Name: Pentland
Address: Princes Street, Thurso, KW147AA, GB

4/10

Poor

03 Aug 2026

Stuart

Worst hotel stay in many years. (I stay in hotels every week). Summed up when staff did not even ask me how our stay was they just took the key. Very run down hotel and staff.

10/10

Exceptional

06 Jul 2026

David

For a one night stop over before the ferry this was great. Fantastic breakfast and great staff

Partner

8/10

Excellent

28 Jun 2026

Laurel

The Pentland is a charming place but the cleaning staff was shorthanded. My bathroom needed a heavy clean. (they never did scrub the floor.) The breakfast is very nice and the restaurant is also very good. The location is great for to and from walking from the train.

Family

8/10

Excellent

23 Jun 2026

Warren

It’s an older hotel and you can tell they work very hard to maintain it. Difficult to judge the amenities as they were all shut by the time of arrival. My only small concern was the bed wasn’t as comfortable as I’d like it.

2/10

Poor

20 Jun 2026

john

It’s rare I will issue an \"avoided at all cost\" (AAAC) review.
It’s clear the town of Thurso is tired & slowly dying, or they simply no longer care. This was night six, out of a nine night trip. Drove over 1200 miles through Scotland, this town was the only one with filth & trash in the streets.
I always read the good and bad reviews before booking a hotel. In this case at Pentland, I just figured you can’t please all the people all the time. At the time, it appeared to be my best option, especially after seeing the other hotels. Looking back, I should have stayed away from the town center.
Check in was OK and was given room # 14. The first thing I noticed was how absolutely filthy and stained the carpet was. The second, was how small and how much the room resembled a hostel or a dorm room from the 70s. There was a strange butt crack looking stain on the single chair? Did a quick look at the bed and immediately noticed 3 off-white pillows and one very yellow pillow? (Yellow from age)
Checked the bathroom; cabinet underneath the sink wouldn’t close and there was mold around the lower 8 inches of the shower enclosure. Shower water pressure was minimal at best, reminded me of an RV. It was late, I was tired and everything else was booked, so I just stayed. Woke up the following morning with many bites on my body?
I’m not saying it was bedbugs, but I certainly am not saying it wasn’t.
Minimal Breakfast buffet sucked
I have pictures to document everything. As I said…..AAAC !!!

10/10

Exceptional

09 Jun 2026

Brittany

Simple room, but very comfortable bed, amazing shower, and a beautiful view of the garden. The breakfast buffet was also top-notch.

Partner

4/10

Poor

02 Jun 2026

Gary

On arrival had to carry cases up to the first floor, no lift no staff to help, first bedroom dirty and had no mirror. We were given another room still not very clean, shower had hardly any pressure and mould around the silicon. We were told there was a restaurant when in-fact it was more like a bar/ cafe. There was a coach party at the hotel and when we went down for breakfast they had left sometime before, so although there was a lot of breakfast food on the buffet heating plates it had dried out and fried eggs hard.
The receptionist at one time apologized for the attitude of one of the members of staff. Probably one of the worst hotel's we have stopped at. There was a owner did ring us later in the day and gave us a 20%,discount for which we were thankful

Partner

8/10

Excellent

29 May 2026

Emma

Staff were lovely and the room was good and clean. The property itself seems quite old but not sure that's an issue at all! Breakfast was included and very good

Friends_and_family Friends

6/10

Pleasant

26 May 2026

Jason

It’s ok. Broken toilet and shower.

Partner

6/10

Pleasant

17 May 2026

laura

Never saw the circular staircase that was pictured in add. Location was great. Room was adequate. bathroom clean and comfortable bed. Dining room chairs were dirty, blinds in dining were dirty. Very slow to be waited on for dinner. We left. Food display seemed clean. Staff nice.

Business

6/10

Pleasant

16 May 2026

Jeremy

If you are a solo traveler, or are under retirement age, this is not the hotel for you. Bus tours are priority and occupy the staffs full attention. I was unable to get a meal at the hotel and actually had to visit other hotels to eat. Try Manor House or Holborn Hotel.

Self

6/10

Pleasant

09 May 2026

VONDA

Older hotel with

4/10

Poor

05 May 2026

Deborah

Room was shabby. Shower didn’t work. Only windows were small and high up in the wall. Reception person had an unfriendly attitude. Room didn’t look at all like photos.

Friends

4/10

Poor

26 Apr 2026

Nick

Breakfast was terrible. Glad we did not have an evening meal there.

10/10

Exceptional

25 Apr 2026

Polly

Lovely staff, good breakfast buffet. I walkable from the train.

