Bar (on property)
Check availability

Reviews of The Orkney Hotel

3 out of 5
The Orkney Hotel
40 Victoria Street, Kirkwall, Scotland

Reviews

8.2

Very good

Rating 10 - Excellent. 20 out of 54 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 20 out of 54 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 13 out of 54 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 1 out of 54 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 54 reviews" "

8.4/10

Cleanliness

8.4/10

Staff & service

8.0/10

Amenities

7.6/10

Property conditions & facilities

7.6/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

6/10 Okay

Charles

Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2023

8/10 Good

Diane

Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer c

Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Four night stay. Great location, super helpful and friendly staff. Delicious breakfasts. Would very happily stay agsin
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023

8/10 Good

Veronique

Travelled with partner
Liked: Amenities
I do agree with some of the comments that the property has a few minors issues or quick fixes to do like a bath sealer to redo. However, the room was spacious, the restaurant / bar very decent and staff was polite. It had thin walls so be prepared to hear a bit of the neighbors or the dinner area in the morning / evenings.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2023

6/10 Okay

David

Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

John

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Excellent service from friendly staff, comfy bed, good shower, good hot breakfasts, excellent bar, all round good place to stay. If older person, no lifts, walk up, & limited vehicle access to front of the building.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2023

6/10 Okay

Bruce

Travelled with partner
Disliked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities
We originally booked as the hotel was advertised as 'pet friendly' with a private garden area. Thankfully, we had a change of plan and didn't take our dog. When we arrived and someone finally appeared to check us in, after about 10 minutes, we were allocated a small room on the 3rd floor which the wi-fi didn't seem to reach. While the room was just about adequate for a couple, it would not have worked for us with our dog. Also, none of the staff knew how to access the garden as although there was a door from the dining room, we were told this 'wasn't allowed' to be used - we heard other guests asking too. I'd suggest anyone with any specific requirements check with the hotel in advance.

8/10 Good

Margaret

Travelled with partner
Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Cleanliness
The hotel was a bit worn. The room was very small, but we expected that. Shower was TINY and had mold in it. The food in the hotel restaurant was AWESOME. Based on the moldy shower I would not stay here again.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2023

8/10 Good

Richard

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Really quaint. Great location. Water pressure was low
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2023

8/10 Good

John

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Colin

Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2023

6/10 Okay

Verified traveller

Business traveller
Liked: Staff & service
Hotel was good but bedroom let it down. Artex peeling of roof, mould round taps in shower etc. Food was good and service great.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2023

10/10 Excellent

Katherine

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2022

10/10 Excellent

Steven

Stayed 1 night in Oct 2022

10/10 Excellent

Richard

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
convenient location close to cathedral and palace ruins; excellent "full Scottish breakfast" in morning; we had arrived at 23:00 and they were able to help us with our late check-in
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2022

8/10 Good

Alison

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
A friendly welcome and there was fruit at breakfast which was nice. No warning upfront that our bedroom would be reached by 2 flights of stairs - no lift - so my painful tendon certainly got a workout. Stayed for 3 nights and the menu was the same every night - even the specials.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2022

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, room comfort
Only drawback was that the car park was at the back of the hotel with a precarious set of steps which took you to the front of the hotel. Not very easy in the dark.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2022

8/10 Good

Luc

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2022

8/10 Good

Catherine

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
convenient location, staff lovely, decor rather dated, wifi only ever connected for a few seconds. facilities ok
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Daniel

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
An older property but a charming one. We had a great experience at the Orkney Hotel. The staff were kind and very helpful. Loved the location - great for walking about town and very close to St Magnus Cathedral.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2022

8/10 Good

helen

Liked: Cleanliness, room comfort
Great room slow breakfast
The room was lovely and quiet ,although the bathroom was a little tired.Bed comfortable room service was very good . Breakfast service needs to be more consistent, some mornings very slick and organised other appeared chaotic , staff appeared over whelmed on occasion. Evening meal menu could do with a little more variety .Reception / bar staff were excellent. An excellent position for town explorations .
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2022

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2022

6/10 Okay

Verified traveller

Disliked: Staff & service
Ok stay
Expensive for what you get. Breakfast wasn’t the best, short staffed and not very attentive. Didn’t have breakfast the second day. Receptionist staff was good Room could do with an upgrade
Stayed 2 nights in May 2022

6/10 Okay

Andy

Stayed 1 night in May 2022

10/10 Excellent

Donna

Stayed 1 night in May 2022

10/10 Excellent

WENDY, DIDSBURY

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Beautiful hotel. They have the best full scottish breakfast I have ever had. The breakfast room was lovely. The pub was very good as well. They are centrally located and very quiet. The staff were exceptional. Very comfortable room as well. So much history and atmosphere. I would love to stay there again!
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2022

8/10 Good

Ian

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Quiet few days.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2022

10/10 Excellent

James

Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Great hotel ,
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2022

8/10 Good

Stewart

Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Orkney hotel
Spacious room large bathroom with powerful shower nice bar area.
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2021

8/10 Good

James

Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Great stay
Very good stay.. Very central with great service
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2021

6/10 Okay

Raymond Scott, Santa Clara

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Disliked: Staff & service, amenities
The front desk/management staff are not very accommodating, I wouldn't recommend staying here because of that. Conversely the bar/pub staff are AMAZINGLY friendly, congenial, and pleasant. I recommend eating/drinking here, but not staying.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2021

