Dornoch Castle Hotel

Dornoch Castle Hotel descritpion

A 500-year-old converted Scottish castle, this hotel is in the center of Durnoch, across from a 13th-century cathedral. It has period features throughout the property, as well as fine dining and quiet walled gardens.
Bright rooms all have a TV, tea/coffee and a private bathroom, while some also include a sitting area and a four-post bed. Many rooms have views of the hotel’s walled garden, Dornoch Firth or Dornoch Cathedral.
The award-winning Garden Restaurant has original 15th-century stone walls and hardwood floors. It offers traditional Scottish dishes using local produce including local seafood, Aberdeen Angus beef and Highland venison.
Dornoch Castle Hotel is a 15 minute walk from the seashore and a 10 minute walk away is Royal Dornoch Golf Club. Pubs and restaurants are just a few minutes’ walk.

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Facilities of Dornoch Castle Hotel

Outdoors ：Grounds

Pets ：Pets are not allowed.

Activities ：Golf Course (within 2 miles)

Food & Drink ：Restaurant | Bar

Internet ：Free!WiFi is available in public areas and is free of charge.

Parking ：Free!Free public parking is available on site (reservation is not needed).

General ：Newspapers | Non-smoking Rooms | Facilities for Disabled Guests | Heating | All Spaces Non-Smoking (public and private)

Reviews for Dornoch Castle Hotel

Review 1：Greeting at reception on arrival was terrible and when went to clarify something later was given a " I told you that" answer No Wifi in bedrooms is a complete pain

Review 2：Very good breakfasts and great cleaning staff

Review 3：The Dornock Castle Hotel is pround to be the home of Scotland's "Number 1 whisky bar' - so if you like a wee dram in front of a roaring fire, this is the place for you. If you want to stay in the castle side of the building, you need a more expensive room - but those in the more modern extension are large (ish), very comfortable with all mod-cons. Well worth eating in the restaurant, the evening meal service was excellent with beautiful food. The bar is warm and welcoming. Will happily return. Traveller's tip: Worth talking to hotel direct as you might get a better rate/deal.

Review 4：Not this big castle experience we expected. We slept in the addition.

Review 5：The local golf cource and people are awesome. The bar area in the castle was nice.

Review 6：Bedrooms really crammed in, not a castle experience at all. They have ruined the character of the place to try and get as many rooms in as possible. Not worth the premium you pay for a castle. Not too clean either. Some mold on the bathroom ceiling and cobwebs in the bedroom.

Review 7：Exterior of property nice

Review 8：For some reason the dining room was remodeled to look like a 1990's Denny's café. Very cold & ugly.

Review 9：Staying in a real castle was exciting. This is a lovely city & the castle history enhanced our experience. The gardens and lounge gave a nice sense of history.

Review 10：Retauraunt could not offer as Dinner at 8.30 at night and as residents that was unacceptable. We only wanted a simple meal but this was not offered. Ended up having to go out in the rain to find dinner.

Review 11：Location for golf course.

Review 12：Dissappointed we had only booked one night stay...

Review 13：Everything about Dornoch is beautiful, We had previously stayed in aScottish castle which was a little disappointing as the room felt modernbut Dornoch Castle was perfect! Old antique furniture including a fourposter bed, complimentary sherry and a lovely view of the wellmaintained gardens. Staff were friendly and even stayed up as we haddecided to to take a late night walk to the beach, as the weather hadbeen so nice. Adopted a teddy called Henry to remind me of our wonderfulstay at Dornoch Castle.

Review 14：Wifi only accessible in the bar or lounge.

Review 15：Room was a luxury double and was lovely and large. Staff were really friendly and bar staff especially knowledgeable about whisky. Dinner was also lovely.

Review 16：small room with tiny stuffy bathroom and poor ventilation nothing remotely luxurious - tissues cheap and nasty, no bottled water, uncomfortable cheap bouncy pillows. not a hotel which puts any thought into guest comfort.

Review 17：The bedrooms were clean but 'tired'.

Review 18：Our evening meal was excellent....far better than the menu suggested! The staff were excellent throughout...including the cleaners!

Review 19：Our 'Superior' room was decidedly tired, and the bathroom was cramped, with a toilet seat that was not staying up when it should have. The wee complimentary whisky decanter looked great - but contained ginger cordial - a big let-down for the £169 room price. Prices of most whiskies were atrociously high. How it got 'Whisky Bar of the Year' I will never know.

Review 20：Staff were truly excellent.

Review 21：Room was in need of refurb, windows hard to use and cobwebs in window. Toilet siphoning system would run on its own periodically , wifi needs to be extended to bedrooms

Review 22：Great bar, good food, and pleasant staff

Review 23：Wi fi can be a little erratic - probably due variation in wall thicknesses in the old part of the building

Review 24：Location opposite Dornoch Cathedral The fact that it is obviously truly medieval Great bar Great food - we both ate a feathered beef dish that was arguably the tastiest beef we have ever eaten.

