5 stars
Markus Maßeling - Germany
October 2011
4.5 stars
rain - Australia
perhaps an increased level of comfort and advertising same could attract other guests
4 stars
CE - Scotland
This is an old hostel and in places it shows. It is a rambling collection of, I believe, old army huts and everything seems to be along several long corridors, all at opposite ends of the building. That said, the staff are lovely and very friendly and it is a clean, safe place to stay.
Charlotte - Germany
Renata S - Czech Republic
Exquisite Scotland - Scotland
An excellent hostel run by people who really care. Everything works! This is how a hostel should be run. After making a booking you are sent an e mail by the manager telling you exactly how to get there from wherever you land on the island.The overall standard of service is brilliant, and it is a very spacious hostel. Highly recommended.
Hannibal - Belgium
Well equipped and well organized guest kitchen.
Thomas - Germany
September 2011
lionman - England
Peter - Scotland
We enjoyed a further visit this year, during the Orkney International Science Festival. The hostel is comfortable and convenient for central Kirkwall and bus and inter-island ferry transport.
Hedonist - Scotland
NR - England
3.5 stars
Abhi - India
Danny - Canada
2 stars
blesto - France
Mel - England
Mr Cook - England
Linda - Scotland
Good kitchen facilities.
David - Spain
Fernando Vidal - Spain
fyreexe - Germany
August 2011
Eric - France
Filskit - Scotland
From the Museum in Kirkwall, you can walk back to the hostel by coming out of the main door, turning right and continuing in a dead straight line. Just keep going. Local people scratched their heads over different directions to the SYHA and Old Scapa road, but it couldn't be simpler.
HUBERT - Austria
Leif - Germany
A very friendly and hospitable atmosphere. Very clean facilities too. Recommendable.
anon - Australia
briandot - Scotland
Lesley - England
We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at Kirkwall YH (which ended up being 4 nights 19th/20th/26th & 27th July) and the staff were very friendly and helpful with nothing too much trouble. We hired bikes to cycle round Orkney and we were able to leave our rucksacks at Kirkwall until we returned the following week, packing our gear in the cycle panniers. I managed to drop my map case and compass outside the hostel and the staff not only recovered them but rang the hostel where we were staying to let us know. Thank you to the staff for helping to make our stay so enjoyable.
Romain Sanchez - France
a nice place to rest, talk to people and share orkney experiences
why - Scotland
July 2011
JohnE - Scotland
Very good cafes & restaurants in Kirkwall - excellent Orkney beers, imaginative use of ingredients in salads & good use of local produce - however do not believe everything on Orkney Ferries website as I was relying on a Sunday sailing excursion which did not exist! Staff even were fooled by their website!
DaveB - England
Paisley - Scotland
bsh - Denmark
q - Scotland
JJ - Australia
Edward - England
Matt - Australia
Codger - Scotland
3 stars
coinneach - Scotland
Make sure you leave enough time to get out to other islands, Rousay or Hoy for example
Highland Rover - England
nice small friendly hostel
lankylonglegs - Scotland
jane - England
June 2011
Hillary - South Africa
Dont be put off by the outside appearance, once inside the new carpets are beautiful, the facilities are excellent, very clean, Kitchen, Dining area and Lounge are well equipped and very comfortable, relatively close to Town and Tesco's, as a backpacker one gets used to walking !, beautiful view of the fields in front.
jeremy - Australia
acer - England
Tensaskia - England
Basic hostel, well situated about 10 mins walk from centre of Kirkwall. Room was comfortable and warm. Staff ever so friendly and helpful.
jmb - Belgium
Oldgal. - Scotland
If you are on foot, the hostel is about a 15 minute walk from the town, just a little bit long if you are dragging a suitcase, but taxis are very reasonably priced. Otherwise a pleasant walk to get supplies etc.
