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The Ayre Hotel

3.0 star property
Hotel in Kirkwall with restaurant and bar/lounge

Photo gallery for The Ayre Hotel

Exterior
One Bedroom Apartment
Soundproofing, free WiFi, bed sheets, wheelchair access
Lobby
One Bedroom Apartment | Living room

Reviews

8.6 out of 10
Excellent

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Bar
  • Room service
  • Pet-friendly
The current price is NZ$211
includes taxes & fees
19 Apr - 20 Apr

Explore the area

Map
Ayre Road, Kirkwall, Scotland, KW15 1QX
  • Orkney Museum
    ‪6 min walk‬
  • Earl's Palace
    ‪9 min walk‬
  • Highland Park Distillery
    ‪2 min drive‬
  • Kirkwall (KOI)
    ‪6 min drive‬

Room options

View all photos for Apartment, 2 Bedrooms

Apartment, 2 Bedrooms | Living area

Apartment, 2 Bedrooms

Highlights

Soundproofed
Heating
Fridge
TV
2 bedrooms
Private bathroom
Microwave
Coffee/tea maker
  • Sleeps 4
  • 1 Double Bed and 2 Single Beds

View all photos for Standard Double Room, 1 Double Bed

Soundproofing, free WiFi, bed sheets, wheelchair access

Standard Double Room, 1 Double Bed

Highlights

Soundproofed
Heating
TV
19 bedrooms
Private bathroom
Coffee/tea maker
Electric kettle
Daily housekeeping
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Double Bed

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

Soundproofing, free WiFi, bed sheets, wheelchair access

Panoramic Double Room, 1 Double Bed, Sea View

Highlights

Soundproofed
Heating
TV
10 bedrooms
Private bathroom
Coffee/tea maker
Electric kettle
Daily housekeeping
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Double Bed

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

Panoramic Double or Twin Room, Sea View | View from room

Panoramic Double or Twin Room, Sea View

Highlights

Soundproofed
Heating
TV
10 bedrooms
Private bathroom
Coffee/tea maker
Electric kettle
Daily housekeeping
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Double Bed

View all photos for Budget Double Room

Budget Double Room

Budget Double Room

Highlights

Soundproofed
Heating
TV
Private bathroom
Coffee/tea maker
Electric kettle
Daily housekeeping
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Double Bed

View all photos for One Bedroom Apartment

One Bedroom Apartment

One Bedroom Apartment

Highlights

Soundproofed
Heating
Fridge
TV
Private bathroom
Microwave
Coffee/tea maker
Electric kettle
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Double Bed

View all photos for Standard Double or Twin Room

Soundproofing, free WiFi, bed sheets, wheelchair access

Standard Double or Twin Room

Highlights

Soundproofed
Heating
TV
13 bedrooms
Private bathroom
Coffee/tea maker
Electric kettle
Daily housekeeping
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Double Bed

View all photos for Family Room

Family Room

Family Room

Highlights

Soundproofed
Heating
TV
Private bathroom
Coffee/tea maker
Electric kettle
Daily housekeeping
Desk
  • Sleeps 4
  • 1 Double Bed and 1 Single Bed

About the area

Kirkwall

The Ayre Hotel places you steps from Orkney Wireless Museum and within a 10-minute stroll of St. Magnus Cathedral. Highlights at this hotel include a restaurant, free self-parking and a bar/lounge. .This pet-friendly hotel offers free WiFi in public areas, luggage storage and a television in a common area. Additionally, you'll find coffee/tea in a common area and laundry facilities. Each morning buffet breakfast is served between 6:30 AM and 9:30 AM. .Sights within a 10-minute walk of this 3-property class Kirkwall hotel include Orkney Museum and Earl's Palace.

What's nearby

  • St. Magnus Cathedral - 6 min walk - 0.5 km
  • Orkney Museum - 6 min walk - 0.6 km
  • Earl's Palace - 9 min walk - 0.8 km
  • Bishop's Palace - 9 min walk - 0.8 km
  • Highland Park Distillery - 2 min drive - 2.5 km

Getting around

  • Kirkwall (KOI) - 6 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪The Storehouse - ‬5 min walk
  • ‪Trenabies - ‬4 min walk
  • ‪Sunbean Coffee House - ‬8 min walk
  • ‪Skipper's Bar - ‬3 min walk
  • ‪Empire Chinese Restaurant - ‬8 min walk

About this property

The Ayre Hotel

Hotel in Kirkwall with restaurant and bar/lounge
There's a restaurant on site. You can enjoy a drink at the bar/lounge. WiFi is free in public spaces. The Ayre Hotel also features coffee/tea in common area, laundry facilities, and a television in common area. Free self parking is available.

