Dornoch Castle Hotel, Dornoch ➤ Reviews, Rooms & Prices 2025

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About the Hotel

Castle Street, Dornoch, United Kingdom

Dornoch Castle Hotel, a 3-star hotel, features a historic setting within a 15th-century castle and is renowned for its whisky bar with one of the most extensive collections of old bottlings. Guests can enjoy local cuisine at the restaurant, which emphasizes high-quality food and friendly service.

Rooms & Amenities

Rooms at Dornoch Castle Hotel include a variety of accommodations, offering views of the hotel's walled garden, Dornoch Firth, or Dornoch Cathedral. Guests can choose from Deluxe, Superior, and Standard rooms, all featuring en-suite bathrooms, tea and coffee facilities, and flat-screen TVs.

Dining Options

Dornoch Castle Hotel serves lunch and dinner, with an emphasis on local produce in seasonal menus. The restaurant is complemented by the Vault, offering a special private dining experience, and the whisky bar invites guests to sample unique and rare whiskies.

Leisure & Local Area

The hotel is situated near notable attractions including Dornoch Cathedral and Dornoch Firth. The Dornoch region offers opportunities for outdoor activities, including exploring the North Coast 500 route, showcasing stunning coastlines and charming towns.

Services & Transportation

Services at Dornoch Castle Hotel include complimentary Wi-Fi, evening meals in the whisky bar during quieter seasons, and packed lunches for daytime excursions. The hotel is accessible by bus from nearby stops, making it convenient for guests traveling from surrounding areas.

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Select your room type

The hotel offers a variety of rooms including double rooms, family rooms, and suites with breakfast, free cancelations, and special deals

Deluxe Double Room

Max:

2 persons

25 m²

Bed options:

1 King Size Bed

Shower

Heating

room details

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Superior Double Room

Max:

2 persons

18 m²

Bed options:

1 King Size Bed

Shower

Heating

room details

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Superior Family Room

Max:

2 persons

36 m²

Bed options:

2 Single beds

Shower

Heating

room details

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Getting around

A list of all available modes of transport

City Center

Dornoch700 ft

Airports

Inverness (INV) 49.7 mi

Wick John O'Groats (WIC) 63.8 mi

Facilities

The hotel offers amenities for your comfortable stay and unforgettable experiences

Really good Cuisine!

“The restaurant offered an extraordinary dining experience with top-quality ingredients and flavors that exceeded my expectations.” view full review

Luxurious Accommodations

“My room was wonderfully spacious and beautifully decorated, complete with a comfortable four-poster bed that added a touch of elegance to my stay.” view full review

Charming Amenities

“The bathroom was well-appointed, featuring high-quality toiletries and a cozy atmosphere that made me feel pampered.” view full review

Hassle-Free Parking

“Parking was incredibly convenient with free options available, allowing for easy access to all that Dornoch has to offer during my stay.” view full review

General

No smoking on site
Free Wi-Fi in public areas
Parking
Pets allowed
Rooms/ Facilities for disabled
Security
Baggage storage
Smoke detectors
Fire extinguishers
Key access

Sports & Fitness

Hiking
Horseback riding
Golf course
Fishing

Guest Parking

Electric kettle

Services

Housekeeping
Laundry
Welcome drink

Dining

Restaurant
Bar/ Lounge area
Packed lunches
Special diet menus

Business

Fax/Photocopying

Children

Cribs
Board games
Children's menu

Facilities for people with disabilities

Toilet for disabled

Spa & Leisure

Live entertainment
Garden area
Leisure/ TV room

Room features

Heating
Sitting area
Terrace
Garden furniture
Tea and coffee facilities
Ironing facilities

Bathroom

Free toiletries

Self-catering

Electric kettle

Media

Flat-screen TV

Room decor

Carpeted floor

Location

Castle Street, Dornoch, United Kingdom

Map view

Castle Street, Dornoch, United Kingdom

City landmarks

Golf Course

Royal Dornoch Golf Club

5000 ft

Dornoch Firth

2.7 mi

Nearby

Church

Dornoch Cathedral

500 ft

Museums

Historylinks Museum

500 ft

Carnaig Street

Janet Horne Memorial Stone

1700 ft

Restaurants

Dornoch Castle Hotel

0 ft

Castle St

Sutherland House Ltd

300 ft

Argyle Street

The Coach House

200 ft

Castle Street

Cocoa Mountain Dornoch

300 ft

Castle Street

One up Restaurant

400 ft

The Square

Luigi's Restaurant

600 ft

Castle Street

The Coach House Bar And Restaurant

500 ft

Castle Street

Milk & Honey

500 ft

High Street

Harry Gow Bakery

600 ft

2 High Street

Reviews and Ratings

Feedback from previous guests about their experience.

