> BRILL Breakfast > amazing attentive & friendly / helpful staff > relaxed yet fully functional as a good hotel should be > good central location > always plenty of hot water - > the occasions we had fresh mussels / local fish on menu - this would be a bonus if offered more often or as special advance order (I would pay well for delight of a local lobster or crab or whole baked fish)

> dog barking/howling for short periods quite late at night and early morning - intermittent and not consistent - sometimes none at all. Woken 2-3 times from sleep. Hotel was aware of issue. Dogs in a small compound across the road from room reacted manically when other dogs were walked past or person came near. > was not initially made aware that the restaurant would also serve the bar room menu >room was not as warm as wished but opening windows for fresh air - great!

Staff were amazing nothing was to much trouble Curtis and Scott who worked the breakfast shift everyday remembered everyone and what they had done the day before no matter how busy they got always smiled and worked hard,breakfast was hot well cooked and plentiful What ever you do don’t lose them David on the desk was a source of advice about all things local Stay for the evening meals very very good and reasonable priced

We had great weather but the main rooms were never very warm The hotel bar shut by nine and the attached bar only opened at weekends and had sport playing but Andrea was happy to still get us drinks so we could sit in comfort

Lots of positives about the Brae Hotel where we stayed from 15th-18th June 2025 the staff were very helpful, friendly and polite and always happy to help with any additional needs (longer extension cord for example) The room was comfortable clean and well presented and the communal areas were also nicely laid out and kept scrupulously clean, the food in the dining room was of a very high standard with a good variety of dishes and plenty of it. The breakfast was hot and plentiful and served at the table as opposed to the buffet service you find in a lot of places, if I had one slight criticism it would be the omission of some other Scottish items ie Tattie, scones, Lorne sausage and black/white pudding but otherwise couldn't fault it.

My only real criticism about our stay would be the Northern lights lounge, I had noted this on the website and was looking forward to spending some after dinner time partaking in some local beers etc before retiring only to find that it only opened on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday (the day we arrived and the one night we just wanted to go to the room after dinner) the opening times are not on the website and the hotel bar is only available during dinner service.

I initially booked this hotel as we would normally book self catering accommodation but there wasn't any available anywhere on the island. However the bed and breakfast price we paid was pretty similar to what we would have paid for self catering. The location of the hotel was ideal for visiting everywhere on the mainland island and also if we'd been able to book the ferries it would have been ideal to get to the ferry ports for Yell and Unst. The breakfast was great, similar to what you'd get a premier inn but freshly prepared and cooked to order. We also stayed in the hotel for evening meal which worked out at about £25 per person for Starter and main. All the food was delicious. The staff were absolutely amazing too and couldn't do enough to make sure our stay was really enjoyable. Will definitely be back

The car park at the front of the hotel is quite small but there is plenty of space around the side of the hotel if we couldn't get a space at the front.

It was in a great location for traveling to all corners of Shetland. Easy parking to side of hotel, and whilst it isn’t a fancy hotel, it had everything we needed and was nicely clean. But what made it special was the excellent breakfast and the fantastic service. A particular mention for Scott and Curtis who delivered a delicious breakfast along with an upbeat happy atmosphere, interest in what we planned to do each day, and who went the extra mile to make sure we had an early breakfast before one of our early trips out to Unst. Would definitely recommend.

Nothing.

Excellent position in Brae. From here it's easy to tour the north of the main island and the northern islands. We had breakfast included, and the two men who ran this must be commended - they were excellent in their service and attention. All of the staff were exceptionally helpful and friendly. Room was comfortable and reasonably spacious.

Dinner meals were sometimes a bit hit and miss. The roast beef with all the trimmings was a huge serve and excellent value; the cottage pie the next night was a small portion and rather ordinary for the same price!

Our experience at the Brae Hotel in Shetland has been terrific!! The staff is outstanding and truly have made a difference. Starting with the breakfast and dinner staff of Scott and Curtis who immediately made us feel right at home with their upbeat demeanor, friendly service, music, and personal touch. The location was perfect for our adventures to Yell and Unst, Hillswick and Eshaness, Lerwick and Scalloway, Sumburgh and St. Ninians just for starters. The hotel desk staff was also outstanding Ilsa, David, Clair, Tracie were all extremely helpful sharing their Shetland Islands experiences and recommendations. They helped make each day a new and exciting experience. Although the hotel is older, it is maintained at a high level. The food is outstanding, both breakfast and dinner. They offer laundry service at a very reasonable rate. We definitely recommend the Brae Hotel and will return here in the future.

What a fantastic stay! Hotel is in a great location, rooms are extremely comfortable and reasonably priced! Meals are locally sourced and super tasty! Staff are great but the star of the show was a chap called Scott! His service was impeccable! So polite, always smiling and so handsome! A true gentleman.! A fantastic breakfast chef ( makes delicious scrambled eggs!!) breakfast was a great atmosphere listening to him singing away, what a voice!! , a real home from home! His service in the restaurant in the evenings was just the same, being so kind and attentive to everybody no matter how busy he was. And then to see him throughout the day attending to guests, cleaning, even weeding the hotel grounds! A fantastic all rounder and a true credit to the hotel. I will definitely be returning to the Brae hotel! A real hidden gem! Well done Scott and Curtis

As far as my wife and d I are concerned this hotel deserves an exceptional rating solely because of the efforts of Scott and Curtis who run the kitchen, restaurant and bar for sure at breakfast and dinner and I assume lunch although we never ate lunch at the hotel. We stayed 4 nights and these two gentleman made us feel respected , welcome and well cared for. They are the heart of the hotel’s customer service. The front desk personnel were also friendly and welcoming and we were allowed to check-in very early after arriving on the morning ferry.

The bar does not open until the restaurant does, at 6:00.

The hotel is in a very convenient location; accommodations are few and far between on Shetland. The breakfast was delicious, classic Fully Scottish. There was a staffing issue, and there was a gentleman, maybe the brother of a manager? that took it upon himself to make sure everyone was served as quickly as possible, with a grin and a few sunny words. Really a gent. Then, there was a Herring Gull outside the window that was quite friendly, and allowed our study. And, there was a fellow guest, an ornithologist, who was kind enough to share some local birding info along with his views on birds and wind power. It was a great place to stay.

Bring less "stuff" to cart up the stairs. ;-)