The Portland Hotel Lybster Exterior photoThe Portland Hotel Lybster Exterior photoThe Portland Hotel Lybster Exterior photo

THE PORTLAND HOTEL, Lybster

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From$89 /night
Check-in
01May
Check-out
02Jun
Rooms and Guests2 Guests, 1 Room
Key details

About the Hotel

Quatre Bras Lybster, Lybster, KW3 6BS
-
Near the coast
Very good
7.8
/10
4.5
4.4
/5

Location

The Portland Hotel is located in Lybster, a village known for its history and proximity to key attractions along the North Coast 500 route. Only a short drive from Wick, John O' Groats, and Thurso, the hotel is convenient for guests seeking to explore Northern Scotland. The hotel also provides easy access to the Scrabster Ferry Port, ideal for those heading to the Orkney Islands.

Rooms

With 24 en-suite rooms, The Portland Hotel offers a diverse array of accommodations, including standard doubles, kingsize, and special designs like the Four Poster. Some rooms feature 7ft long single beds for taller guests. Each room is equipped with Smart HDTVs and varies in style to cater to individual preferences.

Dining

The Portland Hotel prides itself on its award-winning menu that features locally sourced produce, with some fish smoked on-site. Dining is available from 5 PM, offering classic Scottish dishes that are frequently updated to ensure freshness. For larger groups, special arrangements can be made for meal times.

Weddings & Events

The hotel also serves as a wedding venue, with a function hall that accommodates up to 250 guests. Catering services are available for ceremonies, meals, and evening events, with assistance from experienced coordinators. Over 30 years of expertise helps ensure that all details are handled smoothly.

Motorcycle Friendly

The Portland Hotel caters to motorbike enthusiasts with lockable covered bike pens fitted with security lighting and cameras. Guests can monitor their bikes from their smartphones, ensuring peace of mind. A drying room for outdoor gear and access to cleaning supplies further enhance the experience for bikers.

Highlights

Location: North Coast 500 route

Rooms: 24 ensuite rooms

Dining: award winning locally sourced food

Weddings: Premier wedding venue in Caithness

Motorcycle Friendly: lockable covered Bike Pens

Must-do experiences

  • Visit the stunning Whaligoe Steps for breathtaking coastal views.
  • Savor fresh seafood at The Cabin Cafe, a local favorite.
  • Explore the nearby Dunrobin Castle and its beautiful gardens.
  • Check out Lybster's Market Hall for unique local crafts and produce.
  • Discover the Lybster Heritage Centre for fascinating local history.

Select your preferred room

Choose from standard rooms, family suites, or deluxe options — with breakfast and flexible rates
  • Single Room
    2 persons
    6 m²
    1 Single bed
    Heating
    Coffee machine
  • Twin Room Shower
    2 persons
    10 m²
    2 Single beds
    Heating
    Coffee machine
  • Family Room
    2 persons
    12 m²
    1 King-size bed
    Bathtub
    Heating
Show all rooms

View our calendar

Check prices and secure your dates today
May 2026 - May 2027
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Check-in/ Check-out

Hotel facilities and services

Each hotel provides modern amenities for a relaxing and pleasant stay
Facilities: Very good
7.4/10Review score

General

  • No smoking on site
  • Parking
  • Pets allowed
  • 24-hour security
  • Luggage storage
  • Smoke detectors
  • Fire extinguishers
  • Key access

Sports & Fitness

  • Bowling
  • Golf course
  • Fishing

Guest Parking

  • Electric kettle

Services

  • Room service
  • Housekeeping
  • Laundry
  • Welcome drink

Dining

  • Restaurant
  • Bar/ Lounge area
  • Picnic area/ Tables
  • Dinner
  • Packed lunches
  • Special diet menus

Business

  • Business centre
  • Meeting/ Banquet facilities

Children

  • Cots
  • Board games
  • Children's menu

Spa & Leisure

  • Live entertainment
  • Garden area
  • Leisure/ TV room

Room features

  • Free Wi-Fi in rooms
  • Heating
  • Tea and coffee facilities
  • Ironing facilities