76%

liked the hotel and would stay again

Unique room design

Convenient location

Distracting room color

Some dining delays

7.6/10

Very good

Rooms

7.2

Location

8.6

Service

8.7

Dining

6.7

4/5 based on 974 reviews

#3 of 6 hotels in Dornoch based on Tripadvisor

Nick

United States of America, May 2024

7.0/10

The hotel has a great location, being in the center of town, making it ideal for exploring the scenic old town. The rooms, though basic, were sparkling clean. The service was friendly and helpful, despite some noise issues. The dining experience was average, with some hits and misses. Overall, a good value for money stay.

Rooms

6.0

The room was extremely basic but remarkably clean.

Service

7.0

The staff was friendly and helpful, although there were noise disturbances during the stay.

Location

9.0

The hotel's location in the center of the old town is superb, perfect for exploring the area.

Dining

6.0

The dining experience was average with some dishes hitting the mark while others fell short.

Facilities

7.0

The hotel offers basic facilities, nothing extraordinary.

Jane

United Kingdom, April 2024

8.4/10

The hotel offers a truly unique experience with its amazing room design and convenient location. While the room may have a distracting color, it's still fantastic for what we paid. The service went above and beyond to make our stay memorable, from locating a forgotten iPad to arranging a special museum visit. The location couldn't be better, right in the heart of a scenic old town. Dining was decent but lacked a bit of attention. Overall, a great choice considering the value for money.

Rooms

8.0

The room design was unique and amazing, though the different color was a bit distracting.

Service

9.0

The staff really went out of their way to assist us, from finding a lost item to arranging exclusive visits.

Location

10.0

The hotel is superbly situated in the middle of a scenic old town, making it a perfect spot for exploring the area.

Dining

7.0

The dining experience was okay, with some delays in service, but nothing too concerning.

Facilities

8.0

The facilities were good overall, offering everything we needed for a comfortable stay.

Unique room design

Distracting room color

Peter

United States of America, March 2024

7.8/10

My stay at the hotel was pleasant overall. The room was fine but not spotless and somewhat expensive. The staff were friendly and helpful, and the service was absolutely brilliant. The location was nice and traditional, with easy access to explore the town and beaches. The dining experience was to a high standard, offering a lovely selection of dishes. The facilities were good, though not exceptional.

Rooms

7.0

The room was clean and comfortable with good WiFi, but a bit pricey.

Service

9.0

The staff were friendly, engaging, and extremely professional.

Location

8.0

The location was comfortable and warm, with easy access to explore the town and beaches.

Dining

8.0

The dining experience was lovely with great selection, but not as good as dinner.

Facilities

7.0

The facilities met my needs but were not outstanding.

David

United States of America, December 2023

7.6/10

Staying here was like stepping into the TV series 'Outlander' with a charming four-poster bed and antique vibe, though a bit pricey at around £220/night. The room, part of a suite option, offers a mix of modern facilities with a classic touch, including a bath but not spotlessly clean.

Rooms

7.0

The room had a lovely 'Outlander' feel with a four-poster bed and modern amenities, but cleanliness was not impeccable and the rate was somewhat high.

Service

9.0

The service was excellent, especially friendly and accommodating, and Andy at the Whisky bar was a highlight of our visit.

Location

8.0

The central location in Dornoch was cozy, with a homely wood/coal fireplace, a vast whisky selection, and easy access to the cathedral.

Dining

6.0

The dining experience was decent, but the self-service aspect except for toast was a bit underwhelming, and the quality didn't match the room's price.

Facilities

8.0

The hotel offers inviting facilities, and being straight across the cathedral, it provides an excellent base for exploring Dornoch.

Helpful and friendly staff

Room cleanliness could be improved

United Kingdom, November 2023

7.6/10

The hotel offers traditional rooms at a somewhat expensive rate, but the friendly service and amazing location in the cute town of Dornoch make up for it. The dining could be better for the price paid.

