West End Guest House Kirkwall, Kirkwall ➤ Reviews, Rooms & Prices 2025

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About the Hotel

14 Main Street, Kirkwall, United Kingdom, KW15 1BU

The West End Guest House, constructed in 1824, has transitioned from a distinguished town house to the county's first hospital and later to a guest house. The building is extensively refurbished and is renowned for its local dining reputation. Situated in Kirkwall, it serves as an ideal base for exploring the rich history and culture of Orkney, including the nearby St Magnus Cathedral and numerous historic sites.

Location

The guest house is located just a few minutes' walk from the center of Kirkwall, which is home to attractions such as St Magnus Cathedral and local shops. It serves as a transport hub with ferries and flights connecting to the outer North Isles and the Scottish mainland. Notable nearby locations include the Earl's Palace and Highland Park Distillery, making it a strategic starting point for exploration.

Rooms

All guest rooms at the West End Guest House feature modern amenities including free WiFi, digital TV, and tea and coffee making facilities. The accommodations include various room types such as single, double, twin, and super king, all of which are en suite. Certain rooms also offer a seating area for added comfort. Note that the guest house does not have a lift, as the rooms are spread over three floors.

Eat & Drink

Breakfast is served daily in the dining room on the first floor, with a focus on local produce and a variety of choices. Guests are encouraged to select their cooked breakfast options the night before. The staff offers flexibility for early departures with breakfast grab-and-go bags and aims to accommodate any special dietary requests in advance.

Leisure & Business

The West End Guest House offers free parking facilities at the rear of the property, which is conveniently located near the airport and ferry terminals. Guests can enjoy relaxing in the garden area or exploring Kirkwall's vibrant town center, which includes museums, shops, and various entertainment options. Free WiFi is available throughout the property for convenience.

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Select your room type

The hotel offers a variety of rooms including double rooms, family rooms, and suites with breakfast, free cancelations, and special deals

Private Bathroom Twin Room

Max:

2 persons

10 m²

Bed options:

2 Single beds

Shower

Heating

room details

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Private Bathroom King Room

Max:

2 persons

8 m²

Bed options:

1 Double bed

Shower

Heating

room details

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King Room

Max:

2 persons

10 m²

Bed options:

1 King Size Bed

Shower

Heating

room details

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Getting around

A list of all available modes of transport

City Center

Kirkwall2300 ft

Airports

Kirkwall (KOI) 3.4 mi

Eday (EOI) 20.3 mi

Facilities

The hotel offers amenities for your comfortable stay and unforgettable experiences

Delicious Breakfast!

“The breakfast at the hotel was hearty and flavorful, providing the perfect start to our day.” view full review

Easy Parking Access

“Having private parking at the rear of the hotel was a significant convenience, allowing us to park without any worry.” view full review

Cozy Rooms

“Our room was exceptionally cozy, with a comfortable bed that made for restful nights after a day of sightseeing.” view full review

Accessible Amenities

“The hotel provided great facilities that ensured everyone could enjoy their stay comfortably and conveniently.” view full review

