Review of Northern Lights Spa Guest House, Bressay, Shetland Islands, Scotland

I stayed at the Northern Lights Spa Guest House on the island of Bressay in the Shetland Islands for 2 nights in May 2010 during my McKinlay Kidd Shetland flydrive press trip.  Bressay is just across the water from Lerwick, the main city of the Shetland Islands, reached by a regular ferry service.

I arrived in the evening on the 20:00 ferry from Lerwick with instructions to phone the guest house to arrange pick up from the ferry terminal on Bressay for the short drive up to the guest house.  I was greeted by Paul, one half of the husband and wife team who run the Northern Lights Spa Guest House.  On arrival, Vee showed me to my bedroom (Room 1),  which was spacious, colourful and comfortable.

The room had three windows, one with a view over towards Lerwick.

View from Room 1 at the Northern Lights Spa Guest House

Wifi is available for a one off cost of £5.  I found the signal to be very good.

Room 1 at the Northern Lights Spa Guest House

As I arrived after 8pm I was served a light supper on my first evening.  It was a very tasty vegetarian plate of open courgette, onion, tomato and asparagus pastry, a bean salad, potato salad and focaccia bread.

Vegetarian Supper at Northern Lights Spa Guest House

Breakfast comprises of cereal, fruit, yoghurt, toast and a selection of warm items such as croissants, waffles, home baked cake and muffins.  There’s a selection of home made jams and lemon curd.

Breakfast at Northern Lights Spa Guest House

My Northern Lights Hot Rock Massage with Vee was arranged for the following evening.  It was a very enjoyable experience using local heated basalt lava stones for a back, neck and shoulder massage.  Suffice to say that I slept better that night than I had done for ages. Use of the Turkish steam room, sauna and hot hydro pool is included in the room price.  In fact I was so relaxed after my massage that I was late getting down for dinner.  The home baked kale and carrot muffin served with the beetroot soup was delicious.

Beetroot soup with carrot and kale muffin

That morning I was asked if I preferred the meat, fish or vegetarian option  for main course.  I plumped for fish so my main course was Fillet of Shetland Megrin Sole with Langoustines.

Fish main course at Northern Lights Spa Guest House

Dessert was creme brulee followed by tea or coffee in the lounge.

McKinlay Kidd’s MD, Robert Kidd, personally selects the accommodation offered on their Shetland holidays, so you’re unlikely to end up in accommodation that’s not quite what you expected.

I’d highly recommend the Northern Lights Spa Guest House for a stay in the Shetland Islands.  The hosts Vee and Paul are really friendly, attentive and helpful, the accommodation is very comfortable and the food is fantastic.  Even if you don’t stay there, you can arrange for a spa session.

You can read more about my Shetland flydrive trip and see my Shetland Islands photo tour.