A historic church with a prominent tower and a surrounding graveyard.

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Check availability on Kirkwall Historic Hotels

This weekend
7 Aug - 9 Aug
Next weekend
14 Aug - 16 Aug

Our top choices for Kirkwall historic hotels

Exterior

1. The Ayre Hotel

The Ayre Hotel
3.0 star property
Kirkwall
8.6 out of 10, Excellent, (259 reviews)
"Lovely old hotel great location in Orkney and good food"
United States
James
The price is £125
includes taxes & fees
27 Aug - 28 Aug
The Ayre Hotel
Free daily full breakfast

2. Karrawa Guest House

Karrawa Guest House
3.0 star property
Kirkwall
9.6 out of 10, Exceptional, (130 reviews)
"Very friendly hosts, breakfast was very good. Good location."
United States
Karen
The price is £124
includes taxes & fees
13 Aug - 14 Aug
Karrawa Guest House
Restaurant

3. The Shore

The Shore
3.0 star property
Kirkwall
8.2 out of 10, Very good, (184 reviews)
"Grateful for the clean, tastefully decorated room in a great location (downtown waterfront). It's an older building so it can be a bit noisy - particularly as the patrons in other rooms come in for the evening and get going in the morning. "
Canada
Cheryl
The price is £252
includes taxes & fees
9 Aug - 10 Aug
The Shore
Fireplace

4. Albert Hotel

Albert Hotel
3.0 star property
Kirkwall
9.0 out of 10, Wonderful, (294 reviews)
"Excellent hotel!"
United Kingdom
Cynthia
The price is £200
includes taxes & fees
9 Aug - 10 Aug
Albert Hotel
Dining

5. Royal Oak Guest House

Royal Oak Guest House
2.0 star property
Kirkwall
10.0 out of 10, Exceptional, (56 reviews)
"Very clean, good breakfast and friendly staff. "
United Kingdom
Jeremy
The price is £146
includes taxes & fees
4 Sept - 5 Sept
Royal Oak Guest House
Exterior

6. Grainbank Mews

Grainbank Mews
3.0 star property
Kirkwall
10.0 out of 10, Exceptional, (13 reviews)
"The room was spotless, very friendly staff,close to town centre. "
United Kingdom
Stephen
Grainbank Mews
Front of property

7. Lindisfarne Bed & Breakfast

Lindisfarne Bed & Breakfast
3.0 star property
Stromness
9.8 out of 10, Exceptional, (88 reviews)
"Excellent stay felt like a home from home Delicious freshly made breakfasts "
United Kingdom
david
The price is £120
includes taxes & fees
11 Aug - 12 Aug
Lindisfarne Bed & Breakfast
Bar (on property)

8. The Orkney Hotel

The Orkney Hotel
3.0 star property
Kirkwall
8.4 out of 10, Very good, (80 reviews)
"Staff was very accommodating. The large tub with jets was relaxing. The central location was excellent. Hot breakfast and selection was very good. We plan to come back. Highly recommend."
United States
David
The price is £175
includes taxes & fees
5 Aug - 6 Aug
The Orkney Hotel
Exterior

9. Murray Arms Hotel

Murray Arms Hotel
3.0 star property
South Ronaldsay
9.2 out of 10, Wonderful, (158 reviews)
"Great place to stay right at the end of the bus route that crosses the islands. Really good restaurant (especially for fish lovers!), super friendly and helpful staff, convenient for the Pentland Ferry - what’s not to like !"
United Kingdom
Tim
The price is £180
includes taxes & fees
10 Aug - 11 Aug
Murray Arms Hotel
Exterior

10. The Hawthorns Bed & Breakfast

The Hawthorns Bed & Breakfast
3.0 star property
Thurso
9.8 out of 10, Exceptional, (95 reviews)
"We had a great stay last night, friendly staff and great room. Would definitely stay here again!"
United Kingdom
Stefan
The price is £109
includes taxes & fees
28 Aug - 29 Aug
The Hawthorns Bed & Breakfast
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
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Top Kirkwall Hotel Reviews

Frequently asked questions

What should a history enthusiast expect from a trip to Kirkwall?
People visiting Kirkwall may want to book a tour of the historical sites. Why not absorb the local colour with a visit to the bars?
How many historical hotels are located in Kirkwall?
In Kirkwall, you'll find 35 hotels and other lodging options bookable on Expedia but not many designated as historic hotels.
What are the top historical sites and other places in Kirkwall?
Favourite places to visit include Orkney Museum, Highland Park Distillery and Scapa Beach. A couple of additional sights to add to your itinerary are Scapa Distillery and Orkney Wireless Museum.
What is a historic hotel like in Kirkwall?
By booking a historic hotel, guests can stay someplace that has an official historic designation. A palace, castle, stately home or even a lodge, pub or skyscraper can be identified as a historic hotel provided that it's of special interest. Traditional architecture and period features are typically found within the guestrooms or public spaces of historic hotels in Kirkwall, giving a historical feel.
What is the difference between a historic hotel and a heritage hotel?
"Heritage hotel" is a term often used in Asia and Europe, wheareas the term "historic hotel" is more commonly used in the U.S. though overall the terms are quite similar. The architecture and building of historic hotels are generally the most significant aspect. For a heritage hotel, mainly, it's cultural value as well as how it shaped the community.
Do historic hotels in Kirkwall have modern facilities?
Hotel interiors feature the modern conveniences and safety features you've come to expect, though efforts have been made to preserve treasured traditions and historic facades. Private rooms with updated bathroom facilities, free WiFi and the amenities found in a hotel will be available in a historic hotel. When you book a historic hotel in Kirkwall, don't worry that you'll find a place that's uncomfortable for guests or simply rundown.

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