The Kirkwall Hotel

Hotels
8.3 (396 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 396 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
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
P
Paul • couple • gb
9
Good and would stay again
Pros:

Friendly staff , good service and clean

Cons:

Room a bit noisy

2026-01-19 • via Nuitee
M
Mike • solo_traveller • gb
9
Excellent experience, I would recommend it, and I will come in and have a meal the next time I'm in
Pros:

While I travel around a lot at present, I am more of a Air BnB type and don't stay in Hotel-type hotels very often However the terrible weather in January meant I had to travel on MJ Hjaltland from Aberdeen, arriving at 11 pm. Given the state of the roads, this meant I could not get over to Stromness that night, so I had booked a room at the Kirkwall Hotel at short notice, the same morning. I then made the mistake of walking from the Northland Ferry terminal into Kirkwall, with all the snow and slush this took at least an hour, resulting in me arriving well after midnight. But being a big hotel, they had an incredibly pleasant night clerk on duty who could not have been more kind or helpful. Good nights sleep then a really excellent breakfast - generous portions of tomatoes and mushrooms, and with the orange juice you're already at three portions of your five a day. All the other staff were great as well. And for filling in a survey, apparently I will get a £10 credit towards a meal, which I will use.

Cons:

It is an old hotel and this is not a criticism, simply an observation. The room numbering is a bit idiosyncratic. However why should this be afault? It's an old hotel and should be entitled to do things it's way, the way things have always been.

2026-01-08 • via Nuitee
R
Robert • couple • gb
10
Cons:

Breakfast crew not so welcoming

2026-01-03 • via Nuitee
V
Vanessa • couple • gb
8
2025-12-23 • via Nuitee