Sandras Backpackers

Location: 24 Princes Street, Thurso, gb

Star Rating: 4 Stars

Property Type: Hostel/Backpacker accommodation

About this Property

Important Information

Policies

Check-in: 12:00 PM - 10:00 PM

Check-out: 10:00 AM

Amenities & Facilities

• Offsite parking discounted rates available
• Non-smoking rooms
• Pets allowed
• Luggage storage
• Non-smoking throughout
• Shared lounge/TV area
• Shuttle service (additional charge)
• Shared kitchen
• Staff adhere to local safety protocols
• Guest rooms disinfected between stays
• Cleaning standards that are effective against Coronavirus
• Physical distancing rules followed
• Hand sanitizer in guest room and key areas
• Cashless payment available
• Fire extinguishers
• First aid kit available
• Smoke alarms
• Shared stationery like menus, pens are removed
• Guest room sealed after cleaning
• Process in place to check health of guests
• Access to health care professionals
• Screens / Barriers between staff and guests for safety
• 24-hour security
• Free wired internet
• Golfing on site
• Offsite parking discounted rates available
• Internet access
• Covered parking
• Accessible shuttle
• No accessible shuttle

Rooms Available

• Single Room with Private Bathroom

  This room has a TV, free Wi-Fi, free bed linen and towels, and a private bathroom.

  Max Occupancy: 1 (1 Adults)

  • Shower
  • Seating Area
  • Toilet
  • Private bathroom
  • Linen
  • Toilet paper

• Triple Room

  This room has a TV, free Wi-Fi, free bed linen and towels, and access to a shared bathroom.

  Max Occupancy: 3 (3 Adults)

  • Shower
  • Seating Area
  • Toilet
  • Private bathroom
  • Linen

• Bed in 4-Bed Dormitory Room

  This dorm has a TV, free Wi-Fi, free bed linen and towels, and access to a shared bathroom.

  Max Occupancy: 1 (1 Adults)

  • Shower
  • Toilet
  • Private bathroom
  • Linen
  • Toilet paper

• Double Room with Private Bathroom

  This room has a TV, free Wi-Fi, free bed linen and towels, and a private bathroom.

  Max Occupancy: 2 (2 Adults)

  • Shower
  • Seating Area
  • Toilet
  • Private bathroom
  • Linen

• Bed in 6-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room

  Max Occupancy: 1 (1 Adults)

  • Shower
  • Toilet
  • Private bathroom
  • Toilet paper

• Twin Room

  The unit offers 2 beds.

  Max Occupancy: 2 (2 Adults)

