The Shore, Kirkwall ➤ Reviews, Rooms & Prices 2025

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About the Hotel

Shore Street, Kirkwall, United Kingdom, KW15 1LG

Located in the heart of Kirkwall, The Kirkwall Hotel overlooks the busy harbor, providing a unique vantage point for observing maritime activities. This Victorian hotel is known for its warm hospitality and characterful interiors that nod to the town's rich history. With a prime location, guests can explore nearby historical landmarks, including St Magnus Cathedral and the Orkney Museum. The hotel offers easy access to the scenic beauty of the Orkney Islands, making it an ideal base for explorers.

Location

The hotel is situated next to Kirkwall Harbour, providing convenient access to local attractions, shops, and cafes. It is in close proximity to the Highland Park Distillery and the Orkney Museum, both within walking distance. Kirkwall's transport system includes daily ferries to surrounding islands and is just 6 miles from the nearest airport, ensuring easy exploration of the breathtaking Orkney landscape. The area is rich in historical significance, with landmarks dating back thousands of years.

Rooms

The Kirkwall Hotel features 37 beautifully restored bedrooms, each designed with industrial-style furnishings and warm textiles. Rooms include King Sea View Rooms offering stunning harbor views, plush en-suite bathrooms, and modern comforts like 4K HD TVs. Family-friendly options such as spacious Junior Suites and interconnected rooms are available, accommodating larger groups and ensuring a comfortable stay for all guests. Dog-friendly accommodations are also offered for those traveling with pets.

Eat & Drink

The Harbour View Restaurant specializes in vibrant dishes that highlight fresh Orcadian produce, from seafood to local meats, complemented by an extensive wine list and over 100 varieties of Highland Park whisky. Meals can be enjoyed while looking out at the lively harbor. Additionally, the hotel offers a relaxed atmosphere in the Skippers Bar, where light bites and casual dining are accessible. Afternoon tea is served on the first weekend of each month, offering a selection of sweet and savory treats.

Leisure & Business

For business travelers, The Kirkwall Hotel provides flexible meeting spaces, including the Writing Room, which accommodates up to 80 guests. The hotel is well-equipped with fast Wi-Fi and offers a cozy environment for team-building events or conferences. Guests can also enjoy leisure facilities, including coastal walks and nearby historical sites, enriching their stay with a blend of relaxation and exploration. The Highland Park Whisky Bar is a notable spot for leisure, boasting an extensive selection of spirits.

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Select your room type

The hotel offers a variety of rooms including double rooms, family rooms, and suites with breakfast, free cancelations, and special deals

Deluxe King Suite

Max:

4 persons

34 m²

Bed options:

2 Single beds

Shower

Heating

room details

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Double Room

Max:

2 persons

18 m²

Bed options:

1 Double bed

Shower

Heating

room details

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Double or Twin Room Disability Access

Max:

2 persons

18 m²

Bed options:

2 Single beds

Shower

Heating

room details

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Getting around

A list of all available modes of transport

City Centre

Kirkwall200 m

Airports

Kirkwall (KOI) 6.1 km

Eday (EOI) 31.7 km

Facilities

The hotel offers amenities for your comfortable stay and unforgettable experiences

Spotlessly Clean Shower

“The shower room was immaculate and provided excellent water pressure, making my mornings refreshing and enjoyable.” view full review

Comfy and Cozy

“The bed was incredibly comfortable, ensuring a restful night's sleep after a long day of travel.” view full review

Thoughtful Touches

“Having a cafetière and biscuits in the room was a good surprise that added a special touch to my stay.” view full review

Perfect for Solo Travelers

“The single room was a haven for solo travelers, providing a peaceful and tidy space to unwind after a busy day.” view full review

General

No smoking on site
Wi-Fi
No parking
Pets allowed
Rooms/ Facilities for disabled
Wheelchair access
Luggage storage
Smoke detectors
Fire extinguishers
Key access

