The Sands Hotel

Hotels
Eviivo
9.8 (24 reviews)
Pier Road, Burray, Scotland, KW17 2SS , Burray , GB

Facilities

Free breakfast
Free WiFi
Free breakfast
Smoke-free property
Wedding services
Billiards or pool table
Wheelchair accessible parking
Free self parking
Free cooked-to-order breakfast
Wheelchair-accessible van parking

Review Highlights

Pros:
Great staff
Delicious food
Beautiful location

Categories

Cleanliness
9.6
Standard quality for this hotel tier.
Service
10
Very friendly staff, warm welcome makes for a great experience.
Location
10
Lovely quiet place by the sea with beautiful views.
Room Quality
9.6
Standard quality for this hotel tier.
Amenities
9.6
Standard quality for this hotel tier.
Value for Money
9.6
Standard quality for this hotel tier.
Food and Beverage
10
Great food and a cosy nautical themed bar.
Overall Experience
10
The whole stay was relaxing and enjoyable.
* This sentiment is summarized by AI based on user reviews.
Updated at: 2026-01-06 18:49

Property Description

Convenient Amenities
Enjoy complimentary wireless internet access and wedding services at The Sands Hotel.

Dining and Drinks
Savor a delicious meal at the on-site restaurant and unwind with a drink at the bar/lounge.

Delicious Breakfast and Parking
Start your day with a complimentary cooked-to-order breakfast and take advantage of free self-parking.

Experience comfort and convenience at The Sands Hotel, located in Burray with easy access to nearby attractions. Book now to secure your stay!

Important information:

  • This property welcomes guests of all sexual orientations and gender identities (LGBTQ+ friendly).

Check-in and check-out hours:
Check-out: 10:30 AM

Property Policies

  • Pets

    Pets not allowed

  • Accessibility

    No elevators

  • Guest type

    LGBTQ friendly

Location

Guest Reviews

9.8
Based on 24 reviews
Cleanliness: 9.6
Service: 10
Location: 10
Room Quality: 9.6
Amenities: 9.6
Value for Money: 9.6
Food and Beverage: 10
Overall Experience: 10
P
Peter
10
Well worth a stay
Pros:

This is a really nice hotel with great staff and great food. You receive a warm welcome and the whole stay was relaxing and enjoyable.

2025-08-23 via Nuitee
D
Daniel
10
Serene sea views
Pros:

Lovely quiet place by the sea with a great restauarant and cosy nautical themed bar. Very friendly staff :) Would love to stay here again next time!

2025-07-23 via Nuitee
K
Kevin
10
Pros:

we had a bad credit card and they politely let us know to pay our dues with a new card which we just did - all is well kevin mcleod

2025-06-30 via Nuitee
J
Jill partner
10
Pros:

We loved staying at the Sands hotel and wished we could have stayed longer! Facilities, location and food fantastic,
Thankyou for making our Orkney trip memorable - You even laid on lovely weather too !!

2025-05-11 via Nuitee
A
Anne partner
8
Pros:

They are lovely people and it is a nice enough hotel. It’s in an out of the way location which was fine for us as we had a car. The food was ok. The room was light, clean and comfortable.

2024-08-13 via Nuitee
R
Roger family
10
Pros:

The Sands Hotel is a lovely small hotel in a tranquil island within the Orkneys. There is absolutely no noise in any of the rooms, they are equipped with WiFi and everything you need.
The restaurant serves excellent-quality food with locally sourced ingredients. The staff are first rate, every single one of them. They helped us out with everything we needed. Very prompt and professional service. Best Hotel in the Orkneys, bar none!

2024-07-29 via Nuitee
A
Alex
10
Pros:

An enjoyable stay. Attentive staff. Excellent food.

2024-07-08 via Nuitee
V
Verified traveler
8
Lovely quiet historic hotel
Pros:

Lovely quiet hotel being an old Herring Warehouse. Rooms were comfortable and had a nice view of the boat ramp. We stayed 2 nights and meals were nice both nights. We needed washing done and were able to pay 15 pounds for a small bag to be done for us, which saved having to go to Laundromat in Kirkwall.

