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The Shore

3.0 star property
3-star hotel perfect for exploring Kirkwall

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Photo gallery for The Shore

Standard Double Room, 1 Double Bed
Restaurant
Dock
Single Room
Property entrance

Reviews

8.2 out of 10
Very good

Popular amenities

  • Bar
  • Breakfast available
  • Housekeeping
  • Free WiFi

Explore the area

View in a map
Shore Street, Kirkwall, Scotland, KW15 1LG
  • Place, Earl's Palace
    ‪7 min walk‬
  • Place, St. Magnus Cathedral
    ‪7 min walk‬
  • Place, Highland Park Distillery
    ‪3 min drive‬
  • Airport, Kirkwall (KOI)
    ‪7 min drive‬

Room options

View all photos for Standard Double Room, 1 Double Bed

Standard Double Room, 1 Double Bed

Standard Double Room, 1 Double Bed

8.4 out of 10
Very good
(6 reviews)
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 Double Bed

View all photos for Premier Double Room

Premier Double Room

Premier Double Room

8.0 out of 10
Very good
(1 review)
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed

View all photos for Single Room

Single Room

Single Room

9.0 out of 10
Wonderful
(4 reviews)
  • Sleeps 1
  • 1 Twin Bed

View all photos for Family Suite

Family Suite

Family Suite

9.4 out of 10
Exceptional
(3 reviews)
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Twin Beds and 1 King Bed

View all photos for Standard Twin Room

Standard Twin Room

Standard Twin Room

7.0 out of 10
Good
(2 reviews)
  • Sleeps 3
  • 2 Twin Beds

View all photos for Double or Twin Room, Accessible

Double or Twin Room, Accessible

Double or Twin Room, Accessible

  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 Double Bed

View all photos for Suite

Suite

Suite

  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed

Comfort Single Room

  • Sleeps 1
  • 1 Twin Bed

About the area

Kirkwall

Heart of Kirkwall.Within a 10-minute walk of the hotel, you'll find Orkney Wireless Museum and St. Magnus Cathedral. Orkney Museum and Earl's Palace are also within half a mile (1 km).

What's nearby

  • Earl's Palace - 7 min walk - 0.6 km
  • Orkney Museum - 7 min walk - 0.6 km
  • St. Magnus Cathedral - 7 min walk - 0.6 km
  • Bishop's Palace - 8 min walk - 0.7 km
  • Highland Park Distillery - 3 min drive - 2.5 km

Getting around

  • Kirkwall (KOI) - 6 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Ayre Restaurant - ‬5 min walk
  • ‪Skipper's - ‬1 min walk
  • ‪The Storehouse - ‬4 min walk
  • ‪Auld Motor Hoose - ‬5 min walk
  • ‪Trenabies Cafe Bistro - ‬3 min walk

About this property

The Shore

3-star hotel perfect for exploring Kirkwall
The Shore offers its guests an elevator. Public spaces have free WiFi. You can enjoy a drink at the bar/lounge.

This 3-star Kirkwall hotel is smoke free.

  • 17 guestrooms or units
  • Breakfast available (surcharge)
  • Front desk (limited hours)
  • Storage area for luggage
  • Elevator
  • No smoking on site
  • Bar or lounge
The Shore offers 17 accommodations with complimentary bottled water and hair dryers. Beds feature premium bedding. LCD televisions come with digital channels.

Bathrooms include showers and complimentary toiletries. Guests can surf the web using the complimentary wireless Internet access. Housekeeping is offered daily and irons/ironing boards can be requested. Housekeeping is provided on request.

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includes taxes & fees
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Property amenities

Internet

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

Parking and transportation

  • Free offsite parking

Food and drink

  • Daily continental breakfast available 7:00 AM to 9:30 AM for a fee: GBP 17.50 per person
  • A bar/lounge

Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • Assistive listening devices in meeting rooms
  • Elevator (36 inch wide door)
  • Well-lit path to entrance
  • Wheelchair accessible (may have limitations)
  • Wheelchair-accessible path of travel
  • Wheelchair-accessible path to elevator
  • Wheelchair-accessible registration desk (36 inches high)
  • Wheelchair-accessible restaurant

Room amenities

Entertainment

  • LCD TV with digital channels

Bedroom

  • Premium bedding

Bathroom

  • Free toiletries
  • Hair dryer
  • Private bathroom
  • Shower
  • Towels provided

Food and drink

  • Electric kettle
  • Free bottled water

More

  • Desk
  • Heating
  • Iron/ironing board on request

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 2:30 PM; Check-in end time: 9:00 PM
Contactless check-in available
Late check-in subject to availability
Minimum check-in age: 18

Check-out

Check-out before 10:30 AM
Contactless check-out available

Special check-in instructions

The front desk is open daily from 8:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Guests must contact the property in advance for check-in instructions; front desk staffed during limited hours
To make arrangements for check-in please contact the property ahead of time using the information on the booking confirmation
If you are planning to arrive after 9:00 PM please contact the property in advance using the information on the booking confirmation

Access methods

Front desk (limited hours)

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.
  • Rollaway/extra beds are not available.

Property 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 continental breakfast: approximately GBP 17.5 per person

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, debit cards, and cash
Safety features at this property include a carbon monoxide detector, a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, a security system, and a first aid kit
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, debit cards, and cash. For guests' safety, the property includes a carbon monoxide detector, a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, a security system, and a first aid kit in each accommodation.

