Top Hotels in Mainland
Top Things to do in Mainland
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Mainland Hotels | Places to Stay in Mainland
The aptly named Mainland is the main island of Orkney, a collection of Scottish islands with serious Viking cred. On West Mainland you’ll find the Heart of Neolithic Orkney, prehistoric ruins that include a chambered tomb, stone ceremonial circles, and Skara Brae, a well-preserved Neolithic village. Cap off your visit with a hoppy glug from the Orkney Brewery. Over on the East side, marvel at a collapsed sea cave known as The Gloup, take a provincial stroll through St. Mary’s Village or just dip your toes in at Mill Sands or Dingieshowe Beach.
Things to do in Mainland
1. The Ayre Hotel
Overall Ratings
4 based on 538 reviews
Finding an ideal family-friendly hotel in Kirkwall does not have to be difficult. Welcome to The Ayre Hotel, a nice option for travelers like you. You’ll enjoy relaxing rooms that offer a flat screen TV, and you can stay connected during your stay as The Ayre Hotel offers guests free wifi. The hotel features room service. Plus, Ayre Hotel offers a lounge, providing a pleasant respite from your busy day. For guests with a vehicle, free parking is available. Given the close proximity of popular landmarks, such as Wideford Hill Chambered Cairn (0.2 mi) and The Earl's Palace (0.3 mi), guests of Ayre Hotel can easily experience some of Kirkwall's most well known attractions. If you like cafes, The Ayre Hotel is conveniently located near Archive coffee, Cafelolz, and The Strynd Tea Room. If you’re looking for something to do, Saint Magnus Cathedral (0.2 mi) and The Orkney Museum (0.2 mi) are a nice way to spend some time, and they are all within walking distance of The Ayre Hotel. The Ayre Hotel puts the best of Kirkwall at your fingertips, making your stay both relaxing and enjoyable.
Excellent hotel.
Reviewed By IallanThis hotel is going through a refurbishment. The lounge and dining room was tastefully decorated to a new standard. The food in the hotel was superb. Bar prices very reasonable. The room had a sea view. It was excellent with king size bed and comfortable. Hot water in room was very hot and shower amazing. Staff very friendly.
2. The INN Guest House
Overall Ratings
5 based on 198 reviews
New en-suite guesthouse located on the waterfront with sea views. Ideal location for sightseeing, fishing, walks or business trips. On main bus route with restaurant and bar 10 minutes walk away.
Lovely Two Night Stay
Reviewed By NCswampmamaShona was a great hostess. Our room had a lot of extra amenities. The shower provided lots of nice hot water (which has been a problem at some of our accommodations). Breakfast was plentiful and the eggs were free range from a neighbor. If you are a dog person, she has a delightful enthusiastic puppy, Tazzie. If you are not a dog person, he is kept in the staff part of the house. For me the only negative was that the bed was quite a bit softer than I like. Since that is a personal preference, it in no way detracts from my recommendation.
3. Albert Hotel
Overall Ratings
4 based on 227 reviews
Looking for a place to stay in Kirkwall? Then look no further than Albert Hotel, a hotel that brings the best of Kirkwall to your doorstep. Guest rooms offer amenities such as a flat screen TV, a seating area, and a desk, and guests can go online with free wifi offered by the hotel. Albert Hotel features room service and express check-in and check-out, to help make your stay more enjoyable. The property also boasts a lounge. If you are driving to Albert Hotel, there is paid public parking available on-site. Close to some of Kirkwall's most popular landmarks, such as Wideford Hill Chambered Cairn (0.1 mi) and Kirkwall Baptist Church (0.4 mi), Albert Hotel is a great destination for tourists. While in Kirkwall, you may want to check out some of the restaurants that are a short walk away from Albert Hotel, including Lucano (0.3 mi), Helgi's (0.0 mi), and The Storehouse Restaurant With Rooms (0.1 mi). If you’re looking for things to do, you can check out Saint Magnus Cathedral (0.2 mi), The Orkney Museum (0.2 mi), or The Earl's Palace (0.2 mi), which are popular attractions amongst tourists, and they are all within walking distance. We’re sure you’ll enjoy your stay at Albert Hotel as you experience everything Kirkwall has to offer.