2024-07-08 via Nuitee
L
Ludovic
10
Good base from where to explore part of Orkney
Pros:

Our brief stay at the Sands Hotel was just what we were looking for in that part of Orkney. We wanted to see Skapa Flow, the Italian Chapel, and we discovered a fascinating private museum with fossil collection.
The staff were helpful and welcoming and the room comfortable.

2024-06-23 via Nuitee
E
Elise partner
10
Pros:

Loved it. Need a car to explore but that’s obvious

2024-06-11 via Nuitee
L
Lisa partner
10
Pros:

This property is exceptionally clean! The restaurant staff were friendly, outgoing and accommodating to a food allergy. This hotel is convenient for morning ferry departures from St. Margaret's Hope.

2024-05-23 via Nuitee
W
William Andrew Haralam and Mary Ann partner
10
Pros:

Pleasant Quiet comfortable nice dining options

2024-04-26 via Nuitee
K
Kelsey
10
So lovely
Pros:

Everything at this hotel was just lovely- staff, ocean views, food. The room was simple but nicely updated and maintained. This hotel was a highlight of our trip. The restaurant is also delicious and we loved breakfast.

2024-04-11 via Nuitee
M
Martin
10
Brilliant staff and brilliant stay
Pros:

The staff were brilliant and truly went out their way to make my stay very enjoyable. I would return here and recommend others to stay here also. The food was excellent and a very good selection to choose from.

2024-02-01 via Nuitee
J
John
10
Excellent hotel in Burray
Pros:

Stayed at the Sands with my wife for one night. All the staff in the hotel we came into contact were very friendly and helpful. Our room was tastefully decorated and very comfortable.We enjoyed a beautiful evening meal in the restaurant and the cooked breakfast provided in the morning was one of the best I have had in any hotel.Our only complaint is we could only stay one night.

2023-10-26 via Nuitee
V
Verified traveler
10
Dont overlook this Hotel
Pros:

A lovely hotel over looking Burray Harbour. The staff are so friendly and welcoming, rooms are very clean and comfortable, food is honest well cooked fair. The homemade Mac n Cheese was a delight. If youre leaving before breakfast theyll make up a lunch sandwich for you. Salmon and Scrambled egg and full cooked breakfast both superb. Lots of Tea and Toast too. The bar stocks well kept beer and a few Whiskys. You pass the Highland Park Distillery on the way to Burray. If you are looking for a quiet hotel with genuinely friendly people who provide superb service, book The Sands.

2023-10-26 via Nuitee
S
Simon
10
A hidden gem
Pros:

For someone who stays in hotels a lot The Sands was a wonderful experience. All the tiny things that you’d wish for in other hotels are just done perfectly here! I can’t recommend this hotel highly enough. The restaurant is great, breakfast is cooked to order so absolutely no food waste and the evening meals are delicious.

2023-10-18 via Nuitee
V
Verified traveler
10
A gem in Orkney's crown
Pros:

This was an excellent hotel in a lovely location overlooking Watersound. We booked an apartment and were delighted with the spaciousness and facilities. It was spotless and looked like it had been recently refurbished.
The staff couldn't have been more friendly and the food at breakfast and dinner was super, with a good choice of vegetarian and vegan dishes.
We would highly recommend this hotel and will definitely stay there again.

2023-06-04 via Nuitee
R
Robert
10
Pros:

A beautifully restored building with rooms tastefully decorated and having views over the water. A warm welcome and great food served. Only sorry that I was there for one night.

2023-05-02 via Nuitee
N
Neil
10
Friendly welcoming hotel
Pros:

Very comfortable, relaxed hotel with helpful staff and good hearty food. Great location for the ferry from Gills Bay, and all the major places of interest.

2023-03-19 via Nuitee