Smoo Cave Hotel
9.0
Exceptional(571 reviews)
Lerin, Durness, Sutherland IV27 4QB, United Kingdom
+44 1971 511227
Hotel Description
Smoo Cave Hotel, located at Lerin, Durness, Sutherland IV27 4QB, United Kingdom, occupies a former crofting house in a secluded rural area, offering a peaceful retreat for visitors. Situated just 17 minutes' walk from the nearest beach along the stunning North Atlantic Ocean, this hotel provides a serene environment for relaxation and adventure. With nearby attractions like Balnakeil Craft Village just 2 miles away and Durness Golf Club located 3 miles from the hotel, guests can enjoy both cultural and outdoor experiences. The A9 road, 72 miles away, offers easy access for travelers coming from distant cities, making it an ideal base for exploring the northern Highlands of Scotland.
The hotel features six cozy, relaxed rooms that boast essential amenities such as flat-screen TVs, Wi-Fi, and tea and coffeemaking facilities. Some rooms even offer spectacular ocean views, providing guests with a peaceful and scenic atmosphere. One of the rooms comes with a kitchenette, offering added convenience for those looking to prepare their own meals. The overall design of the hotel is warm and inviting, with a restaurant and bar area that provides a welcoming space to unwind after a day of sightseeing. Guests can enjoy breakfast in the hotel, and parking is available for those who wish to explore the surrounding area by car.
Smoo Cave Hotel is one of the few hotels in the area that offers a restaurant and bar, providing guests with a comfortable place to dine and socialize. The hotel's nightclub adds an extra element of entertainment, offering an enjoyable nightlife experience. Additionally, the property is known for its great service, which has earned praise from many visitors. Guests have frequently mentioned the hotel’s pub and the quality of beer served, making it a popular choice for those seeking a relaxing drink after a long day.
For guests looking to explore the surrounding area, the hotel is well-connected with convenient public transportation options. The Wick John O'Groats Airport is approximately 2 hours and 41 minutes away by taxi, while local walking routes offer easy access to key locations, such as Smoo Cave, just 9 minutes away by foot. The area is also home to numerous points of interest, such as Smoo Cave itself, Balnakeil Beach, Ceannabeinne Beach, Durness Beach, and the picturesque Kyle of Durness, all within walking distance or a short drive.
The hotel is located close to several highly regarded dining options. Guests can enjoy a meal at Sango Sands Oasis Bar & Takeaway, just a 6-minute taxi ride away, or indulge in a quick bite at Smoo Crave, a fast food restaurant just 1 minute away by taxi. For a snack or breakfast, Sango Sands Breakfast Bar and the Fish & Chips snack bar are also within close proximity. The Cheese and Toasted Snack Kiosk, also a fast food option, is a 6-minute taxi ride from the hotel.
With its charming location, comfortable rooms, and excellent amenities, Smoo Cave Hotel offers an unforgettable stay for those seeking a peaceful retreat in the Scottish Highlands. Whether you're here for the stunning landscapes, local attractions, or a relaxing getaway, Smoo Cave Hotel provides the perfect base for exploring the beauty of Durness and its surroundings.
The hotel features six cozy, relaxed rooms that boast essential amenities such as flat-screen TVs, Wi-Fi, and tea and coffeemaking facilities. Some rooms even offer spectacular ocean views, providing guests with a peaceful and scenic atmosphere. One of the rooms comes with a kitchenette, offering added convenience for those looking to prepare their own meals. The overall design of the hotel is warm and inviting, with a restaurant and bar area that provides a welcoming space to unwind after a day of sightseeing. Guests can enjoy breakfast in the hotel, and parking is available for those who wish to explore the surrounding area by car.
Smoo Cave Hotel is one of the few hotels in the area that offers a restaurant and bar, providing guests with a comfortable place to dine and socialize. The hotel's nightclub adds an extra element of entertainment, offering an enjoyable nightlife experience. Additionally, the property is known for its great service, which has earned praise from many visitors. Guests have frequently mentioned the hotel’s pub and the quality of beer served, making it a popular choice for those seeking a relaxing drink after a long day.
For guests looking to explore the surrounding area, the hotel is well-connected with convenient public transportation options. The Wick John O'Groats Airport is approximately 2 hours and 41 minutes away by taxi, while local walking routes offer easy access to key locations, such as Smoo Cave, just 9 minutes away by foot. The area is also home to numerous points of interest, such as Smoo Cave itself, Balnakeil Beach, Ceannabeinne Beach, Durness Beach, and the picturesque Kyle of Durness, all within walking distance or a short drive.
The hotel is located close to several highly regarded dining options. Guests can enjoy a meal at Sango Sands Oasis Bar & Takeaway, just a 6-minute taxi ride away, or indulge in a quick bite at Smoo Crave, a fast food restaurant just 1 minute away by taxi. For a snack or breakfast, Sango Sands Breakfast Bar and the Fish & Chips snack bar are also within close proximity. The Cheese and Toasted Snack Kiosk, also a fast food option, is a 6-minute taxi ride from the hotel.
With its charming location, comfortable rooms, and excellent amenities, Smoo Cave Hotel offers an unforgettable stay for those seeking a peaceful retreat in the Scottish Highlands. Whether you're here for the stunning landscapes, local attractions, or a relaxing getaway, Smoo Cave Hotel provides the perfect base for exploring the beauty of Durness and its surroundings.