This 3-star Kirkwall hotel is smoke free.

  • 51 guestrooms or units
  • Breakfast available (surcharge)
  • Coffee in lobby
  • Self-service laundry
  • Front desk (limited hours)
  • Storage area for luggage
  • Television in lobby
  • Lift
  • No smoking on site
  • Bar or lounge
  • Dining venue
The Ayre Hotel offers 51 accommodations with coffee/tea makers. This Kirkwall hotel provides complimentary wireless Internet access. Bathrooms include baths or showers. Housekeeping is provided on a daily basis.

Languages

English

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Property amenities

Internet

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

Parking and transport

  • 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.
  • Lift
  • Wheelchair accessibility
  • Wheelchair accessible (may have limitations)

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 and check-out are available
Minimum check-in age - 18

Check-out

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

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

Access methods

Front desk (limited hours)

Pets

  • Pets: GBP 25.00 per pet, per stay
  • Only dogs are allowed
    • Service animals are exempt from fees.

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.

Payment types

Important information

Optional extras

The fees and deposits listed below will be charged at the time of service, check-in, or check-out.

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

This may not be a comprehensive list. Fees and deposits are subject to change and might not include tax.

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
Charges for extra guests may apply and vary according to property policy.
A cash deposit, credit card or debit card for incidental charges and government-issued photo identification may be required upon check-in.
Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in. Special requests can't be guaranteed and may incur additional charges.
    This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business or profession. This property accepts Visa, Mastercard and American Express. Cash is not accepted. Cashless payment methods are available for all transactions.

We should mention

  • Registered guests are the only ones allowed to be in guestrooms.

National rating

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

Property is also known as

Ayre Hotel Kirkwall
Ayre Kirkwall
Ayre Hotel
The Ayre Hotel Hotel
The Ayre Hotel Kirkwall
The Ayre Hotel Hotel Kirkwall

Frequently asked questions

What is the cancellation policy at The Ayre Hotel?

The Ayre Hotel offers free cancellation on select room rates. Check out the cancellation policy for more info.

How much does it cost to stay at The Ayre Hotel?

As of 18 Apr 2025, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at The Ayre Hotel on 19 Apr 2025 start from NZ$211.16, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

Is parking available at The Ayre Hotel?

Yep, The Ayre Hotel has a free self car park.

Are there any beaches close to The Ayre Hotel?

The closest beach to The Ayre Hotel is Scapa Beach (2.6 km).

Does The Ayre Hotel serve breakfast?

Sure does, buffet brekkie is served daily from 6:30 AM to 9:30 AM.

Is there a free airport shuttle available at The Ayre Hotel?

No, The Ayre Hotel does not offer an airport shuttle service.

Is there a bar or restaurant at The Ayre Hotel?

Yep, they've got a lounge bar and an onsite restaurant.

What time are check-in & check-out at The Ayre Hotel?

Check-in begins at 2:00 PM. Check-out time is 10:00 AM.

The Ayre Hotel Reviews

Reviews

8.6

Excellent

Rating 10 - Excellent. 82 out of 161 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 53 out of 161 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 17 out of 161 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 7 out of 161 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 2 out of 161 reviews

9.2/10

Cleanliness

9.0/10

Staff & service

8.0/10

Amenities

8.6/10

Property conditions & facilities

8.6/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

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

10/10 Excellent

jonathan

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

Nice hotel

Excellent hotel on the waterfront. Excellent restaurant. really nice staff. The waterfront (sea view) rooms are a bit noisy due to the road however not all night.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Mark

Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Morven

Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024

8/10 Good

Laura

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2024

8/10 Good

Ailsa

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service

An excellent base for daily island 'hopping'

This was an excellent base for daily island 'hopping' which was the purpose of my trip. It was quite a bit more expensive than their hotel accomodation, but I needed the flexibility of being able to self cater early breakfasts and (sometimes) late dinners. The catering facilities were relatively basic - and I wouldn't have wanted to have planned to prepare full meals from scratch - but for my purposes (fried egg and beans on a bagel on repeat!), perfectly adequate. I would certainly have benefitted from having an oven glove, a tea towel and a drying rack for dishes however! The location and parking were both excellent, and the building itself very peaceful - although I think the bedroom would benefit from a blackout blind being fitted as I overlooked a floodlit 'industrial' area and my room was never in full darkness. Probably worth taking an eye mask in addition to ear plugs! I think it was a little on the pricy side for what it was - but overall I am pleased to have made the decision to opt to stay here.
Stayed 7 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Colin

Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2024

6/10 Okay

Christopher

Beautiful lobby area and lounge. Paid 133 dollars for our room. Clean but very small, tiny is more accurate— no room for two travel cases to open. Staff usually hard to find both in the restaurant and hotel. One room key for two people was most inconvenient as key controlled the room lights. Walls are paper thin, but the food was excellent!! Young lad bussing the tables was awesome, as was Jason the bartender. Check out time is ridiculously early and zero amenities — no continental breakfast for the entire price. Yikes! I felt stressed and pressured, not relaxed. We also stayed at The Kirkwall Hotel the night before. Although much older, it was a better value for 80 pounds as it came with breakfast and a spacious room.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2024

6/10 Okay

Bob

Travelled with partner
Liked: Amenities
Great location. Could walk to many attractions. Convenient parking. Bed was very uncomfortable. Bad mattresss. Could feel springs. Asked for comforter to put over it. Clerk said they'd bring one ..... never came.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Catherine

Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Allan

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Rory

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Hotel was right on the waterfront and was only a short walk to High Street whee the shopping was. Food was good, as well.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2024

6/10 Okay

Tori

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Great stay - fantastoc location in the middle of the "hub". A few stairs to get to rooms - the bed was not soft but worth the not ideal sleep for a great location
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2024

8/10 Good

Ian

Stayed 1 night in Aug 2024

2/10 Terrible

Kim

Disliked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Terrible stay

Hotel was clean and in a good location with decent parking. That’s where the good points ended. Plumbing was a health hazard - only scalding hot water coming out of every tap (including the bath) & the shower. No cold water at all. Water was also pretty instantly scalding. Went down to reception, which wasn’t manned (at 6pm) & given 2 bottles of water from the barman. Room itself was overly hot, radiator showed as off but heat was definitely coming from somewhere. Bed was uncomfortable & squeaked loudly. Next door’/ shower clearly worked as it howled through the pipes to our room. Cleaner tried to enter room before 8am twice, and when met with my husband opening the door, there was no apology just a rude ‘oh someone’s in there’. Wouldn’t recommend a stay & most certainly will not be returning given the price paid.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2024

8/10 Good

Julie

Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Ed

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Lovely hotel in a wonderful city
Stayed 10 nights in Aug 2024

6/10 Okay

Karen

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2024

8/10 Good

Gary

Travelled with partner
Liked: Amenities
It’s position on the harbour front.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

April

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The property was very nice with wonderful helpful staff. The room had a lovely view. They really need to consider window screens to keep the bugs out though. The restaurant and bar there were very nice too.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Benjamin

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The rooms were clean and provided the traveler with quiet and lovely accommodations. The best feature of this hotel is Isla who appeared to be on duty around the clock. She handled everything with professional charm and a sense of humor. The other members of the staff were also polite, professional and punctual. The breakfast and meals were delicious. Highly recommended!
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Alex

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Airy, clean, and comfortable - an absolute delight. I loved staying here.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

suzanne

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

Comfy base for exploring the island

Clean, comfortable room. Bed comfy. Bathroom good, including shelf space for a wash bag and a shelf inside the shower - extra marks for that detail, which many hotels miss. Refurbished just enough without feeling full of pointless random things. Staff friendly, breakfast reasonably good, restaurant nice. We were using this as a base for being out all day and it was a clean, comfortable and well-located place for that purpose. Bar packed a bit of atmosphere but there are other contenders nearby so that wasn't a problem for us.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024

2/10 Terrible

anthony

Travelled with family and small children
Disliked: Amenities
Upon arriving into our rooms. We noticed that one room was very spacious (as booked) and the 2nd room Was a small box room that the beds hardly fitted into. We are a family travelling around Orkney and when we requested a similar room to the one booked, the manager was rude and disparaging. He said no. This unfortunately left a very sour taste about the hotel. The rooms were very basic with uncomfortable beds. I would avoid if possible.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

David

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
This was an excellent place to stay - very comfortable with good facilities, excellent restaurant and a hearty breakfast. Helpful staff and close by to the shopping area of Kirkwall - Highly recommended
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2024