Review 25：We didn't get the room that we anticipated even though it was quite adequate. The labrinthyne hallways were fun and we have rebooked the room we want for our next visit.

Review 26：For a castle experience in the wilds of the Scottish highlands, you can't go past Dornoch Castle. The stone keep façade is matched by a gothic whiskey bar and the terrace garden is bathed in yellow roses. Excellent staff and breakfast.

Review 27：The decor needs a total overhaul. Dining is expensive and it feels like some sort of school cafeteria. Beds are really uncomfortable.

Review 28：The staff in the dining room were very friendly and helpful.

Review 29：Room a bit tired, wall heater right next to bed could cause a burn, bathroom tiny and rather tatty.

Review 30：General feeling of the hotel, nice bar, convenient parking.

Review 31：Friendly staff, clean / nice room, nice touch with a small complimentary decanter of sherry and chocolates in room on arrival. Some very rare whiskies availlable in the bar and food was very good.

Review 32：room in extension, when we had been looking forward to staying in castle. room had pine headboard and furniture so quite dated, no character so disappointed. We ate in hotel and I had a steak. Asked for medium to well and it was well done and very dry, quite expensive as well.

Review 33：staff very friendly, good location

Review 34：I forgot to "mind the gap" between the Web enchanting photographs and the first impression of a rather ordinary bedroom. I think the place desserves a shade of extra sophistication maybe which the staff might appreciate too...

Review 35：The plain and straight forward welcome which suits a late arrival after a tiring journey... A place like home which we would certainly have enjoyed more would we have stayed more than one night ! We liked the feeling of freedom, as if we belonged to Dornoc'h !

Review 36：Overpriced in every way: seedy room had a cracked window,cracked toilet bowl,hardly any cold water from tap, no cord on shaver light,wooden shutters that did not close. All in all a depressing room.

Review 37：Walks on the Beach.

Review 38：For this location I expected that staff to be dressed up a bit more. Manager ran around in jeans. The other staff ran around in black trousers which didn't fit 100% so that lose ends were sliding over the floor. ( I noticed something similar in TESCO shops.)

Review 39：The location is very enjoyable. Staff was very friendly. The food was very good.

Review 40：Plumbing was a bit finicky but worked out fine.

Review 41：Very friendly staff and the bar had the biggest whisky collection I had ever seen with very helpful bartenders to help navigate the choices. Great location right in the middle of town.

Review 42：passage ways noisy at night toilet cisterns waking you up . people coming in at all hours of the night shouting laughing. slamming doors .bar too small.

Review 43：breakfast.and room.

Review 44：Tiny single room, which was cold. Needed a small heater just to take the cold edge away and it's not even winter

Review 45：The bottled water and nightcap dram..! Staff were polite and helpful

Review 46：Bit disappointed on the variety and quality of dinner. My chicken dish was rather dry, and my husband also said the same about his salmon.

Review 47：Location excellent. Staff friendly. Breakfast good

Review 48：Nothing - it was all good and good value considering the standard of service provided.

Review 49：The building itself is beautiful and very nicely decorated and maintained. It is tasteful and elegant. The staff were all very pleasant and helpful in a very relaxed way and the food absolutely delicious at both dinner and breakfast. Dornoch is a lovely quiet town which looked idyllic when we visited it.

Review 50：Price was high in comparison to what we spent in other hotels on our trip Dinner didn't live up to expectations

Review 51：Breakfast Staff were friendly Location

Review 52：Facilities and access to rooms Don,t seem to interface with booking.com very well.... Beware of confirmations

Review 53：Great whiskey bar Location near golf course

Review 54：the only let down was the mattress on the bed that was definitely on its last leg, i did tell the staff so hopefully they will get a new one!

Review 55：Dinner the food is great, breakfast good too. Had a lovely room.

Review 56：Very friendly and comfortable hotel ideally located food excellent. Fantastic selection malt whiskey

Review 57：Lovely place & staff, will stay again next year when in Scotland on business

Review 58：Food was very nice and room excellent. The staff were very helpful.

Review 59：No elevator

Review 60：wi-fi hopeless

Review 61：Nice feel to it

Review 62：No negatives

Review 63：Staying in a castle complimentary sherry great pub with traditional music!

Review 64：Too many stairs to climb to get to room.

Review 65：Great location in lovely town

Review 66：location

Review 67：No WIFI in Room

Review 68：Restaurant & Bar

Review 69：The central location in Dornoch - the atmosphere of the house and garden complex -

Review 70：food menu

Review 71：The room and castle

Review 72：Restaurant

Review 73：The food at both dinner and breakfast was superb. Room was very spacious and comfortable

Review 74：Our room was very tired and old, we felt the room price was very high for a 3 star hotel.

Review 75：The staff were very welcoming and friendly.

Review 76：Nothing

Review 77：The ambience , sympathetic updating. The whole experience

Review 78：Room old, furniture tired, window does not close

Review 79：It's a castle, what makes it cool. Staff very helpful and very friendly

Review 80：Would be great if they also provide wifi in the room.

