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The Sands Hotel

Property class: 2.5

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Photo gallery for The Sands Hotel

A building with multiple windows and a visible entrance. - The Sands Hotel (Burray)
A bar area with a wooden bar counter, multiple stools, and a television screen. - The Sands Hotel (Burray)
A staircase with wooden railings leading to a landing. A red chair is positioned near a window with a curtain. - The Sands Hotel (Burray)
A hotel room with a large bed, two chairs, a wooden headboard, a window with curtains, a mirror, and a wall-mounted picture frame. - The Sands Hotel (Burray)
A cozy living room with a stone fireplace, a television mounted on the wall, and a plaid curtain. - The Sands Hotel (Burray)
You can look forward to free continental breakfast, laundry facilities, and a bar at The Sands Hotel. In addition to a restaurant, guests can connect to free WiFi in public areas.

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional

Popular amenities

  • Bar
  • Laundry
  • Housekeeping

Off-peak, on budget: 30% or more off select hotels in our fall sale

Skip the crowds, keep the savings. AARP members save more after Labor Day. Book by Oct 7, 2026.

Room options

Available filters for rooms
Showing 4 of 4 rooms

View all photos for Superior Double Room, Ensuite, Sea View (First Floor )

A hotel room with a large bed, two chairs, a wooden headboard, a window with curtains, a mirror, and a wall-mounted picture frame.

Superior Double Room, Ensuite, Sea View (First Floor )

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(2 reviews)
  • Sea view
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

View all photos for Standard Double Room, Ensuite, Sea View (First Floor )

A hotel room with a large bed, two chairs, a wooden headboard, a window with curtains, a mirror, and a wall-mounted picture frame.

Standard Double Room, Ensuite, Sea View (First Floor )

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(1 review)
  • Sea view
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Double Bed

View all photos for Traditional Suite, Ensuite, Sea View (Second Floor )

Two twin beds with white linens and plaid blankets, wooden headboards, and a framed picture on the wall.

Traditional Suite, Ensuite, Sea View (Second Floor )

9.6 out of 10
Exceptional
(4 reviews)
  • Sea view
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 Twin Bed and 1 Double Bed

View all photos for Classic Suite, Ensuite, Sea View (First & Second Floor )

A bedroom with a bed, pillows, a bedside table, and a skylight.

Classic Suite, Ensuite, Sea View (First & Second Floor )

  • Sea view
  • 2 bedrooms
  • Sleeps 4
  • 1 Double Bed and 2 Twin Beds

About the neighborhood

Burray is home to The Sands Hotel. Orkney Wine Company and Scapa Distillery are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Olav's Wood and Sand of Wright. Visit our Burray Village travel guide
Map
Pier Road, Burray, Scotland, KW17 2SS

What's nearby

  • A historic church with a prominent tower and a surrounding graveyard.
    St. Magnus Cathedral
    24 min drive - 15.1 miles
  • A stone standing upright in a grassy field with other standing stones in the background.
    Ring of Brogdar
    52 min drive - 29.4 miles
  • Orkney Fossil and Heritage Centre
    4 min walk - 0.3 miles
  • Orkney Fossil & Vintage Centre
    3 min drive - 2.1 miles
  • Highland Park Distillery
    22 min drive - 13.3 miles

Getting around

  • Kirkwall (KOI)
    24 min drive

Restaurants

  • Robertson's
    6 min drive
  • Polly Kettle
    10 min walk
  • Anchorage & Galley Inn
    6 min drive
  • Commodore
    7 min drive
  • Commodore Chalets
    7 min drive

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Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Free self parking on site
  • Wheelchair-accessible parking available

Food and drink

  • A bar/lounge
  • A restaurant

Things to do

  • Billiards/pool table

Family friendly

  • High chair
  • Laundry facilities

Conveniences

  • Laundry facilities

Guest services

  • Housekeeping (daily)
  • Wedding services

Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • No elevator
  • Wheelchair-accessible parking

More

  • Smoking not allowed

Room amenities

Food and drink

  • Ice maker

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 2:00 PM; Check-in end time: 10:00 PM

Minimum check-in age: 18

Check-out

Check-out before 10:30 AM

Special check-in instructions

Front desk staff will greet guests on arrival at the property

Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

Access methods

Staffed front desk

Pets

Pets not allowed

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome

Property payment types

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
This property accepts credit cards and cash
Property Registration Number OI/PL/86

We should mention

This property does not have elevators
This property welcomes guests of all sexual orientations and gender identities (LGBTQ+ friendly)

Frequently asked questions

Is The Sands Hotel pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much is parking?

Self parking is free at this property.

What time is check-in at The Sands Hotel?

Check-in start time: 2:00 PM; Check-in end time: 10:00 PM.

What time is check-out at The Sands Hotel?

Check-out is at 10:30 AM.

Where is The Sands Hotel located?

Situated in Burray, this hotel is within 1 mi (2 km) of Orkney Fossil and Heritage Centre and Orkney Fossil & Vintage Centre. Orkney Wine Company and Italian Chapel are also within 6 mi (10 km).

