Stay at Baltasound Hotel, Shetland, offering free Wi-Fi, breakfast, parking, and a kid-friendly environment. Rated 3.3 with 78 reviews, ideal for sightseeing and recreation.
Recent guests highlight the hotel's exceptional location and warm atmosphere, with particular praise for the quality of meals and attentive staff. Practical considerations include basic but cozy accommodations and limited connectivity.
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Rooms, shared spaces, dining and exterior — grouped so you can skim quickly.
Situated in the remote Shetland location of Baltasound, this hotel offers a quiet retreat with basic but comfortable accommodations, including cabins described as cozy and warm. The setting appeals especially to travelers looking to disconnect and immerse themselves in the natural surroundings, with guests noting the unique experience of being at what feels like the "end of the world."
Facilities at Baltasound Hotel include free Wi-Fi (although connectivity may be limited in the cabins), complimentary breakfast, parking, and a bar. While there is no pool or fitness center on site, the property is kid-friendly and smoke-free. The dining experience receives consistent praise, with several visitors highlighting the quality of the chef’s meals and noting dinner as a particular highlight.
Guest reviews suggest that while the accommodations are functional and clean, some areas could benefit from updates, such as the bathroom and mattresses. Service is generally friendly and personal, reflecting the small-scale, remote nature of the property, though staffing constraints may affect response times. The atmosphere is welcoming, especially for those seeking a laid-back stay amidst nature rather than urban conveniences.
The location suits visitors interested in sightseeing, recreation, and exploring the Shetlands, offering a base from which to experience Unst island. Limited mobile phone signal is typical in the area, reinforcing the hotel's appeal for guests wanting an off-grid experience. The check-in time is 12:00 and check-out is by 11:00, accommodating a relaxed pace for travelers.
The short version: what's available day-to-day, and the key practical details most travelers search for.
Reviews from travelers who stayed here in the last 12 months, grouped to help you spot the pattern quickly.
I stayed at the Baltasound Hotel in June 2025 and I have truly wonderful memories of my time there. The location is simply extraordinary — you really feel like you’ve reached the end of the world, especially when you arrive by public transport, as I did. The cottages are beautiful, with unbeatable views. They’re comfortable and welcoming, real little cocoons. Two small downsides, though: my mattress was a bit old and too soft, and the bathroom could use some renovation. But none of that spoiled my stay. Meals are served in the main house. Breakfast was perfectly fine — not the best I’ve had in the Shetlands, but absolutely satisfactory. Dinner, however, is a real highlight. I spent a month on the archipelago and tried many places, and the best meals I had were definitely at the Baltasound Hotel. Delicious! I’ve been telling my friends and family about it ever since I got back to France. The chef is fantastic. The atmosphere is also wonderfully friendly, as is often the case in remote places — both among guests and with the hotel staff. I’m truly delighted I stayed there. If I can, I’ll return one day, perhaps by car so I can explore Unst even more (though arriving by bus was an experience I absolutely loved!).
I had a great time here albeit remote. The host was great, always cheerful and talkative, the other staff were great too. The food was really nice with compliments to the chef. The cabin I was in was snug and warm enough. Great sleep every night. Only downside is no signal on the phone unless you travel to the harbour 100m down the road! But if you want to get away from it all, it's perfect. Would love to stay here again.
Backpacking around the Shetlands in late October can be quite a challenge without a tent. In need of accommodation, we came across the Baltasound Hotel. The owner, Steve, kindly offered us a cabin at very short notice (we called around six in the evening) and he even picked us up by car from the other side of the island. He’s a very nice guy who made sure we had a roof over our heads. A complete contrast to some of the negative comments you might read in certain reviews. The cabins are functional and cozy. Yes, there might be cheaper options on Mainland, but yeah - that's Mainland and not Unst! Thanks for everything.
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.
This was a warm, comfortable and welcoming hotel. The food was excellent. The only slight downside was patchy wifi in the cabins although the wifi was good in the public rooms.
A very isolated island - this hotel does what it says on the tin and more - the food is delicious, the location is superb. But the best thing are the staff - they go out of their way to help; the owner Steve is passionate about what he does and friendly. Come for the isolation, the wildlife and the superb location this hotel gives you
We stayed in one of the cabins which while a little dated was spotlessly clean and warm and the bed was very comfortable. The evening meals were superb. There was a limited menu but the chef really knows how to cook and the food was fabulous. Breakfasts cooked fresh to our order.The grounds did look a bit unkempt but external repairs were underway. We are going back next year and looking forward to it.
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.
Based on sightseeing, recreation, and getting around
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