Partner

8/10

Excellent

24 Apr 2026

Jonathan

Our room was very small and a little worn. We spent one night there and left the next day for Orkney. Upon returning we stayed a second night and our room was a lot more spacious as well as updated. I would suggest looking at your room upon check-in as the hotel seems to be in different stages of remodel. The breakfast was very good and the food in the restaurant as well.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

22 Apr 2026

Polly

Excellent breakfast, great bar/restaurant with knowledgeable whisky bartender.

Partner

8/10

Excellent

21 Apr 2026

Jayne

We had a fantastic stay! The staff were friendly and welcoming from the moment we arrived. We really enjoyed the great lounge facilities and the cafe bar, which were perfect for relaxing. The beds were super comfortable, and the buffet breakfast was delicious.

Partner

8/10

Excellent

21 Apr 2026

Sonia

The staff were were helpful and friendly. The location was good and the room was clean and comfortable.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

20 Apr 2026

William

Great bar the rooms were clean and the breakfast was lovely we would definitely stay again

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

18 Apr 2026

Rebecca

Room was small but staff were super helpful and lovely and got a cot to the room speedy!

Friends_and_family Family

8/10

Excellent

18 Apr 2026

DONNETTA

The staff was very friendly.

Friends_and_family Family

8/10

Excellent

09 Apr 2026

David

Very nice hotel, center of town, welcoming staff and the food was very good. Floors are a bit creaky due to buildings age. Thurso seems to be a stop for people going on to Orkney, but if i needed a base to see Caithness, i would stay at the Pentland. Single room reasonably priced.

Self

10/10

Exceptional

03 Apr 2026

Roderick

Breakfast was very good good selection of hot and cold and friendly staff on reception and breakfast.

Self

6/10

Pleasant

01 Apr 2026

David

The hotel advertised as dog friendly, but we had to eat our meals in the reception hall, as dogs were not allowed in the bar, or restaurant.

10/10

Exceptional

31 Mar 2026

ann

Breakfast was fantastic plenty for a growing 10 year old

Family_with_children

8/10

Excellent

27 Mar 2026

Fiona

Yes the food was fresh and nice selection

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

25 Mar 2026

Mark

Clean and comfortable. Convenient for town centre and for a walk on the the beach. Street parking available a very short distance away. Warm welcome at reception. Excellent food at the on-site restaurant. Excellent breakfast, with staff member Maureen providing a superb and enthusiastic level of customer service. Will be my first choice for accommodation on any future visit to the area.

Self

6/10

Pleasant

21 Mar 2026

Shelly

Advertised as dog friendly but actually, dogs not allowed in restaurant OR bar. Had to have breakfast in reception area. Room was quite tired.

8/10

Excellent

13 Mar 2026

caite

The rooms are simple and very adequate for the price. Rooms have coffee and tea service in room wihich is nice. The free breakfast was very good with many juices and fresh fruit. The bar attached to the hotel is reasonably priced.

8/10

Excellent

02 Mar 2026

GORKEM

old but nice

Friends

10/10

Exceptional

28 Feb 2026

Paul

Staff attentive and welcoming. Relaxed, friendly place to stay

Self

6/10

Pleasant

17 Feb 2026

Douglas

Bed was comfy and shower was good.
Room was noisy though as there was single glazing.

10/10

Exceptional

10 Feb 2026

Annette

Excellent breakfast and Sunday carvery. Staff very helpful in every area of the hotel.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

26 Jan 2026

Paul

Room was clean, breakfast was nice with pretty decent selection. Staff were fantastic and left you to your own devices. It was lovely.

10/10

Exceptional

02 Dec 2025

Rod

Lovely clean room with very comfortable firm bed, easy check-in with friendly staff. Generous breakfast.

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

28 Nov 2025

Dean

very friendly people great town, great breakfast will go back for sure

Business Self

4/10

Poor

18 Nov 2025

Verified traveler

The bathroom floor looked like it hadn't been swept in a while and the bedding didn’t seem fresh.
On checking in I was informed that I had been given 'an upgrade', but I have stayed in that same room before and it wasn't an upgrade. As for the room next door, I could hear the person in the bath. The rooms must be split by a very thin partition.
I asked for a receipt while paying on arrival but was informed that I would get it in the morning. However the reception wasn't opened at 0720am and when I pressed the bell, no one came. There appeared to be an A4 receipt lying behind the locked counter barrier which was unreachable so I just had to leave without it.