General

Wi-Fi

Guest Parking

Electric kettle

Services

Laundry

Dining

Restaurant

Self-catering

Electric kettle

Media

Flat-screen TV

Room decor

Carpeted floor

Location

14 Main Street, Kirkwall, United Kingdom, KW15 1BU

Map view

14 Main Street, Kirkwall, United Kingdom, KW15 1BU

City landmarks

Museums

Orkney Wireless Museum

2600 ft

United Kingdom

Highland Park Distillery

1.0 mi

Ayre Road

The Orkney Distillery

2900 ft

Marina

Kirkwall Marina

3400 ft

Harbour Street

2900 ft

Peedie Sea

2800 ft

Scapa Bay Opposite the far end of the beach

HMS Royal Oak Memorial

1.1 mi

Skua Road Hatston Industrial Estate

Grain Earth House

4300 ft

Kirkwall KW15 1SE

Scapa Distillery

1.3 mi

Beach

Scapa Beach

1.5 mi

Island

JP Orkney

2.0 mi

Quanter Ness

2.5 mi

Mainland,

Wideford Hill Chambered Cairn

2.6 mi

Wideford Hill

2.6 mi

Head of Work

3.0 mi

Nearby

Monuments and Landmarks

Saint Magnus Cathedral

1500 ft

Palace

The Earl's Palace

1600 ft

Museums

The Orkney Museum

1300 ft

Church

Kirkwall Baptist Church

300 ft

Clay Loan At Intersection With Bignold Park Road

Orkney Witchcraft Memorial

1200 ft

Albert Street

The Big Tree

1800 ft

12 Scapa Road

Scapa Crafts Orkney Chairs

1800 ft

Restaurants

The Happy Haddock

800 ft

69 Junction Road

Sinclair's Ice Cream Parlour

2000 ft

37 Albert Street

Willows Takeaway

3000 ft

Willow Road

Reviews and Ratings

Feedback from previous guests about their experience.

80%

liked the hotel and would stay again

8.0/10

Great

Rooms

7.7

Location

9.0

Service

8.0

Dining

7.7

Victor

United Kingdom, February 2024

7.8/10

The West End Hotel is ideally located near the town and serves as a perfect base for exploring Kirkwall. The rooms were cozy but had a sloping floor issue that was a bit bothersome. The service was helpful overall, though some lengthy phone calls caused delays. Dining was satisfactory with a good selection of meals. The location near attractions and amenities makes it a convenient choice for a stay.

Rooms

7.0

The rooms, although equipped with an ensuite shower and tea/coffee facilities, had a sloping floor that required a makeshift solution to level the bed.

Service

7.0

The staff were helpful and provided guidance for exploring the area, but some extensive phone calls led to waiting times.

Location

9.0

The hotel's location near the town center, bus station, and key attractions like St Magnus Cathedral makes it an ideal choice for sightseeing.

Dining

8.0

The dining experience offered a satisfactory selection of well-cooked meals, with organized seating arrangements based on room numbers.

Facilities

8.0

The hotel provides a good range of whiskies, gins, cocktails, and beers, making for a pleasant stay.

John

United Kingdom, October 2023

8.2/10

I had a pleasant stay at this hotel. The rooms were clean, cosy, and well-equipped with Scottish-made toiletries. The service was friendly, and the location was convenient for exploring Kirkwall town center. The dining experience was decent, although there were some minor issues. Overall, it was a comfortable and enjoyable stay.

Rooms

9.0

The rooms were spotlessly clean, cosy, and well equipped with Scottish-made toiletries. The shower was nice, and I appreciated the tea and coffee making facilities. The room was serviced daily.

Service

8.0

The staff, including the barman, were very friendly and offered helpful suggestions during my stay. They made me feel welcome and attended to any requests promptly.

Location

9.0

The hotel is in a quiet street, a short distance from the center, with good car parking facilities. It's a convenient base for exploring Kirkwall town center and the surrounding area.

Dining

7.0

The dining experience was generally good, and breakfast was a great way to start the day. However, there were some issues with the quality of ingredients used in the meals.

Facilities

The hotel’s facilities were good, but there were some minor inconveniences during my stay.

Rosemary

United Kingdom, September 2023

8.2/10

The hotel is conveniently located near the old town shops and restaurants, making it easy to explore Kirkwall on foot. The single rooms are a bit small for the price, especially with the sink outside the bathroom. The service is exceptional, with friendly staff, but the dining experience might not satisfy all seafood lovers.

Rooms

7.0

The single rooms are a bit small for the price, with the sink in the room and not in the bathroom.

Service

9.0

The staff were all very friendly and provided top-notch service.

Location

9.0

The hotel's location is perfect for exploring Kirkwall on foot, close to the main attractions and in a quiet area near the shopping street.

Dining

8.0

The cooked meals were very nice and set me up well for the day, but some dishes may not meet everyone's expectations.