Guest Reviews

• Devisser (4/5): - Nothing Dirty. No towels etc.
• Frank (8/5): -
• Richard (8/5): One night stay in Sandra's hostel - Position in the town. Nice well stocked kitchen/common room Broken TV in room. Window didn't shut. Sent msg on phone number displayed in window - no response! (Try both numbers)
• Halloran (8/5): Leon Halloran's Review of Sandras Backpackers - The kitchen area upstairs was welcoming and had everything needed for cooking including ingredients and sauces in the fridge. My room downstairs was cozy and the on sweet was convenient. With the Hostel located in the centre of town, it made everything nearby accessible, which was very helpful l considering my late arrival. If I'm stayingin Thurso in future, I will look at booking in here again Although the Bathroom was useful, there weren't any towels to use. Additionally the spray shield for the shower was stained. The final issue I had was that there was no bin in the main room, so any waste had to go into the small bathroom bin.
• Kathryn (1/5): Avoid at all costs. Abusive staff. Unsafe for women. Not secure, unhygienic, lack of heating. - Absolutely nothing positive to report. This place is a horror show and the staff are rude and abusive, and a danger to female travellers. Shame on Booking.com for continuing to list this location. I experience several serious incidents and safety concerns during my stay at Sandras Backpackers. These include poor security of the premises, lack of heating and unhygienic conditions, and most worryingly -- abuse from and intimidation by two members of male staff. The front door key did not function correctly, and the door failed to lock properly, frequently blowing open and leaving the building unsecured. When I raised these concerns with the staff, particularly noting my vulnerability as a solo female traveller, their response was dismissive and aggressive. Furthermore, the living conditions were unacceptable. There was no heating provided during the night or morning, which, combined with the unsecured front door, made the accommodation extremely cold. The bathroom heater was also non-functional, and the room was so cold I was unable to shower. The kitchen smelled sour and was in an unsanitary condition. I got almost no sleep, feeling concerned for my safety and being extremely cold. Most distressingly, when I attempted to discuss these issues with the owner and his assistant the following morning, both became hostile. One staff member lunged at me and attempted to grab my arm, and I was repeatedly shouted at. I felt so unsafe that I had to ask the individual to move away from the exit so that I could leave the premises safely. He even had to shew his aggressive, shouty counterpart into the kitchen in an attempt to shut him up. Had I not had a train to catch urgently, I would have reported these individuals to the Thurso police. I am willing to do so retrospectively if the need arises (e.g. supporting the accounts of other abused / endangered travellers). I raised my concerns with Booking.com, requesting a full refund but received a very poor response. Female travellers are not safe at this location. Sandras Backpackers should not be listed on Booking.com.
• MarkyGriffin (8/5): Value for Money. - Great value for money in a central location.
• John (7/5): Clean and convenient location. - The location is convenient. The room was very clean and there is a communal kitchen to use. The first impression is off putting as we had to track down the owner and it is untidy outside.
• Pat (8/5): I was only there for one night and it was fine. - Well-equipped kitchen, helpful host. Room was quite basic.
• Laura (6/5): Shabby but friendly. - Staff was very friendly, there was free food offered, large kitchen dining room, bedding was comfortable. Kinda old and grungy. Shabby. Needs updating and refurbishing, painting, deep cleaning.
• anne-lise (6/5): - Très bon emplacement près de la mer, du centre et de la gare. Gentillesse du propriétaire La douche très bruyante, la chambre petite. Confort très moyen. Ne vous attendez pas à quelque chose d' extraordinaire mais ce n'est pas très cher. Petit déjeuner assez copieux mais pas de fruits
• McDonnell (8/5): - Location Awkward contacting the owner to get let in.
• Warren (3/5): Small town attitudes and very intrusive. Stay for a day or two if you have to and leave. It’s not worth it. - It’s one of the only hostels in the area. The family owned business has a very small town attitude. Very nosy and intrusive. Most of the items in there facility are broken and are sitting collecting dust. Ie all the tv’s, coffee makers. The place needs a lot of maintenance and the family is unable to perform or unwilling to have good people come in and do the work right.
• Saqlain (10/5): -
• Oldrik (8/5): - location is the best
• Andrea (8/5): We enjoyed our stay - It was a great location for getting around. The facilities were basic but had everything we needed. Good hot shower. Plenty of Breakfast, helpful staff. We could feel the springs in the mattress but it wasn't too bad
• Andy (6/5): Clean,comfortable and friendly staff - Good location for the morning boat to Orkney Room was clean ,comfortable and more than adequate. Kitchen facilities excellent ...all you need and more Just needs a bin in the room