Apalling
Reviewed By David444We alerted the hotel that we were arriving but late given that were coming on the ferry from Kirkwall. When we arrived, we were provided with our room key and to our deep dissatisfaction were assigned to a room for the disabled that had not been renovated in a very long time, had a stain on the mattress and featured understandably a sink that required one to sit in a chair to reach it. I proceeded to complain and was told that the hotel was fully booked. However, the person covering guest services nonetheless upon my insistence, was able to find a suitable room. The day of our departure, I spoke with manager who informed me that when fully booked they fill all rooms including rooms designed for disabled people. Be forewarned that the room we experienced was totally offensive in that it was completely unsuitable. This represents the ultimate in poor customer service. No apologies can undo this. Beware all of this hotel’s blatant approach to providing outdated rooms to the disabled and poor focus on their customers.
4. Smithfield Hotel
Overall Ratings
4 based on 152 reviews
See why so many travelers make Smithfield Hotel their hotel of choice when visiting Dounby. Providing an ideal mix of value, comfort and convenience, it offers a quaint setting with an array of amenities designed for travelers like you. You can take advantage of some of the amenities offered by Smithfield Hotel, including baggage storage. In addition, guests can enjoy a lounge during their visit. As an added convenience, there is free parking available to guests. If you like crab, Smithfield Hotel is conveniently located near Smithfield Hotel Restaurant, which is known for serving up this local favorite. We’re sure you’ll enjoy your stay at Smithfield Hotel as you experience all of the things Dounby has to offer.
Food Excellent,but.
Reviewed By bobbybb2014Excellent food,the starter of cheese in beer batter was a first for me and was very good as was the garlic mushrooms,the mac and cheese was loved as was my Haddock and chips crispy yet broke away beautifully one of the best dinners for a while.Though the Guinness was lovely, after waiting for 30 mins for a refill I gave up finished our meals and paid at the bar,so a missed couple of sweets and another pint,a few times the staff were were serving tables close to us but no eye contact or chat asking if food good or refills. Shame but would still recommend as the food is excellent.
5. Orcades Hostel
Overall Ratings
5 based on 120 reviews
Orcades Hostel is an independent, family run hostel in Kirkwall - the capital of the Orkney Islands. Clean, modern, friendly, comfortable and situated in a peaceful location but only 10 minutes walk from St Magnus Cathedral or 5 minutes walk to the supermarkets. All rooms are en-suite and we have double/twin and 4 - 6 bed dorms.
Great stay
Reviewed By FlynnPeteBasic, clean, warm, great facilities, helpful instructions and staff. Well placed to go and explore Kirkwall and the Orkney Islands. Would strongly recommend this as an excellent hostel. Just one night stay and wished I'd stayed longer.
6. The Stromness Hotel
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 304 reviews
Hell hole
Reviewed By garrybF1446ILMy company booked this hotel for me while staying here for 4 nights never again bed was hard cob webs everywhere in the room first day breakfast ok 2nd day onward was a calamity waited over 40 mins for cooked breakfast 1 staff member taking orders and serving meal no other staff. This is a dry hotel if you are looking to relax with a drink at night dont bother book else where this is more like a set up for down and outs no heating in room company looking else where
7. Royal Hotel
Overall Ratings
4 based on 72 reviews
The Royal Hotel is a family run business situated in the heart of Stromness. There are 10 ensuite rooms, the Hudson Lounge, Haven Restaurant, Front Bar and function room.
Good base to see around Orkney
Reviewed By rolo36Stayed here for a couple of nights. Nice stay. Our rooms on the top floor were not big but perfectly OK for our needs. Very nice breakfast too in the rather elegant breakfast room. The hotel is connected to a pub with two bars one at the front (which was quite busy) and a much quieter and nicer lounge bar at the back. Noise from the pub was not a problem. Some car parking outside but we left the car overnight in the well lit pay and display car park at the ferry terminal, a few minutes walk away. Stromness has a nice main street and the hotel is on it. We thought Kirkwall was nice too and if visiting the Orkneys again we would probably stay there.
8. Lilly's Lodges
Overall Ratings
5 based on 5 reviews
Lovely stay in Orkney!
