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The Ayre Hotel

3.0 star property
Guests can unwind with a favorite drink at the cozy bar, handle daily tasks with convenient laundry facilities, and stay connected throughout their stay

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Photo gallery for The Ayre Hotel

A row of white buildings with chimneys, reflecting on the water. - The Ayre Hotel (Kirkwall)
One Bedroom Apartment | Soundproofing, WiFi (free), bed sheets - The Ayre Hotel (Kirkwall)
A pool table in a bar area with wooden flooring and green walls. - The Ayre Hotel (Kirkwall)
A billiards room with tables, chairs, and a bar area with patrons. - The Ayre Hotel (Kirkwall)
A compact living space with a kitchenette, a dining area, and a sofa. - The Ayre Hotel (Kirkwall)
The Ayre Hotel, near local hotspots, offers a practical retreat with laundry services, a welcoming bar, and an on-site restaurant. Travelers enjoy in-room WiFi, lobby coffee/tea with TV, and luggage storage. Guests consistently praise the helpful staff.

Reviews

8.6 out of 10
Excellent

Popular amenities

  • Pet friendly
  • Free WiFi
  • Bar

Room options

Available filters for rooms
Showing 11 of 11 rooms

View all photos for Budget Double Room

Soundproofing, WiFi (free), bed sheets

Budget Double Room

  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Double Bed
  • Free WiFi

View all photos for Panoramic Double Room, 1 Double Bed, Sea View

A hotel room with a bed, bedside table, desk with a computer, and a window with curtains.

Panoramic Double Room, 1 Double Bed, Sea View

  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Double Bed
  • Free WiFi

View all photos for Standard Double Room, 1 Double Bed

A hotel room with a bed, bedside table, desk with a computer, and a window with curtains.

Standard Double Room, 1 Double Bed

  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Double Bed
  • Free WiFi

View all photos for Standard Double Room, 1 Double Bed

A hotel room with a bed, bedside table, desk, and a window with curtains.

Standard Double Room, 1 Double Bed

9.0 out of 10
Wonderful
(17 reviews)
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Double Bed
  • Free WiFi

View all photos for Panoramic Double or Twin Room, Sea View

A hotel room with a large bed, two bedside tables, a nightstand, a window with curtains, and a headboard with wall-mounted lights.

Panoramic Double or Twin Room, Sea View

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(3 reviews)
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Double Bed
  • Free WiFi

View all photos for Standard Double or Twin Room

A hotel room with two single beds, each with white linens and a dark striped pillow. There are wall-mounted lamps on either side of the beds.

Standard Double or Twin Room

8.8 out of 10
Excellent
(5 reviews)
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Double Bed
  • Free WiFi

View all photos for Panoramic Double Room, 1 Double Bed, Sea View

A hotel room with a bed, bedside table, desk, and a window with curtains.

Panoramic Double Room, 1 Double Bed, Sea View

9.2 out of 10
Wonderful
(5 reviews)
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Double Bed
  • Free WiFi

View all photos for Budget Double Room

A hotel room with a large bed, two bedside lamps, a nightstand with a phone, and a mirror on the wall.

Budget Double Room

8.6 out of 10
Excellent
(12 reviews)
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Double Bed
  • Free WiFi

View all photos for One Bedroom Apartment

A modern living room with a sectional sofa, a wooden coffee table, and a television mounted on the wall.

One Bedroom Apartment

9.4 out of 10
Exceptional
(6 reviews)
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 Double Bed
  • Free WiFi

View all photos for Family Room

A hotel room with two beds, a television, a mirror, and a door.

Family Room

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(1 review)
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 4
  • 1 Double Bed and 1 Twin Bed
  • Free WiFi

View all photos for Apartment, 2 Bedrooms

A compact living space with a kitchenette, a dining area, and a sofa.

