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The Smugglers Hostel

Property class: 2

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Photo gallery for The Smugglers Hostel

A stack of barrels with labels indicating different locations. - The Smugglers Hostel (Ballindalloch)
A bunk bed room with metal railings and a single bed with a blue blanket. - The Smugglers Hostel (Ballindalloch)
A kitchen with wooden chairs, a dining table, and a window with blue curtains. - The Smugglers Hostel (Ballindalloch)
A dining area with wooden tables and chairs, a bookshelf, and framed pictures on the wall. - The Smugglers Hostel (Ballindalloch)
A stone building with a signboard indicating 'Welcome' and 'Beds Available'. - The Smugglers Hostel (Ballindalloch)
The Smugglers Hostel provides amenities like a garden and laundry facilities. Guests can connect to free WiFi in public areas.

Reviews

7.4 out of 10
Good

Popular amenities

  • Pet friendly
  • Parking included
  • Laundry
  • Kitchen

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Skip the crowds, keep the savings. AARP members save more after Labor Day. Book by Oct 7, 2026.

Room options

Available filters for rooms
Showing 5 of 5 rooms

Room, Private Bathroom (Private Room)

  • Sleeps 5
  • 1 Twin Bed and 1 Twin Bunk Bed

Family Room, 1 Bedroom, Private Bathroom

  • Sleeps 4
  • 1 Double Bed and 1 Twin Bunk Bed

Room, Mixed Dorm, Shared Bathroom (Room 2)

  • Sleeps 1
  • 1 Twin Bed

Room, Mixed Dorm, Shared Bathroom (Room 1)

  • Sleeps 1
  • 1 Twin Bed

Room, Mixed Dorm, Shared Bathroom (Room 3)

  • Sleeps 1
  • 1 Twin Bed

About the neighborhood

Located in Ballindalloch, The Smugglers Hostel is in a rural area. Tomintoul & Glenlivet Discovery Centre & Museum and Tomintoul Museum are cultural highlights, and some of the area's landmarks include Drumin Castle and Corgarff Castle. Snail Maze and Craig MacLean Leisure Centre are also worth visiting. Take an opportunity to explore the area for outdoor excitement like hiking/biking trails. Visit our Tomintoul travel guide
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Map
Main Street, Ballindalloch, Scotland, AB37 9EX

What's nearby

  • A snowy mountain landscape with two skiers descending a slope.
    Cairngorms National Park
    1 min walk - 0.0 miles
  • Drumin Castle
    4 min walk - 0.3 miles
  • Tomintoul & Glenlivet Discovery Centre & Museum
    5 min walk - 0.3 miles
  • Tomintoul Museum
    8 min walk - 0.5 miles
  • Snail Maze
    9 min walk - 0.5 miles

Getting around

  • Keith and Dufftown Railway
    38 min drive
  • Inverness (INV)
    79 min drive

Restaurants

  • The Old Firestation Tea Room
    2 min walk
  • The Glenavon
    8 min walk
  • Dalchini
    5 min walk
  • bridge of brown
    6 min drive

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Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Free self parking on site

Family friendly

  • Laundry facilities

Conveniences

  • Laundry facilities
  • Luggage storage

Guest services

  • No housekeeping service

Outdoors

  • Garden

Accessibility

  • No elevator

More

  • Smoking not allowed

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • Towels provided

Food and drink

  • Shared kitchen access

More

  • Heating

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 4:00 PM; Check-in end time: 7:00 PM

Late check-in subject to availability

Minimum check-in age: 18

Check-out

Check-out before 10:00 AM

Special check-in instructions

There is no front desk at this property

Guests must contact the property in advance for check-in instructions; access will be through a private entrance

To make arrangements for check-in please contact the property at least 24 hours before arrival using the information on the booking confirmation

Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

Access methods

Private entrance

Pets

Pets stay free

Service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees

Welcoming dogs and cats only

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome

Property payment types

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
This property accepts credit cards; cash is not accepted

We should mention

This property does not have elevators

Property class

This establishment has received its official star rating from VisitScotland, the National Tourist Board for Scotland.

