Ayre Hotel & Ayre Apartments

A long-established hotel right on the Kirkwall waterfront, with its own apartments alongside — a comfortable, traditional place to stay with the harbour and sea a few steps away.

The hotel is a sizeable white-rendered building set on Ayre Road overlooking the bay, with its own car park and a self-contained, modern apartment block next door for guests who'd rather have their own space.

Rooms & comfort

The bedrooms are warm and traditional, dressed in rich purples and golds — wood-veneer headboards, feature walls, crisp white linen with velvet throws and cushions, wall reading lights and striped carpets. Rooms come with a writing desk, a flat-screen TV, a phone and an en-suite, and there's space for a family with extra beds in the larger rooms. The apartments next door are sleek and contemporary, with full-height glazed entrances and step-free ramped access.

The location

You couldn't be much more central — you're on the seafront in Kirkwall, within easy walking distance of St Magnus Cathedral, the shops and the ferry terminal, with the bus station close by too. The view over the Peerie Sea and bay is right outside.

Good to know

Sea views, on-site parking, WiFi, breakfast, family rooms and TVs throughout. The apartments add a kitchen if you'd prefer to self-cater, and the ramped access makes arrival easy.

Perfect for

Couples and families — up to four in the apartments — who want a central, sea-front base with the choice of full hotel service or the independence of a self-catering apartment.