National rating

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

Property is also known as

Shore Hotel Kirkwall
Shore Kirkwall
The Shore Hotel
The Shore Kirkwall
The Shore Hotel Kirkwall

The Shore Reviews

Reviews

8.2

Very good

Rating 10 - Excellent. 77 out of 172 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 57 out of 172 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 22 out of 172 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 6 out of 172 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 10 out of 172 reviews

8.8/10

Cleanliness

8.8/10

Staff & service

7.8/10

Amenities

8.2/10

Property conditions & facilities

7.4/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

8/10 Good

Wonsick

Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

8/10 Good

Wonsick

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

8/10 Good

Imelda

Travelled with family
Liked: Amenities
What are wonderful and friendly. Rooms were small but clean.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Tracy D

Travelled with family, Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
We were in The Shore room 14, not part of main property which was still great except for the staining from water damage on the ceiling directly over the head of the bed.
Stayed 1 night in May 2025

8/10 Good

Mark

Liked: Cleanliness
Would stay again
Stayed 1 night in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Michelle

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

Kirkwall stop over.

We got in just on darkness after a 7pm departure from Scrabster. The room was clean and compact but had everything we needed. The mattress on the bed was a little springy but all in all, comfortable. I'd stay here again.
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Robbie

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

Not one complaint

Lovely hotel, immaculate, modern and comfortable.
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025

8/10 Good

Frank

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

Nice

Goid location, good food, nice
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Austen

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2025

8/10 Good

Christopher

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

Very happy with my stay with a niggle.

Got an upgrade from a single bed at the shore to a double within the larger Kirkwall hotel and the room was beautiful. For what I paid It was fantastic value for money. I would have given five stars but for one niggle. Room 215 could do with sound proofing as I heard two people speaking until the early hours either in my neighbouring room, or between levels. I had to use my earphones to get sleep to tune them out. I wonder what like it would be if either room was watching a film if I can hear whole conversations. I didn't report this to management as the voices were not roudy or anything just people minding their own business but regrettable I can detect conversations between walls. Again the room was stunning, the value amazing it's not a complaint as such.
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Nicola

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Quiet, nice room, hot shower. Excellent tea and coffee facilities, big tv, free wifi, very comfy beds. Staff were very friendly.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2024

8/10 Good

Morven

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Great location, very clean.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2024

8/10 Good

Shirley

Liked: Amenities, property conditions & facilities
Lovely shower, looks like it has recently been upgraded. Room not very warm on arrival.
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Audrey

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2024

6/10 Okay

Christine

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service

Separate buildings

We hadn't understood that the Shore is a subsidiary of The Kirkwall Hotel. The Shore only has bedrooms, breakfast is served in the hotel restaurant 100m along the street. Not an issue in good weather but Orkney can be very windy!! Running through dtiving rain before and after breakfast or dinner is a different matter. Our room was very small. The hotel had emailed a few weeks before our trip offering an upgrade but when I replied asking for details said there were none available.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2024

8/10 Good

Liz

Travelled with partner
Room good tight stairs
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2024

6/10 Okay

Kathy

Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Amenities, property conditions & facilities
Incredibly small, old, creaky room; I thought I was going to fall through the floor. Window and view was out to moldy roof. Loud toilet; loud hallway. No ventilation. Only saving graces were kind staff who were helpful and went above and beyond to haul my luggage to my room late at night and to store luggage the next day. The hotel had a great, walkable location which was very important to me.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

MARK

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
wonderful, friendly lady on reception. Part now of Kirkwall Hotel which is very smart, and great food. Room in the Shore was very spacious. Staff helpful in general and perfect location.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2024

4/10 Poor

Rose, Brooklyn

Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
Hallways smelled terrible, window was stuck and I had to call front office to have someone open it, bedstand lamp flickered, I had to physically move the bed away from the wall as the bed frame was directly against the outlet and I could get to outlet to charge devices otherwise, the fire alarm went off shortly after 8:00 am on my first day off when I had hoped to sleep in - and I was told that ‘steam from someone’s shower will sometimes set off the fire alarm’ - I asked if an inspection would be made and was waved off, and on last morning when toilet was flushed it noisily ran and ran for over 10 mins, until I lifted the tank lid and jiggered the ball and placed a water bottle in the tank to float it until it could fill with water. Lovely staff, clean ‘to the eye’, but very poor condition of property.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2024

8/10 Good

edward

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Very close to the cruise dock
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2024

8/10 Good

Miia

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness
Nice hotel on a central location. There were usually good, free parking places across the street. Our room had been recently redecorated. Plenty of hangers but the only downside was that none of the drawer units opened smoothly.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2024

8/10 Good

Richard

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

8/10 Good

Eunice

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2024

6/10 Okay

Andrew

Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
The hotel looks closed, possibly for a refit, though high season seems an odd time to do this. A small sign on the door informs guests that check-in is via the next-door hotel, which proved straightforward and friendly. The room itself was fine, clean and attractive and obviously quite recently refurbed/redecorated. Kettle, teas, coffee and biscuits were provided - though no milk. A ground-floor room, it was designed to be fully accessible, with appropriate clearance and an ensuite wet room with fittings adapted for wheelchair users. Access to the room was via a 20m lane off the main road, which looked a bit shabby but was convenient and proved surprisingly quiet. Unfortunately the decorative scheme chosen for the wet room was stained-concrete-effect. It looks terrible - hard to imagine why it was chosen. The effect was worsened by rusting on some of the fittings. But the shower was good, everything worked fine and nice toiletries were provided. Quite pricey for what it is but I know that Kirkwall is very busy in high season.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2024