The Kirkwall Hotel

Hotels
8.3 (444 reviews)
Harbour Street , Kirkwall , GB

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Children allowed

Facilities

WiFi available
Free WiFi
Non-smoking rooms
24-hour front desk
Restaurant
Heating
Family rooms
Pets allowed
Lift / Elevator
Luggage storage
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

Location

Guest Reviews

8.3
Based on 444 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
J
Jackie • couple • au
8
Lovely hotel, pricey but provided a great experience.
Pros:

Nice feeling - classic hotel with modern overlay

Cons:

It is expensive - especially booking through Booking.com as they penalise you excessively

2026-10-12 • via Nuitee
C
Craig • couple • au
8
Nice
Pros:

Location and feel

Cons:

Nearby nightclub with loud music and patrons on Friday and Saturday night

2026-10-11 • via Nuitee
C
Cook • solo_traveller • gb
10
2026-09-18 • via Nuitee
R
Robert • couple • gb
8
Friendly and comfortable hotel with a founded history
Pros:

Atmosphere and welcoming

2026-09-16 • via Nuitee
F
Fabio Leone • couple • it
7
Pros:

colazione ottima

2026-09-03 • via Nuitee
H
Hugh • couple • gb
7
Ok
Pros:

View from bedroom window of the harbour.

Cons:

Dinner burger meat was tasteless and breakfast was of poor quality. Water leaked from the bathroom shower constantly on to the vinyl floor causing a health and safety issue. {slip hazard}

2026-09-03 • via Nuitee
N
Norman • couple • gb
9
2026-09-03 • via Nuitee
C
CECIL • couple • ca
4
2026-08-31 • via Nuitee
M
Michaelanne • family_with_children • us
9
Pros:

Breakfast was lovely and our rooms were large and comfortable. The hotel is in a prime location on the harbour.

2026-08-24 • via Nuitee
L
luis • couple • es
7
Clásico céntrico q necesita actualización
Pros:

La ubicación

Cons:

Habitación pequeña

2026-08-24 • via Nuitee
D
Dr Kevin • family_with_children • gb
6
Satisfied but room ended up being a disappointment due to scaffolding and hotel repairs
Pros:

Room was excellent

Cons:

Scaffolding obscured our view totally & booking.com never informed us about this. Hotel staff were as accommodating as they could be

2026-08-20 • via Nuitee
C
Claudia • family_with_children • at
9
2026-08-15 • via Nuitee
T
Thomas • couple • gb
5
Disappointed as expected a much higher standard for what we paid.
Pros:

Location

Cons:

Small bathroom with very small shower cubicle. Bed was double size and not king (2 single beds together) as advertised. Harbour view was obscured by scaffolding and netting and loose piece of scaffold outside window clanged in the wind for the duration of our stay. For rate paid we expected a much higher standard. When challenged on having paid for a harbour view/ sea view and not getting it because of building works the hotel did give us a credit on spend in the hotel to take what we paid closer to a standard room rate - but had to spend at the hotel.

2026-08-06 • via Nuitee
J
jenny • couple • au
6
It was in a good location to town and fir late night arrival
Pros:

Brekkie was great-
Bathroom was good.

Cons:

The room was very small. No storage .bed too big for the small room.

2026-08-06 • via Nuitee
J
Jeffrey • couple • gb
9
2026-08-04 • via Nuitee
J
Jeffrey • couple • gb
9
Situated by the harbour, friendly staff, excellent food and warm welcome would come again.
Pros:

Sea views excellent breakfast room large and clean what’s not to like.

Cons:

Could do with a new carpet.

2026-08-04 • via Nuitee
S
Sarah • couple • im
7
Totally adequate for a short stay
Pros:

Convenient. Clean. Comfortable

Cons:

Undergoing renovations so view was limited. Was noisy outside and hot weather meant window had to be open, but at least it could open.

2026-07-24 • via Nuitee
G
Glyn • couple • gb
9
Very pleasant stay in Kirkwall
Pros:

Location is excellent, good food at a fair price, staff were first rate

Cons:

The room was lovely but terribly overpriced. Putting a premium room above the very noisy public bar seems to be a huge own-goal bound to generate negative feedback!

2026-07-19 • via Nuitee
P
Paul • couple • be
8
2026-07-18 • via Nuitee
E
Edward • couple • gb
8
2026-07-18 • via Nuitee