The Kirkwall Hotel

Hotels
8.3 (416 reviews)
Harbour Street , Kirkwall , gb

Children allowed
Pets allowed

Facilities

Television in common areas
Front desk (limited hours)
Billiards or pool table
Free wired internet
Internet access
Housekeeping on request
Concerts/live shows
Wine release events
Reception hall
Vegetarian menu options available
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.
A deposit may be required at the property.

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 416 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
R
Roxsane couple ca
8
Pros:

Excellent location right on waterfront and within blocks to all the shops and restaurants.

Cons:

Some renovations going on - there were no issues with noise but the front is covered in a tarp.

2026-06-11 via Nuitee
C
Carol solo_traveller it
9
Hotel che conserva l'atmosfera del luogo
Pros:

Hotel caratteristico perché storico. Ottima posizione, a due passi dal porto e dal centro. La nostra camera era stata ristrutturata ed era molto accogliente, con parecchio tweed. Letti comodi, con biancheria molto fine e curata. Bellissima vista sul porto e sulla baia.
Comodo il parcheggio gratuito a due minuti a piedi dall'hotel.

Cons:

La ragazza alla reception, non all'altezza dell'hotel. Parlava molto velocemente e non ha cercato di farsi capire nemmeno quando l'abbiamo pregata di parlare più lentamente perché non comprendevamo. Gentile il resto del personale.

2026-06-08 via Nuitee
N
Nancy couple ca
10
Comfortable stay in a great location.
Pros:

Great location. Friendly staff. Comfortable room and nice restaurant.

2026-06-08 via Nuitee
J
J5699JGjimh Family Elgin, Moray, Scotland
2
AVOID
Pros:

Good location but a very poor quality hotel. We booked a harbour view room and on arrival discovered that scaffolding was being erected in front of our window as the roof was going to be replaced. Reception did not have another room available and said there was nothing else that they could do. We had to keep the blind down on our window for the 4 days we stayed at the Kirkwall as workmen were constantly on the scaffolding outside our window. with continuous noise from 8am to 6.30pm each day . Reception also stated that guests were emailed about the works which is untrue as we did not receive any prior communication. We were then told that compensation would be offered but we would not get this as we had booked through an agent!! Overall the reception staff were very unhelpful and gave conflicting views on the works and compensation .
Had dinner in their restaurant the first evening and the quality of the food was to say the least very poor and the member of staff serving us agreed and said we would not be charged for dinner. Their actual words were the dinner was not to their usual standard and she was very sorry for what we had been served. We did not have any more evening meals at the Hotel.
Breakfast was shambolic due to large bus parties and when we asked for some hot milk we were told that as they were very busy they would provide some as soon as possible, eventually we received the equivalent of an egg cup of hot milk. We asked for more much to the frustration of the server and received another egg cup of milk. The following morning i requested a kipper from the menu and it was served half cooked. Overall an extremely disappointing stay at the Kirkwall Hotel.

2026-06-02 via Tripadvisor
D
Danielle solo_traveller gb
10
2026-06-01 via Nuitee
B
Barbara couple gb
9
A couple of relaxing days being looked after, between self catering accommodation. Enjoyed the stay.
Pros:

Clean,comfortable, friendly & helpful staff.
Easy to find & check in late at night when coming off the ferry from Shetland

2026-06-01 via Nuitee
C
Cathy couple us
10
Staff was wonderful
Pros:

Great location
Loved the harbour view each morning

Cons:

Very warm room and had to open the window during the day to keep the temperature down but at night had to close the windows to keep harbor activity noise out. Wish there was a fan

2026-05-25 via Nuitee
M
Mary Grace couple us
10
A perfect convenient and comfortable place to stay!
Pros:

Amazing staff, great location, and so walkable!

Cons:

Not a thing.

2026-05-22 via Nuitee
S
Staionmaster Couples Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire, England
4
Second rate restaurant experience
Pros:

We had dinner here one night but didn't stay overnight. The food was quite good but extremely expensive. The wating staff were friendly but probably overwhelmed by a large coach party. Overall we were not impressed. We waited five minutes, despite prebooking, before anyone paid any attention to us, and had to pay at the bar when leaving because "the waiting staff were having their dinner." There are cheaper and more attentive options in Kirkwall.

2026-05-21 via Tripadvisor
M
Michael couple gb
8
Good location, made to feel very welcome.
Pros:

Convenient. The check in and staff were excellent. Good meal with very friendly staff.

2026-05-21 via Nuitee
D
David couple gb
10
Great hotel, food and staff were outstanding, will book again
Pros:

Town centre was close
Great staff

Cons:

Maybe our room was a little outdated, otherwise great hotel

2026-05-17 via Nuitee
K
Kate couple au
8
Pros:

Lovely old hotel on the waterfront in the centre of the town. Our room was very comfortable and our stay there was great.

Cons:

We were on the second floor and we could hear the creaky floors above us. This didn’t bother us as part of staying in a lovely old building but others might find it annoying.

2026-05-16 via Nuitee
T
Timothy couple us
9
2026-05-14 via Nuitee
R
Robyn couple au
10
Have been planning this visit for many years, did not disappoint. Very happy with our experience.
Pros:

Location, room lovely, loved the view of the pier, breakfast great, had no trouble parking our car out front.

Cons:

Nothing

2026-05-12 via Nuitee
T
tonicoeh Couples Stamford, Lincolnshire, England
10
Oh dear you get some moaning Minnie's. We can't fault this place.
Pros:

Staff awesome. Room was so lovely. Spent so much just watching time go by. Food the 2 nights (out of the 8 we stayed was spot on).

Met so many lovely people here every morning at breakfast.

The staff are like family.

We love this place so much we have already booked for next year with the same view. So sad we had to come back to real life.

See you next year.

2026-05-07 via Tripadvisor
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
M
mattaH6506AM Couples
4
Don’t order the burger!
Pros:

If you’re looking for a juicy, succulent handmade fresh burger - don’t order the one from here. Very obviously from frozen.
Service and staff were friendly enough, very disappointing food.

2026-05-05 via Tripadvisor
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