Top Hotels in Orkney Islands
Top Things to do in Orkney Islands
10 Top-Rated Hotels in Orkney Islands, Scotland
Discover the best hotels in Orkney Islands, Scotland including The Ayre Hotel, The INN Guest House, Albert Hotel, Smithfield Hotel, The Stromness Hotel, Orcades Hostel, Royal Hotel, Braeswick B&B, No. 1 Broughton, Shorelands B&B.
Things to do in Orkney Islands
1. The Ayre Hotel
Overall Ratings
4 based on 538 reviews
Finding an ideal family-friendly hotel in Kirkwall does not have to be difficult. Welcome to The Ayre Hotel, a nice option for travelers like you. You’ll enjoy relaxing rooms that offer a flat screen TV, and you can stay connected during your stay as The Ayre Hotel offers guests free wifi. The hotel features room service. Plus, Ayre Hotel offers a lounge, providing a pleasant respite from your busy day. For guests with a vehicle, free parking is available. Given the close proximity of popular landmarks, such as Wideford Hill Chambered Cairn (0.2 mi) and The Earl's Palace (0.3 mi), guests of Ayre Hotel can easily experience some of Kirkwall's most well known attractions. If you like cafes, The Ayre Hotel is conveniently located near Archive coffee, Cafelolz, and The Strynd Tea Room. If you’re looking for something to do, Saint Magnus Cathedral (0.2 mi) and The Orkney Museum (0.2 mi) are a nice way to spend some time, and they are all within walking distance of The Ayre Hotel. The Ayre Hotel puts the best of Kirkwall at your fingertips, making your stay both relaxing and enjoyable.
Excellent hotel.
Reviewed By IallanThis hotel is going through a refurbishment. The lounge and dining room was tastefully decorated to a new standard. The food in the hotel was superb. Bar prices very reasonable. The room had a sea view. It was excellent with king size bed and comfortable. Hot water in room was very hot and shower amazing. Staff very friendly.
2. The INN Guest House
Overall Ratings
5 based on 198 reviews
New en-suite guesthouse located on the waterfront with sea views. Ideal location for sightseeing, fishing, walks or business trips. On main bus route with restaurant and bar 10 minutes walk away.
Lovely Two Night Stay
Reviewed By NCswampmamaShona was a great hostess. Our room had a lot of extra amenities. The shower provided lots of nice hot water (which has been a problem at some of our accommodations). Breakfast was plentiful and the eggs were free range from a neighbor. If you are a dog person, she has a delightful enthusiastic puppy, Tazzie. If you are not a dog person, he is kept in the staff part of the house. For me the only negative was that the bed was quite a bit softer than I like. Since that is a personal preference, it in no way detracts from my recommendation.
3. Albert Hotel
Overall Ratings
4 based on 227 reviews
Looking for a place to stay in Kirkwall? Then look no further than Albert Hotel, a hotel that brings the best of Kirkwall to your doorstep. Guest rooms offer amenities such as a flat screen TV, a seating area, and a desk, and guests can go online with free wifi offered by the hotel. Albert Hotel features room service and express check-in and check-out, to help make your stay more enjoyable. The property also boasts a lounge. If you are driving to Albert Hotel, there is paid public parking available on-site. Close to some of Kirkwall's most popular landmarks, such as Wideford Hill Chambered Cairn (0.1 mi) and Kirkwall Baptist Church (0.4 mi), Albert Hotel is a great destination for tourists. While in Kirkwall, you may want to check out some of the restaurants that are a short walk away from Albert Hotel, including Lucano (0.3 mi), Helgi's (0.0 mi), and The Storehouse Restaurant With Rooms (0.1 mi). If you’re looking for things to do, you can check out Saint Magnus Cathedral (0.2 mi), The Orkney Museum (0.2 mi), or The Earl's Palace (0.2 mi), which are popular attractions amongst tourists, and they are all within walking distance. We’re sure you’ll enjoy your stay at Albert Hotel as you experience everything Kirkwall has to offer.