• Guest (3/5): -
• BarbeeK (10/5): - Convenient helpful staff
• Sai Venkat (10/5): -
• Bridget (9/5): -
• Jonathan (6/5): -
• Malgorzata (6/5): -
• David (8/5): - Friendly Nothing
• wallace (8/5): Thurso good I'd go back - Location, had a decent sleep, good kitchen facilities, and had good chat with the owner who was very hospitable No complainrs
• Klesun (6/5): -
• Klesun (6/5): The hosts are nice, but it smells there - - The hosts are very nice people - The hot water was working fine in my room - The bedsheets were clean - You are not allowed to eat takeway food in your room, but the kitchen was rather smelly, making it uncomfortable to eat there. The room was also kinda smelly at first, like other people wrote: it smelled as gym locker room, but you get used to it quickly. - The sound isolation in the room is poor, you hear every step of people coming in and out of the hallway as if there were no door between you and them at all. - it was rather chilly, especially in the bathroom, but thankfully the heater was on during the night, so it was not too bad
• Elizabeth (5/5): - N/a
• kun (10/5): -
• rafi karim (1/5): -
• Vera (9/5): -
• Carl (7/5): Great location for catching the ferry. Comfortable with friendly staff. - Rooms were just as described. The kitchen was clean and well stocked. Plenty choices for breakfast. The rooms were comfortable Seagulls were a bit noisy but that wasn't the hostel's fault!!
• Fenil (5/5): -
• MOHAMMED (1/5): -
• Nicholas (5/5): - Good communal space, good location in the town Shower was either really hot or really cold. Nothing in between. A towel for when you come out of the shower would have been nice. The room to have a slight smell of damp
• Rosa M (5/5): -
• Froiabiorn (10/5): Hospitable staff - 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.
• Julia Sophie (7/5): -
• Mark (7/5): - Handy central location just off the main street.
• David (10/5): -
• Angus (8/5): Perhaps not the most modern, but very functional/practical and good location. Will return. - 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!
• Célia (8/5): -
• Kate (7/5): Overnight stay in Thurso - 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.
• Annika (7/5): - Nice hostel with all you need. Even a small breakfast in the morning. How well the place is cleaned is of course even depending on the guests staying. The owner seemed a bit stressed/unfriendly in the beginning. Difficult to reach via phone.
• Giacomo (6/5): - Ostello con camera privata, prezzo contenuto ma la camera è da disperati. Comunque ha un letto e una doccia e costa poco(rispetto ai prezzi delle highlands) ma non più di una notte.. ASCIUGAMANI A PARTE DA PRENOTARE!!! altrimenti vi asciugate coi vostri panni delle valigie come abbiamo fatto noi! Odore dentro la camera come in uno spogliatoio di basket
• Andres (1/5): Abysmal - The errors of this place got me $20 a real solution. Owner is a combative clown, just look at his replies to honest reviews, probably soon to be this one too. Check in time stated 12 PM, midday. I arrived at 1230 to a locked door and a sign that said "back at 5PM", so I called the number listed. I said "I am outside and trying to check in", quickly a rude man snapped "DID YOU SEE THE SIGN?" I stop caring at that point, I knew booking.com was going to take care of me. If you want to risk showing up, tired and with bags, then roll the dice.
• Katherine (1/5): - Would not recommend at all. We booked a double room, with double bed. We expected backpackers level of comfort - have stayed in hostels in multiple countries. We arrived a weeknight at 6.30pm - well within the advertised check in hours. First surprise was that 'reception' was closed with a sign giving 2 numbers to call. One wouldn't work on our international phone, the other went to voice message. We waited more than 25 minutes in the rain and dark for someone to show up. They never called or texted back to let us know they were on their way or anything. What we discovered: 1) the hostel had double booked and we now had a twin room. We had no choice. 2) the room was accessed off an alleyway, with one other room off the same entry. The external door - to the alleyway had no lock. Our room had one old school, flimsy lock. Very insecure. 3) Access to the shared kitchen meant going outside via the alleyway and then through the hostel. It really did not feel safe and if you are women traveling alone I'd give this a big miss. While we were waiting I walked to a nearby hotel who said that not everyone seemed to get access to the backpackers - there wasn'talways someone to hand over keys etc. In other words our experience wasn't unusual. We left the backpackers and forked out for a nearby hotel that while old & basic was much more secure with someone on-site and welcoming. So wevbasically paid twice for the one night because this place is not at all like the photos and description - at least for the ensuite rooms.
• Brigid (8/5): - Good location The gps was not accurate and I didn't get a friendly response when I rang for directions.
