Sandras Backpackers
Sandras Backpackers descritpion
Sandra's Backpackers is set in the centre of Thurso, the UK’s most northerly town. This simple hostel offers rooms and dorms with free Wi-Fi, shared bathrooms, free bed linen and towels.
Each of the dorms and rooms at Sandra’s Backpackers has a TV, and either a double bed or bunk beds.
You will have access to a shared kitchen, a dining room and a common room with a wide-screen TV, a DVD player and Wi-Fi. The hostel also has a snack bar.
Staff can provide information on the surrounding area. You can visit nearby Viking settlements and Caithness’ dramatic cliffs and coastline. You can go surfing, cycling and walking in the area.
You can catch a ferry to the Orkney Islands from Thurso. Wick is a 30-minute drive away and Dornach can be reached in 90 minutes by car.
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Facilities of Sandras Backpackers
Pets ：Free!Pets are allowed on request. No extra charges.
Activities ：Windsurfing | Hiking | Cycling
Internet ：Free!WiFi is available in all areas and is free of charge.
Parking ：Free!Free public parking is available at a location nearby (reservation is needed).
Services ：Shuttle Service (surcharge) | Baggage Storage | Laundry
General ：Non-smoking Rooms | Heating | All Spaces Non-Smoking (public and private)
Reviews for Sandras Backpackers
Review 1：the double room is tiny, towels not provided, right next to the main entrance and the floors are very squeaky, so it was difficult to sleep.
Review 2：pleasant staff, well equipped kitchen and plenty of free breakfast staples.
Review 3：The room was not very clean, and some bedding was dirty. But the main problem was that we did not get much sleep due to the noise in the kitchen above us, which should have been closed between 11.30pm and 7am yet had rowdy people in it shouting, arguing and smoking throughout the night. The management did nothing to aleviate this situation.
Review 4：The location was central and therefore close to amenities and the venue which we were going to.
Review 5：the staff was really friendly. they were waiting for us to arrive until 23:00 in the night and gave us a warm welcome. we were able to use all the facilities from the well equiped kitchen and cook our dinner. the atmosphere of the place is international with flags from all around the world. the room was descent and warm and we had our own toilet and shower. we also had heat on during all night thank you very much guys :)
Review 6：Room backed on to main stret and was quite noisy (people talking outside/taxi rank). Room was very basic but clean.
Review 7：Good budget accommodation in the large and well resourced town of Thurso. Tidy bathroom en-suite with an excellent shower.
Review 8：The office was messy. Staff smoked outside the rooms. The rooms were cramped and the back door did not close. What was offered on line was not available. The garden and the BBQ was out of action and the small shop with food was no longer available yet it was still advertised.
Review 9：helpful manager and closeness to town and the Orkneys
Review 10：Always welcoming, on way to early ferry then on return early train, I was able to get do it yourself breakfast really early when i wanted it, in well equipped kitchen, also possible to cook evening meal if you were there in time. Excellent. I would always stay there. Second visit.
Review 11：Staff were very polite and caring. We stayed in a small double room, very clean and tidy, just needed a small table. bed was very comfortable and we slept very well. Kitchen had everything we needed.
Review 12：our room was small, we could barely move with our baggages open. i think the room was kinda new, but still poor.
Review 13：not hard to find. free parking. hot showers and clean bathroom fast wifi the guy at the reception was nice: gave us towels and took us to the shared kitchen
Review 14：Shower in room didn't work, staff mixing up who was in rooms and barging in, people banging on the door looking for luggage, people walking on the roof
Review 15：Not a lot, kitchen dining area was good
Review 16：It is very conveniently located in the town centre. Luckily I could stay by myself in a three-bed dormitory. The kitchen/common room is open from 7am to 11:30pm and Wifi is available throughout the hostel.
Review 17：Noise from other guests (thin walls) and from taxis parked outside with engines running and takeaway opposite.
Review 18：Easy going, inexpensive and central to bus stops. Easy access to kitchen with good facilities for cooking and eating
Review 19：The room was small. We had to go outside and up the stairs to get to the shared kitchen.
Review 20：Everything was very clean. A lot of workforce has been done on the facilities and the is still s lot to be done.
Review 21：that I had to stay in a room together with 3 young men; but they were very polite and respectful, so it was ok after all.
Review 22：the people I met there and the nice and helpful conversations in the community room.
Review 23：A family atmosphere small hotel, the owner and his parents are all very nice and helpful and also near the train station. Compare with other Backpackers we lived, they generous offer bread, jam, milk,sugar and tea etc. Thank you, Sandras Backpackers.