Business Self

6/10

Pleasant

16 Nov 2025

James

The hotel was OK. Could have been a lot better. Could have been worse. I was expecting more and disappointed.

6/10

Pleasant

01 Nov 2025

Rick

The room was adequate, but only just. Very cold, and the radiator in the bathroom had no control valve so it couldn’t be turns on!
The cooked breakfast wasn’t actually bad, but it was all very cold … lying under a warm lightbulb really did it no favours. Nice staff, as usual, but these problems are too great to overlook.

Business

6/10

Pleasant

29 Oct 2025

Joanne

No hot water in shower and room smelled badly of stale smoke.
Staff lovely and evening meal was excellent.

Friends_and_family Family

6/10

Pleasant

26 Oct 2025

LORAINE

EVENING MEALS WERE GOOD

Leisure Self

6/10

Pleasant

20 Oct 2025

Terrence

Great breakfast with wonderful service! Dinner in a separate restaurant onsite was close to the worst food we've had in Scotland with the slowest service imaginable. Room was somewhat dirty with hair all over the bathroom (on the sink, tub, and floor). Property felt dated in a run down sort of way inside and out.

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

15 Oct 2025

Diane

Comfortable room and very helpful staff. Restaurant meals very good and reasonably priced. Enjoyed our stay

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

11 Oct 2025

Terah

Room was clean and bath was spacious.

Self

6/10

Pleasant

10 Oct 2025

Luke

The overall stay was OK but this hotel is in dire need of a refresh. The rooms and bathrooms were very clean but very tired. The bar was also very poorly stocked. Staff were very friendly though, so not all bad.

Friends_and_family Friends

6/10

Pleasant

08 Oct 2025

Anna

It was quiet. It had that old hotel feel but not quite as charming as we had hoped. Felt like needed some refurbishments. However, it was quiet and we felt safe. It was fine. A really lovely Indian restaurant about two blocks away.

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

07 Oct 2025

Paul

Quick check-in, spotless, comfortable, quiet room. Excellent freshly cooked breakfast with local ingredients.
Hotel is handy for shops, bars, eateries, etc.
Less than 5 minutes walk to main bus stop to/from Inverness & 5 minutes walk to train station.
My go to accomodation in Thurso.

Leisure Self

2/10

Poor

05 Oct 2025

ALYSON

Very Disappointing Stay – Would Not Recommend
The Pentland Hotel may be dog friendly, but that’s about the only positive. The carpets reeked of dog and the whole place felt old, tired, and unclean. The building is run down and gave the impression of being dirty – I couldn’t wait to leave. Food was just average, nothing special, and breakfast was “help yourself” with everything looking greasy and deep-fried. For the price, I expected much better. This hotel seriously needs investment and attention to cleanliness. Definitely not somewhere I’d stay again.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

24 Sep 2025

Donna

Friendly service in all. They accomodated an early breakfast before the ferry crossing to Orkney.

10/10

Exceptional

23 Sep 2025

Verified traveler

Great stay in Thurso

Always a good stay at the Pentland, always sleep well and the food is good especially the buffet breakfast, staff are friendly and can’t do enough for you. Dropped a mark only because the bathroom door handle was hanging off which made opening and closing the door difficult but didn’t complain about it but otherwise just perfect, right down to the shortbread treat for tea and coffee. Too many places now don’t provide a biscuit, it’s the small things that matter. Having a wee treat with a cuppa after travelling all day goes a long way, well done guys.

Business

6/10

Pleasant

20 Sep 2025

Dominique

The facilities requires an update on everything. The walls, the carpet, the curtains... everything!

Leisure Family

6/10

Pleasant

20 Sep 2025

Dominique

The room showed water damage, could not open window.
Supper at the in-house restaurant was horrible.

Leisure Family

8/10

Excellent

17 Sep 2025

Robert

Central Thurso stop over

Central hotel in Thurso. Nice enough for an overnight stay. Hotel and Room slightly old fashioned but comfortable enough. No lift and we were up on the 2nd floor and a walk away from the stairs. Good exercise carrying bags up and down

Partner

6/10

Pleasant

14 Sep 2025

Cliff

Old hotel. Everything was average

Partner

6/10

Pleasant

03 Sep 2025

Graeme

Staff were friendly and had a good meal in the bar. En suite was newly done but double room was very small.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

01 Sep 2025

Steven

Barely an overnight stay!

Got here late but the porter sorted my room out very quickly in a friendly and efficient manner. I arrived at the hotel just after midnight so never got to enjoy the dining experience…. At least not until breakfast!

