My husband and I have just spent 4 nights in The Hive pod at Braeside Retreats and are already planning a return visit next year. There are 6 pods in total, situated on a field sitting high up with the most amazing views over to Dunnet Head and the Orkney Islands. The pods are well spaced therefore no intrusion on your privacy when soaking in the views from your very own hot tub! The pod itself has everything you need and more, the hosts really do think of everything! There is a fully equipped kitchen with everything you need to prepare a meal inside and there is also a BBQ area located next to the hut tub to the side of the pod, which has privacy screening around it. There is a dining table with 4 chairs inside and a wooden table and 4 chairs outside. We were truly surprised at how spacious the pod is, aside from those things already mentioned, it also has a 2 seater leather sofa bed and a full double bed, an en suite shower room with heated towel rail, ironing board, iron and even a hairdryer! The kitchen has a fridge, 2 ring induction job, full oven and grill, microwave, kettle and toaster. The hosts had put some individual coffee sachets and tea bags in their respective jars and some milk and cream in the fridge, not forgetting the yummy shortbread! With towels, dishcloth, washing up liquid and sponge, there really is everything you need for however long your stay is. Although there is a flatscreen TV in the pod, the best viewing is right outside your pod. This is an ideal location if your doing some or all of the North Coast 500. We used this as our base while doing the North Coast part of our trip. Everything is easily reached and even those places a little further away have great views there and back on the drive. Although we wanted to keep this place a secret, it’s just too amazing not to share!!
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Date of stay: August 2020Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The wife and I have arrived here today at around 16:00 after a 7.5hr drive today and a 5hr drive yesterday. We couldn't be happier with the place. We're staying at the hive and intend to be here for the week. Keys are found in the keysafe box outside, just let yourself in on arrival. The pod is very spacious and everywhere here is immaculate. The bedding smells great and is lovely and snug. There's a lovely welcome book with some advice if you've never stayed here before. There is a parking space big enough for 2 cars next to the pod and the outside area is sheltered from the wind by a windbreak. The kitchen area is plenty big enough and with the welcome pack we got sausages, bacon, black pudding, milk and bread, everything we need. It is nice and cosy at night and the location is absolutely stunning!! There is clean crockery, cutlery, and most importantly, a bottle opener!! I really like it here and we already don't want to leave!!! Thanks so much guys we will definitely be back again!!
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Date of stay: October 2020Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We booked a couple of nights on our way round the NC500. The location is excellent, on the side of a hill overlooking the whole area with fantastic views of the coast etc. Entry was super easy with a key-safe next to the door to gain entry. There is a children's play area and a main firepit just down from the pods. There are 6 pods in total in the field but they were well separated so you felt like you had the whole field to yourself. The pod itself was excellent, it had nearly everything you could want. However, it was let down by a few little problems.... not major but little things that should be sorted out with very little effort. There was no mirror in the bathroom apart from a small round freestanding one. Surely it would be no bother to put a decent sized on on the wall, maybe behind the door. However, the shower was really powerful and was truly wonderful. The kitchen area had everything you need, but the cutlery was all odd styles and seemed to be small and thin like it was from a camping set or something. The frying pan was useless and the bacon/eggs stuck to it and burnt. When you go to a luxury pod like this, you do expect decent cutlery and pans. The TV was a little small and was really unwatchable when you're lying in bed. The pod was very clean. My wife is a professional cleaner and she was very impressed on how clean it was. Outside you have a proper jacuzzi, barbeque shelf, table & chairs. Unfortunately the weather was rather cold and it was blowing a gale so we were unable to sit outside otherwise it would have been great to sit outside. We did try out the jacuzzi even though it was cold and windy. We have a blowup hot tub at home so was looking forward to trying out a proper jacuzzi so even a bit of weather was not going to stop us. We were a bit disappointed with the experience. Yes the water was clean and clear, the jets were great for the back, but it did seem to be very old. there were bits flaking off the side and the control panel was so worn we were unable to understand how to control the jets etc. A bit of trial and error and we managed ok. I guess if the weather was better we would have enjoyed it much more. In conclusion, we did enjoy our stay and we would not hesitate to go back or recommend it to our friends. It was just unfortunate that the weather was awful. If you can replace the cutlery, get a decent non-stick frying pan and replace/recondition the jacuzzi, it would be the best you can get.
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Date of stay: July 2022
Value
Service
Sleep Quality
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We stayed in the Burrow for three nights. The pod was clean and thoughtfully stocked with things you might need (towels, hair dryer, washing liquid, tea towel, washing up sponge, bin liners, cooking utensils, bottle opener, crockery, fridge with freezer box, oven, microwave, induction hobs, kettle, tea, coffee, sugar, soap, body wash). The beds and bed linen were all comfortable and nice. The towels were lovely too. The heating was easily adjusted but the pod was set to be a good temperature. The hot water was instant, there was no shortage and the shower was great. The outside areas are thoughtfully designed and so is the generous spacing between the pods-they are very well spread out from each other. The screening around the hot tub, the BBQ area and the high quality seating are all very well thought out. The hot tub was a highlight for us and was lovely and hot even at night when it was cooler outside. The play park is very well thought out too. My 8 and 10 year olds both had a great time playing in it. As we used to live in the area, for one of the nights we were child free. Night in the pod as a family and as a couple were both great, I would recommend it for both families and couples (I would imagine it would be great for friends too!). It is a short drive to Thurso from the pods but the advantage of being out of town is it is so peaceful. The views are stunning. There are thoughtful considerations for guests with a dog-a dog poo bin and a secure point to tie a lead to. Our dog had a great stay too and this was also an appeal of the pod for us. To sum up, the pods are incredibly well thought out and designed. There are so many thoughtful touches that just make the stay so much more special. You will be hard pushed to find such beautiful views you can enjoy from a hot tub. The views can also be enjoyed from inside the pod. We will definitely be coming back as we had a brilliant holiday.