Review 24：Unfortunately the kidness of the guy wasn't enough to guarantee a good service, in fact the cleanliness leaves to be desired: the bed sheets and the floor were definitely dirty, furthermore when we check in we found some food left on the floor in the hallway upstairs.... There was also a bad smell too.
Review 25：Good position. The guy who worked at the reception let us check in even if we were a little late. Good wifi signal.
Review 26：Breakfast is included, but it is not served. You can find milk, bread and other essential ingredients for breakfast in one of kitchen's fridges. Not a bad point, but different from what You expect from a hotel.
Review 27：This is actually a private hostel. You will find everything You need to cook for Yourself in common kitchen - dining area. Large tables to accommodate bigger company for a meal. Very good value for money.
Review 28：I was absolutely disgusted about the situation that we did not get clean linen, but we had a used one - dirty with some hairs. I consider this a major mistake. Even though we spent at the hotel only one night linen should be laundered .
Review 29：It features a kitchen with all necessary equipment. The bathroom was new and beautiful.
Review 30：The window next to my bed wouldn't close so it was quite cold and noisy. Also not much space for bags (mine is tiny).
Review 31：Located in the High St close to a number of food options.
Review 32：Didn't always anticipate needs for towels and toilet paper but was immediately responsive to any need. Could use some hired help.
Review 33：Good value. We're not wanting a hotel experience, just a clean room to stay. Management was responsive to any need.
Review 34：Dirty room and kitchen, not a good breakfast (bread,cornflakes,butter and milk+instant café).At the beginning they didnt accept credit card (only cash) but finally we succed to do that
Review 35：Staff is ok,Good location and comfortable bed.Guest are ok, no noise.
Review 36：Bus services from Thurso on Sunday poor. Taxis dear.
Review 37：Fun stay, helpful friendly staff, friendly guests, excellent value for money. Good access to ferry to Orkneys.
Review 38：For only £16 a night I don't want to complain to much. A place to crash for the night if money is tight. Untidy and worn. Creaky and old.
Review 39：Easy to find. Staff friendly. Able to lock motorbike up in a secure location. Chip shop across the road . Free Wi-Fi
Review 40：It was well situated for facilities in the Town. Despite the relatively low price, the facilities were very good. The staff member that was on duty late at night was very friendly and helpful too. Very clean, comfortable, and cost-effective for single overnight stay!
Review 41：Perfect location. I like the fact that a few traditional style hostels still exist. I had a very nostalgic stay, helped also by the comfort of the room after 2 weeks of camping.
Review 42：Radiators behind the bed are filthy. Cupboards with cutlery in are filthy. It's very noisy. We were on the 1st floor with the common room. You can hear people go back and forth,banging doors and creaky floor boards. Can also hear the people upstairs walking around.
Review 43：£38 for two people in a private room with ensuite. Staff, forgot his name was friendly.
Review 44：As I had read some critiques about this hostel before departure, I was a bit surprised at the condition, because it was not so bad. The kitchen was equipped well enough, and clean. Although the toilet in the bed room that was allocated to me, was under maintenance, I could pay 2 pound less than original price without any argument. The frame of bunbk beds seemed to be weled and painted recently, so that I couldn't hear any noise from them.
Review 45：Hot water under the shower was running for some time, then it was suddenly cold and hot again after a while. We had a front window on the ground level, so we couldn't open it and we could hear people talking outside.
Review 46：Breakfast is help-yourself, kitchen is well equipped. It was cheap and quite comfortable.
Review 47：Room kinda cold, window wasn't closing, water was cold in the shower cabin and hot in the sink (?).
Review 48：Just a friendly roof over head and a cool place for preparing your free breakfast. For world wanderers and tramp-likes.
Review 49：When I arrived staff there claimed they had not received my booking from booking.com,. If this was due to the fact that the hostel is extremely chaotic, it is worrying, if the booking system doe snot work, it is even more. There was a spare room, but the whole situation was unnerving.
Review 50：Beds extremely uncomfortable, can feel every spring in the mattress.
Review 51：Owner was nice enough to move me to another, better room after a horrendous night thanks to another drunk/sick roommate. Common room is bright and comfortable
Review 52：Lamp (looked burnt) and TV+Receiver (Label for date of next inspection said November 2014, so 7 month ago) didn't work, Chair had blurs of Color everything looked old and obsolete Lobby was an absolute chaos, curtain was dirty
Review 53：central Location, Close to Ferry
Review 54：Close to a night club - only an issue when it is open late night.
