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Smoo Cave Hotel
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About
4.5
#2 of 2 guest houses in DurnessLocation
Cleanliness
Service
Value
Finding an ideal family-friendly guest house in Durness does not have to be difficult. Welcome to Smoo Cave Hotel, a nice option for travellers like you.
Free wifi is offered to guests, and rooms at Smoo Cave Hotel offer a flat screen TV.
Guests of Smoo Cave Hotel are also welcome to enjoy free breakfast, located on site. For travellers arriving by car, free parking is available.
If you like pubs, Smoo Cave Hotel is conveniently located near Sango Sands Oasis Restaurant and Bar.
If you’re looking for something to do, John Lennon Memorial Garden (0.4 mi) is a nice way to spend some time, and it is within walking distance of Smoo Cave Hotel.
Smoo Cave Hotel looks forward to welcoming you on your visit to Durness.
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Property amenities
Free parking
Free High Speed Internet (WiFi)
Free breakfast
Fishing
Children Activities (Kid / Family Friendly)
Pets Allowed ( Dog / Pet Friendly )
Non-smoking hotel
Outdoor furniture
Wifi
Bar / lounge
Restaurant
Kids' meals
Special diet menus
Room features
Flatscreen TV
Room types
Non-smoking rooms
Family rooms
Good to know
HOTEL STYLE
Family
Mid-range
Location
Durness IV27 4QB Scotland
Getting there
Car recommended
Places to stay are graded on a 0-100 scale. The higher the grade, the easier it is for travellers to find restaurants and things to do within walking distance.
Grade: 37 out of 100
37
Inverness Airport
120.2 km•
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284Reviews5Q+A41Room tips
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Detailed Reviews
The building looks fine from the outside but the room exceeded expectations from the first impression - lovely soft white bedding and even chocolates on the pillows! We were given an annexe room separate from the main building. It was quite hard to find initially (sticking a number on the door would be handy) but once we did it was great. It was really cosy and welcoming and there was a separate entrance area with fridge, table and sink.
Breakfast and dinner were delicious, using fresh local produce. There are some great walks and beautiful scenery straight out of the door.
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Breakfast and dinner were delicious, using fresh local produce. There are some great walks and beautiful scenery straight out of the door.
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Date of stay: September 2021
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Deceptively nice place. Inside the room we had (room 5) was exceptionally clean, warm and comfortable with all the facilities that you would expect in this type of hotel. Great location just a stones throw from Smoo Cave. Outstanding scenery and some great walking routes nearby. In all our stay was great and I would highly recommend a visit to the restaurant whether you are staying here or not. The home cooked dishes are heaven, especially the steak pie!
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Date of stay: August 2020Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We stopped here for one night and found the hotel perfect for what we needed. There is a large car park beside the hotel, and the associated pub/restaurant. Check-in was at the bar and was quick and efficient.
The room and the shower room both had good sized radiators for cold winter nights and we had a great view north/west and the sea. The bed was really comfortable and we had a very comfortable night's sleep.
Breakfast the next day was all made to order. The porridge was hearty and the cooked breakfast tasty.
We also ate in the pub restaurant in the evening, and I've left a separate review on the listing for it.
Overall it felt slightly expensive, but you're virtually as far north & west as you can get in Scotland, and there's not a huge choice of alternatives!
The room and the shower room both had good sized radiators for cold winter nights and we had a great view north/west and the sea. The bed was really comfortable and we had a very comfortable night's sleep.
Breakfast the next day was all made to order. The porridge was hearty and the cooked breakfast tasty.
We also ate in the pub restaurant in the evening, and I've left a separate review on the listing for it.
Overall it felt slightly expensive, but you're virtually as far north & west as you can get in Scotland, and there's not a huge choice of alternatives!
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Date of stay: September 2021
Value
Rooms
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Three friends and l booked into the Smoo Cave Hotel,for 2 nights,as we were doing the NC500 route.Frances,the owner greeted us with a very warm welcome,we booked the annex for 2 nights.The annex consisted of a double bed and 2 single beds,we also had a small kitchen area with microwave,Tea/coffee/hot chocolate and biscuits,and milk provided.We all had our evening meal in the hotel,Excellent choice of food on the menu,one of our group was a vegan,and had no problem in finding a meal on the menu.
