Baltasound Hotel

We had a great stay for one night. The room was well equipped and clean. While Steve, the owner, was clearly stressed out due to staffing issues (it was just a him having to take care of everything) he was nice and took care of everything that we needed (it's worth keeping in mind to not expect service like in the middle of a big city when you're in the middle of nowhere). The dinner and breakfast, while simple, were excellent and cooked to perfection. The salmon we had for dinner was probably the best I've ever tasted. We'd be more than happy to come again.

Loved my stay. You can't expect luxury in such an isolated place but the room was warm, clean and cosy. TV worked first time! Food was terrific and the chef a proper character. Laughed a lot. Steve (?) the owner (?) no shrinking violet either. All made me very welcome and a memorable visit. Wouldn't hesitate to recommend to anyone who finds themselves in such a beautiful outpost.

Regrettably this is the only hotel on Unst so we were forced in many ways to stay here for 3 days. It is run down and the owner/manager seemingly is not bothered and his attitude to guests is far from what one would expect in the hospitality industry.|It is very overpriced but this probably reflects a monopoly situation.|The food is eatable but dinner again is overpriced. As the Unstfest was on we were able to take advantage of community take away meals on two nights.|Our room in one of the chalets was not serviced the whole time we were there. This was probably due to a lack of staff. Indeed it appeared that the chef was trying to leave. |The only good thing is the location overlooking Balta Sound but even then the orientation of the chalets does not take advantage of the views. |From our discussions with local people on Unst and indeed on mainland Shetland this establishment is known to have a reputation as being poor. I should have had regard to the negative warnings on Tripadviser! There is self catering accommodation on Unst and if we go again to experience the wonderful scenery and wildlife we will use that. |It is a very great pity that this hotel is just not being run properly as it should be a veritable goldmine with proper management and one which the Unst community would also use. |I have never felt so bad about a hotel before or made any reviews but was moved to do so in this case.|I would say beware before you book if you read this review!!

Booking was easy online and polite. On arrival, Steven was friendly and hospitable. He showed us to our cabin, arranged dinner and pointed out local areas of interest. We stayed for two nights and Alison the cook was excellent; homemade, quality wholesome food and lovely cooked breakfasts served with style. Dinner was £70 two course meal for two diners with drinks, really good value and most welcome. Alison is a wee gem and will meet your dining needs. Steven is a genuinely nice guy and happy to assist. The cabins are basic, clean and comfortable. We enjoyed our stay and thank Steven & Alison for their hospitality. Best of luck for your endeavours x

We arrived early in the day and there was a written note for us at reception, our cabin was ready and open. In the afternoon the owner, Steve, came and asked us to pay for our three nights. Seemed reasonable to me, some hotels are prepay, months in advance. The hotel wasn't busy, Scottish school holidays are earlier, and the evening meal was served at 6.30 or so. There was a limited choice but it was good. The chef, also Steve I think was loud and friendly. Breakfast was ordinary if using the buffet but a cooked breakfast was also available and very good, individually cooked.|All in all we had a lovely stay in a wonderful location, very near to the lunar landscape.

It’s such a shame this is the only hotel in Unst as it has been allowed to become terribly shabby and needs £££££ spent on its paintwork alone. There’s a poster in the dining room for Monarch Airlines in I think 1978 – which probably dates the miserable dingy carpet. |Looking for positives; the chalet was clean, bed was OK, there was hot water in the shower. It was a bit like staying in a youth hostel - except for the price :(. On my first morning there was no breakfast set for me as the staff appeared not to know I was there (I'd booked weeks before). A fry-up duly materialised – I gave up on the egg as it tasted mostly of fat used many times over. |A family group was staying in houses nearby – when I asked if the hotel would care to cater for 13 of us for dinner the owner looked utterly horrified and suggested I go there to eat with them as I’d ‘have a much better time’. So I did.

First of all, I would like to say that the hotel and the chalets are nice, clean and in a beautiful position. There are some drafts in the bathrooms but both hot water and heating work well. The breakfast is also good. Sadly the owner is the rudest person I ever met in my travels and I have travelled all over Scotland. His hospitality was extremely poor, inviting us to go away (!!). Never ever I received an email from an hotelier all in capital letters after a polite question about the dinner - until now. I'd only say: stay away from this hotel until the management has changed!!

Stayed here for three days. Beautiful location. We were in the main building. ||When we asked to put our spare insulin in the hotel fridge the owner responded that Unst is a remote place and medically dangerous to stay on. Also that the hotel would accept no liability if we wished to retrieve the insulin and no staff member was available. We did explain we wouldn't actually want or need it till we left.||When we let the owner know we had no hot water he asked if we wanted to cut our holiday short. nb We had no hot water because the boiler hadn't been switched on. The rest of the time the hot water came on while we were at breakfast - too late to use. ||The room was not serviced while we were there.||The only other time the owner spoke to us was when we were leaving. He just shouted "Leave the keys at reception" across the car park.

Actually stayed here last year (2019) in May for three nights. Thought about dinging them a star for price, expensive, especially compared to what I paid to stay there 3 years before that. I believe different management/ownership, but location, location, location. The dinners and breakfasts were excellent. They were incredibly accommodating for my late dinners, about 8pm or so, both on arrival and after my last day spent checking out many of the interesting places you can visit and hiking at Hermaness. If you only have a few days for exploring as much of Unst and Yell on the way back as you can this is a great place to stay. Have to admit, on first sight The Bates Motel might cross your mind, but no murderous psychopaths to be found. Wonderful scenery on the other hand, plentiful. Stayed in one of the cabins. It was nice enough, but kids would probably love it. Though it was early spring and still having occasional snows, the room warmed up nicely as I ate my late dinner the first night. The room was clean and had it's own electric coffee/tea pot. Everyone was exceptionally friendly. Had some nice after dinner conversations. Thanks for a nice stay.