Business

10/10

Exceptional

26 Aug 2025

Joanne

Excellent stay

Ideal location for our trip.
Friendly and very helpful staff.
Amazing food! Especially the Beer battered fish! 😋
Comfy, clean room.
And, my husband pleased as they serve Belhaven!
Will definitely be coming back.

Partner

8/10

Excellent

11 Aug 2025

David

Comfortable hotel

Good value and good location

Self

10/10

Exceptional

27 Jul 2025

Helen

Great staff

We just stayed one night before the ferry to Orkney. The room was comfortable and really clean. Staff were friendly and helpful so top marks to the team.
Great breakfast included in our rate was a bonus. I'd definitely stay here again.

Business

10/10

Exceptional

24 Jul 2025

Rosemary

The members of staff were all friendly and efficient. We were particularly grateful to be able to leave our bags for a few hours after we checked out, so that we could do some sightseeing unencumbered

Leisure Partner

8/10

Excellent

24 Jul 2025

Douglas

Good hotel with comfy bed, friendly and helpful staff as well as a good restaurant.
Rooms are a bit tired and I had a bit of an issue with my shower. But it's a good hotel for the money.

Business

8/10

Excellent

18 Jul 2025

Alan

Hotel is old fashioned and basic ,food and drink was good and staff friendly,

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

12 Jul 2025

Amy

Stayed, two adults, two kids. Room was slightly updated from the pictures- two beds vs the picture showed bunk beds. Overall nice, black out curtains, room enough for all our bags. Breakfast included was tasty and perfect. Would def stay again.

Leisure Family

8/10

Excellent

09 Jul 2025

Paul

Nice Hotel in the centre of town

Older Hotel. Room was smaller than some but ok for a one night stay while travelling through Scotland. Small bathroom though. Street parking was easy enough to find.

Partner

8/10

Excellent

12 Jun 2025

Tim

brief overnight stay en route home to Orkney. Arrived late but night porter was very friendly and helpful and had us checked-in quickly. Breakfast was good with plenty of choice and we were on our way in plenty of time for the ferry.

Partner

4/10

Poor

27 May 2025

Frank

Couldn't fix tv or bath

Leisure Partner

8/10

Excellent

24 May 2025

Carol

Highland Hospitality

Staff were helpful despite room not being ready when arrived. Very good meal.

Partner

4/10

Poor

12 May 2025

Gordon

Heating on 24hrs, unable to switch off. Nobody at checkout after breakfast. Lounge still with dirty cups in the morning. Front door area, wallpaper and paint off wall. Breakfast room very dark. Not recommended.

Partner

8/10

Excellent

02 May 2025

Christopher

Central, warm welcome, clean practical

Leisure Partner

4/10

Poor

26 Apr 2025

Paul

This is an old refurbished hotel. Sloping floors, water damage in the bathroom, shower faucet didn’t work, non working towel heater, hot rooms and up two flights of stairs. A large bus group was there at the same time, also a wedding reception. Heard the band until midnight and breakfast wasn’t replenished quickly enough after the bus group went through. A young gentleman (looked about 14) was on his own trying to keep up with fresh coffee/tea, clean tableware/clean tables; too much for one person. Friendly staff and seemed concerned when we mentioned the non working items. Most likely would look for something more suitable to our liking next time.

Leisure Partner

6/10

Pleasant

24 Apr 2025

Verified traveler

Not too bad but there is better choice.

The hotel is quite old and in need of refurbishment. The first room I was given had very weak water pressure and the facilities felt outdated. Fortunately, Abigail at the reception was very helpful and arranged for me to move to another room, which was much better and had good water pressure. Please note that there is no lift, which might be inconvenient for some guests.

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

12 Apr 2025

susan

Good service
Staff alwsyd polite and friendly.
Laura and mo love

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

10 Apr 2025

s

- Good Service

MO and Laura made the whole stay much more interting. Local knowledge of area and levels of kindness you rarely see these days.
In fact all staff went out of there way to chat and look after us

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

02 Apr 2025

matt

It was well located, great room, staff were very polite and friendly, food was good, a great venue for an overnight stay.

Business Self

6/10

Pleasant

25 Mar 2025

Graham J

There was a noise from the central heating which was unwelcome.