Rooms

7.0

The rooms, although more traditional, were fine but not spotless and somewhat cold.

Service

9.0

The staff were friendly and went out of their way to assist us, even arranging for a local museum to open specially for our family history search.

Location

9.0

The central location in Dornoch is amazing, making it easy to visit the Royal Dornoch GC and explore the surrounding areas.

Dining

6.0

The dining experience was okay, but could be better for the price paid, with some dishes seeming to be from a tin or box.

Facilities

7.0

great location

somewhat expensive

Ben

United Kingdom, November 2023

8.4/10

Staying at the hotel felt like being transported back to the TV series 'Outlander' with its four poster bed and antique vibe, all while enjoying modern amenities. The rooms were spacious and luxurious, maintaining their original charm. The service was superb, from the engaging and friendly staff to the impressive whisky collection. The location at the heart of Royal Burgh of Dornoch was ideal, and the whiskey bar was a standout feature. However, the dining experience, albeit to a high standard, was limited in options. Overall, a place I would revisit primarily for the exceptional whisky.

Rooms

9.0

The rooms were like a scene from 'Outlander' with a four poster bed and antique vibe, paired with modern facilities. The bath added a touch of luxury.

Service

9.0

The staff went above and beyond, from helpful bartenders to attentive service throughout. The whiskey collection was a highlight.

Location

9.0

The central location in Royal Burgh of Dornoch was perfect, offering a cozy atmosphere with a remarkable whiskey bar. Ideal for exploring the surroundings.

Dining

7.0

The dining experience, although of a high standard, could offer more variety in choices. The handmade pasta was a standout.

Facilities

8.0

The extension wing of the hotel provided spacious and luxurious public areas. A great spot for relaxation.

Simon

United Kingdom, September 2023

7.0/10

The hotel has spotless rooms with great amenities, although the soundproofing could be better. The service is fantastic with freshly baked bread every morning and friendly staff. The location is superb, right in the center of Dornoch, but the dining experience could be improved. Overall, a cozy and compact stay with some limitations.

Rooms

7.0

The rooms were clean and had different amenities than the twin section.

Service

9.0

The staff were very friendly and attentive to all guests.

Location

8.0

The hotel is superbly located right in the center of Dornoch.

Dining

5.0

The dining experience was very average with limited choices.

Facilities

6.0

The hotel offers cozy facilities but with limited space for guests.

Agnes

United Kingdom, July 2023

7.6/10

The standard rooms were nothing special compared to the beautiful castle rooms but came at the same premium price, lacking renovation. The service was attentive, offering advice on scotch pairings and complimentary desserts or espresso. The hotel's location in the heart of the Royal Burgh of Dornoch was fantastic, with a cozy atmosphere and close proximity to the Royal Dornoch golf course. Overall, the hotel offers a mix of positives and negatives for a stay.

Rooms

6.0

The standard rooms were disappointing, dated, and in need of renovation.

Service

8.0

The service staff were helpful in recommending scotch pairings and offering complimentary items.

Location

9.0

The hotel's location in the heart of the Royal Burgh of Dornoch is amazing, with a real fire ambiance and close proximity to the Royal Dornoch golf course.

Dining

7.0

Facilities

8.0

The facilities provided a cozy atmosphere with scottish music and an advertised 'lovely secluded garden' offering a unique experience.

David

United Kingdom, May 2023

8.0/10

My stay at the hotel was a mix of comfort and charm. The rooms were clean and comfortable with a great view, but a bit cold and dated. The service was friendly and accommodating, although there was a slight issue with cigarette smoke. The location was cosy and inviting, with a unique old castle feel. The dining experience was good overall, especially with wood-fired pizzas. Facilities were well-kept and inviting.

Rooms

8.0

I stayed in the Annexe room with a modern bathroom, which was clean and comfortable with a great view.

Service

9.0

The staff were very friendly and promptly changed our rooms when we reported the shower not working.

Location

7.0

The location had a cosy and compact feel, with a quirky old castle vibe. It was near good independent shops and had a huge wood/coal fireplace with comfortable seats around it.

Dining

8.0

The dining experience was very good overall. The morning coffee was lovely, and the wood-fired pizzas were a highlight.

Facilities

8.0

The facilities were well-kept and inviting, adding to the overall experience of the stay.