Apalling
Reviewed By David444We alerted the hotel that we were arriving but late given that were coming on the ferry from Kirkwall. When we arrived, we were provided with our room key and to our deep dissatisfaction were assigned to a room for the disabled that had not been renovated in a very long time, had a stain on the mattress and featured understandably a sink that required one to sit in a chair to reach it. I proceeded to complain and was told that the hotel was fully booked. However, the person covering guest services nonetheless upon my insistence, was able to find a suitable room. The day of our departure, I spoke with manager who informed me that when fully booked they fill all rooms including rooms designed for disabled people. Be forewarned that the room we experienced was totally offensive in that it was completely unsuitable. This represents the ultimate in poor customer service. No apologies can undo this. Beware all of this hotel’s blatant approach to providing outdated rooms to the disabled and poor focus on their customers.
4. Smithfield Hotel
Overall Ratings
4 based on 152 reviews
See why so many travelers make Smithfield Hotel their hotel of choice when visiting Dounby. Providing an ideal mix of value, comfort and convenience, it offers a quaint setting with an array of amenities designed for travelers like you. You can take advantage of some of the amenities offered by Smithfield Hotel, including baggage storage. In addition, guests can enjoy a lounge during their visit. As an added convenience, there is free parking available to guests. If you like crab, Smithfield Hotel is conveniently located near Smithfield Hotel Restaurant, which is known for serving up this local favorite. We’re sure you’ll enjoy your stay at Smithfield Hotel as you experience all of the things Dounby has to offer.
Food Excellent,but.
Reviewed By bobbybb2014Excellent food,the starter of cheese in beer batter was a first for me and was very good as was the garlic mushrooms,the mac and cheese was loved as was my Haddock and chips crispy yet broke away beautifully one of the best dinners for a while.Though the Guinness was lovely, after waiting for 30 mins for a refill I gave up finished our meals and paid at the bar,so a missed couple of sweets and another pint,a few times the staff were were serving tables close to us but no eye contact or chat asking if food good or refills. Shame but would still recommend as the food is excellent.
5. The Stromness Hotel
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 304 reviews
Hell hole
Reviewed By garrybF1446ILMy company booked this hotel for me while staying here for 4 nights never again bed was hard cob webs everywhere in the room first day breakfast ok 2nd day onward was a calamity waited over 40 mins for cooked breakfast 1 staff member taking orders and serving meal no other staff. This is a dry hotel if you are looking to relax with a drink at night dont bother book else where this is more like a set up for down and outs no heating in room company looking else where
6. Orcades Hostel
Overall Ratings
5 based on 120 reviews
Orcades Hostel is an independent, family run hostel in Kirkwall - the capital of the Orkney Islands. Clean, modern, friendly, comfortable and situated in a peaceful location but only 10 minutes walk from St Magnus Cathedral or 5 minutes walk to the supermarkets. All rooms are en-suite and we have double/twin and 4 - 6 bed dorms.
Great stay
Reviewed By FlynnPeteBasic, clean, warm, great facilities, helpful instructions and staff. Well placed to go and explore Kirkwall and the Orkney Islands. Would strongly recommend this as an excellent hostel. Just one night stay and wished I'd stayed longer.
7. Royal Hotel
Overall Ratings
4 based on 72 reviews
The Royal Hotel is a family run business situated in the heart of Stromness. There are 10 ensuite rooms, the Hudson Lounge, Haven Restaurant, Front Bar and function room.
Good base to see around Orkney
Reviewed By rolo36Stayed here for a couple of nights. Nice stay. Our rooms on the top floor were not big but perfectly OK for our needs. Very nice breakfast too in the rather elegant breakfast room. The hotel is connected to a pub with two bars one at the front (which was quite busy) and a much quieter and nicer lounge bar at the back. Noise from the pub was not a problem. Some car parking outside but we left the car overnight in the well lit pay and display car park at the ferry terminal, a few minutes walk away. Stromness has a nice main street and the hotel is on it. We thought Kirkwall was nice too and if visiting the Orkneys again we would probably stay there.