• Basra (7/5): - Clean, Good Kitchen Facilities and in centre of Town. Only issue. As on a trip leaving Early (07.00) in morning. Requested twice the day before leaving and on the morning to separate receptionists before to have a bottom bunk on returning. Was recorded in the book. This could have been secured, but on returning early evening, not done.
• Fiona (1/5): -
• Carol (7/5): It's basic but functional. OK for a night passing through. - 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.
• Markéta (9/5): -
• Matheson (10/5): - Great place to stay. Family is amazing!! nothing
• Naomi (9/5): -
• Zsófia (7/5): -
• Pablo (10/5): -
• Kerrie (1/5): Would Not Recommend - Location Mattress very thin and you could feel springs poking into you. Very uncomfortable bedding. Slept poorly for 2 nights. Walls paper thin so you could hear noise in corridor and people going to dining room. Floors creaky so you could hear everytime somebody walked up corridor. Unable to regulate temperature of water in shower. It was either skin scalding hot or freezing cold. I let the water run for approx 30 mins but was unable to adjust it to a usable temperature. You could have made a cup of tea with it, it was so hot. Alarm beeping in corridor one morning at 7am and still beating when we left at 8.30am. Somebody vacuuming at 8am one morning. You have to request towels. When they arrived, they were threadbare and scratchy. Something slippery on the floors. We kept our socks on the whole time.
• Jack (10/5): Cozy, Friendly, Helpful, full of character - Perfect place to stay if you’re passing through Thurso hiking or bikepacking, really warm & cozy rooms, such a welcoming communal room with all the amenities you would need, fast wifi, close to everything you would need in Thurso. Furthermore James and his associate were so helpful and friendly with anything we needed. If you’re looking for somewhere in Thurso with Character Sandra’s is definitely your best bet for the price. Will definitely be back. Some small details could use some slight attention for it to reach its full potential eg garden, reception and bathrooms
• Maurizio (10/5): - Si tratta di un ostello in cui ho soggiornato in camera doppia con bagno. La camera era spartana ma comoda e pulita. La cucina a disposizione in comune era pulita e fornita di tutto. La posizione era buona. Ottimo rapporto qualità prezzo.
• Michael (1/5): Rude staff in the morning. -
• John (9/5): Thurso's best value place to stay. - Ideal location, friendly staff, chilled vibe, welcoming common room/kitchen. Ample choice for the included breakfast. Great value for money. Nothing
• Michel (2/5): Bof, bien moyen. - Il est bien placé. Le plancher fait énormément de bruit, nous avons été réveillé par les locataires du dessus qui se sont couchés vers 1h30 et levé à 6h00, par ceux qui allaient déjeuner tôt... un bip d'alarme a sonné toute la nuit. La porte qui donne accès au couloir qui mène à la cuisine et notre chambre était grande ouverte nuit et jour, avec le froid qui rentre. La WI-FI n'était disponible que dans la salle à manger commune. C'est plutôt une auberge de jeunesse.
• Cecilia (7/5): Prendi ciò che paghi - L'ostello offre la possibilità di sfruttare una cucina attrezzata con gli altri ospiti e di poter utilizzare l'abbondante cibo a disposizione per la colazione. Non è stato possibile fare la doccia perché o veniva troppo fredda o bollente.
• Vilija (4/5): - Gerai įrengta virtuvė, yra visi reikalingi indai, prietaisai ir kt. Daug maisto paprastiems pusryčiams: jogurtai, sausi pusryčiai, džemai. Ir pusryčiai yra įskaičiuoti į kainą. Automobilį laikėme suradę vietą gatvėje, nemokamai, tačiau iki 8 val. ryto reikėtų išvažiuoti, nes po to stovėjimas jau būtų mokamas. Mes atvažiavome valanda anksčiau, nei buvome numatę ir radome užrakintas duris. Nors ant durų buvo nurodyti du telefono numeriai, nei vienu savininkas neatsiliepė. Laukėme pusantros valandos, kol apsigyvenome. Vaizdas savininko "ofise" - kaip po atominės bombos sprogimo, popieriai mėtosi ant grindų, tokia netvarka. Mes gyvenome antrame aukšte - labai ekonominis variantas, bet iš bėdos buvo pakenčiama. Draugai gavo kambarį pirmame aukšte - mažas, tamsus kambarėlis, nešvari patalynė, savo marškinėliais apsirengė pagalves ir vidury nakties jau norėjo eiti ieškoti kito viešbučio.
• Henrik (10/5): - A wonderful place to meet people from all over the world.
• Joan (8/5): -
• Kavey (10/5): Really convenient location and has all the necessary facilities - It was conveniently located a short walk from the station and close to bus stops that take you out East. Really clean and had everything you needed including hair dryer and towel. Bed was comfortable and rooms are warm. Breakfast was sufficient. James is lovely!
• James (10/5): - The hospitality and general service given The place is too quiet!
• Kavey (10/5): -
• Jack (1/5): Avoid avoid avoid - Nothing. Absolutely rotten attitude from James, the staff member there, who when I enquired as to what the check out time was, he said 10 but don't f**k us around, to which I said, somewhat taken aback, sorry what? He said get your stuff and get out. I then said I don't appreciate the aggression. This was at 9am and I had wanted to nip to shops. Foul, aggressive behaviour from him. Maybe move out of hospitality if you don't know how to deal with people in a non-confrontational manner.
