Best hotels in Kirkwall

Explore Kirkwall with stays near iconic landmarks, luxury hotels, and top boutiques for the best shopping and dining

Kirkwall Youth Hostel

Kirkwall Youth Hostel

📍 Old Scapa Rd, Kirkwall
★★ 8.1 (25 reviews)

"Basic, but everything was spotlessly clean and the bed was firm. Perhaps too firm for some. We arrived late from the ferry, but that was well arranged with an envelope containing all the necessary information and a key."

Ayre Hotel & Ayre Apartments

Ayre Hotel & Ayre Apartments

📍 Ayre Rd, Kirkwall
★★★ 8.3 (102 reviews)

"The location is excellent, not far from the airport bus stop and several restaurants, and it's right by the sea with a sea view. The facilities are a bit dated, but acceptable, and the heating works fine. There's a damp smell upon entering the room, which is much better with the windows open. For a small archipelago town, these conditions are acceptable."

Albert Hotel

Albert Hotel

📍 Junction Rd, Kirkwall
★★★ 8.9 (75 reviews)

The Kirkwall Hotel

The Kirkwall Hotel

📍 Harbour St, Kirkwall
★★★ 8.3 (42 reviews)

"We went on a coach holiday touring Shetland and Orkney. The coach holiday was absolutely fabulous and the hotel accommodation also, however when it came to meals that was a different matter altogether. Breakfast was lovely - choice of cooked or continental or both if you wish, but because we were on a coach booking we had VERY limited choice for evening meal - when I say choice if you are a vegetarian - as I am and so were several of my fellow holidayers - you had NO CHOICE AT ALL. There was one meal. The first evening meal it was butternut squash and courgette rissotto. It was awful and there was so much of it with a complete vine of tomatoes on the top. Everyone sent it back hardly touched. The second night we were offered vegetable lasagne. We went to the chip chop around the corner, but we had paid for a full three course evening meal. It's not right. The meat eaters had a choice of three options, but even those were limited. My husband asked if we could have something from the main menu if we paid the difference but we were refused. It's such a shame because we were really pleased with our accommodation and the breakfast but the main meal was dreadful. I wouldn't book there again not if it included a three course meal in the deal. It's not worth the money. Such a shame. Spoiled an otherwise absolutely amazing holiday."

West End Guest House

West End Guest House

📍 14 Main Street, Kirkwall
★★★ 7.3 (6 reviews)

"This place is very cute. Room was small but cosy and location couldn't be beat. It was within walking distance of downtown, restaurants, and sites. The breakfast was easy and just right for a chilly morning. The employees were very friendly and accommodating. We accidentally didn't book enough nights and the owner helped us find and book a room and even offered to take our bags there. A great start to our trip. "

Royal Oak Guesthouse

Royal Oak Guesthouse

📍 Royal Oak House, Holm Rd, Kirkwall
★★★ 9.7 (44 reviews)

"We stayed with Eric and Alice for just over a week, and it truly felt like home. Their hospitality and warmth were exceptional—second to none. Even before we arrived, they were incredibly kind and accommodating, and that kindness only grew throughout our stay. I would choose staying here over any hotel without hesitation, and I would gladly return if I ever visit again. I can’t recommend Eric and Alice highly enough. Thank you both so much!"

The Orkney Hotel

The Orkney Hotel

📍 40-41 Victoria St, Kirkwall
★★★ 7.6 (54 reviews)

"Stayed in room 211 for 4 night from 5th May. Fantastic stay. Staff really freindly and helpful. Was greeted by owner at check in and recieved a warm welcome. Food served at bar was great during stay. Great stay, look forward to returning very soon."

The Shore

The Shore

📍 Shore St, Kirkwall
★★★ 8.0 (48 reviews)

Karrawa Guest House

Karrawa Guest House

📍 Inganess Rd, St Ola, Kirkwall
★★★ 9.5 (47 reviews)

"Guesthouse perfection in orkney"

Real traveler reviews of Kirkwall hotels

9.5
Excellent community rating
Real & verified guest reviews from all over the world
G

Guest User

Other
Kirkwall Youth Hostel ★★
"The location for hostel needs to have more signage from the Ayre Hotel as it can take a while to locate it..Once there the hostel is well laid out, receptionist Ebony was a great help explaining all the housekeeping instructions..all rooms appear to be large enough, we had a twin room with comfy beds, bathrooms and toilets were clean and tidy, shower mats and towels provided, the kitchen had everything you need with a large well laid out dining room, there was a comfy lounge and laundry facilities..our bikes were locked in luggage room with a code. Overall we would book again"
★★★★★
2026-05-06
Y