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Date of stay: April 2023
Value
Location
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We booked a last minute weekend break at Braeside Retreats during the October School Holidays and safe to say we were not disappointed. Travelling with my wife, daughter and dog we have often found cabins to be cramped, but these had plenty of room. Full size bed and a sofa-bed which was easy to fold-away for daytime use as a sofa. A little kitchenette with decent sized fridge (and freezer compartment) with a 2 ring hob, microwave and oven, kettle, toaster etc.
The cabin (Hive) was spotlessly clean and everything had been thought of, from kitchen utensils to biscuits, tea and coffee.
Welcome instructions were sent in advance with guidance re how to access the key safe. WiFi was good and tv signal was strong considering how remote the location really is.
The site is kept immaculately clean, with bins at the main road, a dog waste bin amongst the cabins, little play park for the kids with communal fire-pit adjacent, even a robot mower cutting the grass!
Location-wise, the cabins are in the middle between Thurso and Castletown, with plenty of local amenities, takeaways and supermarkets/grocery stores. We explored Thurso, Dunnet Head, Wick and John O’Groats - all within a half hour drive. The beaches were fantastic too. A 5minute drive to Dunnet / Castletown Beach - with miles of sand for the kids/dogs to burn off some energy!
Back to the cabin of an evening and the private bbq at each cabin was great for toasting mallows before a dip in the hot tub!
(Bring spare towels for the hot tub) - each cabin has a small outdoor clothes line to aid with drying towels/costumes!)
You can see by the sheer number of 5* reviews just how good these cabins are! We would absolutely return!
(Also thanks for helping with the return of the set of keys I stupidly left behind!)
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Date of stay: October 2024Trip type: Traveled with family
Room Tip:Bring extra towels for use with the hot tub, and a torch if you need to walk the dog at night as...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We stayed for 3 nights as our first base on the NC500 - it's located really well for doing the North East section of the route, probably even for a day trip to Orkney too. Close enough to Thurso that a trip to the supermarket for essentials isn't a trek, though as other reviews mention the butchers in Castletown is excellent.
The pod itself was kitted out with everything we needed and very clean. Having the hot tub heated and ready to go was ideal for coming back after a day of exploring or for an early morning dip. The pods are well spaced out so you don't feel overlooked.
We had to change our booking due to COVID and the owners were quick and helpful with rearranging our booking.
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Date of stay: September 2021
Rooms
Location
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
My partner and I stayed here for 3 nights as a stop off/base on our way down the NC500. The pod was really lovely with everything we needed down to the small touches! My partner is in a wheelchair and was able to move around comfortably both inside and out on the decking area which was ideal. We loved the hot tub in the evenings having a few drinks while looking out at the gorgeous views! Very remote and quiet but also a fab location for getting to John O Groats/Thurso/Bettyhill beach easily. The local butchers/bakery in Castletown is worth a visit too! Very comfortable bed..slept like a baby! Really enjoyed ourselves and will be sure to come back in future. Thank you!
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Date of stay: August 2021Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We stayed at Braeside Retreats for 5 nights. We were delighted on arrival as the lodges are beautiful, very well throughout and are equipped with everything you might need. The bed was very comfortable, everything with in good order and the view was spectacular. The hot tub was amazing and very private.
We are from the midlands and had come upto Thurso / John o’Grouts for Orca Watch, I very stupidly forgot my coat and with us being out on the sea for most of the day it made it difficult to go and buy one, but the owners of the lodge went above and beyond and bought a warm coat to the lodge for me to use during our stay which was very thoughtful.
In the future we hope to return and would definitely stay / recommend Braeside retreats. Thank you for a lovely stay.
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Date of stay: June 2021Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We couldn’t have asked for a more relaxing stay and the location was beautiful. We stayed in The Coop. The pods are furnished to the highest standard with a full size bathroom and fully equipped self catering kitchen. The best part of the trip for us was being able to sit in the hot tub at night and watch the Northern Lights above us. It was absolutely fantastic and we can’t wait to come back
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Date of stay: December 2023Trip type: Traveled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Extremely impressed with both the outstanding quality and value for money when we booked your pod for our family and pug dog to attend a wedding in Thurso. A rare find and the high standard of accommodation combined with beautiful scenery and location not to mention a hot tub made it an absolute treat! Thank you for having us and we have already recommended you to friends and family. We’ll be back hopefully 🙏
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Date of stay: July 2022Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
There are more places to choose from in the Thurso area.
PRICE RANGE
$174 - $183 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
LOCATION
United KingdomScotlandScottish HighlandsCaithness and SutherlandThurso
Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. Taxes and fees that are shown are estimates only. Please see our partners for more details.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Braeside Retreats
Which popular attractions are close to Braeside Retreats?
Nearby attractions include Geise Farm Activities (3.1 miles), Lindsey Gallacher Jewellery and Art (2.9 miles), and Castlehill Heritage Centre (2.8 miles).