Review 55：Handy location for ATMs, a big Co-op, interesting shops and takeaways and restaurants
Review 56：The room was really hot, so we had to keep the window open, meaning all night long we could hear loud drunk people walking past. Our two roommates snored all night, so we didn't sleep a wink. I would definitely book a private room next time.
Review 57：Staff were really friendly and accommodated our late arrival.
Review 58：No bad experience and it was adequate for our needs (a bed for the night) We should have thought to bring sheets and pillow cases. That of course was our fault, but it was the only thing we weren't too happy about.
Review 59：Very welcoming and nothing appeared to be a problem to the staff member. Chip shop immediately across the street from premises.
Review 60：The hostel inside looked old, it hasn't been redecorated for ages. It looked dirty although it wasn't, but the impression was it was. Another appaling thing was bed covers, linen, etc on the table in the canteen. And the area around the stairs leading to the rooms was another serious blemish - dirt, old disued fridge and rubbish.
Review 61：The price and location were more than good. But then again, what has a bad location in Thurso? The staff were friendly and helpfull.
Review 62：1.) The whole house had a musty smell. 2.) The room was disgusting. All furnitures were dusty, as if nobody had cleaned it for ages. 3.) The bedsheets were dirty and definitely not washed (brown stains and hair everywhere). 4.) Underneath the bed was an old and disgusting mattress, which was brown of dirt and dust, so that I was afraid there could be any vermin. 5.) We kept our clothes on, because we didn`t want to get in contact with anything there. 6.) It´s way too expensive. 7.) DON´T GO THERE!!!
Review 63：Except the friendly host, there was really nothing positive at this accommodation.
Review 64：if you are travelling by public transport, it's just around the corner from the bus stop, short walk to the beach. The common room has a comfy feeling, could not fault this place at all.
Review 65：the bedroom velux didn't close correctly, the heater was off and took 2 days to begin warming up so I was frozen the shower curtain was big it either blocked the drain leading to flooding or hung outside leading to flooding the metal bedsteads was filthy with an accumulation of dust and hair in the corners the tv didn't work the tv in the kitchen/living area didn't work I came home exhausted
Review 66：free wifi
Review 67：TV in room didn't work and no remote control in room either. Window was broken and left ajar open so very noise Fri/Sat evening revealers and taxi rank outside 24/7. Room was tidy but in need of a deep clean and a little tlc. No working WiFi. Was able to connect to the router but not to internet. They did have a stationary PC available but why when you have a laptop with you!
Review 68：I was been there during the Christmas holiday, so only myself stayed in a 6-bed dormitory. The room was a little bit cold. wifi is available in the room.
Review 69：The free WiFi was patchy and doesn't work in the upper areas of the hostel but is only frustrating because of the patchy mobile phone signal throughout the town.
Review 70：Location of hostel was fantastic, excellent common room with TV and internet PC which was also a good way to get to know other travellers staying at the hostel. Staff were around most of the day if you required any help and were always polite and friendly. This is a warm and comfortable family run hostel and will look forward to staying here again in the future.
Review 71：Wifi only working in the kitchen but i suppose it makes you hang out with other guests;-)
Review 72：Very comfortable beds, got a private room with an en suite. lots of space in the room, tv, hot shower,good kitchen facilities, close to local pubs and shops. lovely hostel
Review 73：Everything about Sandra's was perfect for me. The rooms and bunks were clean and fresh, the dining/kitchen was just right. The owners were especially knowledgeable and willing to share information about Thurso, Caithness and Scotland in general. I recommend Sandra's as a first rate hostel.
Review 74：Seemed like the radiator didn't work and one night it was quite cold, that would be a bit of a problem in the winter. Staff non existent. After a 2 minute tour of the place on arrival you'll never see a member of staff again. Not necessarily a bad thing though.
Review 75：It was cheap, clean and had everything you need from a hostel. Kitchen was always stocked with breakfast items like bread, cereal, tea and coffee etc.
Review 76：Wifi working only when there were not too many guests. Needed to close the window (smell of oil from the kitchen downstairs). Thin walls. Good for one night.
Review 77：Good location. TV
Review 78：The owners (our hosts) were really helpful and kind to wait for us despite arriving very late in the night from Aberdeen. This location is great for value for travellers exploring the NE Highlands. The self-service breakfast (included in the price) is a plus.
Review 79：Everything was dirty and grey and the bed linen was disgusting. There was a sign asking everyone to clean the kitchen after use but this had clearly not be done in days. The bed linen was stained and the room smelt damp. There is a taxi rank right under the hostel with drunks keeping you awake half the night.