Reviewed By Julie MWe stayed as a family of 4 with a 6 and 5yo. The lodge has everything you need for a family stay and is lovely and cosy and Jemma and Graham have really thought of every last detail and are very friendly too and nothing is too much trouble. The bedding and towels are very luxurious. The kitchen is very easy to cook a meal in and we ate in both nights. The picnic table on the decking allowed us to have a few drinks and appreciate the view once the littles were asleep. Would definitely stay again and look forward to the plan they have to add hot tubs to the lodges. Great central base for exploring Orkney.
9. Kirkwall Hotel
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 568 reviews
The Kirkwall Hotel with stunning views to the north is one of Orkney's finest Victorian Buildings, perfectly situated within the historic town of Kirkwall, on the picturesque harbour front, close to the marina and the main shopping area, ideal for business or leisure.
Rooms above a bar
Reviewed By PfromScotlandMy experience of the Kirkwall Hotel is mixed. Pleasant staff, but my room which was very expensive was above the very noisy bar. On 2 nights of the 4 that I spent here my sleep was disturbed by shouting and drunken chat in the bar and fall out in the street below. The swing door of the bar could be heard opening and closing as the alcohol filled clients went in and out - i presume to smoke.This hotel should decide whether it wants to be a sports bar OR a hotel marketing pleasant rooms for travellers/ business. Trying to do both is just not feasible and means that you have very unhappy clients. Tonight, in the dining room, I gave up waiting for my sweet as I had waited just too long and the staff were overly busy. Food reasonable.
10. Buxa Farm Chalets
Overall Ratings
5 based on 291 reviews
NEW- 1st Accommodation Provider in Orkney to achieve "Children Welcome Award!" Three Norwegian style semi-detached chalets situated on the A964 between Houton and Stromness in Orphir. Waterfront property on 20 acres of unspoiled land with stunning panoramic views. The chalets are developed to a VisitScotland four star standard, are open all year round, and offer accommodation for four people in each unit. Includes ample parking, living area with views to Scapa Flow, open kitchen, 2 bedrooms (can be double or twin) and bath with overhead shower. A colour television, refrigerator/freezer and washer/dryer come as standard. All electric, linens, towels etc. are included. Visit Scotland 4 star grading. NEW Sympathetically renovated derelict croft house with natural wood extension. Underfloor heating beneath original slate floors ensures that the house is always cosy. Energy efficient solar panel guarantees hot water on demand. Accommodation spread over one floor includes an entrance vestibule with built in seated bench and ample coat hooks for outdoor gear. A stunning lounge and dining room with multi-fuel stove and large screen television with Freeview and Blu-ray player. There is an adjoining double bedroom with multi-fuel stove and en-suite shower room. The spacious eat-in kitchen has built in window seats to enjoy the glorious view of the sea and hills of the neighboring island of Hoy. The kitchen incorporates a variety of quality integrated appliances and an additional television with built in DVD player. Large patio doors from the kitchen lead out to a paved patio area with large picnic table for "al fresco dining" while enjoying the glorious sunsets over Scapa Flow and Stromness. There are two more bedrooms both benefiting from built-in wardrobes. The "kids" room has two bunk beds sleeping four with an additional cot available. The master has a double bed that looks out to Scapa Flow through large patio doors leading to the paved patio. The modern family bath is fully fitted including shower over bath. Sleeps 2-8 people comfortably. Linens and towels included. Free Hi-speed satellite WIFI in all chalets and croft house. Childrens play area with swings, slide, climbing wall, tower and boat.
A 2-week holiday exploring the Orkneys
Reviewed By terrysC8245JRThe accommodation was excellent with very good appliances. It was very comfortable, and views from the veranda windows across Scapa Flow to Hoy were stunning & varied depending on the weather. The accommodation was well off the road, which was very quiet anyway. We would recommend it to anyone who wanted a quiet retreat for viewing the Orkneys. We would certainly return again if we had the opportunity. The cooking, dining & lounge arrangements were all in the same large room. The only niggle was that when cooking, despite opening the windows, the smoke from the cooking set the smoke alarm off, We had to disconnect it for the holiday, before resetting it before we left.
