The Shore

Hotels
7.9 (364 reviews)
Shore Street , Kirkwall , gb

Children allowed

Facilities

WiFi available
Free WiFi
Non-smoking rooms
Heating
Family rooms
Pets allowed
Luggage storage
Golf course
Facilities for disabled guests
Non-smoking throughout
See all facilities

Review Highlights

Pros:
Clean and fresh rooms
Friendly and helpful staff
Great location
Cons:
Noise from adjacent rooms
Views were limited or unpleasant
High cost for what was offered

Categories

Cleanliness
7.63
Room was very clean and looked fresh and new, but some noise from upstairs and the view was limited.
Service
8.6
Staff were extremely friendly and helpful, allowing early access to lounge and handling luggage.
Location
8.64
Great central location near town and local amenities.
Room Quality
7.59
Room well appointed but some issues with noise and views; some rooms in a less inviting area.
Amenities
7.92
Decent amenities with good breakfast options available at a nearby hotel.
Value for Money
7.08
Room pricing seemed high relative to quality of experience, especially regarding noise and view issues.
Food and Beverage
7.63
Breakfast not included unless booked directly; some positive mentions of coffee.
Overall Experience
8.1
Overall enjoyable stay despite some minor issues.
* This sentiment is summarized by AI based on user reviews.
Updated at: 2026-01-08 17:45

Property Description

Charming Hotel in Kirkwall with Family Rooms

Convenient Amenities: The Shore offers comfortable family rooms with flat-screen TVs, seating areas, and private bathrooms equipped with free toiletries and a hairdryer.

Modern Convenience: Enjoy free WiFi throughout the property, ensuring you stay connected during your visit to Kirkwall.

Ideal Location: Located just 1.9 km from Highland Park Distillery and 4 km from Kirkwall Airport, The Shore provides easy access to key attractions and transportation hubs.

Book your stay at The Shore now for a relaxing and convenient experience in Kirkwall!

Important information:

When booking more than 5 rooms, different policies and additional supplements may apply. For more information, please contact the property directly.Please inform of your expected arrival time in advance. You can use the Special Requests box when booking, or contact the property directly using the contact details in your confirmation.
A deposit may be required at the property.

Check-in and check-out hours:
Check-out: 11:00 AM
Airport code: KOI

Location

Guest Reviews

7.9
Based on 364 reviews
Cleanliness: 7.63
Service: 8.6
Location: 8.64
Room Quality: 7.59
Amenities: 7.92
Value for Money: 7.08
Food and Beverage: 7.63
Overall Experience: 8.1
F
Frances solo_traveller gb
8
It was a fine enough stay for 2 nights. I liked the location and the room was very clean and nice facilities.
Pros:

I liked the location and the nice big, spacious room

Cons:

The lock on my room door wasn’t easy to work. Also the people in the room above me walked over their floor for 4 hours on the Friday night. This was not very relaxing.

2026-08-13 via Nuitee
S
Sally solo_traveller gb
7
A must for location if staying in Kirkwall
Pros:

Brilliant location. Excellent welcoming friendly staff

Cons:

Expensive

2026-08-12 via Nuitee
D
David solo_traveller gb
8
A great place to stay in the town centre.
Pros:

It is conveniently situated close to town.
The staff were friendly and helpful and the hotel restaurant is very good.

Cons:

Some temporary building work outside meant caution was necessary especially at night.

2026-08-09 via Nuitee
J
Jon solo_traveller gb
7
Nice place, nice people, but unfortunately not good value for money
Pros:

Nice comfortable room, decent breakfast

Cons:

Very, very, very, very expensive for what it was. This was about three times the price of what it should’ve been.

2026-08-05 via Nuitee
J
John solo_traveller gb
8
2026-07-18 via Nuitee
J
Jeanne Marie couple us
6
Would stay elsewhere next time; not worth the money.
Pros:

Stayed here to be able to get to Kirkwall Airport; bus stops at the sister hotel. Good location for people arriving by ferry. Had a wonderful Indian dinner around the corner at Dil Se.

Cons:

The Shore is now part of the Kirkwall Hotel. No staff at the Shore. Seems highly overpriced.

2026-07-14 via Nuitee
J
Janet solo_traveller ca
10
Perfect choice for a Kirkwall stay
Pros:

The Shore, part of The Kirkwall Hotel, is an excellent and very well-run place. The room was spacious and full of extras, the bed was lovely and comfortable, the bathroom was very well-appointed, and the food at The Kirkwall was terrific. And the staff were helpful and kind as well. So happy I chose this hotel.

Cons:

Whatever they're doing, they should just keep doing it.

2026-07-13 via Nuitee
M
Margaret solo_traveller gb
7
Pros:

Nice room.

Cons:

Door lock in need if renewal. Wasn't certain it was actually locked on inside. Felt a bit insecure . Also the building was not staffed.

2026-07-07 via Nuitee
M
Moira solo_traveller gb
9
2026-07-07 via Nuitee
A
Andrew solo_traveller gb
7
2026-07-07 via Nuitee
H
Hugh couple ie
10
Pros:

Excellent place in an excellent part of the town

2026-07-04 via Nuitee
D
Desiree solo_traveller ch
8
2026-06-29 via Nuitee
A
Amy couple gb
10
Pros:

Great water pressure in the shower!

2026-06-27 via Nuitee
S
Svenja solo_traveller de
8
I really enjoyed my stay at the shore.
Pros:

The room was small, but cosy and was well equipped. I especially liked the bed, as I am prone to back pain, but I slept well without any problems.

Cons:

There was an exhaust fan or something similar noisy operating nearby during most of the nights. It was ok with the window closed, but a bit loud with the window open.

2026-06-26 via Nuitee
B
Bjoern couple se
5
2026-06-24 via Nuitee
D
Drennan couple gb
8
Friendly comfortable accommodation
Pros:

Genuinely friendly and helpful staff everywhere. Property right on the harbour.

Cons:

Our room was quite dark - up a side alley and just a small window facing a stone wall. Breakfast was ‘ok’ but no local products that ‘sing’ in terms of taste or quality.

2026-06-20 via Nuitee
C
Carol solo_traveller gb
8
A satisfied customer
Pros:

For a one night stay it suited my purposes. It was comfortable and had everything I needed.

Cons:

A drawback of this property is that it is no longer a separate hotel with its own facilities. It has become an annexe and in order to use facilities and have meals you have an outdoor walk to the main Kirkwall Hotel. This didn’t bother me on a dry, mild night but might not be to my taste on a wet, wintry day.

2026-06-17 via Nuitee
F
Fenja solo_traveller de
5
Okay für eine Nacht.
Pros:

Die Lage!

Cons:

Das zweite Zimmer war nur durch unser Zimmer begehbar. Sehr dunkel und alt eingerichtet. Enger Treppenaufgang, kein Aufzug.

2026-06-12 via Nuitee
J
John couple gb
4
Well best booked a caravan
Pros:

Shocking room show older than the place’ cold hot eletric, Rad nightmare doesn’t work like shower doesn’t.
drain & cheeky say cant check into 1500 cause completing preventive maintenance. Dream folk dusting covers

Cons:

Above

2026-05-30 via Nuitee
G
Graham couple gb
5
Disappointing accommodation
Pros:

Excellent location
Staff in Kirkwall hotel very friendly and restaurant quite good

Cons:

Unprepossessing entrance , grubby difficult stairs to first floor.
Very uncomfortable mattress

2026-05-29 via Nuitee