The Shore

The Shore was a wonderful hotel for our trip to Orkney. The rooms where spotless, the shower was wonderful and the restaurant served delicious food.

The Shore is a property bought by The Kirkwall Hotel and is directly next door. I thought our room was charming and had a beautiful view of the harbor. There was a bottle of water, a kettle, a French press and coffee provided along with cookies. No fridge, but that wasn’t a deal breaker for us. The rooms are clean and updated for such an obviously older building, but the rooms are small. O eve again not a problem for us. You don’t want to stay here if you have trouble with stairs or you need space to spread out. But we really enjoyed our stay here.

This has to be the worst ‘hotel’ I have ever stayed in and as a frequent traveller for work that’s quite a statement. Firstly, I booked a twin room and have been put into a ‘budget single’. The smell of stale cigarettes and body odour hit me the moment I entered the room. The window does not open so not only can I get some air I’m pretty screwed if there is a fire. The bedding feels damp and cold. Unfortunately the hotel is fully booked and looking online there are no rooms anywhere so it appears I’m stuck here. Don’t be fooled into thinking you are staying in the lovely Kirkwall hotel who ‘manages’ this abandoned building. Thankfully I’m only here for 1 night!

It’s criminal this hotel is allowed to operate. First the phone number published is not being answered. If it wasn’t for a local we would not know this hotel was taken over by Kirkwall hotel and to contact Kirkwall hotel. However it is abandoned and neglected. No staff. The room we are in is a dungeon. Dark and damp. Feels and looks like the place where victim of abduction is taken and kept into. This a major security concern. Paper thin walls and ceiling. £160 a night is absurd. Not worth £50. Thankfully it was our last night in Orkney in this hotel. Otherwise it would have destroyed our 4 day holiday in Orkney. This hotel is very poorly representing Orkney. Save yourself and stay elsewhere.

The Shore is affiliated with the nearby Kirkwall Hotel. Breakfast is at the hotel. There is no lift, so if your suitcase is heavy it will be a challenge.\ the room was great. The Kirkwall was great. We were able to leave our bags for the day, and enjoy the upstairs lounge while we waited for the buss to our ;ate-night ferry.

A "closed" hotel operated by the neighbours Kirkwall Hotel. Nice and 99% clean room. A strange location into an alley, but it worked. Good and friendly service in the reception, bar and restaurant. (Which again is the neighbour Hotel.)

The Shore was bought by the owners of the Kirkwall as a room add on facility. The room was clean and quiet. Check in and check out is done at the Kirkwall and breakfast is served in the Kirkwall as well. The front desk folks were pleasant and helpful. The room could have used a little attention by the cleaning folks. These are not new buildings so the conditions match the age. Breakfast is at 7:30 am and dinner starts at 6 pm.

I had read some poor reviews from previous years but obviously improvements have been made. Public areas clean and freshly painted with new carpets. Bedrooms clean and well equipped. Good breakfast in the Kirkwall Hotel.

Nice sized room, friendly and helpful staff at the reception desk.