FeeHendo - Scotland
Nice hostel overall. We shared the hostel with a small but noisy school group who took over the lounge area, most people seemed put off by them being there so disappeared elsewhere, so we missed out on the hostelling experience a little!
ballowall - England
blank - England
KP - Wales
Ok for a one night stop,
Malcolm - England
May 2011
Alastair - Scotland
Erik Rahn - Denmark
KR - Scotland
From the outside, this hostel really doesn't look like much. However, the facilities are reasonable, the staff have done a lot to make the main dining/living aread nice, the rooms are fine and there's plenty of shared space. The drying room wasn't the best, as it was being used to dry out some varnished wood, which we managed to get on our shoes and, thanks to some preivous guests, the shared kitchen is locked from 11pm until 7am. To be honest, though, at least you know someone won't burn it down whilst you sleep. However, the best thing about this hostel is the staff. They're friendly, efficient and willing to go out of their way to make your stay the best it can be. They're full of local knowledge and what they don't know, they're willing to find out for you. Definitely recommend going to Hoy (hire a bike and head over on the passenger ferry if you've time - well worth it) & all the local Standing Stones & Tombs.
2.5 stars
emi - England
oscar - United States of America
November 2010
Jimbo - Scotland
October 2010
sjr - England
David - Scotland
Joan - Scotland
September 2010
If you would like free coffee and biscuits go to visit the Ortak visitor centre on the road to the ferry terminus.
Lady traveller - England
I spent two nights at Kirkwall, I paid for a single private room. Th room was spacious (no sink) and warm if you wanted to put the radiator on. There were plenty of showers, toilets and a washroom. The hostel was very clean. Th dining area is large and theer was another sitting room. Don't be put off by the xterior of th building, I guess it's an old Barracks, it's very comfortable inside!! I would stay again. Oh, if you are on foot it's bit of a hike from the town.
A comfortable hostel, with a good kitchen. Convenient for Kirkwall and access to the Northern Islands.
kahlo - Scotland
lorna - Scotland
Hostel is pretty basic but friendly, within walking distance from town. I travelled via Jon o groats by bus connections were good. If you don't have transport the travel centre in Kirkwall are very helpful.
alex - England
Splodger - England
David N - Australia
The staff were incredibly friendly, some of the nicest around. It is very clean with great facilities and a place I would definitely go to again. The atmosphere is very friendly.
bébère - France
August 2010
Sheyl - South Africa
Ideally located for exploring the surrounding area. Easy to find, and neat and clean.
1.5 stars
Amy - Scotland
Grim! Needs cheering up. On site of a building site (building has stopped so half completed flats) Curfew & locked out all day until 17.00. Will not use it again. On plus side not too far from choice of supermarkets Lidl, Co-op & Tesco. Highly recommend Orkney.
thetravelilngwilberries - England
Accursius - France
Sarah - England
To be honest, we weren't here long, arrived late on the 11pm ferry. But a warm and friendly welcome awaited. Rooms very spartan hence the score for comfort / atmosphere. Bike storage not fantastic either. But defintately served its purpose for a warm bed for the night.
gilles - France
Wendy - Ireland (Republic)
colin - Scotland
First impressions are not good when you first see this building. But it is better on the inside. No microwave in the kitchen. Doubtfull if I will use again.
SpaceTraveller - Spain
1 stars
Sara-Jane - England
I was very disappointed with this hostel. I am aware it was 2 star but have stayed in other 2 star hostels and have found the services acceptable. £50.00 it cost me for a small damp and dank room-for myself and 2 children. There was no kitchen open as we had to leave by 7am and showers that were communal and cold. The facilities for families are appalling due to lack of privacy, space and comfort, and although 2 star £50.00 is a lot to pay for a bed. Premier Inn and Travelodges provide a much better service and they are half the price on promotions.
Tom - Switzerland
Fabio Sassi - Italy
Kirkwall Youth Hostel is always a great base on Mainland. The Staff is really friendly and very efficient!