Apartment, 2 Bedrooms

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(1 review)
  • 2 bedrooms
  • Sleeps 4
  • 1 Double Bed and 2 Twin Beds
  • Free WiFi

About the neighborhood

Kirkwall is home to The Ayre Hotel. Scapa Distillery and Orkney Wine Company are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those looking for area attractions can visit The Pickaquoy Centre and Stromness Museum. Visit our Kirkwall travel guide
Map
Ayre Road, Kirkwall, Scotland, KW15 1QX

What's nearby

  • A historic church with a prominent tower and a surrounding graveyard.
    St. Magnus Cathedral
    6 min walk - 0.3 miles
  • An ancient stone building with arched windows and a tower in the background.
    Earl's Palace
    7 min walk - 0.4 miles
  • A historic stone castle surrounded by lush green trees.
    Bishop's Palace
    9 min walk - 0.5 miles
  • Orkney Wireless Museum
    1 min walk - 0.1 miles
  • Orkney Museum
    6 min walk - 0.3 miles

Getting around

  • Kirkwall (KOI)
    6 min drive

Restaurants

  • Movement Coffee
    4 min walk
  • Sunbeam Coffee House
    9 min walk
  • Auld Motor Hoose
    3 min walk
  • Skipper's
    3 min walk
  • Lucano
    8 min walk

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Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Free self parking on site

Food and drink

  • Daily buffet breakfast available 6:30 AM to 9:30 AM for a fee: GBP 15 for adults and GBP 15 for children
  • A bar/lounge
  • A restaurant
  • Coffee and tea in common areas

Things to do

  • TV in common areas

Family friendly

  • Laundry facilities
  • Soundproofed rooms

Conveniences

  • Laundry facilities
  • Limited-hour front desk
  • Luggage storage

Guest services

  • Housekeeping (daily)

Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • Elevator
  • Wheelchair accessibility
  • Wheelchair accessible (may have limitations)

More

  • Smoking not allowed

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • Bathtub or shower
  • Private bathroom
  • Towels provided

Entertainment

  • TV

Food and drink

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Electric kettle
  • Room service

More

  • Heating
  • Phone
  • Soundproofed rooms

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 2:00 PM; Check-in end time: midnight
Contactless check-in available
Minimum check-in age: 18

Check-out

Check-out before 10:00 AM
Contactless check-out available

Special check-in instructions

The front desk is open daily from 7:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Front desk staffed during limited hours
This property doesn't offer after-hours check-in
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

Access methods

Front desk (limited hours)

Pets

Pets allowed for an extra charge of GBP 25.00 per pet, per stay
Service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees
Welcoming dogs only

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome

Property payment types

Important information

Optional extras

  • Fee for buffet breakfast: approximately GBP 15 for adults and GBP 15 for children
  • Pet fee: GBP 25.00 per pet, per stay
  • Service animals are exempt from fees

The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change.

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; cash is not accepted
Cashless transactions are available

We should mention

Only registered guests are allowed in the guestrooms

Property class

This establishment has received its official star rating from VisitScotland, the National Tourist Board for Scotland.

Frequently asked questions

Is The Ayre Hotel pet-friendly?

Yes, dogs are allowed at this property. There's a fee of GBP 25.00 per pet, per stay. Service animals are exempt from fees.

How much is parking?

Self parking is free at this property.

What time is check-in at The Ayre Hotel?

Check-in start time: 2:00 PM; Check-in end time: midnight. After-hours check-in is not available.

What time is check-out at The Ayre Hotel?

Check-out is at 10:00 AM.

Where is The Ayre Hotel located?

Situated in Kirkwall, this hotel is within a 10-minute walk of Orkney Wireless Museum, St. Magnus Cathedral, and Orkney Museum. Earl's Palace and Bishop's Palace are also within 10 minutes.

Can I cancel my reservation for free and receive a full refund?

Yes, this property offers free cancellation on select room rates, because flexibility matters! Please refer to the property cancellation policy on our site for more details about any exclusions or requirements.

