Photo of The Kirkwall Hotel

“A fine Victorian building right on Kirkwall's waterfront. Rooms are chic yet cosy with plush headboards, thick carpets, modern furniture, and black & white prints. With an atmospheric bar and restaurant serving local cuisine, this is a comfortable and well-priced base to explore from.”

“A fine Victorian building right on Kirkwall's waterfront. Rooms are chic yet cosy with plush headboards, thick carpets, modern furniture, and black & white prints. With an atmospheric bar and restaurant serving local cuisine, this is a comfortable and well-priced base to explore from.”

Hotel Review

You enter The Kirkwall Hotel by vintage revolving doors to find a courtly, high-ceilinged reception lobby, where you can browse artfully displayed local arts and crafts while checking in. Off the reception area, the Highland Park Bar stocks more than a hundred malt whiskies from Kirkwall's famed distillery, and the Harbour View Restaurant offers a menu dominated by the best of Orkney's surf and turf, from local beef and lamb to Grimbister cheese and salmon. The Skippers Bar is a cheerfully informal rendezvous for locals as well as visitors.

Upstairs, 37 plush, smartly refurbished bedrooms await. They're decorated in soothing shades of grey and creamy caramel, with roomy bathrooms, and some have views of Orkney's working fishing and ferry harbour. For shoppers, there are artisan boutiques galore along Broad Street and Victoria Street, just steps from the front door. Medieval St Magnus Cathedral and the ruined Bishop's Palace are a 10 minute walk away, and a half-hour drive takes you back 5,000 years to Skara Brae and the stone circles of Stenness and Brodgar.

 

Written by Robin Gauldie

Recommended For

  • Local exploring
  • Kirkwall’s medieval streets are brimming with independent shops, cafes and live music spots
  • Back to Nature
  • Orkney islands and rugged and wild - there perfect destination for getting back to nature
  • Great walks
  • There are a wide range of walking trails along the coast and through rugged countryside
  • Museums
  • Stop by Orkney Museum which provides a real insight into the islands’ history
  • Sights nearby
  • Visit Kirkwall's magnificent St Magnus Cathedral
  • Cycling
  • Wildlife Area
  • Diving
  • Restaurant
  • Harbour View Restaurant serves elevated Scottish cuisine made using local produce
  • Contemporary
  • Less £
  • Family Suites
  • Lively
  • Traditional
  • On an island
  • Child friendly
  • Pet friendly

Facilities

  • Restaurant
  • Harbour View Restaurant serves elevated Scottish cuisine made using local produce
  • Meeting Room
  • Bar
  • Family Suites
  • Pet friendly
  • Wifi
  • Child friendly

Activities

  • Great walks
  • There are a wide range of walking trails along the coast and through rugged countryside
  • Museums
  • Stop by Orkney Museum which provides a real insight into the islands’ history
  • Sights nearby
  • Visit Kirkwall's magnificent St Magnus Cathedral
  • Cycling
  • Wildlife Area
  • Diving

Map & Location

What's Nearby

Browse more hotels nearby