6/10 Okay

Terry

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, room comfort
One night in Kirkwall
Good location, walking distance from harbour, bus station and main street. Impressive reception area but a bit dated in the corridors (very worn carpets) and rooms were a bit shabby for the price paid ,but OK, Reception staff very good.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2021

8/10 Good

Carol

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2021

10/10 Excellent

Scott

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Lovely hotel in centre of Kirkwall
Lovely hotel in centre of Kirkwall ran by team of friendly people with free parking and wifi. Very good food served in both a la carte restaurant and bar.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2021

6/10 Okay

Lauren

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
The staff were absolutely lovely and very helpful. Unfortunately the rooms (whilst mostly very clean) are stuck in an 80s time warp - not what you’d expect for the price of a room. My other half enjoyed the food, but my veggie curry was watery and bland with soggy veg. The whisky bar has an amazing selection (over 800 bottles!) but it’s a shame that no one working in the bar knows anything about whisky. There isn’t any information about them either so choosing one was taking a stab in the dark. We were really looking forward to trying some whiskies (and we did!) but this was a bit of a let down. It could be so much more.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2021

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Travelled with family, Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Very convenient to everything in the city center
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2021
Response from Mary on 25 Aug 2021
Thank you for the positive response! We hope to see you again in the future.

10/10 Excellent

Robert

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Wonderful
Loved the hotel. Staff friendly and helpful. Food is delicious and immense in size and quality.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2021
Response from Mary on 28 Jul 2021
Thank you for your positive response. It was our pleasure serving you.

10/10 Excellent

R R

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Brilliant hotel
This hotel was excellent. The staff were extremely helpful and welcoming. Everything was very Covid secure. The food in the restaurant was wonderful, particularly the lamb and we dined there several times as it was the best place to eat in Kirkwall. The staff worked so hard to make our stay perfect
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2021
Response from Mary on 26 Jul 2021
Thank you for such a positive response. It means alot to us post re-opening! We wish you well and hope to see you again in the future.

6/10 Okay

JOHN

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Could do better.
Could do with more, better trained, staff esp in restaurant. For the money, I’d expect the default to room service, rather than having to request fresh towels, etc. Dated. Great location in Kirkwall town centre.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2021
Response from Mary on 14 Jul 2021
Thank you for your comments, John. In compliance with our Covid-19 Procedures to minimize exposure, we ask if our guests mind if their rooms are not serviced but to please let us know if they require anything i.e. towels, soap, etc. Our Covid-19 Procedures are mentioned at check-in and listed on a card in each room. Post-lockdown, our staff is quite new and are still in training but we do appreciate your patience with this. We are glad you have otherwise enjoyed your stay.

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Very convenient. My room was a good size. The bed was comfortable.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2021
Response from Mary on 14 Jul 2021
We appreciate your comments and are glad you that enjoyed your stay .

4/10 Poor

James

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Not value for your money
Old fashioned
Curtains worn by the sun
Basic
No comfortable seats
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2021
Response from Mary on 14 Jul 2021
Thank you for your feedback, James. We do endeavor to keep our prices reasonable and in a world where prices are being raised since lockdown, we have kept our 2020 prices for 2021. We hope that you enjoyed your stay nevertheless.

8/10 Good

Sonia

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
TCFD Reporting; the good, the bad, and the ugly
Comfortable and clean hotel. Check in was easy and the staff were welcoming and friendly. They cared about offering the personal service.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2021
Response from Mary on 14 Jul 2021
Thank you for your kind comments Sonia. We are happy that you enjoyed your stay.

10/10 Excellent

Susan

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2021
Response from Mary on 26 Jul 2021
Thank you so much for your review. It was our pleasure serving you and we hope to see you again in the future.

10/10 Excellent

Royston

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Very pleasant stay.
We travelled to Kirkwall, Mainland Orkney as foot passengers and chose to stay at the Orkney hotel rather than others on the basis of the food we could expect and the warm feelings the bar and restaurant seemed to exude. We were not disappointed in the slightest. Breakfast with local haggis was delicious, dinner the same and the Orkney gin in the Gin bar was delightful Even more delightful was the display of lovely artwork of a very high standard to be found everywhere. The location was nicely central with the bus terminus at less than 10 minutes walk away. The staff were engaging.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2021
Response from Mary on 14 Jul 2021
Thank you for your kind comments Royston. We renovated the bar a few years ago and are happy to hear that you enjoyed it. We endeavor to offer local food and drink and glad to see that you like it as much as us!

6/10 Okay

Mark

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Stayed 2 nights in May 2021
Response from Mary on 26 Jul 2021
Thank you for your review. We hope to see you again in the future.

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, room comfort
Staff really helpful and friendly. Food excellent.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2021
Response from Reception on 25 May 2021
Thank you for your positive comments. Please let us know how we can further help. Enjoy your stay.

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Excellent stay.
Very spacious comfortable room. Friendly service.

10/10 Excellent

CAMERON

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Lovely stay
Great old fashioned lovely hotel, excellent staff, very comfortable

6/10 Okay

Mike

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, room comfort
Wardrobe in the bathroom!
This hotel is centrally located and easy for transport links. It is being refurbished. The bar area is very nicely done and the food was good. Room was clean and bed very comfortable. However, in our room the wardrobe and clothes drawers were in the bathroom (honestly). Also, hotel was very noisy in the mornings and we were wakened very early which was annoying on holiday.

10/10 Excellent

James

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
The Orkney Hotel
Very friendly staff, great location within the centre of Kirkwall. Nice hotel and the bar has recently been renovated.