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Reviews

The Ayre Hotel Reviews

8.6

Excellent

9.2

Cleanliness

8.0

Amenities

8.8

Staff & service

8.6

Property conditions & facilities
Rating 10 - Excellent. 135 out of 259 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 79 out of 259 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 28 out of 259 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 11 out of 259 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 6 out of 259 reviews

Reviews

Verified review

10/10 Excellent

James

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Lovely old hotel great location in Orkney and good food
Stayed 2 nights in May 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Tim

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Was a great place to stay good breakfast helpful staff
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Michelle

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
I fell in love with Orkney and it was completely unexpected. I expected to like it just fine but I truly didn't want to leave. This hotel has comfortable rooms and a delicious restaurant that capped off our days of exploring.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2026
Verified review

8/10 Good

Sandra

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Very clean hotel, modern rooms, good elevator, excellent breakfast buffet. Wifi could be a bit spotty, but that was all over Orkney at times, so outwith their control to some degree. Very convenient location, just a short walk to the cathedral and high street.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Tammy

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Friendly staff. Excellent service. Great food. Continently located.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Scott

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Hotel was clean and comfortable. Right next to the main road and across the street from the harbor, but the noise wasn't an issue. Not a great many choices of bars/restaurants in Kirkwall, so having a bar and restaurant in the hotel was helpful. Restaurant is very nice, though you can order in the bar as well. Wifi didn't reach the bar or our room above the bar, but the lounge had good reception. Very walkable to shops, the cathedral, and the palace/castle.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

David

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Great location and Price
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Charles

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Restaurant was excellent. Had dinner there 4 nights. Staff was helpful and courteous.
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2026
Verified review

8/10 Good

Kenneth

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Comfortable room
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Keith

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
This was our second stay in a matter of weeks and both were excellent. Friendly, welcoming, professional and efficient staff, a very nice room, and excellent food. I hope we will be back.
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Craig

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Professional staff, pleasant and business-like. Straightforward check-in process. Note: keycard for power in the room. Hot water is scalding.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2026
Verified review

8/10 Good

John

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Staff at the Ayre are very friendly and very helpful. We ate in the restaurant twice and had breakfast each morning - the food was excellent. If we have critisism it would be a lack of hanging hooks in the bedrooms - somewhere to hang your wet coat (because there weren't many hangers in the wardrobe) and hooks in the bathroom to hang your wet towels.
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2026
Verified review

6/10 Okay

KATHRYN

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Disliked: Amenities
The room was clean & comfortable, however it was noisy from car park outside window and from laundry next door. Draft from window, had to keep blind and curtains closed, to keep warm. Disappointed that even after discussing with 2 members of staff on 2 separate occasions, requirements for dog friendly room & eating, in advance of our visit, we were made to feel uncomfortable, when request not initially adhered to. Breakfast was plentiful & tasty first day, second day choice was limited. (little left)
Stayed 2 nights in May 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Lisa

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
really friendly staff at the hotel, had excellent service and would be very happy to stay here again. Breakfast buffet was good and dinner in the restaurant was very enjoyable
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025
Verified review

6/10 Okay

Bree

Liked: Cleanliness
The staff at the Ayre were wonderful: warm, friendly, helpful, attentive. The room was ok, nothing special. Menu in the restaurant/pub was ok, nothing special. We were there over the New Year, stayed for 7 days... Again, the staff were wonderful!
Stayed 5 nights in Dec 2025
Verified review

8/10 Good

Iain

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

Great place to stay

Good location super clean helpful staff
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Catherine

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

Great place to stay

A great place to stay. Convenient for harbour and town centre. Delicious food. Friendly and helpful staff.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Brian

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

Perfect stay

Great welcome, lovely clean room overlooking the harbour, beautiful food at dinner and breakfast and helpful and friendly staff
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Jeff

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Great location, a brief walk to town. We had a one bedroom suite with a kitchen. It was very clean and quiet. Would definitely stay here again. Orkney was great, every one was friendly and helpful.
Stayed 5 nights in Oct 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

ruta

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Great location, friendly staff, good food
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2024
Verified review

8/10 Good

Heather

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
It was nice and central.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025
Verified review

8/10 Good

Alexander

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Staff friendly and efficient.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Mike

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
We stayed for 3 nights as a family of four in one of the apartments. The room was very well presented and had a small kitchen. The food served by the restaurant was delicious. There was an excellent selection of spirits and local beers. The staff very helpful and friendly. Will stay again.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2025
Verified review

8/10 Good

Robert

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

Great location

This hotel is convenient for seeing the sights of Kirkwall. Rooms are charming and comfortable. Breakfast has a good variety of choices.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025
Verified review

8/10 Good

linda

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Great service for late check in from the ferry. Really helpful staff. Good room and amenities. Handy to everything
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025