Frequently asked questions

Is The Smugglers Hostel pet-friendly?

Yes, cats and dogs are allowed at this property.

How much is parking?

Self parking is free at this property.

What time is check-in at The Smugglers Hostel?

Check-in start time: 4:00 PM; Check-in end time: 7:00 PM. Late check-in is available during limited hours.

What time is check-out at The Smugglers Hostel?

Check-out is at 10:00 AM.

Where is The Smugglers Hostel located?

Situated in a rural location, this hostel is within a 5-minute walk of Drumin Castle and Tomintoul & Glenlivet Discovery Centre & Museum. Snail Maze and Tomintoul Museum are also within 10 minutes.

Can I cancel my reservation for free and receive a full refund?

Yes, this property offers free cancellation on select room rates, because flexibility matters! Please refer to the property cancellation policy on our site for more details about any exclusions or requirements.

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Reviews

The Smugglers Hostel Reviews

7.4

Good

7.6

Cleanliness

10

Location

8.0

Staff & service

8.0

Property conditions & facilities
Rating 10 - Excellent. 3 out of 13 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 5 out of 13 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 13 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 1 out of 13 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 2 out of 13 reviews

Reviews

Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Sheri

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
We were rented the family bedroom that had its own private bath, a double bed and three singles. It was a great place to stay. Huge kitchen for everyone and lots of seating. Parking was a bit tight.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2026
Verified review

8/10 Good

Laura

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Easy and convenient in an unparalleled location

Superb location and lovely common areas.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2022
Verified review

8/10 Good

Angela

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

great little hostel

I had a great night stay here. the facilities are good, the member of staff was very friendly and helpful there is a local shop/pub/restaurant. Nice and quiet, i had the best nights sleep here.
Stayed 1 night in May 2019
Verified review

8/10 Good

Gemma

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Last minute family booking

Great communication after a last minute booking as a family of 5. Very comfortable and clean. In a lovely setting.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2022
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Great

Gab
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2024
Verified review

4/10 Poor

Chantal

Liked: Cleanliness
Disliked: Staff & service

Self checking need professionnal...they aren't

To pay £100 for a private room with private bathroom in a youth hostel, and for that, only receiving a quick email explaining that there will be probably no staff at arrival time (while Hotels.com mentions until 7pm) but that you can pass and visit thrz tourist center ..between 3 and 5pm !!! At the end, no code supplied for your private room. Other guests on site saying that they did not see any staff for the last 2 days except the cleaning person. Emergency numbers given online and onsite : 0 answer ! Hotels.com support : 0..just good enough to make your call lasting as long as possible. Finally found a dormitory open and slept in it but with not door code so were always afraid that the door could get closed . Terrible service from the hostel. Self checking needs a minimum experience...they have none. Hotels.com : thanks for the travel I don't know where thanks to your online support ..but not a better service than the hotel.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2022
Verified review

2/10 Terrible

Frank

Liked: Amenities
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Schöne Küche, Zimmergröße ok (Familienzimmer). Aber: sehr dreckig. Auf dem Heizkörper im Zimmer war ein Fleck mit Erbrochenem (? Annahme), welches sich auch auf dem Teppichboden befand. Der Türcode für das Zimmer befindet sich gut sichtbar für alle im Flur an der Pinnwand. Somit haben wir uns nicht sicher gefühlt. Es war kein Personal vor Ort. Wir mussten telefonisch erst einmal die Zugänglichkeit zum Zimmer klären.
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Good atmosphere, nice staff and nice people staying. Good sharing kitchen and living
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2019
Verified review

6/10 Okay

Verified traveler

Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025
Verified review

2/10 Terrible

Christian

Disliked: Cleanliness
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2023
Verified review

8/10 Good

Verified traveler

Liked: Staff & service
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2023
Verified review

8/10 Good

Kasper

Liked: Staff & service
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2019