Bathroom

  • Free toiletries

Self-catering

  • Electric kettle

Media

  • Flat-screen TV

Room decor

  • Carpeted floor
Show more

The Portland Hotel Location

Quatre Bras Lybster, Lybster, KW3 6BS
Explore Lybster
Local Experiences
  • Top Attractions
  • Activities
  • Dining
  • Entertainment
Lybster Church
3 minutes' walk
An iconic structure showcasing beautiful architecture and stained glass, perfect for a quick visit.
Lybster Golf Club
12 minutes' walk
A scenic golf course providing stunning coastal views. Ideal for golf enthusiasts or casual players.
Waterlines
5 minutes' drive
A fascinating visitor center detailing the area's maritime heritage; includes interactive exhibits and guided tours.
Clan Gunn Museum
15 minutes' drive
Explains the history of the Gunn clan, showcasing artifacts and historical insights about the region.
Golfing at Lybster Golf Club
12 minutes' walk
Enjoy a day of golfing on a beautiful course. Suitable for all skill levels with club rentals available.
Hiking to Hill O' Many Stanes
15 minutes' drive
Experience a scenic hike to ancient stone structures. Perfect for thrill-seekers and history buffs alike.
Portland Hotel Restaurant
2 minutes' walk
Offers a menu featuring local dishes in a cozy atmosphere. Reservations recommended for dinner.
Local Pub
5 minutes' drive
A friendly spot with live music and quiz nights; ideal for enjoying local brews and socializing.
Getting around the city
  • City Centre
    Lybster 6 min  ·  500 m
  • Airports
    Wick John O'Groats (WIC) 36 min  ·  23.4 km
    Kirkwall (KOI) 161 min  ·  107.1 km
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Check Rates
Property information and rules
Check-in
from 15:00-22:00
Check-out
from 06:00-11:00
Guest Parking
Private parking is possible on site for free.
Internet
Wireless internet is available in the hotel rooms for free.
Breakfast
You can start your day with a full breakfast, which costs GBP12 per person per day.
Pets
Pets are allowed on request.
Number of rooms:
20
Former name
Portland Arms

Guest ratings and detailed reviews

Feedback about The Portland Hotel from previous guests about their experience.
Review summary
Based on recent reviews
Powered by AI
The Portland Hotel often strikes guests as charming, with a central location for exploring nearby attractions like John O' Groats and the Whaligoe Steps. Room 6 is frequently mentioned as being very large, with modern decor and a comfortable bed, plus a beautiful bathroom. The hotel's fish and chips are a popular dinner choice, and breakfast is generally considered spot-on; however, some guests have found the property could benefit from refurbishment. The hotel also has a fridge with packed lunch items available for purchase, which is convenient for those traveling the NC500.
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Review score
Based on 210 verified reviews
7.6 /10
Very good
75 %
Recommend
Staff
9.0/10
Location
8.5/10
Facilities
7.4/10
Value for money
7.6/10
Pros
Comfortable beds
Spacious room
Delicious fish
Warm welcome
Good breakfast
Cons
Basic food
Poor shower
Slow service
Guest reviews
based on 210 reviews
7.6/10
based on 372 reviews
7.8/10
Elijah from Israel
Single
Standard Double Room
3 nights in November 2025
|
Reviewed: January 11, 2026
9/10

Cozy stay with helpful staff

kind staff delicious food fresh towels local attractions
The staff was really kind and helpful. I had dinner at the restaurant and the food was delicious (I really enjoyed the local dishes!). The room was clean and fresh towels were available every day. I appreciated the information on display about local attractions.
The coffee at breakfast tasted a little bit weak.
Facilities
9/10
The hotel has a communal sitting room that is steeped in heritage. I saw a dining room with nice decor. There's also a fridge with packed lunch items available for purchase, a convenient feature for travelers on the go.
0 Helpful
|
Show less
Stella from Italy
Single
twin room shower
3 nights in June 2025
|
Reviewed: September 16, 2025
5/10
peeling wallpaper dirty spoons
My initial room was disappointing as peeling wallpaper and a musty smell greeted me (not the scottish air, i assure you). i was moved to another room, but it wasn't much better. It was dusty with dirty spoons and hairs in the shower. the owner claimed the hairs were hers from cleaning, but i wasn't convinced.
0 Helpful
Luke from United Kingdom
Single
Twin Room Shower
3 nights in June 2025
|
Reviewed: August 14, 2025
7/10
free wifi ample parking good food dated room quiet town quaint harbour
The food was amazing. I especially liked the chef's new options . I took advantage of the free WiFi. Free parking was convenient. The coffee house also had breakfast and pizza to go.
The rooms seemed a little dated, but they were nice and neat. The hotel is situated in a very quiet town. It has a quaint harbour and is on the NC500 route. I found it to be too quiet.
0 Helpful
FAQs
About The Portland Hotel
What is the check-in and check-out time at The Portland Hotel?
Check-in is at 15:00 and check-out is at 11:00.
Is breakfast included during my stay at The Portland Hotel?
A full Scottish breakfast is available for an additional charge of 12 GBP.
What nearby attractions are easily accessible from The Portland Hotel?
Nearby attractions include Clynelish Distillery (approximately 21 km), Whaligoe Steps (about 8 km), and Clan Gunn Museum (6 km).
How far is The Portland Hotel from Wick John O'Groats Airport?
The Portland Hotel is 20 km from Wick John O'Groats Airport.
What kind of dining options can I expect at The Portland Hotel?
There are three distinct dining areas and a bar that offers over 100 Scottish gins and 50 whiskies.
What amenities are provided in the rooms at The Portland Hotel?
Rooms feature free Wi-Fi, a flat-screen TV, coffee and tea making facilities, and complimentary bottled water.
What activities are available for guests at The Portland Hotel?
Guests can enjoy activities such as golf, fishing, live music performances, and themed dinner nights.

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