Name: Sandra's Backpackers Hostel
Address: Princess Street, Thurso, Thurso, Thurso, KW14 7BQ, United Kingdom
Rating: 5

Smoke-free property

Heating

All Spaces Non-Smoking (public and private)

Reception desk

General

Non-smoking rooms

Shower

Linens

Rooms

Laundry

Luggage storage

Services and amenities

Coffee/tea for guests

Common kitchen

Meals

Free Wi-Fi

Internet

Transfer services

Transfer

Hiking

Recreation

Offsite parking reservations required

Parking

Beach/pool towels

Pool and beach

Cycling

Sports

Pets allowed

Pets

Extra decontamination measures

Personal protection equipment for guests

Additional measures against COVID-19

Health and Safety Measures

Location

At the hostel

Room amenities

Caithness Horizons

Wick Airport

Kirkwall Airport

Sandra's Backpackers Hostel

Thurso

child-bed

child-bed-fee

external-private-bathroom

private-bathroom

shared-bathroom

10-beds

11-beds

12-beds

13-beds

14-beds

15-beds

16-beds

17-beds

18-beds

19-beds

2-beds

20-beds

21-beds

22-beds

23-beds

24-beds

25-beds

26-beds

27-beds

28-beds

29-beds

3-beds

30-beds

31-beds

32-beds

33-beds

34-beds

35-beds

36-beds

37-beds

38-beds

39-beds

4-beds

40-beds

5-beds

6-beds

7-beds

8-beds

9-beds

king-bed

queen-bed

limited-time

lounge

treatment

no-window

bay-view

bosphorus-view

canal-view

city-view

courtyard-view

garden-view

golf-view

harbour-view

inland-view

lake-view

land-view

mountain-view

ocean-front

ocean-view

oceanside

panoramic-view

park-view

partial-ocean-view

partial-sea-view

partial-view

pool-view

river-view

sea-front

sea-view

street-view

sunrise-view

sunset-view

water-view

with-view

annex

basement

main-building

1-bedroom

2-bedrooms

3-bedrooms

4-bedrooms

5-bedrooms

6-bedrooms

not-guaranteed

wired-internet-access

smoking

sauna

duplex

safe

mini-bar

breakfast-for-1

breakfast-for-2

pets-allowed

wi-fi

kitchen

Do NOT book with Sandra’s Backpackers. They are NOT helpful nor accommodating. It is almost impossible to cancel a reservation with them especially if you’ve booked thru booking.com. Best NOT to use booking.com and use Expedia.com for better service. 

Don’t Book with Sandra’s Backpackers. Worthless communication. 

I stayed for 2 nights in a private room with en-suite on the ground floor.
Had to call the hostel on arrival and was met by the host, who showed me around everything and pointed out some eating options around the town.
The kitchen upstairs was well setup and the included breakfast was great,
Towels available. Popular fish and chips place across the road. Bus to John O'Groats leaves from the top of the road a minute's walk away. Train station was 5-10 minutes walk from the hostel.  Tesco supermarket also close by.
Wi-Fi only worked when upstairs, was the only downside.

Good backpackers/budget accommodation option in the center of Thurso.

I called and make a long term booking, where I was told that the booking would be cancelled if I didn't show up unless I called ahead. I called ahead in order to inform them I wasn't able to check in that day and everything seemed fine. I then had my train cancel on me the next day, where I then called again, and was informed that my booking was cancelled no matter what if I didn't show up even if I called ahead. They then said there was another customer and hung up on me. I waited 20 minutes to call back just to confirm that I had called before and ask why that wasn't taken into account? I was not allowed to speak over the minor shouting coming from the person on the phone. I tried to call one more time, asking to have a conversation, where I was told, "if you show up here I will headbutt you". So I would not recommend going to this place, as the staff seem to have problems communicating with customers.

No conversation and then Threats

Sandra Backpackers in Thurso primarily aimed to backpackers looking for a hostel. En-suite rooms are also offered, but they clearly have hostel character. Demands on a hotel are not fullfilled and correspond to the low price - our mistake!

NO HOTEL - good enough for Backpackers?

My friend and I stayed here for just one night in September 2021. This was towards the end of a three week trip. We both agreed it was the worst accommodation of all those we stayed at. The bedframes were made from odd bits of material, the pillow cases had stains on them and of the towels we were provide one looked as though it had been used to dry a dog. And, whilst it was the worst accommodation it was by no means the cheapest of our holiday. I would urge anyone thinking of staying here to look elsewhere.

Sandra's Place, Thurso

THIS HOSTEL IS NOT FAMILY FRIENDLY.
We were a unfortunate family that stayed here last night. By 2am I was ready to call the police. The rooms are directly in front of a taxi rank. The people waiting for the taxis lean on your window that has to be open for air in the room.
Until 3am your room is at screams by volume. At least a dozen drunk people at any one time screaming "och, you wouldn't believe how pxxxxd I am. 
I did approach the owner but they didn't seem to be interested.
The only option left to me is to contact there local council on Monday to try to improve them or close them down as this site is unvisitable on a weekend unless your a pxxs head. The lady serving breakfast was polite and friendly.

Hostel from hell. DO NOT STAY HERE on weekends

We booked this hostel after reading some of the more negative reviews, however as a very open minded bunch of friends, wanting that genuine hostel experience, but expecting “the worst” place.

We were welcomed promptly after arrival to be shown around the hostel and all its facilities and to be told about breakfast time ect, by a lovely welcoming gentleman.
After a few local drams (because ynot!!!) in a close by pub, we headed to the common room that was just like my living room at home, oh it was ever so welcoming, with everything you want, cards , Jenga and information books, perfect for after a long drive or walk to reach Sandras.
It was soon bedtime where had a magnificent room with great ventilation,  flat screen tv, with en-suite shower/poop , and a comfy bed.

Ignore the bad reviews , think those ones got hostel and hotel mixed up, expecting some kind of butler service at there usual la-de-da posh accommodation, you don’t get much for £20 these days, trust me! (Maybe a couple of dances down the local gentleman club) but seriously, £20’s £20 it’s a blooming bargain! 

Hope you enjoy your stay when you book yourself in to Sandra’s

Brilliant hostel in the heart of Thurso

Solid hostel. Cheap as, good common room, comfy and a warm welcome. 
Came despite the bad reviews and not sure what they expected from a hostel, defo written by poshos . Would recommend to anyone.
Sandras is damage

Exactly what we wanted

Walking down the lovely corridors, it reminded me of a 5 star hotel. The kitchen was great, homely.  When we turned up we phoned the number for the receptionist to come down, he came down as fast as a racing car. Great service and the wheat a bix was great. 5 STARS !

The best visit

After a long weary day of traveling was greeted by a lovely receptionist who gave us the most wonderful tour. Room comes with built in strobe light and en suite what more could you ask for? The toasted bread was some of the best I’ve ever eaten

Sandra's Backpackers Hostel

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