The Kirkwall Hotel

Hotels
8.3 (400 reviews)
Harbour Street , Kirkwall , gb

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Children allowed
Pets allowed

Facilities

Non-smoking rooms
Restaurant
Family rooms
Pets allowed
Lift / Elevator
Luggage storage
Fax/photocopying
Facilities for disabled guests
Packed lunches
Darts
See all facilities

Review Highlights

Pros:
Friendly staff
Great location
Good food
Cons:
Poor cleanliness in hallways
Small rooms
Inconsistent bar service

Categories

Cleanliness
7.53
Some reviews indicated that the hallways were shabby and decoration needed updating.
Service
9
Most reviews highlighted friendly and helpful staff across various interactions.
Location
9.04
Multiple reviews praised the excellent location and proximity to attractions.
Room Quality
7.99
Rooms were noted as comfortable, though some found them small.
Amenities
8.02
The hotel offers good amenities, but some feedback on the bar service could improve.
Value for Money
7.98
Overall value is perceived as good, with some comments suggesting higher prices.
Food and Beverage
8.53
Breakfast and restaurant services received positive remarks, though some suggestions for improvement.
Overall Experience
8.3
The overall sentiment is positive with recommendations for future stays.
* This sentiment is summarized by AI based on user reviews.
Updated at: 2026-01-16 06:22

Property Description

Harbour Views and Stylish Rooms
The Kirkwall Hotel offers picturesque views of the Orkney Islands' harbour, complemented by modern en suite rooms featuring all the necessary amenities for a comfortable stay.

Fine Dining and Local Flavors
Indulge in a culinary experience at the Harbour View Restaurant, where you can savor a variety of dishes made from locally sourced ingredients, or unwind at Skippers Bar with a selection of Orkney ales and whiskies.

Convenient Location and Leisure Activities
Situated a short stroll away from Kirkwall's main shopping area, guests can easily explore nearby attractions such as the Orkney Museum and Saint Magnus Cathedral, with the added convenience of free Wi-Fi and parking at the hotel.

Book your stay at The Kirkwall Hotel for a memorable Orkney getaway.

Important information:

Please note that this hotel does not accept American Express credit cards.

Check-in and check-out hours:
Check-out: 11:00 AM

Property Policies

  • Pets

    Pets are allowed on request. Charges may be applicable.

  • Internet

    WiFi is available in all areas and is free of charge.

  • Parking

    No parking available.

  • Children and extra bed policy

    Children of any age are allowed.
    Children up to and including 6 years old stay for free when using an available cot.
    Children up to and including 5 years old stay for free when using an existing bed.
    Children from 6 years old to 16 years old stay for £12.50 per person per night when using an existing bed.
    You haven't added any extra beds.
    Any type of extra bed or child's cot/crib is upon request and needs to be confirmed by management.
    Supplements are not calculated automatically in the total costs and will have to be paid for separately during your stay.

Location

Guest Reviews

8.3
Based on 400 reviews
Cleanliness: 7.53
Service: 9
Location: 9.04
Room Quality: 7.99
Amenities: 8.02
Value for Money: 7.98
Food and Beverage: 8.53
Overall Experience: 8.3
M
Myles • couple • gb
8
Pros:

excellent location on the waterfront with great view of the harbour. Front desk and hotel staff where very nice, helpful and made the stay special.

Cons:

Lower floor rooms at the front of the hotel are over a public bar so can be loud until closing time plus their is a night club down the street and taxi rank opposite the hotel that can make the street loud until 2pm at the weekend. Weekday its ok just an issue at the weekend.

2026-05-06 • via Nuitee
K
Kirby • couple • gb
9
2026-04-28 • via Nuitee
D
Debbie • solo_traveller • us
10
Very Comfortable Stay
Pros:

My room was very comfortable and cozy. The bathroom was decorated very nicely and welcoming. Excellent extras provided with great coffee and treats. I loved the decor!

Cons:

One morning at breakfast one of the employees wasn't very pleasant. She kept asking us when we were leaving and she ended up rearranging tables and chairs forcing us to leave. As a small group tour we were told breakfast was available between 7am -9:30am.

2026-04-22 • via Nuitee
X
X2463MOemilyh • Couples
8
Very comfortable stay
Pros:

Really comfortable stay in lovely refurbished room with harbour view. Breakfast was ok but decided to eat elsewhere in evenings.