Habibi - Canada
Frank - Spain
May - Scotland
I have never travelled on holiday on my own before but did hostelling when I was young and when my family were growing up. As I found myself on my own I decided to try hostelling again. I decided to stay in a small hostel (Kirkwall). It was a great experience everyone was so helpful and friendly. Do not hesitate to go hostelling if you are on your own.
panecek - Czech Republic
July 2010
katstaruk - Scotland
Arty Fart. - Scotland
It a well-kept secret - the hostel staff probably don't even know - but a walk in the opposite direction to Kirkwall will bring you to the lovely unspoilt beach of Scapa (yes, as in Scapa Floe) and grassy headland on either side; walk towards the left of the beach and you will find a recent pedestrian trail back to town.
Hank - Finland
Mrs Finlay - Scotland
Reasonably basis but clean and pleasant hostel. ( it does what is says on the tin!) it is located within kirkwall and within a 10 min walk to kirkwall centre as well as the harbour however there is nothing of interest or inspiring at the hostel itself which i did find disappointing.
DuncanMac - Scotland
Gigi - England
Stuart - Scotland
Austria - Austria
ponte walker - England
The hostel is a long way out of town so be prepared.Recomend Bobs Taxis who also do left luggage for a smal donation to charity
elmsyrup - England
A very basic hostel right at the absolute edge of Kirkwall. No plug sockets in rooms so charging phones and cameras is a problem- we had to sit in the dining room charging our stuff, which obviously took hours. Stark and undecorated, like ex army barracks, so I imagine it would feel very cold in winter. The beds were sturdy and clean though.
Kathleen Resmer - Germany
Deirdre Burch - Canada
I found the tour of the island's main places of interest helpful to base where one wanted to go next. It cost 7.50 pounds and well worth it.The bus drivers comments reflected local culture as well.
Brian - England
June 2010
Traveller - England
Bikers - England
Dougle - England
This is a sound hostel with friendly ,efficient staff. The hostel is very clean and there is ample parking.
johnb - Spain
cassie - England
101 - Australia
Caradoc - England
Perfectly functional if unattractive building... fine for an overnight stop.
Andrew - Scotland
Arno Rehrmann - Germany
Paula - Finland
The hostel is rather basic, but at a lovely location (next to cows and horses) and has a very friendly hostel dog! I recommend the stay.
Beruska - Spain
didn´t feel like a youth hostel, but a church camp. Having the opening hours and not being able to stay outside after midnight and not being able to come back during the day from 10am-5pm is a little inconvenient. It´s not the hostal that I would recomend.
K Pember - Wales
Good central location, clean,friendly helpful staff, would stay her again.
Michael Reist - Switzerland
Its a bad hostel in the middle of nowhere. The Shower was cold (nippy) and the rules wehre stupid. You have to leave the house in the morning (no staying during the day) had to be back before midnight (weekned as well!!!!!) . I didn`t had much fun in this Hostel and when I go back to Orkney in summer I will stay definitively not in this house.
Peter - Luxembourg
May 2010
The Kirkwall youth hostel is in a very peaceful location (my room looked out on to fields) yet is only 10 or 15 minutes' walk from the town centre.
MikeyP - England
If you are cycling on Orkney make allowance for the wind, a 40 miles at home takes a few hours, there most of the day. As the islands are windsweeped and 30mph+ winds are the norm.
shadowfax - Scotland
Shaggy - Scotland
Gordon - England
Iain - Scotland
October 2009
I've stayed a fair number of times now, it's not the Ritz! But I like it
TOH - Singapore
Happy Moose - England
Nice central location in Kirkwall and a friendly atmosphere. Check out the archaeology whilst you are there, and buy the group pass for all sites (there are lots). I think you need some sort of transport whilst you are there unless you are a hardened user of buses or a very fit walker.
allen - Scotland
September 2009
hambo - Australia
I think the days of out by 10am back at 5pm have long gone please keep up with other Hostels
laidecrofter - Scotland
The building is a linked series of older huts so not easy to maintain and clean and it shows. Very friendly and helpful staff able to cope efficiently with a large influx of people late at night from the Lerwick ferry. Biggest problem is not being open during the day.
Andy - England
Visitors - Scotland
Ian - Scotland
An adequate Hostel with freindly helpful staff and good clean facilities, maybe the showers could do with upgrading
drew - Scotland
christiaan de haes - England
Sam Robertson - Scotland
Jason - England
The rooms are small (only just enough room for the two bunks). The decor really needs a revamp. But it is perfectly OK as a youth hostel.
