The Kirkwall Hotel in Orkney deserves all five of its stars (and maybe a bonus dram). My room was so cozy and the bed so comfortable, I felt like I was being hugged by a friendly cloud each night. From the moment I stepped in, the staff greeted me like a long-lost friend returning home. That genuine, welcoming atmosphere made it easy to relax – I almost considered moving in permanently! Now, let’s talk about the whisky: the hotel’s Highland Park selection is nothing short of legendary. Their bar boasts over 100 different Highland Park whiskies (yes, you read that right), all distilled just down the road. I felt like a kid in a candy store – if candy were 18-year-old single malt and the store was a cozy Orcadian whisky den. With each dram I tried (strictly for research, of course), I found myself growing more cheerful and convinced I’d discovered heaven (or Valhalla) in a glass. Between the warm hospitality, the ultra-comfy lodgings, and that treasure trove of whisky, I left feeling like a happily spoiled guest. If you love comfort, friendly faces, and a quality dram (or three), Kirkwall Hotel is an absolute gem. Five stars – I’ll definitely be back for another “research” session at that whisky bar! Slàinte!

The hotel is atmospheric and very centrally located while being on the seaside. It is a short walk to ferries and buses and also to the cathedral and museums in Kirkwall. We loved the more spacious room 102 (although being just over a bar is not the best location for a Friday night - unless you are in the bar at that time as well :) This was a navy headquarters building so plenty of objects reminding of the past. The reception and restaurant staff are lovely and also very helpful.

The cleaning staff ritual of placing clean towels on the corridor floors where everyone walks in their outdoor shoes.

During my recent visit to Orkney, I had the pleasure of staying at the Kirkwall Hotel. This historic property exceeded expectations on all fronts. Exceptional Staff: The staff at the Kirkwall Hotel were incredibly professional and supportive. Their attentiveness and willingness to go the extra mile made my stay truly memorable. From assisting with taxi arrangements to facilitating an extended stay due to a missed flight, their genuine hospitality was exceptional. Unmatched Location: The hotel's location is unbeatable. Situated in the heart of Kirkwall, it provides convenient access to a variety of amenities. Lidl, Tesco, restaurants, souvenir shops, and the magnificent Magnus Cathedral are all within easy walking distance. Historic Charm: The Kirkwall Hotel itself is a treasure trove of history. The corridors are adorned with captivating historic pictures, offering a glimpse into the past. A particularly delightful surprise was the beautifully preserved guest register dating back to 1948, adding a unique touch to the ambiance. Peaceful and Inviting: My room was impeccably clean and offered a serene atmosphere, free from any disruptive noise. The view of the harbor was an added bonus, providing a picturesque backdrop to my stay. Highly Recommended: The Kirkwall Hotel offers an exceptional combination of comfort, history, and exceptional service. Whether you're a business traveler or a leisure guest, this hotel caters to a truly enjoyable stay. I would highly recommend the Kirkwall Hotel to anyone visiting Orkney. In fact, I look forward to returning myself in the future.

Nice restaurant and bar. Super friendly staff. Room appeared recently refurbished.

Lift was rarely working - lots of steps to the top floor. It’s an old building with an old lift and staff suggested it wasn’t on the list of things to replace. Some of the general areas (stairs, landings, resident lounge) appeared slightly dated although perfectly serviceable. Room prices were high buy Scottish standards but probably representative of ‘normal’ in Orkney which has limited accompanying making it generally more expensive than you’d like it to be.

We had a harbour view room and it was great, always something to look at. Ours was a comfortable large, stylish room. Friendly staff. In a very lovely town. The bus from our 11pm ferry dropped us literally outside and arriving late felt absolutely fine.

We liked this stay a lot. The breakfast buffet was busy when we were down but everything got topped up within a couple of minutes. No complaints from us.

Location, excellent room, amazing shower and attentive staff.

The good! Quality was poor, focus on quantity not quality. Fish was dry, steak dry in the pie. Breakfast was also a disappointment, dry back and sausage, hard tasteless poached eggs. Interestingly we were not asked how our meal was, so no we didn’t feed back during our stay.

Check in was nice and easy, Alan was polite, friendly and helpful. The room was ready early so I could work from the desk in the room. Having access to the lounge was a really great bonus, as we could work from there before our room was ready.

It was a little noisy in our room at times, but we appreciate that renovation work is ongoing. The towel rail in the bathroom made a bit of a noise. There was a bulb missing in the desk light, but used one of the bedside lights as a replacement when working.

Lovely staff and all from Orkney, apart from Simon 🤣. But he was exceptionally nice. Brilliant team, well done . 👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

Well all brill, but to be critical.. sorry hide the shite.. lock up or hide the mess. Example on way to toilets down stairs, pass places where shite hidden all businesses have these, but in a hotel need to hide.. sane as going into sports bar. But just picking as a boss myself.. made no difference to stay..

I love the rooms, the tweed teddy bear is adorable!!!, the beautiful comfy bedding, the nice cookies on the coffee buffet, the food is absolutely delicious, and most of all the staff!! Everyone was fantastic!! Allistair is my rockstar hero for going above and beyond and getting me all organized to catch a bus, a ferry, a taxi and a train!!!! Yeah!!!

Not one little thing, other than when the toilet seat slid to the side and scared me! Lol. That is a 1 out of 100, so no big deal!!

Fantastic hotel on Kirkwall waterfront within walking distance from the town core. Excellent large rooms, modern facilities, very comfortable. Great restaurant, where we had both an excellent breakfast and a similarly excellent dinner. Plus, a superb bar and lounge, stocking 100+ varieties of Highland Park whiskey. Very friendly and helpful staff made our stay exceptionally pleasant.

Parking may be the only tiny negative, as the hotel has none of its own. There are limited free spaces on the street, and a couple of lots nearby - the latter an issue only when the weather may be less than cooperating.