property at the number on the booking confirmation
Children and extra beds
Children are welcome
Rollaway/extra beds are not available
Payment types
Important information
You need to know
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travellers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.
Rating 10 - Excellent. 13 out of 33 reviews
10 - Excellent
13
Rating 8 - Good. 10 out of 33 reviews
8 - Good
10
Rating 6 - Okay. 9 out of 33 reviews
6 - Okay
9
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 33 reviews
4 - Poor
0
Rating 2 - Terrible. 1 out of 33 reviews
2 - Terrible
1
7.8/10
Cleanliness
7.8/10
Staff & service
8.8/10
Amenities
7.8/10
Property conditions & facilities
8.4/10
Eco-friendliness
Reviews
6/10 Okay
Mark
12 Sept 2024
Disliked: Staff & service
My stay was saved by interaction with other travellers. The kitchen facilities were fine but the property as a whole was tired. I had what I needed but it is need of just a little bit of effort from the (new?) owners.
The stay was good keep up the good work. Was a nice stay near railway station and shops.
Lord Ivor
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2022
6/10 Okay
George
23 Jun 2021
Says it on the tin!
Almost cheap and almost cheerful, not the worst place I’ve stayed, but does what it says on the tin, and does it well!
Nicely situated in the area, and just what you need for a backpacking stopover wash and brush-up.
George
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2021
6/10 Okay
Rachel
Travelled with group
12 Sept 2020
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Lovely owners!
This is a basic budget friendly but safety conscious hostel. Kitchen access at the moment is limited but the owners were really good at helping us out!
The stay was exactly what I needed, a good night's sleep in a solid hostel. It was offseason when I went, so not too rowdy, but I can imagine it's a great place for a party during the season. The kitchen is massive and has tons of stuff to cook your own meal - the lounge is connected so a good place to drink with some mates. The owner is super nice as well! I would definitely stay here again if I ever got the opportunity. Thanks team!
They had overbooked the rooms somthere was a bit of panic at first. Room was adequate for what we paid but wouldn’t do any harm to have a proper clean, especially a bit of vacuuming. Free breakfast was a surprise and a nice bonus but could do with someone checking the items as bread was mouldy and butter looked horrible. But there was plenty extra so I just opened a new one. I know some would say you get what you pay for but I’ve stayed in plenty of hostels and paid less and it’s been cleaner. Does for a couple of nights if you’re not that fussy and just looking for somewhere dry.
It has a good relation cost-comfort.
All areas seemed pretty clean, nice kitchen with utensils to use.
To improve, maybe bigger beds as they are a little small for two persons. The room is turned to the main street, and you may wake up in the middle of the night with road traffic noise, specially in the summer, when you leave your window open.
It's decent for a hostel. Our room was not the double we had reserved, but James offered a refund and to connect us with a local B & B but we decided to stay at the hostel. They offer self serve breakfast cereals in the kitchen, the shower was hot, the WiFi worked and the sheets were clean.
Thurso is a town you can probably skip, but there aren't a lot of other options for larger settlements on the north coast section of the NC500, and it does seem the most populated. It may be the only one with Chinese takeout open until 11:30pm at least, and with a pub open after midnight. Sandra's itself is fine, nothing to write home about. They accommodated my late arrival with minimal griping and the place itself was ok. There is street noise all night and hallway noise from the flooring whenever someone walks by, which, if you're staying in one of the single rooms, is frequent because you're near the kitchen. WiFi didn't work in the room. Good budget option if you're passing through.