The Orkney Hotel originally dates back to 1670 when local merchant John Richan built it as a family home. John's family made their fortune from a long history of sea life, land ownership and litstering (dyeing). John's uncle, Robert Richan, introduced John into the litster business, which became quite a successful enterprise. In addition to his status as merchant burgess of Kirkwall, John also served on the Session Court until his early death in 1679 at the age of 35. His sons continued the litster business, however, the family home was eventually sold as became an inn sometime in the 19th Century.
Services
Sleep peacefully after a day in the fresh Orkney air, followed by a superb meal in our Garden View Restaurant or bar supper in the newly refurbished Royal Cask Whisky Gin Bar. We offer 30 elegant and comfortable en-suite rooms. Superior and Deluxe rooms offer indulgent touches ranging from Jacuzzi baths to four-poster King beds.
Superb local produce includes daily harvested seafood, Aberdeen Angus beef, Orkney lamb and Orkney cheese & ice cream. View our list of local suppliers. Choose from over 1,000 whiskies for an after-dinner dram for an after-dinner dram in the quiet St. Magnus lounge just outside of the restaurant or our refurbished Royal Cask Whisky Gin Bar located on the ground floor.
Our Royal Cask Whisky Gin Bar features over 1,000 whiskies, 160 gins and a wide selection of wine and local draught ales. We are open on a walk-in basis from 5pm daily. Visitors can choose from local distilleries such as the full range of Highland Park Age Expressions including Highland Park 50 and an extensive Scapa range including the 23 Year Old Cask and 25 Year Old Limited Edition.
Reviews (9)
Sj Jans
Feb 21, 2022
David Jim Ferguson
Feb 15, 2022
Dan McMullen
Nov 21, 2021
Danny Hudson
Oct 21, 2021
Eggs Benedict
Jul 21, 2021
J. W.
Jun 12, 2021
A really good example of what hospitality in the Scottish Highlands and Islands should be. The staff truly make this place, balancing the needs of tourists and business clients excellently. Whilst the hotel isn't a new place it is always in great condition and is regularly improved, updated and invested in. I've stayed here on multiple occasions and have never been disappointed by any room I've had.
Like many older hotels it has a slightly quirky layout, but it's well lit, always impeccably clean and suited to both business and pleasure. The food is always of a good standard, cooked freshly to order and generously portioned. Even at their most busy during the pandemic the staff always go out of their way to ensure each and every guest is made welcome and looked after.
If anything does go wrong, staff go entirely out of their way to make it right and deal with you in a personable and genuine manner. Parking is limited, as it's so central, but at worst I've had a short walk to the hotel after parking safely very nearby. This may not suit everyone, but has never been an issue for me and every central hotel on the island is similar.
The hotel has a few spaces at the front and a private car park at the back, but there's plenty of nearby free parking within a short walk if needs be. I've stayed in a number of hotels on Orkney, none have been bad, but the Orkney Hotel has been the most welcoming, helpful and consistently high standard on the island by far. I would wholeheartedly recommended staying their for business or pleasure and will no doubt continue to do so regularly in the future. Well done and thank you!
Like many older hotels it has a slightly quirky layout, but it's well lit, always impeccably clean and suited to both business and pleasure. The food is always of a good standard, cooked freshly to order and generously portioned. Even at their most busy during the pandemic the staff always go out of their way to ensure each and every guest is made welcome and looked after.
If anything does go wrong, staff go entirely out of their way to make it right and deal with you in a personable and genuine manner. Parking is limited, as it's so central, but at worst I've had a short walk to the hotel after parking safely very nearby. This may not suit everyone, but has never been an issue for me and every central hotel on the island is similar.
The hotel has a few spaces at the front and a private car park at the back, but there's plenty of nearby free parking within a short walk if needs be. I've stayed in a number of hotels on Orkney, none have been bad, but the Orkney Hotel has been the most welcoming, helpful and consistently high standard on the island by far. I would wholeheartedly recommended staying their for business or pleasure and will no doubt continue to do so regularly in the future. Well done and thank you!
Sam Barnes
Feb 26, 2021
Not the first time I've stayed here (key worker travelling, not for pleasure exactly) but it truly is a pleasure. Rooms are tidy and warm, most are away from the road and the little noise that generates. The staff are super and let you do your thing if you need, but every bit as chatty and full of energy if you wish to engage! Breakfast is superb, hearty and the tea is nicely brewed, the haggis is tasty as can be and how can I not mention the perfectly cooked bacon. Central to town this hotel is great value for money, and I'll be recommending it to my colleagues and others who wish to visit Kirkwall.
Steven Bruce
Feb 13, 2018
Cant comment on the stay in the hotel but the pub and food is excellent. Food is great quality and very tasty. Drinks menu is unreal. Can have 5 gin, rum or single malt ranging all the way up to some of the rarest measures of whisky. A pub for everyone and also shows sports on the many Tv's in the pub. Always enjoy starting the night here.
Qype User Selkie
Jan 23, 2009
The Orkney Hotel (or Royal Hotel as it used to be called) can be a bit hit and miss for food. I've never stayed there so can't comment first hand on that, but do know several other people who have stayed there who would happily stay there again, which is generally a good sign. The bar - the Wild West Saloon - is popular and gets very busy at weekends. There's quite a good atmosphere there, and a good range of beers available.
The restaurant is the bit that can be hit and miss. It's a little pricey - and for those prices you'd expect quality all the time, not just some of the time. Sometimes the food can be fantastic but the service very slow. And other times the service can be great and the food less so - such as puddings with what was supposed to be a caramelised topping which turned out to be about 6 teaspoons full of sugar! Now I like sweet things, but really.
The restaurant is the bit that can be hit and miss. It's a little pricey - and for those prices you'd expect quality all the time, not just some of the time. Sometimes the food can be fantastic but the service very slow. And other times the service can be great and the food less so - such as puddings with what was supposed to be a caramelised topping which turned out to be about 6 teaspoons full of sugar! Now I like sweet things, but really.