• Caroline (7/5): Great Value for Money - 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.
• Michael (7/5): - Common areas were nice Rooms could have cleaner
• Fiona (5/5): -
• Maria (10/5): Viagem em família nestas lindas terras - Localização. A simpatia dos funcionários.
• Alexandra (6/5): Un endroit sympathique pour faire étape dans le Nord de l’Ecosse - Accueil agréable, bien situé sur la NC500 pour faire le nord de l’écosse Lit peu confortable, pas de solution dédiée pour se garer (nous avons dû repartir tôt pour éviter une contravention)
• Roman (9/5): -
• Massimiliano (8/5): -
• Stefano (6/5): - La colazione nella cucina condivisa insieme agli altri ospiti è stata un'esperienza positiva. La struttura offre quello che promette i teli da bagno non erano presentabili, sebbene fossero puliti.
• James (7/5): Good location and facilities as expected from a backpackers hostel. - Location was good and fully equipped kitchen provided. Breakfast was adequate. The room had a strong bleach smell from cleaning, however this does suggest the room is thoroughly cleaned.
• Marco (4/5): Ausreichend Einfach - Das Frühstück war sehr vielfältig mit grosser Auswahl. Der Frühstücksraum ist sehr gross und hat viele verschiedene Küchen Utensilien und Küchengeräte. Die Sanitäranlagen waren sauber. Das Fenster unserer Unterkunft war grundsätzlich nicht funktionstüchtig was sehr schade war. Das Zimmer hatte einen undefinierbaren Geschmack, leider nicht in positiven Sinne. Ausserdem war die Unterkunft nicht sehr sauber (ausgenommen der Sanitäranlagen).
• Colin (3/5): -
• Anna (9/5): -
• Raelene (5/5): Good location, but ... - Great location for a trip to the Orkneys but was disappointed with the facilities given previous good reviews. Previous reviews suggested clean and tidy and good facilities. Our shower had a sign advising the water was very hot, and indeed the temperature was either super hot or cold - no in between.
• Deiniol (7/5): -
• Kamil (8/5): -
• Ilaria (8/5): - Posizione ottima è decisamente un bel punto di forza Camera non esattamente silenziosa, era possibile sentire quello che altri facevano
• udo (8/5): - Freundliche Vermieter gute lage Enges Zimmer kein Stuhl und tisch
• lorraine (10/5): -
• Brent (7/5): -
• Cyprien (7/5): - Établissement un peu vétuste mais personnel très accueillant. À deux pas d'un bar qui organise des concerts de musique folklorique certains soirs.
• Young (10/5): -
• Sebastian (5/5): Nette Unterkunft, aber mangelnder Schlaf - Fehlalarme - Größer Frühstücksraum zur Selbstbedienung Checkin nur mit Anruf möglich, obwohl Ankunft angemeldet war 2 mal Feueralarm mitten in der Nacht aufgrund defekter Brandmeldeanlage
• Denise Marchi (6/5): - Qualidade X Preço bom. O quarto tem banheiro privado e um tamanho justo pra duas pessoas. Uma cozinha comunitária com muitas opções para o café da manhã e a possibilidade de você cozinhar sua própria comida. Conhecemos um funcionário muito simpático. Quarto muito, mas muito barulhento. Nós ouvimos absolutamente todos os movimentos de qualquer outro quarto. Ainda tivemos o azar de ficar no primeiro andar, então o quarto de cima parecia estar ocupado por um casal de sapateadores, pois ouvimos todos os seus passos de noite e de manhã. O quarto também fica muito claro durante a noite, mas isso se resolve com um tapa-olho tranquilamente. Ficaria aqui novamente se estivesse em uma budget-wise trip, mas traria um bom tapa ouvidos.
• Darren (9/5): If staying in Thurso, stay here. Great place. - Fantastic location. James was a hoot and just lovely. Well stocked kitchen, has a laundry. And he led us to a good restaurant for dinner and authentic pub for drinks. Great spot. Just was fantastic..
• laura (8/5): - Struttura semplice. Buona posizione per il centro. Tanta roba per la colazione Abbastanza spartano
• Ilaria (6/5): - La posizione molto centrale ed estremamente vicina alla stazione. Decisamente comoda per gli spostamenti sia a Thurso che a Scrabster. La serratura della porta esterna è un pochino difettosa. Il materasso troppo morbido, era fastidioso per la schiena.
• Krikis (10/5): -
• Lima Henriques (10/5): - Great hostel in the centre of town! The hosts were lovely and the breakfast was great!
• Andries (8/5): -
• saudagar (7/5): Not Bad after driving 7 hours, badly needed to get rest. Water was hot and Host James was very helpf - Close to Restaurants Central, parking available close by. Creaking Boards
• Catherine (3/5): A éviter - Rien. L'accueil très limite avec une réception très très encombrée, d'après le visuel, car fermée. Escaliers pour accéder aux chambres très vétustes, couloirs et portes des chambres très vétustes également. les équipements de la cuisine laissent à désirer (plaques électriques peu efficaces, poêles en très mauvais état) - forte chaleur dans la cuisine commune et les chambres, impossible de laisser les fenêtres ouvertes. Petit déjeuner gratuit, mais franchement vu la propreté de la cuisine et la nourriture entamée dans le frigo (beurre notamment) nous avons fait l'impasse.

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