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

THE PORTLAND HOTEL, Lybster

•
8.1|Great
Check rooms and rates
From$89 /nightOnly on Our Website -10%
Check-in
16Oct
Check-out
17Oct
Guests
2 Guests
Key details

About the Hotel

Quatre Bras Lybster, Lybster, KW3 6BS
-
Near the coast
Great
8.1
/10
4.7
4.4
/5

The Portland Hotel, Lybster - North Coast 500 stopover with over 100 Scottish Gins and 50 Whiskies

Dining

Over 100 Scottish gins and 50 whiskies are poured at The Portland Hotel's bar, a selection not found in nearby hotels. Full Scottish breakfast is served daily from January to October at The Portland Hotel, with Continental breakfast during winter months. Three dining areas at The Portland Hotel use locally sourced ingredients from an award-winning kitchen.

Rooms

The Portland Hotel is family-run and has 24 ensuite rooms, with styles including four-poster and half-tester beds. Family rooms are available at this non-smoking property. The Portland Hotel's guest lounge and garden offer additional space for guests.

Location

Lybster places The Portland Hotel 35 km from Thurso and 39 km from John O'Groats, with Wick John O'Groats Airport 20 km away. Clynelish Distillery, Whaligoe Steps, and Camster Cairns are nearby on the North Coast 500. Ferry services to the Orkney Islands are reachable from the hotel.

Leisure

Secure bike storage with monitoring and washing facilities for bikers are provided at The Portland Hotel. Guests can book fishing, golfing, and kayaking in the area. Live music performances and themed dinner nights take place on site, and meeting and banquet facilities are available.

Family & Pets

Packed lunches are available at The Portland Hotel for guests heading out on the road. Pet baskets and pet bowls are provided for dogs, and family rooms are available. The Portland Hotel's restaurant offers kids' meals and special diet menus, and board games and puzzles are in the shared lounge.

Highlights

Gin & Whisky: Over 100 Scottish gins and 50 whiskies in the bar

Rooms: 24 ensuite rooms with four-poster and half-tester beds

Location: On the North Coast 500, 20 km from Wick John O'Groats Airport

Activities: Secure bike storage, fishing, golfing, and kayaking

Dining: Three dining areas and award-winning kitchen

Family & Pets: Pet baskets, pet bowls, and kids' meals

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
October 2026 - October 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
7.8/10Review score

General

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

Sports & Fitness

  • Hiking
  • Bowling
  • Golf course
  • Fishing

Guest Parking

  • Private parking is possible on site for free.

Services

  • Pet amenities available
  • 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 GBP 14.0 per person.
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 3 verified reviews
7.0 /10
Very good
67 %
Recommend
Staff
9.3/10
Cleanliness
8.5/10
Facilities
7.8/10
Value for money
7.8/10
Pros
Comfortable beds
Spacious room
Delicious fish
Warm welcome
Good breakfast
Cons
Basic food
Poor shower
Slow service
Guest reviews
based on 3 reviews
7.0/10
based on 331 reviews
8.1/10
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
|
Stella from Italy
Single
twin room shower
3 nights in June 2026
|
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 2026
|
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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