The Most Outstanding Trait
1. Walking distance to Smoo Cave and John Lennon Memorial Garden
2. Guests praised the service and hospitality at the hotel
3. One of the few hotels in the area with a restaurant and bar
4. Nightclub available for added entertainment and nightlife
5. Guests frequently mentioned the quality of beer and pub atmosphere
6. Close proximity to famous local sights such as Balnakeil Beach and Durness Beach
7. Free parking and a smoke-free property for a comfortable stay
8. Family-friendly, with kid-friendly amenities
9. Proximity to major transportation routes and public transport options
10. Wi-Fi available for all guests, ensuring convenience and connectivity
7.2 Very Good
Location rating
Top sights
Smoo Cave
7 min
Balnakeil Beach11 min
Ceannabeinne Beach7 min
Durness Beach7 min
Kyle of Durness10 min
Nearest locations
Smoo Crave
1 min
Fish & Chips3 min
Sango Sands Oasis Bar & Takeaway6 min
Cheese and Toasted Snack Kiosk6 min
Sango Sands Breakfast Bar7 min
See more Interesting locations
Good to know
| Check-in | 16:00 |
| Location rating | 7.2 |
| Nearest airport | Wick John O'Groats Airport |
| Travel time to airport | 2 hr 41 min |
Recommended properties nearby
Location
Lerin, Durness, Sutherland IV27 4QB, United Kingdom
Airports:
Wick John O'Groats Airport
Taxi: 2 hr 41 min
Transit: 6 hr 36 min
Transit:
Road End
Walking: 5 min
Smoo Cave
Walking: 9 min
Hall
Walking: 16 min
Nearby locations
7.2
Very Good Location
Occupying a former crofting house in a secluded rural area, this unpretentious hotel is 17 minutes' walk from the nearest beach along the North Atlantic Ocean. It's 2 miles from Balnakeil Craft Village, 3 miles from Durness Golf Club and 72 miles from the A9 road.
Top Attractions
Top Restaurants
Amenities and Facilities
Activities
Nightclub
Parking & transportation
Parking
Policies & payments
Smoke-free property
Food & drink
Restaurant
Bar
Breakfast
Wellness
No fitness center
No spa
Children
Kid-friendly
Internet
Wi-Fi
Pools
No pools
No hot tub
Reviews
100% reviews from partners and customers booking on Dinogo
9.6
10 reviews
Wonderful
9
Excellent
0
Good
1
Below Average
0
Not Good
0
Matt Morris
5/5
Smoo Cave Hotel definitely has a ski lodge feel to it. Awesome little bar area and a side room with comfy chairs and a fireplace.The rooms were spacious and decent facilities.The dinner menu was surprisingly quite diverse with loads of options. The sweet and sour chicken with rice was amazing and the desserts were delicious! Breakfast menu offers cereals and a cooked breakfast made to order. The staff are super friendly.The hotel offers beautiful views and is about a 15min walk down to the Smoo Cave.My family and I thoroughly enjoyed our stay.
Michael Yucuis
5/5
Great little pub for a bite. Super friendly staff. Get the fish and chips and a few Tenants after exploring Smoo Cave and the adjacent cliffs. The Man City memorabilia on the wall is an added bonus!
Service 5
Location5
Mitchell Leimon
5/5
We didn't stay but visited the bar/restaurant twice: really excellent local bar; friendly staff, local beers, good food with both pub and seafood options. Down to earth community place. Very handy for the coastal attractions and hiking routes.
Room 5
Service 5
Location5
Susan Seenan
3/5
We stayed in the annexe and although the room was large, there were a few issues. We had to figure out how to get hot water (find the switch at the door). The sink in the bathroom was unusable as the water did not drain properly. The shower was erratic, switching between very hot and then cold. We also reported that the tv wasn't working but nobody fixed any of the issues. Dinner was excellent and breakfast also first class. Staff were lovely but overall we were disappointed with the stay which was expensive (most expensive of the six places we stayed at over our NC500 week).
Shona Perrett
5/5
Excellent place to stay, Safe parking for motorbikes round the back. Staff were super friendly and couldn't do enough for us. We even managed to peg our wet swimming gear on their washing line. Highly recommend
Room 5
Service 5
Location5
Yvette Estelle Jeffrey
5/5
Very friendly staff. The wee bar has a great atmosphere and the quality of food was excellent.Room was clean and had everything you would need. Very comfortable beds and beautiful scenery. Very short walk to Smoo CaveThere really isn’t a huge amount of choice in Durness however, even if there was, I would recommend this place highly above anywhere else.Bonus points to there being a local cat that was very cute and friendly
graeme robertson
5/5
Stayed in a group of four, whilst on a bike run round NC500, got a large room for us all, had it's own kitchen area and the beds were very comfortable. Staff and locals were very friendly and keen to learn visitors story's. Had a great night in the Pub. They have a walk way down to the Smoo Cave that was fantastic to see. Highly recommended and will definitely be staying again in the future!
JF
Jessica Joyce F
5/5
We didn’t stay here as we were camping but just wanted to leave a review to say thanks so much for catering to us coeliacs (gluten free!) …
DC
Debbie C
5/5
Although this hotel was organised by friends who had already completed a few NC500 road trips I can honestly say I would have booked it anyway myself for one night||Pros: Remote location, Peaceful, owners down to earth and friendly, no airs …
J B
5/5
On a cycling trip in October 2023, I was very happy to get out of the wind and rain for a spell and warm up at the restaurant (and later the bar). A hot pot of tea and a pate of chips did the trick, but what I remember most was the kindness of the woman who not only greeted me with friendliness, but also took my wet jacket and put it in the dryer and insisted that I sit in the sun room to properly regain a bit of comfort. Had a pint at the bar and a very good chat with the barkeep before I got back on the saddle. Kindness is what we remember most.