2026-04-19 • via Tripadvisor
L
Lindsay • couple • gb
9
Lovely sympathetically renovated hotel with some traditional features retained. We'll be back!.
2026-04-10 • via Nuitee
• couple • gb
10
2026-04-09 • via Nuitee
K
Katrina • family_with_children • gb
10
2026-04-05 • via Nuitee
N
Naomi • couple • gb
10
2026-04-04 • via Nuitee
I
I8165IWfelicias • Solo travel
10
Wonderful, Comfortable Hotel.
Pros:

This is a lovely hotel and in my experience the best hotel in Orkney. The rooms are beautiful. They have loads of character. They are very comfortable and spotlessly clean and they are warm. They also have a huge lounge area where guests can relax and chill with sea views and a lovely bar. The breakfasts are delicious and the staff are extremely helpful, welcoming and accommodating. The customer service is fantastic here. I have stayed here 3 times and once at The Shore hotel next door, and I cannot fault the hotel or the service. Its a very comfortable and welcoming stay. I'm extremely grateful to Stuart, one of the reception staff at the Kirkwall Hotel who went the extra mile to make me feel welcome. All round, a great experience and I'm very grateful to The Kirkwall Hotel for everything they did for me during my time in Orkney. Highly recommend this place. You wont find better in Orkney and the prices are reasonable for what Orkney prices are.

2026-04-02 • via Tripadvisor
K
Kato122 • Family • Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, England
10
Lovely hotel overlooking the bay, with comfortable well positioned rooms, restaurant also great with local dishes.
Pros:

Such a lovely hotel overlooking the bay and harbour, close to the airport and an easy walk into the town with all its pretty individual shops, cafes and galleries. Very helpful staff, efficient and friendly. Excellent breakfasts and restaurant menu and service was great and good value. Our twin room had lovely views across the bay and harbour. Some fascinating historical pictures and old ledgers in the main stairwell.

2026-03-30 • via Tripadvisor
C
Caroline • couple • gb
10
2026-03-12 • via Nuitee
L
Leeanne • couple • gb
7
2026-03-06 • via Nuitee
R
Robert • couple • gb
10
Great location, comfortable place to use as a base to experience Orkney.
Pros:

Great location. Comfortable room. Good restaurant. Staff very helpful.

Cons:

No car park. However we were able to park close by.

2026-03-03 • via Nuitee
N
Neil • extended_group • gb
8
Highly recommend the Kirkwall Hotel
Pros:

Staff were excellent, very helpful and friendly

Cons:

Minor cleanliness improvement opportunity with bedroom carpet

2026-02-10 • via Nuitee
P
Paula • family_with_children • ar
9
Pros:

Great location, excellent breakfast, clean. Staff super friendly and helpful.

2026-01-31 • via Nuitee
L
Lesley • couple • gb
8
2026-01-27 • via Nuitee
D
de Almeida • solo_traveller • gb
10
Had a lovely stay at The Kirkwall Hotel. All staff were very knowledgable and friendly and made me welcome after a long
Pros:

Very well appointed , cosy and comfortable room. The bar and restaurant areas are very nicely styled creating a welcoming feel.

Cons:

My stay was too short!!

2026-01-25 • via Nuitee
J
Jane • couple • gb
10
2026-01-20 • via Nuitee
C
colinf163 • Couples • The Royal Town of Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands, England
10
Nice, comfortable hotel for a winter stay!
Pros:

We were in Orkney for a very short family affair. We stayed a night at the Kirkwall.

We knew our arrival would be late (the ferry from Aberdeen arrives at 11pm) but a quick email to the hotel and this wasn't an issue.

Lovely room, with a warm and comfortable bed and a fantastic shower.

The breakfast was excellent and made us ready for the day. We also stayed for dinner before the ferry back to Aberdeen and that was also excellent.

The hotel looks a little dated, but actually it's modern equipment under the surface.

Staff were friendly and I would stay there again.

One little thing to point out to visitors,the hotel has no parking, relying on street parking. Not a problem in January, but different in Summer. However there are big carparks within a few hundred metres.

2026-01-19 • via Tripadvisor
I
Isobel • couple • us
9
Great!
Pros:

We liked the location, breakfast, the room.

Cons:

Overall everything was great. The dinner was ok, but not great. It would have been helpful if the staff at the reception gave us the information that you can see all the important sites by a day pass on the busses.

2026-01-19 • via Nuitee