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4- and 5-star hotels in Orkney
A shortlist of 4- and 5-star stays in Orkney, from a 5-star apartment at Sebay Mill to a 4-star hotel at Burray. It suits couples, families and self-catering guests who want space and facilities rather than a quick overnight stop.
Staying in Orkney
Orkney is an archipelago of farmland, sea views and historic sites, and its places to stay are spread across the islands rather than clustered in one town. This shortlist has its own geography: Sebay Mill Holiday Apartments sits at Toab, The Sands Hotel Orkney at Burray, Orkneylodge at Houton Bay, Ayres Rock Hostel & Campsite on Coo Road Ayre, The Reid Hall at Braehead Manse, Rymmon Retreat on Whitemire Road Evie Costa, 2 the Noust Self Catering on Front Road, and Orkney Retreats Island Farmhouses & Cottages is listed simply as Orkney. Several carry sea, lake or beach references, so guests can build a stay around the coast.
The mix suits different trips. Couples can take a room with a sea or lake view, families get family rooms, cots and high chairs, and self-catering guests find kitchens, ovens and washing machines across the apartments, cottages and farmhouses. Two stays have earned a guest rating of 4.7 out of 5: The Sands Hotel Orkney from 340 reviews, and Orkneylodge from 16. Shorter breaks work too, with rooms for non-smoking guests.
The shortlist
Ranked by hotel class, then guest rating and number of reviews.
Sebay Mill Holiday Apartments
Toab, Orkney, United Kingdom
Best for: Drivers · Step-free access
- Free car parking
- Kitchen
- Wheelchair accessible
Why stay hereA 5-star apartment base at Toab, with lake and sea views from a property that also offers a garden, balcony and picnic area. The kitchen, washing machine and dishwasher suit longer stays, and wheelchair access plus cots and high chairs make it workable for families. Couples and small groups who want self-catering space on Orkney get both comfort and quiet here.
See Sebay Mill Holiday ApartmentsThe Sands Hotel Orkney
Burray, Orkney, United Kingdom
Best for: Families · Drivers
- Pool bar
- Free car parking
- Breakfast
Why stay hereRated 4.7 out of 5 across 340 reviews, this 4-star hotel at Burray has a restaurant and bar on site, with a pool bar and a fireplace for slower evenings. Sea views and a kitchen in the room add flexibility, and families are catered for with family rooms and cots. It suits guests who want dining and facilities under one roof rather than self-catering.
See The Sands Hotel OrkneyOrkneylodge
Houton Bay, Orkney, United Kingdom
Best for: Drivers · Business trips
- Free car parking
- Wheelchair accessible
Why stay hereAt Houton Bay, this 4-star lodge pairs a 4.7 out of 5 rating from 16 reviews with a cafe, terrace and garden. Divers have scuba diving on hand, and tennis courts, a playground and bicycle hire keep active guests busy. Business travellers get a meeting room and business centre, while the wheelchair-accessible grounds and free parking suit mixed groups.
See OrkneylodgeAyres Rock Hostel & Campsite
Coo Road Ayre, Orkney, United Kingdom
Best for: Drivers
- Free car parking
Why stay hereA 4-star option at Coo Road Ayre for travellers who want a simple, inexpensive-style base with the essentials covered. Free car parking makes arriving by road straightforward, and a dry cleaning service is available for longer trips. It suits guests who plan to spend their days out on Orkney and need a straightforward place to return to.
See Ayres Rock Hostel & CampsiteThe Reid Hall
Braehead Manse, Orkney, United Kingdom
Best for: Families · Drivers
- Free car parking
- Lounge
- Shuttle to airport
Why stay hereThis 4-star hall at Braehead Manse combines a restaurant and bar with a lounge and banquet space, so dining and group gatherings are handled on site. Fishing and a golf course are within the offer, and a shuttle to the airport plus a 24 hour front desk ease arrivals. Families have family rooms, and the garden and smoking area give guests room to spread out.
See The Reid HallOrkney Retreats Island Farmhouses & Cottages
Orkney, Orkney, United Kingdom
Best for: Families · Drivers
- Sauna
- Free car parking
- Breakfast
Why stay hereFarmhouses and cottages across Orkney for guests who want a 4-star self-catering stay with space and privacy. Kitchens, fireplaces and jacuzzis appear in the accommodation, while a fitness centre, massage and a golf course cover leisure. Families are supported with babysitting, cots, high chairs and family rooms, and beaches, fishing, canoeing and horse riding are nearby.
See Orkney Retreats Island Farmhouses & CottagesRymmon Retreat
Rymmon Lodge Whitemire Road Evie Costa, Orkney, United Kingdom
Best for: Drivers
- Free car parking
- Kitchen
- Free Wifi
Why stay hereRymmon Retreat is a 4-star lodge at Evie Costa with lake views, a garden and a terrace, plus a balcony and fireplace indoors. The kitchen and washing machine suit week-long self-catering stays, and badminton and a picnic area add things to do without leaving. Couples or small families wanting quiet, self-contained space will find it fits.