8. Braeswick B&B
Overall Ratings
5 based on 62 reviews
Braeswick B&B provides comfort, relaxation, stunning views and a friendly atmosphere, at the south end of the beautiful island of Sanday. Braeswick B&B offers high standards of accommodation. We are just 2 miles from the ferry terminal and 5 miles from the airport. All rooms are en-suite with a powerful shower and toiletries supplied as standard. One room is a twin or Super king and has a sea view. The other two rooms are doubles. Breakfast is included and there are various options including a full Orcadian or Orkney Kippers. Sanday is an island of beautiful beaches and dramatic coastlines. There is a fantastic natural arch and beach just over a mile from the B&B and some more natural arches 4 miles away. The B&B has a guest lounge with fantastic sea views. From the B&B you can see Breas Wick, Pool Bay, the Calf of Eday, Papa Westray, and the Holmes of Ire. Evening meals and packed lunches can be supplied upon request.
Delightful B and B in a beautiful place.
Reviewed By Jennifer FSanday is a beautiful island. It is wonderful for walking, looking at birds and flowers and with amazing sunsets. Jon and Maria are very warm and welcoming hosts and their meals are exceptional. We had home cooked meals on 3 evenings and they offer a wide range of choices, catering for vegetarians too. The breakfasts were lovely too. Jon and Maria gave us helpful ideas for places to visit. There are few places to eat on Sanday but there are a couple of shops. We enjoyed a cake and coffee at the community hub which is open on some days. We found the Heritage Centre at Lady very interesting, together with the Croft and reconstructed burnt mound. We walked at Whitemill bay and Cata Sands. The walk at Quoyness leads to a chambered cairn which is fascinating.
9. No. 1 Broughton
Overall Ratings
5 based on 105 reviews
Relaxed weekend
Reviewed By 431graemeWe had a very relaxing few days here. I couldn’t fault anything we found. Lovely breakfast , cosy house, friendly owner who got the balance right and was about if needed but left us in peace. We travelled over a very wet windy weekend so it was great to have a cosy friendly place to return to. It would have been a nice walk to the village, not in our weekend gales , and very well positioned quiet B&B.( we knew we were travelling in November and weather was a gamble , it’s Scotland?) We hope to visit again some day.
10. Shorelands B&B
Overall Ratings
5 based on 3 reviews
A family run bed and breakfast in the heart of Orkney's capital, Kirkwall. We offer accommodation and a high quality breakfast menu to suit everything from family holidays to single occupancy business trips. A separate guest lounge/dining room with an open fire is the perfect place to unwind with a hot drink or dram or a great place to access free WiFi for any work you may have to do on your laptop etc.
Absolute perfection
Reviewed By dalep1987It is hard to put into words how much we loved our stay at Shorelands. From the moment we arrived, we were greeted so warmly by the owner Nicky. He treated us more like a friend than a guest. The room was perfect! Good size with plenty of storage and space to hang clothes. Bathroom was great too, very nice and powerful walk in shower. The room is spotless and really comfy, found it hard to wake up in the mornings we were that comfy. Tea/coffee making facilities, fresh water and biscuits we a good touch. The breakfast was really tasty (with or without tomatoes ;-) ) cereals, yougurt, fruit and juice all self serve. You are then served if you requested one, your cooked breakfast of choice, along with toast and tea/coffee. All perfectly cooked and a wonderful start to any day. I tried all 3 egg options and my favourite were the scrambled. The lounge area was really cosy and comfy. Perfect place to relax after a long day of exploring the wonderful islands of Orkney! Roaring fire, a dram of one of finest whiskeys and a good book- amazing! Just so cosy with the layout and the decor All this would have been adequate on its own, but the one thing that truly stood out for me, was the hospitality of Nicky and his wife Kristen. I felt more welcome and at ease here than I do at some of my own friends and families houses! As I say they treat you like a friend or extended member of the family. Had some great conversations with them on Island life etc, two of the nicest people you could meet, shared some good stories and had some laughs too- you two really did make this stay the perfect trip and one we will not forget in a long time. I cannot wait to come back and see you all again. Oh how can I not mention Hattie the dog! Such a cutie, make sure you say hello to this super friendly and cuddly dog. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!... until next time