Review 81：Friendly staff, good food and excellent service

Review 82：Great food, lovely room and staff are all so nice and helpful.

Review 83：Accommodation, breakfast, friendly staff and extensive whisky selection Only a short walk away from the beach

Review 84：Great selection of whiskies, knowledgable bar staff and a roaring coal fire!

Review 85：For the price I expected a little more in room facilites

Review 86：Restaurant and bar were excellent.

Review 87：Proximity to Royal Dornock golf course. Choice of whiskies outstanding. Quality of food excellent. Parking very handy.

Review 88：The bar- excellent real ale incredible selection of whiskey and knowledgeable staff. Picturesque setting.

Review 89：Room could do with a dust - several cobwebs round the ceiling.

Review 90：Very picturesque and characterful; Comfortable room; Great choice for breakfast.

Review 91：Nothing.

Review 92：Very hospitable staff. The food is of a high standard. The free whisky was much appreciated!

Review 93：*being in a castle *Comfortable, well supplied room *Friendly bar with good beer *Excellent breakfast *Quiet & attractive location

Review 94：Didn't dwel like a castle inside-lacking features!

Review 95：Staying in a castle!

Review 96：A little slow service at breakfast. Food good.

Review 97：Lovely room, bright with lovely decor.

Review 98：Not really a castle Rooms were very dated

Review 99：Garden Town of Dornoch

Review 100：Nice location, well preserved garden. Fresh and variable breakfast.

Review 101：Small point, a rather poor breakfast Seriously overdone kipper

Review 102：Excellent staff with a vast knowledge of the Scotch WhiskyIndustry and malts

Review 103：Didn't like that we couldn't eat an evening meal in the bar , had to eat in restaurant

Review 104：Central position

Review 105：Quirky lay out Lack of daylight

Review 106：Location Friendly staff Easy parking

Review 107：Great location for the Golf, nice hotel with real character

Review 108：The historic nature of the hotel shows through in rather tired fittings in places

Review 109：Great location and atmosphere. If you like whisky, the range and value in the bar is outstanding as are the very knowledgeable staff

Review 110：We had a very positive experience.

Review 111：Lovely old hotel with lots of character. The staff were very friendly & helpful. Lovely garden to sit in the sun in the afternoon with a glass of wine.

Review 112：I expected a little bit more "castle atmosphere"

Review 113：The hotel is ok. If you like Miss Marple and "Murder at the Gallop", you'll have a good idea how the rooms look like.... old style, but ok.

Review 114：Hotel has no lift we were in the tower 3 floors up a steep staircase. Reception not clear as it's just a table in the corner of the bar.

Review 115：Lovely place very scenic

Review 116：The staff are superb here and the food is amazing. The only thing that lets this place down is the 90s bathrooms, with its mismatched decor, and the beds where your feet are higher than your head! If these two items were to improve I may have justified the price. Unfortunately it just didn't quite do it for me, but luckily the breakfast made up for the bad nights sleep.

Review 117：Food was more occupied with looking good rather than tasting good and not a very wide selection for different tastes. Also very noisy plumbing from other rooms.

Review 118：The decor in the dining room - just didnt go together, crumpled tartan blinds and flowery walpaper with a roof of perspex - I think the dining room lowered tge feel of the hotel and I certainlt would not eat there if I wasn't staying there.

Review 119：The staff were lovely and the shower was perfect.

Review 120：Nothing!

Review 121：In the centre of a pretty town. The most comfortable bed we have slept on in a hotel! Really friendly and knowledgeable staff, especially Simon on whisky. Good breakfast. One of the best hotels we have stayed in and would recommend.

Review 122：We thought that the bar tended to be a bit over-crowded and the space in the dining room was a bit restricted. Never-the-less these things would not deter us from another visit.

Review 123：The staff were friendly and helpful and the situation of the hotel was good. Overall, very good value for money.

Review 124：We stayed in Cathedral View room, it was a wee bit noisy with traffic, noticed mainly early morning ie after 6am. The room where the toilet was located was extremely cold plus the cistern was not secured to the outer wall. Quite alarming when first encountered! However reception staff assured us that it would be fixed after we vacated the room. We were quite happy about this.

Review 125：Hotel had a lovely homely atmosphere. The staff were amongst the best we've ever experienced.

Review 126：We love it there, however it is quite expensive.

Review 127：This was our third stay at Dornoch Castle and as ever the staff are very polite, friendly and professional. It is always very clean and tidy and is a pleasure to be there.

Review 128：The price of an evening meal was very expensive. I reported a faulty bedside light to staff as it was broken and not working properly this was not attended too.

Review 129：Clean comfortable hotel in a very quiet relaxing town. Staff were friendly and very helpful. Food was freshly cooked to order. Overall an experience I would like to repeat.

The Fine Print

Check-In Information:If you are due to arrive outside of the hotel’s published check-in times, please contact reception in advance, in order to inform them of your estimated time of arrival. You can contact the front desk by telephone or via email, using the contact details supplied on your confirmation email.If you would like to dine please book in advance to avoid disappointment.