See Rymmon Retreat2 the Noust Self Catering
Front Road, Orkney, United Kingdom
Best for: Drivers
- Free car parking
- Kitchen
- Beach nearby
Why stay hereA 4-star self-catering property on Front Road with sea views and a patio, plus a kitchen and kitchenette for flexible meals. Beaches are nearby, and diving, fishing, horse riding, bowling, tennis and a golf course are all within reach for active days. Laundry service, free parking and public transport access make it practical for longer stays without a car every day.
See 2 the Noust Self Catering
The shortlist side by side
| Hotel | Class | Parking | Breakfast | Pool or spa |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sebay Mill Holiday Apartments | ★★★★★ | Yes | – | – |
| The Sands Hotel Orkney | ★★★★ | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Orkneylodge | ★★★★ | Yes | – | – |
| Ayres Rock Hostel & Campsite | ★★★★ | Yes | – | – |
| The Reid Hall | ★★★★ | Yes | – | – |
| Orkney Retreats Island Farmhouses & Cottages | ★★★★ | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Rymmon Retreat | ★★★★ | Yes | – | – |
| 2 the Noust Self Catering | ★★★★ | Yes | – | – |
From each hotel's own listing on this site; a dash means it is not listed.
How to choose
For families
Family rooms appear at The Sands Hotel Orkney, The Reid Hall and Orkney Retreats Island Farmhouses & Cottages, which also adds cots, high chairs and babysitting. Orkneylodge adds a playground. The Sands Hotel Orkney pairs this with a 4.7 out of 5 rating from 340 reviews, the most reviewed stay on the list.
The Sands Hotel Orkney · The Reid Hall · Orkney Retreats Island Farmhouses & Cottages · Orkneylodge
For self-catering
Kitchens are listed at Sebay Mill Holiday Apartments, Rymmon Retreat, 2 the Noust Self Catering and Orkney Retreats Island Farmhouses & Cottages, with ovens at Sebay Mill, Rymmon Retreat and 2 the Noust, and washing machines at Sebay Mill, Rymmon Retreat and 2 the Noust. All four are apartments, cottages or farmhouses rather than hotels.
Sebay Mill Holiday Apartments · Rymmon Retreat · 2 the Noust Self Catering · Orkney Retreats Island Farmhouses & Cottages
For sea views
Sebay Mill and Rymmon Retreat also list lake views, so the outlook is part of the booking rather than an afterthought.
The Sands Hotel Orkney · Sebay Mill Holiday Apartments · 2 the Noust Self Catering
Top rated
Two hotels share the highest guest rating on the list, 4.7 out of 5: The Sands Hotel Orkney, with 340 reviews, and Orkneylodge, with 16. The first has a restaurant, bar and pool bar; the second has a cafe, terrace and garden.
Questions, answered
Which stay has the best guest rating?
Two share the highest rating on this list, 4.7 out of 5: The Sands Hotel Orkney, with 340 reviews, and Orkneylodge, with 16. The first gives you far more guest feedback to read, the second a smaller, quieter sample.
Do any of these hotels have family rooms?
Yes. The Sands Hotel Orkney, The Reid Hall and Orkney Retreats Island Farmhouses & Cottages all list family rooms. Orkney Retreats and The Sands Hotel Orkney also list cots, and Orkneylodge has a playground on site.
Is parking available?
Free car parking is listed at Sebay Mill Holiday Apartments, The Sands Hotel Orkney, Orkneylodge, Ayres Rock Hostel & Campsite, The Reid Hall, Orkney Retreats Island Farmhouses & Cottages, Rymmon Retreat and 2 the Noust Self Catering, so all eight stays on this shortlist include it.
Can I book a self-catering stay in Orkney?
Kitchens are listed at Sebay Mill Holiday Apartments, Rymmon Retreat, 2 the Noust Self Catering and Orkney Retreats Island Farmhouses & Cottages.
Which stay is closest to the centre?
The data does not give distances to any centre for these properties, so closeness cannot be ranked from it. What it does show is their addresses: Toab, Burray, Houton Bay, Coo Road Ayre, Braehead Manse, Whitemire Road Evie Costa, Front Road and Orkney.
Do any hotels have a restaurant or bar?
The Sands Hotel Orkney lists a restaurant, a bar and a pool bar. The Reid Hall also lists a bar and a restaurant, with banquet and lunch options. Orkneylodge has a cafe rather than a restaurant.
Are pets allowed?
The hotel data does not mention pets for any of these eight properties. If you need to travel with a pet, confirm it directly with the property before booking, as the facilities listed here do not cover it.
Is there anywhere to eat breakfast on site?
The Sands Hotel Orkney and Orkney Retreats Island Farmhouses & Cottages list breakfast. Orkney Retreats also offers breakfast in room. The other properties on this shortlist do not list breakfast among their facilities.