Leisure Friends

6/10

Pleasant

22 Mar 2025

Dougie

They have gone to a great effort in providing a nice ensuite bathroom, with stand alone bath. And good overhead shower. Plus is very spacious. Unfortunately, let themselves down with a lack of soap. No hand soap. When asked at front desk was told to just use body wash provided. They provide his and hers dressing gowns, also a lovely touch. However, they were very creased and very scratchy. Some conditioner and an iron run over them would have made a massive difference. Plus, if you provide a disposable slipper, it will fit in. You are only a few steps away from whatyou called deluxe. Two final tips. The room we stayed in had two broken window panes, and putting heating on even at a low level so that room is not freezing on arrival would be beneficial. Otherwise, was fine.

Partner

6/10

Pleasant

21 Mar 2025

Jim

The staff were friendly and helpful. The hotel needs updating though. Beds were horrible and shower had no water pressure. Only positive besides the staff were the large towels.

Friends_and_family Family

8/10

Excellent

19 Mar 2025

Gordon

Stayed again on trip home was no different than 1st visit,slept well breakdast is brilliant and the food in the var is oretty good as well. Staff cant help enough.

8/10

Excellent

14 Mar 2025

Gordon

Food in bar was very good and staff very helpfull,also breakfast could not ve faulted

10/10

Exceptional

06 Mar 2025

Ian

Cc v

6/10

Pleasant

19 Feb 2025

Mary

Easy to get to by public transport helpful staff. Considering the weather(Feb,cold windy) the whole hotel did not feel warm. My ensuite haď bath with over shower, water was hot but the bath had around rusty mark near the taps, the flooring was buckled and had three steps from the bedroom to bathroom bed was comfortable but the pillows were dreadful and certainly not hotel quality. Nice carpets throughout but the decor everywhere was tired and in need of modernising.
As it was only three stars I was not expecting luxury but I felt it has the potential to look and be much better.

Leisure Self

8/10

Excellent

01 Jan 2025

Jonathan

No complaints apart from rude breakfast service

No complaints about the room or check in. Hotel very quiet. Only let down by the breakfast service by a chef who seemed annoyed by having to serve and was almost comically rude

Business

4/10

Poor

31 Dec 2024

Elizabeth

The Barman Duncan was quite the personality but this was the only good thing really. The breakfast was particularly bad with microwaved bacon, inedible mushrooms and hash browns and a staff member who was so unhappy I didn’t know where to look

Leisure Partner

8/10

Excellent

22 Dec 2024

Verified traveler

A lovely welcoming stay.

A lovely stay with everything in place for travellers. Staff were very welcoming and helpful, which is appreciated for visitors. Good facilities for guests to enjoy a tasty breakfast. lunch and evening meal. I was very appreciative of being able to leave my overnight bag when out for a meeting.

Business

10/10

Exceptional

09 Dec 2024

Harry

Comfortable, classic hotel near town center.

Leisure Self

6/10

Pleasant

05 Dec 2024

Anne

Room Cold

The room was ok but was very cold no heating on when I arrived.

Friends_and_family Friends

10/10

Exceptional

03 Dec 2024

Christopher

Very friendly and helpful staff, a clean room, comfortable bed, and good breakfast

Sensibly priced, and I’ll go back

8/10

Excellent

22 Nov 2024

Gary

I really like staying at The Pentland, ok it’s a bit old and draughty, it could probably do with a bit of tlc but it’s full of character and the staff are top class, super convenient for work too. If I’m staying in Thurso and they’ve got room then I’m staying there :-)

Business Self

10/10

Exceptional

15 Nov 2024

Neil

Friendly service and staff

Business Partner

10/10

Exceptional

15 Nov 2024

Alfred

Great hotel in a great location

Self

8/10

Excellent

08 Nov 2024

Verified traveler

Enjoyable

I enjoyed my stay. The staff were friendly and helpful and the food was decent. The room was clean and the bed was a decent size for a single. Nice towels too. Would definitely stay again.

Business

10/10

Exceptional

15 Oct 2024

Julie

Great location and good customer service

Leisure Family

8/10

Excellent

14 Oct 2024

Andrew

Staff were excellent and very friendly. Dinner and breakfast was good. Room was large but needed some repair. There must of been a leak in the bathroom before as the floor sweaked very badly and needed repair. Shower height adjuster was broken so was too low. Bathroom could of been cleaner.

8/10

Excellent

08 Oct 2024

Laughland

Thurso stay

Located on NC500, so easy to find. Full breakfast was very good. Rooms were clean, but shower was interesting. Water just keep getting hotter and hotter. No elevator so hope you get a room on the first level.

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

30 Sep 2024

Linda

Old hotel but very clean. Excellent breakfast and Sunday dinner. Only negative was room was way too hot and didn’t get a lot of sleep.

Partner

8/10

Excellent

23 Sep 2024

Verified traveler

Very good helpful staff