Sports & Fitness

Golf course

Guest Parking

Electric kettle

Services

Housekeeping

Facilities for people with disabilities

Toilet for disabled
Bathroom for disabled

Room features

Heating
Sitting area

Bathroom

Free toiletries

Self-catering

Electric kettle

Media

Flat-screen TV

Room decor

Carpeted floor

Location

Shore Street, Kirkwall, United Kingdom, KW15 1LG

Map view

Shore Street, Kirkwall, United Kingdom, KW15 1LG

City landmarks

Skua Road Hatston Industrial Estate

Grain Earth House

970 m

Church

Kirkwall Baptist Church

680 m

Clay Loan At Intersection With Bignold Park Road

Orkney Witchcraft Memorial

730 m

United Kingdom

Highland Park Distillery

2.1 km

Peedie Sea

900 m

12 Scapa Road

Scapa Crafts Orkney Chairs

1.2 km

Scapa Bay Opposite the far end of the beach

HMS Royal Oak Memorial

2.3 km

Kirkwall KW15 1SE

Scapa Distillery

2.8 km

Beach

Scapa Beach

2.7 km

Island

JP Orkney

2.9 km

Quanter Ness

3.8 km

Mainland,

Wideford Hill Chambered Cairn

4.2 km

Head of Work

4.2 km

Wideford Hill

4.2 km

Nearby

Monument

Saint Magnus Cathedral

540 m

Palace

The Earl's Palace

570 m

Museum

The Orkney Museum

470 m

Museum

Orkney Wireless Museum

170 m

Ayre Road

The Orkney Distillery

200 m

Marina

Kirkwall Marina

150 m

Harbour Street

80 m

Albert Street

The Big Tree

320 m

Restaurants

St Magnus Cafe

450 m

Broad St Kirkwall Community Centre

The Happy Haddock

760 m

69 Junction Road

Cafe At No.65

700 m

65 Victoria Street

Reviews and Ratings

Feedback from previous guests about their experience.

76%

liked the hotel and would stay again

7.6/10

Very good

Rooms

7.5

Location

9.0

Service

7.5

Dining

7.0

Peter

United States, May 2024

7.2/10

My stay at the hotel had its ups and downs. The rooms were a bit hit and miss, with some being small and lacking a view while others were spacious with a comfy bed. The service was a mixed bag, with some staff being unhelpful when issues arose, but others were incredibly accommodating and pleasant. The location was ideal, right in the heart of Kirkwall with easy access to the town center. The dining experience varied from good to lacking depending on the time you arrived. Overall, the hotel had its charms but also had room for improvement.

Rooms

7.0

I stayed in one of the tiny attic rooms with no view, above the garbage area, which was quite a wake-up call with the early trash collection. However, my room was of good size with a cozy bed and a nice en-suite.

Service

6.0

The service was a bit of a mixed bag. While some staff were unhelpful when I had complaints, there were others who went out of their way to make my stay pleasant, offering to extend my check-out time and assisting with booking a taxi.

Location

9.0

The hotel's location was excellent, being central and close to the town center and bus station. It was convenient to explore Kirkwall with everything within walking distance.

Dining

7.0

The dining experience was variable. There were times when the food was really good and well-cooked, but at other times, it felt lacking with limited options, especially if you arrived late.

Facilities

7.0

The hotel had some nice facilities but they did not particularly stand out based on my experience.

Walter

United Kingdom, May 2023

8.2/10

The hotel offers comfortable and clean rooms, with a small issue of a green exit light above the door. The location is superb for tourists, being centrally located and convenient for exploring Kirkwall. The dining experience was generally good, with a few minor room amenities missing. Overall, a great value for money stay.

Rooms

8.0

The rooms were comfortable and clean, albeit with a small inconvenience of a green exit light above the door.

Service

9.0

The staff was incredibly helpful, especially during special occasions, and ensured guests felt comfortable.

Location

9.0

The hotel's location is excellent, within walking distance to Kirkwall's amenities and a short drive to attractions. Perfect for visitors from cruise ships.

Dining

7.0

The dining experience was very good overall, with freshly cooked meals, although some minor room amenities were lacking.

Facilities

8.0

The hotel provides good facilities for a comfortable stay.