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Reviews

The Sands Hotel Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

9.8

Cleanliness

9.4

Amenities

9.8

Staff & service

9.8

Property conditions & facilities
Rating 10 - Excellent. 54 out of 62 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 7 out of 62 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 62 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 62 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 1 out of 62 reviews

Reviews

Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Susan

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The manager Bryce gave us excellent recommendations for dights to see at the south end of the island and where to park on a weekend in Kirkwall. Such a unique setting and quiet.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2026
Verified review

8/10 Good

tony

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
It worked out great for our overnight stay on Orkney. Dinner was very good and breakfast hit the spot.
Stayed 1 night in May 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Ben D

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Pleasant staff-great breakfast-convenient parking
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Gered

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Loved the location, friendly staff, great pub, excellent meals. Room was perfect with a beautiful view of the water.
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

William Andrew Haralam and Mary Ann

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Pleasant Quiet comfortable nice dining options
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Daniel

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Serene sea views

Lovely quiet place by the sea with a great restauarant and cosy nautical themed bar. Very friendly staff :) Would love to stay here again next time!
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Nelson

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The room was great! Tea, water and hot chocolate complementary in the room. Great restaurant with a separate pub. The staff were the major highlight!
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Jill

Liked: Amenities
We loved staying at the Sands hotel and wished we could have stayed longer! Facilities, location and food fantastic, Thankyou for making our Orkney trip memorable - You even laid on lovely weather too !!
Stayed 2 nights in May 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Alex

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
An enjoyable stay. Attentive staff. Excellent food.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Martin

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Brilliant staff and brilliant stay

The staff were brilliant and truly went out their way to make my stay very enjoyable. I would return here and recommend others to stay here also. The food was excellent and a very good selection to choose from.
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Kelsey

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

So lovely

Everything at this hotel was just lovely- staff, ocean views, food. The room was simple but nicely updated and maintained. This hotel was a highlight of our trip. The restaurant is also delicious and we loved breakfast.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Lisa

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
This property is exceptionally clean! The restaurant staff were friendly, outgoing and accommodating to a food allergy. This hotel is convenient for morning ferry departures from St. Margaret's Hope.
Stayed 1 night in May 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Ludovic

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Good base from where to explore part of Orkney

Our brief stay at the Sands Hotel was just what we were looking for in that part of Orkney. We wanted to see Skapa Flow, the Italian Chapel, and we discovered a fascinating private museum with fossil collection. The staff were helpful and welcoming and the room comfortable.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2024
Verified review

8/10 Good

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Lovely quiet historic hotel

Lovely quiet hotel being an old Herring Warehouse. Rooms were comfortable and had a nice view of the boat ramp. We stayed 2 nights and meals were nice both nights. We needed washing done and were able to pay 15 pounds for a small bag to be done for us, which saved having to go to Laundromat in Kirkwall.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2024
Verified review

8/10 Good

Anne

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
They are lovely people and it is a nice enough hotel. It’s in an out of the way location which was fine for us as we had a car. The food was ok. The room was light, clean and comfortable.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Simon

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

A hidden gem

For someone who stays in hotels a lot The Sands was a wonderful experience. All the tiny things that you’d wish for in other hotels are just done perfectly here! I can’t recommend this hotel highly enough. The restaurant is great, breakfast is cooked to order so absolutely no food waste and the evening meals are delicious.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

John

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Excellent hotel in Burray

Stayed at the Sands with my wife for one night. All the staff in the hotel we came into contact were very friendly and helpful. Our room was tastefully decorated and very comfortable.We enjoyed a beautiful evening meal in the restaurant and the cooked breakfast provided in the morning was one of the best I have had in any hotel.Our only complaint is we could only stay one night.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Roger

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The Sands Hotel is a lovely small hotel in a tranquil island within the Orkneys. There is absolutely no noise in any of the rooms, they are equipped with WiFi and everything you need. The restaurant serves excellent-quality food with locally sourced ingredients. The staff are first rate, every single one of them. They helped us out with everything we needed. Very prompt and professional service. Best Hotel in the Orkneys, bar none!
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Dont overlook this Hotel

A lovely hotel over looking Burray Harbour. The staff are so friendly and welcoming, rooms are very clean and comfortable, food is honest well cooked fair. The homemade Mac n Cheese was a delight. If youre leaving before breakfast theyll make up a lunch sandwich for you. Salmon and Scrambled egg and full cooked breakfast both superb. Lots of Tea and Toast too. The bar stocks well kept beer and a few Whiskys. You pass the Highland Park Distillery on the way to Burray. If you are looking for a quiet hotel with genuinely friendly people who provide superb service, book The Sands.
View from bedroom window.
View from bedroom window at sunset.
Hearty and tasty breakfast.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Adam

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
We were warmly welcomed by the staff on arrival and when they showed us up to the room we fell instantly in love with the sea view. The room was very clean and in good shape. What’s more, we ate in the restaurant and the food was fresh, locally sourced and also great value for money when compared to other local options.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Peter

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Well worth a stay

This is a really nice hotel with great staff and great food. You receive a warm welcome and the whole stay was relaxing and enjoyable.
Wonderful view if small harbour
View from room of open sea
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Jack

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
We stayed two nights and loved everything about this accommodation.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2022
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Slaveiko

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Lovely property and very friendly staff.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2022
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Tor Kristian

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

A splendid hotel, I want to come back!

Spent two nights, very nice place, extremely friendly and helpful staff. If I come back to the Orkneys, I’ll stay here and for more than two nights!
The hotel pub
Around the hotel
Skara Brea
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Wilma

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Would highly recommend the Sands, very friendly homely atmosphere couldn’t do enough to help and the food well presented and very tasty
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2022