Leni - Germany
August 2009
Great public library in Kirkwall with friendly staff.
Linda G - England
Sheepies - England
madabouthostels - England
A good base for exploring Orkney- easy to get to inter-island ferries.
orkney cyclist - Scotland
pgc - Scotland
Florenci - Spain
worldtraveller - Norway
Nice hostel if you are not a night owl. Clean, with a big kitchen and dining area and not too far from the city centre.
I have never stayed at a hostel before and had just intended to stay the 1 night, but found the facilities and the way the Hostel works suits me (you can make your own food, dry your clothes and so on) I ended becoming a member and stayed for rest of week, and intend returning soon
Orkney holidayers - England
pc - England
weezie711 - United States of America
Don't let the exterior fool you--this is a nice hostel. Beds were very comfortable. Only negative was there was inadequate space in the shower area to put dry clothes.
tandem rider - United States of America
Byday - England
This hostel has had bad reviews but despite a few problems with tin openers not working, no soap in the soap dispenser in the female toilets etc and the general tatty and run down nature of the place we had a great time! I really can't understand all the whingeing about the hostel being closed in the day and there being nothing to do because the hostel is the least attractive part of mainland orkney, and despite having no transport of our own and little money I still felt after 3 days we hadn'r had enough of the place. Free things to do include the orkney museum (fantastic) St Magnus cathedral, the st magnus centre, the shops- long sessions of browsing seem to be fine with the owners, the library, walking to the beach, round the harbour, going on local buses (not free but inexpensive) etc. For those with more money there are sightseeing bus trips and ferries to other islands. The hostel in the evenings was friendly with a big sitting room and dining area.
x - England
A - Hong Kong
Michal - Czech Republic
ferradura - Scotland
davide - Scotland
queeny - Scotland
July 2009
gege - Scotland
bananas - Scotland
Crash - England
mina - Peoples Republic of China
j - Scotland
Good value for money
jb - England
Trevor - England
June 2009
sadhu - Malaysia
this is the worst hostel i ever stayed, i never stayed in a hostel which will completely closed in the day time, 10am-5pm, mean you have to go out, you cant even stay in the room or their reading room, anyway, any space IN the hostel except a small waiting room at the entrance. they never highlight this closure on the website. this hostel is far from city centre, and there arent all guests who hire a car, and wanted to "explore" the WHOLE kirkwall as they wish, some people just want to rest in the hostel for doing nothing. no internet no wireless no breakfast, room is small, you see, this hostel does provide NOTHING, if just lack of one or two, it is acceptable, but in fact it has NOTHING!! end up i checked-out earlier, i cant stand, i wasnt plan to stay one or two days but five days, it rained quite frequently when i was there, i got no place to stay for free except library.
Northhorse - Scotland
Note this hostel closes all day. So if you forget your jacket, wallet or swimming trunks - be prepared to do without! And tHE kitchen is locked after 10.45 so take a flask!
no comments - Scotland
EBG - Scotland
The Kirkwall hostel was adequate and relatively cheap, but beware of the following: *The website and confirmation email said the reception desk is open until midnight, but upon arriving we found that they close at 23:45. This could be tight if coming from the 23:00 ferry from Shetland. When we called the phone number given for the hostel (1856 872243) to let the hostel reception know we had just arrived on the ferry and expected to get there before midnight, we found no answer, just a generic recorded message from IH. *No electrical outlets in the room. Come with your phone already charged, especially if you will use it as an alarm clock. *It is not possible to return to the hostel after midnight. You get no key or combination for the outer door.
Rick - England
Its a good base, the facilities are excellent. I've stayed there three times and its central.
3monthsUK - Germany
May 2009
in kirkwall itself is not much to do and not much to see. theres a curfew, u have to leave the hostel from 10 till 5pm
Tomek - Scotland
Mickey - Scotland
April 2009
gem - Scotland
November 2008