The Kirkwall Hotel

It was a very happy week at the KIrkwall, an hotel in old Victorian premises with all the advantages and disadvantages that brings. My room overlooked the harbour. It wasn't the room, or the good food, which which made the difference. It was the staff. Sometimes in hotels, particularly top of the range 5 star, the relationship with reception, the maitre d'hotel or the chambermaid can be formal and cooI. Fiona the Reception Manager, Sheena, the restaurant manager even the chef were warm, thoughtful, appropriately attentive and spoke to us as though we were family. I noticed Orcadians (Orkney) people generally were warm, friendly and caring. Give yourself a real treat- visit the Orkneys

Stopped here for 2 nights on a 13 day around Scotland with a private guide. Got a very nice room with a pull out bed for my daughter and queen for myself. The view was of the harbor and fantastic. Bathroom is updated and *huge*. Some minor nit Shower could fit 8 people with 2 full sets of plumbing, but they put the shampoo, etc on the floor..... A tiny shelf would be nice. In the room they provide a big bottle of water, how about a couple of glasses??? We stayed 2 nights so it wasn't just an oversight. No USB, but we had our own converters. Elevator is from the 40's with dual manual doors, but it does work, VERY CENTRAL Location with supermarkets open till 10pm on weekdays 5 minutes away.

You are right across of the harbor within easy walking distance of the pedestrian street. My room was very clean and tidy. No air conditioning. You needed to open the window for cooling, but I believe you can request for a fan. The breakfast was good; typical Scottish- everyone's favorite haggis and blood pudding. Plus, you have your usual eggs, bacon, sausages, etc. I did not like the elevator as it did not move after we pushed the button. I used the stairs. The staff were very friendly and helpful. The lounge on the second floor gave you a peaceful and grand view of the harbor.

We only came in for dinner. It was very busy. Difficult to say how many were residents but if you are not staying here I suggest you would need to book ahead. Had a very nice dinner with a wine (good choice of wines). Restaurant prices. Couldn't eat here every night.

The hotel is traditional and has a classic beauty but is tired and needs updating. It’s probably the best hotel around, and all the tour companies use it….it appeared very busy with tours. That’s good and glad they have the business. I booked 2 single rooms for 6 nights ( travelling with a friend), and when we arrived we were taken over the road next door to their ‘annex’ hotel. The Shore. It is foul, awful, terrible and smells of damp. I had no idea that this hotel even existed. No one had told me and it was so disappointing that I made up my mind we weren’t going to stay there. It want what I thought I had booked and I hadn’t been told. Lovely Fiona, on reception, totally understood and managed to get us into rooms in the main hotel for 5 out of our 6 nights. Our 1 night in the Shore was awful. However, the other 5 nights in the actual Kirkwall Hotel was lovely. The staff are amazing….and friendly….Fiona, Heidi, David, Cameron, Alan, Stuart, Silviu……all wonderful. They must dread guested having to stay in the Shore. Tour operators obviously know to routine. So…..if you book a room at the Kirkwall hotel, check, check and check again that you are not being put in the Shore. Breakfasts are good and dinners are nice. The bar was lovely. Would go back there…..but not to the Shore.