Review 80：Nothing, it's like a tin of Ronseal, it does exactly what it says on the tin!
Review 81：Everything, clean and tidy room, fresh linen with a comfy bed and own en-suite. Great friendly staff who are passionate about the welfare of their customers Would recommend Sandra's to anyone
Review 82：All of it is horrible. Dirty, worn, untidy, expensive, smell like a stinky kitchen. Puagh.
Review 83：Nothing at all. I never would reccomend this awful stinky hole
Review 84：Man who showed me the room, discourteous. Outside fire escape stairs only way to room. Door to outside held open by dirty plastic chair. Very small box room with skylight in ceiling. Had to stand on top bunk to pull broken string to open window, then repeat performance during the night as rain started to run in!
Review 85：Man in reception was polite. Shower room was clean.
Review 86：Sandras gave me the impression it needed a good clean. Others must have felt this as there was a note in the rooms that sleeping sheets were not necessary-we still used ours. Tea towels were suspect! None of the touch lights worked in the room. Soap container in bathroom was empty.
Review 87：We had a roof over our heads on a wet night.
Review 88：WiFi don't always work, you sometimes have to go the restaurant and restart the router. They might have replaced it since.
Review 89：It's cheap, the staff is really helpful, location is perfect for the town and the beach. WiFi works well (altough sometimes you have to restart the router). Beds are nice big, rooms are clean.
Review 90：The hostel is directly above a fish and chip shop. It had an external narrow staircase. The rooms were tiny and all mixed dorms. The kitchen was grubby. There didn't appear to be a fire escape or escape plan. The beds had old linen.
Review 91：Location. The owner carried my bag up the stairs
Review 92：We were double booked so didn't get to stay in the hostel. Owner took us to a friend's B n B outside the town and brought us back early next a.m. to get our bus. We didn't mind too much as we were tired but it meant we didn't get to look round the town that night.
Review 93：Nothing to 'not like'
Review 94：Great location, great price, really comfortable bed. Loved the en suite facility and cereal,bread, tea and coffee available for breakfasts at no extra cost! Friendly, helpful, owner. Definitely going back.
Review 95：A bike shed would have been better but apart from that all really good
Review 96：Price Clean room and really good, hot shower Kitchen facilities and free breakfast stuff Comfy bunk bed Very friendly helpful staff Really good atmosphere in kitchen/lounge with other travelers
Review 97：The kitchen was a bit grubby - especially the breakfast cereal containers. It is a young people's place and there was a lot of noise in the night. There don't appear to be any staff sleeping in the hostel (or at least no-one got up to deal with the noise!)
Review 98：Very reasonable price and for the money you get ensuite bedroom and access to the kitchen.
Review 99：Creaky floors and late check-in who allow doors to slam. :(
Review 100：Position, very accessible. George is an excellent host and young Connor always happy to help.
Review 101：room window stuck open, available food was the cheapest they could find, over a chippy, next door to 2 take aways & across from a chippy!!
Review 102：handy for ferry, tv in room
Review 103：Breakfast very basic and you have to get it yourself. But at the price charged, we're not complaining! Room quite tiny.
Review 104：Excellent value, including breakfast, unlimited tea/coffee. 10% off fish and chips.
Review 105：Nothing.
Review 106：The welcome and very friendly atmosphere in the hostel. Nothing was too much for the staff. Very relaxed place to stay.
Review 107：Everything.
Review 108：The chinese takeaway beside it.
Review 109：Staff were amazing, had a great time
Review 110：Faulty electric shower, visitors scuffling after 10pm,
Review 111：Location very close to city centre, 3 takeways nearby.
Review 112：stayed 2 nights could be claustrophobic if it were a week
Review 113：good location, basic comforts, very good value for money
Review 114：Kitchen facilities were not flash and only thick white bread available in the included breakfast.
Review 115：Convenient location to access the train station.
Review 116：The staff has been really friendly and the facilities are nice. Perfect to spend some days exploring the area.
Review 117：Friendly welcome, clean dorm and bathroom.
Review 118：Double bed, en suite and a well thought out breakfast arrangement.
Review 119：Very helpful owners. Got into room early. We were able to use all facilities until we left in the afternoon.
Review 120：Nothing. It was all good.
Review 121：Staff was fantastic.
Review 122：Not much of a breakfast Good value for the money
Review 123：Clean and friendly
Review 124：friendliness, location, comfort
Review 125：location is good.
Review 126：windows could use back out blinds as right on road and street light right out side
Review 127：good value for money
The Fine Print
Please let the property know your expected arrival time in advance. You can use the Special Requests box when booking or contact the property.