Yuandong Shen

Traveling with friends
Ayre Hotel & Ayre Apartments ★★★
"Good hotel. At the centre of Kirkwall. Great food at its restauran"
★★★★★
2026-01-13
W

Weeker1

Couple
The Kirkwall Hotel ★★★
"The hotel is perfectly located next to the harbour and close to the town centre but the hotel itself has no parking. There are parking bays close by but these are available generally for all road users so you might be unlucky. Not so good for someone who is disabled. It is fitted and furnished in a classic period style. This was attractive but meant that there were some limiting features for those with a physical disability. It has a period lift so the two doors have to be opened and closed manually. If someone has exited the lift without closing the doors, the up/down control button will not work. Sometimes the lift was not flush with the floor which meant there was a step to negotiate. No problem for me but difficult for my disabled wife. Breakfasts were the most disappointing feature - no fresh fruit. Not even a banana. Premier Inns provide fruit and a better selection of food so I would say that breakfast at a PI is much superior to this hotel. Our room was spacious and very comfortable and had beautiful views of the harbour. The bathroom was huge too but there wasn’t much space available for setting toiletries etc on. Although the shower tray was large, it was slippy despite a small mat being provided. Again, no where to set toiletries on so for someone who is disabled this was an issue. Overall we thoroughly enjoyed our stay but for the price charged it was not value for money, given the disappointing breakfasts. The staff were friendly, helpful and attentive and I would recommend this hotel to other travellers."
★★★★★
2024-08-16
G

Guest User

Solo traveler
West End Guest House ★★★
"Having come off the boat after a weeks sailing I needed a B&B to lay my head before flying out the following day. From the moment of booking this B&B has been so helpful. I requested if I could leave my bag early while I explored for the day, they allowed me to drop it off & even popped in my room when it was ready. The en suite room was clean, tidy & more than catered for my needs. Breakfast was a combination of help yourself & a cooked breakfast ordered the night before. I thoroughly recommend this place it’s a max 5 min walk to bus station & into town. Special mention to Andrew who was really helpful when it came to finding out the airport bus timings, holding my bag & dropping it in my room & generally helpful. Will definately stay again if passing through in the future."
★★★★★
2024-02-29
G

Guest User

Couple
Royal Oak Guesthouse ★★★
"A little away from main centre, easy walk of 20 mins. Good breakfast. Eric generously provided a lift to the chemist while it was raining. Rooms being renewed , new rooms lovely older ones comfortable enough. We were part of a Rabbies tour and didn't book ourselves. Happy with our stay."
★★★★★
2025-07-22
G

Guest User

Other
The Orkney Hotel ★★★
"I was travelling alone and staying at the Orkney Hotel was a great experience. The room was clean, well-stocked and comfortable. Staff friendly and attentive. The meals were good and breakfast overlooking the beautiful garden was lovely. It was a great base to explore Kirkwall and further afield in Orkney."
★★★★★
2025-05-24
G

Guest User

Other
Karrawa Guest House ★★★
"Lovely clean B&B, spotless throughout. Comfortable room with everything that you need. Good breakfast in a light & airy room. Very friendly & accommodating staff."
★★★★★
2025-08-23
G

Guest User

Other
Grainbank Mews ★★★
"We had the most beautiful and relaxing stay at Grainbank Mews. From the very beginning, the hosts were incredibly welcoming and attentive, promptly answering our questions before arrival and offering excellent recommendations for places to eat. The guest house has been beautifully converted, and we stayed in both a king room and a ground-floor twin room. Each was tastefully decorated, spotlessly clean, and thoughtfully equipped with everything we could possibly need for a comfortable stay. A generous continental breakfast was included, with a wide selection of cereals, porridge, toast, and fresh fruit. It was more than enough to set us up perfectly for a full day of sightseeing around the island. We would highly recommend Grainbank Mews to anyone visiting the area and wouldn’t hesitate to stay here again if we return."
★★★★★
2026-02-16

Kirkwall travel info

Power Plug & Voltage

230V/Type G

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Exchange Rate

1 USD ≈ 0.74 GBP

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Local Payment

Cards/ApplePay/Cash

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Connectivity

EE/Vodafone/O2/Three

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Current Weather

Showers

More Kirkwall hotel info

Data type

Details

Number of reviews

479

Total properties

13

Weekday Avg. Price

$243

Weekend Avg. Price

$243

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Kirkwall Youth Hostel

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