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Castle Arms Hotel – reviews, photos

Mey, Thurso KW14 8XH, Scotland
Hotel amenities
Castle Arms Hotel
Ranked #5 of 10 hotels in Thurso
4.0 of 5 stars 20 Reviews
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20 reviews from our community

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Date Rating
Farmington, Connecticut
Top Contributor
57 reviews 57 reviews
Reviews in 36 cities Reviews in 36 cities
40 helpful votes 40 helpful votes
“Pleasant and Comfortable”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 30 July 2011

With early morning ferry reservations looming, we stayed at the Castle Arms so that we would be able to start the day fresh and have a sort drive to the ferry. We were comfortable and well cared for during our short stay. We had dinner in the restaurant and thoroughly enjoyed it. It looks out on a lovely garden area as did our room. The room was spacious and once I got rid of my "inner american"... I was able to figure out the shower controls.
The room was spacious and had tea amenities. If you are British or Scottish, of course you would expect this. I think of it as a wonderful extra!
At breakfast, I was in the mood for only some scrambled eggs and I specifically said that I did not want any toast. The cook must have felt sorry to send out only a plate of eggs and nothing else (even though that was all I wanted) and there must have been an entire dozen on my plate! Anyway, my plate was heaped with a pile of fluffy delicious scrambled eggs. Positively heaped!

  • Stayed June 2011, travelled as a couple
    • 5 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
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Ask bravo-cinzia about Castle Arms Hotel
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
Bristol, United Kingdom
1 review
“Friendly, generous and comfortable!”
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 8 June 2011

Stayed here for a night whilst touring around Scotland. Very handy for visiting the Castle of Mey which is just down the road. The annex room was clean, spacious, comfortable and warm (the heating was on, even though it was early June and the weather was unusually warm!) and had the benefit of easy access to the car park and not having to carry luggage upstairs. We had booked a twin which comprised both a double and a single and were given choice of a room with either bath or shower. Plentiful tea, coffee, biscuits etc in the room. Evening meal was lovely - the Steak and Ale pie was tasty and huge! Service could not have been friendlier.

  • Stayed June 2011, travelled with family
    • 4 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
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Ask Jane_Scott72 about Castle Arms Hotel
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
East Kilbride, United Kingdom
Senior Contributor
32 reviews 32 reviews
Reviews in 24 cities Reviews in 24 cities
41 helpful votes 41 helpful votes
“Very enjoyable stay”
3 of 5 stars Reviewed 31 May 2011
2
people found this review helpful

As most other people have said, this is an acceptably quirky place in an area of Scotland with a derth of good hotels. John & Myra certainly make this hotel a joy to visit. Yes the rooms are a bit "Sixty-ish" Yes they could do with a bit of work, but they are clean and tidy and are good value.
The area had a power cut (Due to storms) just when we arrived and John & Myra took it in their stride. A very nice dinner was served by candle light and the whisky tasted even better in the dim light. The power came back on in time for bed and a good night was had by all.
All in all a delightful stay in a traditional Scottish Inn hosted by traditional Scottish hosts

  • Stayed May 2011, travelled with friends
    • 4 of 5 stars Value
    • 3 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 4 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
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Ask Kenny M about Castle Arms Hotel
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
Bristol
Senior Contributor
26 reviews 26 reviews
Reviews in 19 cities Reviews in 19 cities
12 helpful votes 12 helpful votes
“Great welcome, a good night's sleep and a fantastic breakfast”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 3 May 2011

The Castle Arms is not for you if you want a modern swanky hotel, but you probably won't one of those in Caithness anyway. It has a bit of an amateur feel about it, and in this small village loaction manages to double as the village shop, pub, restaurant and hotel, but it's totally charming and the hosts are friendly, attentive and welcoming.
So, the TV, kettle and shower looked a bit dated, but they all worked perfectly fine, and there was a large selection of teas and coffees in the room, which was round a courtyard garden at the back of the hotel, with easy access to the carpark, without having to walk through the hotel. The bed was very comfortable and the linen fresh and modern, and the breakfast really was outstanding value, with juice, tea, coffee, cereals, a huge supply of toast and a choice of items from a fry up menu, which was delivered piping hot.
The hotel also does evening meals and had a great selection when I was there includng things you won't see in chain hotels - the rabbit stew seeed popular amongst other guests.
You can't fault the location - yes, John O'Groats is a tacky, but the Castle Arms in Mey is just minutes away from the beautiful white sands and dunes at Dunnet Bay, a forest walk, mainland Brtitain's most northerly point at Dunnet Head, the sensational scenery and wildlife at Duncansby Head, the ferry to Orkney and is literally just 100 yards from the Queen Mother's Castle of Mey home.
During a tour of the highlands I was only able to stay one night - I wish I could have stayed longer and wouldn't hesitate to come back.
Plus, the weather was fantastic - I think it's always sunny and warm in the highlands, they just pretend it's always snowing/raining to keep the place to themselves.

  • Stayed May 2011, travelled solo
    • 5 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 5 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 4 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
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Ask DSandJB about Castle Arms Hotel
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
1 review
“Wee Highland Gem”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 14 October 2010

Had a fantastic time at this wee highland gem, very friendly welcome, nice spacious rooms and great menu. Would recommend.

  • Stayed October 2010
    • 5 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 4 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
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Ask Mikesh74 about Castle Arms Hotel
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Additional Information about Castle Arms Hotel

Mey, Thurso KW14 8XH, Scotland
Price range (per night):* INR7,133 - 7,133

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