We were charged £175 pounds,for a 2 night stay for two,that included our bed and breakfast,the dinning room is for the residents only,along with the conservatory for drinking in,non residents can not use these areas.The hotel is small and cosy,all of the staff are very friendly and helpful.
What an excellent breakfast the full Scottish Breakfast,was really nice,along with the other choice of fruit,cereal and juices.No problems with parking,Hugh/Frances,the owners and staff,were all pleasant and helpful,which made our stay very memorable.
I would highly recommend a stay at this hotel,on behalf of our group l would like to say a big thank you to Frances/Hugh,and all staff for an excellent stay.
Good evening meals/breakfast,plenty on offer from both menus,you can also drink in the bar,our play darts.
Our room was very comfortable,plenty of towels supplied,if you need anything,just ask a member of the staff.
We hope to return soon,this hotel is close to the Smooth Cave and beaches.
We were charged £175 pounds,for a 2 night stay for two,that included our bed and breakfast,the dinning room is for the residents only,along with the conservatory for drinking in,non residents can not use these areas.The hotel is small and cosy,all of the staff are very friendly and helpful.
What an excellent breakfast the full Scottish Breakfast,was really nice,along with the other choice of fruit,cereal and juices.No problems with parking,Hugh/Frances,the owners and staff,were all pleasant and helpful,which made our stay very memorable.
I would highly recommend a stay at this hotel,on behalf of our group l would like to say a big thank you to Frances/Hugh,and all staff for an excellent stay.
Good evening meals/breakfast,plenty on offer from both menus,you can also drink in the bar,our play darts.
Our room was very comfortable,plenty of towels supplied,if you need anything,just ask a member of the staff.
We hope to return soon,this hotel is close to the Smooth Cave and beaches.
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Date of stay: September 2022
Value
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip:Â The annex would be great for a family.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We arrived to check in, we found no one about, except noise in the kitchen so we shouted, eventually someone came. Maybe a bell on reception would be a good idea. The room was nice and clean with great views.
We went for a drink in the bar, there were no drinks menus about so my husband went to the bar with his mask on to check out the beers, he was told to sit down as table service only, if this was the case why did it have signs on the bar saying ordering point and collection points. I know these are difficult times but communication is the key. We ordered our drinks I was told there was only one Rose available which was Zinfandel, which is too sweet for me, so I opted for a white wine that isn't really my preference. As more people came in people were going to the bar for there orders and nothing was said to them. A couple came in and tried to order food to eat in the bar and were told that they could not, even though other people were eating in there. We went through to the restaurant, and to my surprise there was a different type of Rose available by the glass. I did mention this on my departure. We had a good nights sleep in the room. Breakfast was disappointing, the coffee was luke warm served in a cup and was cheap instant, my fried egg was hard. This was the most expensive place we stayed on our NC500 trip. Unfortunately there are not alot of places to stay around Durness, so if standards drop, there are always people booking to stay.
We went for a drink in the bar, there were no drinks menus about so my husband went to the bar with his mask on to check out the beers, he was told to sit down as table service only, if this was the case why did it have signs on the bar saying ordering point and collection points. I know these are difficult times but communication is the key. We ordered our drinks I was told there was only one Rose available which was Zinfandel, which is too sweet for me, so I opted for a white wine that isn't really my preference. As more people came in people were going to the bar for there orders and nothing was said to them. A couple came in and tried to order food to eat in the bar and were told that they could not, even though other people were eating in there. We went through to the restaurant, and to my surprise there was a different type of Rose available by the glass. I did mention this on my departure. We had a good nights sleep in the room. Breakfast was disappointing, the coffee was luke warm served in a cup and was cheap instant, my fried egg was hard. This was the most expensive place we stayed on our NC500 trip. Unfortunately there are not alot of places to stay around Durness, so if standards drop, there are always people booking to stay.
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Date of stay: September 2020Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We booked this hotel at the very last minute, they couldn’t accommodate us in the main hotel but offered us a very comfortable room in a cottage they have not far from the hotel. I was dubious but needn’t have been, it was a lovely room with everything we needed and what a warm welcome we received from the staff, a great bunch of people who couldn’t do enough for their guests. To add to our pleasure the food here is really good, we had a great meal at an affordable price.
