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The Smugglers Hostel

Property class: 2

Choose dates to view prices

Photo gallery for The Smugglers Hostel

A stack of barrels with labels indicating different locations.
A dining area with wooden tables and chairs, a bookshelf, and framed pictures on the wall.
A kitchen with wooden chairs, a dining table, and a window with blue curtains.
A bunk bed room with metal railings and a single bed with a blue blanket.
A stone building with a signboard indicating 'Welcome' and 'Beds Available'.

Reviews

7.4 out of 10
Good

Popular amenities

  • Pet friendly
  • Parking included
  • Laundry
  • Kitchen

Explore the area

View in a map
Main Street, Ballindalloch, Scotland, AB37 9EX
  • Place, Cairngorms National Park
    ‪1 min walk‬
  • Place, Drumin Castle
    ‪4 min walk‬
  • Place, Tomintoul Museum
    ‪8 min walk‬

Room options

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

Tomintoul

The Smugglers Hostel places you within a 5-minute walk of Drumin Castle and Tomintoul & Glenlivet Discovery Centre & Museum. This 22-room hostel welcomes guests with conveniences like free self parking and laundry facilities.
View more Hostels in TomintoulOpens in a new window

What's nearby

  • 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

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

About this property

The Smugglers Hostel

Guests staying at The Smugglers Hostel enjoy free WiFi in public areas, laundry facilities, and a garden. Free parking is available if you drive. Staff members can answer questions about accommodations, and also provide luggage storage.
The recreational activities listed below are available either on site or nearby; fees may apply.

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  • Parking included
  • Restaurant
  • Breakfast available
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Nov 13 - Nov 14
Total with taxes and fees
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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

  • Bed sheets 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

  • This property welcomes pets for free
  • Dogs and cats only
  • Service animals exempt from fees

Property payment types

  • American Express
  • Mastercard
  • Visa

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
  • Check-in: 4:00 PM—-7:00 PM
  • Check-out: 10:00 AM
  • Minimum check-in age: 18
Driving? This property offers free parking.

We should mention

Details about charges, deposits, or other important information:

  • This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business, or profession.
  • Charges for extra guests may apply and vary depending on the property's policy.
  • A cash deposit, credit card, or debit card for incidental charges, as well as a government-issued photo ID, may be required at check-in.
  • Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in and can't be guaranteed. Certain requests may come with additional charges.
  • This property accepts credit cards. Cash is not accepted. 

Additional information about polices, regulations, and more:

  • There are no elevators.

Property class

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

Property is also known as

Smugglers Hostel Ballindalloch
Smugglers Ballindalloch
The Smugglers Hostel Ballindalloch
The Smugglers Hostel Hostel/Backpacker accommodation

Frequently asked questions

Are free cancellation options available at The Smugglers Hostel?

The Smugglers Hostel offers free cancellation on some room rates. For more details, look at the cancellation policy on our site.

How much does it cost to stay at The Smugglers Hostel?

As of Oct 28, 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at The Smugglers Hostel on Nov 17, 2026 start from $162, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

What's there to see around The Smugglers Hostel?

This hostel in Ballindalloch is within a 10-minute walk of Tomintoul Museum, Drumin Castle, and Tomintoul & Glenlivet Discovery Centre & Museum. You'll also find Speyside Way - Tominoul Spur and Snail Maze within a short drive.

Is there parking available at The Smugglers Hostel?

Yes, self parking is offered for free at the hostel.

Does The Smugglers Hostel have a casino on the premises?

No, The Smugglers Hostel doesn't have a casino.

Will I find an indoor pool at The Smugglers Hostel?

No, there is no indoor pool at this hostel.

Does The Smugglers Hostel have a hot tub?

No, there isn't a spa tub at this hostel.

Does The Smugglers Hostel have a restaurant that serves breakfast?

No, The Smugglers Hostel doesn't have a restaurant that serves breakfast.

Will The Smugglers Hostel allow pets to stay for free?

Yes, cats and dogs can stay for free at The Smugglers Hostel.

Does The Smugglers Hostel have connecting rooms available?

No, this hostel doesn't feature connecting guestrooms.

Are there rooms with balconies at The Smugglers Hostel?

No, you won't find rooms with balconies at The Smugglers Hostel.

The Smugglers Hostel Reviews

Reviews

7.4

Good

Rating 10 - Excellent. 4 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

7.6/10

Cleanliness

8.0/10

Staff & service

9.6/10

Amenities

8.0/10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
We've got a very nice clean and with private toilet included bedroom. Good car park. A well spacious living room with kitchen with all the amenities. Amazing place. I'll recommend and I'm sure I'll be back as soon as possible.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2026
Verified review

8/10 Good

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

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

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

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

Great

Gab
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2024
Verified review

4/10 Poor

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

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

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

Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025
Verified review

2/10 Terrible

Disliked: Cleanliness
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2023
Verified review

8/10 Good

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

8/10 Good

Liked: Staff & service
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2019