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Date of stay: July 2021
Rooms
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip:Â An unexpected and fun find with great staff and even better food
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
A small hotel with a very friendly welcome - a great touch - and great hospitality shown
The very comfortable and very clean family room was just what we needed after a rough night in Thurso the previous evening.
Full Scottish breakfast was delicious and of high quality.
The hotel is ideally situated near Smoo Cave, and there's also a path through the surrounding fields which leads to the coast - magnificent views abound.
Regret staying here only one night. Fully recommend to anyone.
The very comfortable and very clean family room was just what we needed after a rough night in Thurso the previous evening.
Full Scottish breakfast was delicious and of high quality.
The hotel is ideally situated near Smoo Cave, and there's also a path through the surrounding fields which leads to the coast - magnificent views abound.
Regret staying here only one night. Fully recommend to anyone.
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Date of stay: August 2023Trip type: Travelled with family
Value
Location
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Excellent venison burgers and vegetarian burger at a budget price Other good choices on menu Very friendly staff . Would recommend it. Will definitely be back Dog friendly Plenty of parking Great location Can’t find anything to fault with this hotel
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Date of stay: April 2022Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The young lady that greeted us and checked us in was brilliant, really helpful, even offered to take our cases up which in our two weeks of hotels she was the only one to offer this.
The rest of the staff are nice and friendly, our evening meal was very good and so was breakfast as I had the haddock and poached eggs. Unfortunately there were no pastries which is what my wife wanted.
Our room was ok, nice and clean but on the small side, the shower room was like a wet room and the sink was very tiny.
There is a bar there.
Shame it was cloudy because our waitress said that star gazing up there is incredible as there is no light pollution and it would have been the icing on the cake to see the northern lights.
The rest of the staff are nice and friendly, our evening meal was very good and so was breakfast as I had the haddock and poached eggs. Unfortunately there were no pastries which is what my wife wanted.
Our room was ok, nice and clean but on the small side, the shower room was like a wet room and the sink was very tiny.
There is a bar there.
Shame it was cloudy because our waitress said that star gazing up there is incredible as there is no light pollution and it would have been the icing on the cake to see the northern lights.
Read more
Date of stay: September 2021Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:Â Loads of parking
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Stayed here one night during our North Coast bicycle ride in late August. The room was a generous size, with a bathroom and heated towel rack, which was great for drying gear. They have bicycle storage in a secure shed behind the hotel. The onsite pub and restaurant was very good, and staff very friendly. Smoo Cave is around the corner, but not really walkable, especially on a rainy day.
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Date of stay: August 2023Trip type: Travelled with friends
Location
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Email the Lady, she will tell u within a day!
I think dogs are welcome
Stay in the cottage across road from Hotel
Not a lot of accommodation in the area so book now !!!
"Stay a few nights, Durness is a great place to explore from. Lots in the area to see and do. "Read full review
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LOCATION
United KingdomScotlandScottish HighlandsCaithness and SutherlandDurness
NUMBER OF ROOMS
2
Prices are provided by our partners, and reflect total costs of the stay, including all taxes and fees known to our partners. Please see our partners for more details.
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Claim Your ListingSMOO CAVE HOTEL | UPDATED 2024 Guesthouse Reviews (Durness, Scotland) - Tripadvisor
Frequently Asked Questions about Smoo Cave Hotel
Which popular attractions are close to Smoo Cave Hotel?
Nearby attractions include Durness Beach (1.5 km), Balnakeil Beach (3.3 km), and Smoo Cave (0.3 km).
What are some of the property amenities at Smoo Cave Hotel?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include free wifi, free breakfast, and an on-site restaurant.
What food & drink options are available at Smoo Cave Hotel?
Guests can enjoy free breakfast, an on-site restaurant, and a lounge during their stay.
What are some restaurants close to Smoo Cave Hotel?
Conveniently located restaurants include Smoo Cave Hotel, Cocoa Mountain, and Sango Sands Oasis Restaurant and Bar.
Are pets allowed at Smoo Cave Hotel?
Yes, pets are typically allowed, but it's always best to call ahead to confirm.
Are there any historical sites close to Smoo Cave Hotel?
Many travellers enjoy visiting Ceannabeinne Township Trail (1.0 km).
Is Smoo Cave Hotel accessible?
Yes, it offers wheelchair access. For specific enquiries, we recommend calling ahead to confirm.