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A guesthouse that has been in the family for over 16 years. Our main aim is providing you with a warm welcome and offering you a home from home experience whilst visiting the Orkney Isles, whether it be for business or leisure. Alice and Eric
Royal Oak House Holm Road, Kirkwall KW15 1PY Scotland
Royal Oak Guest House
140 reviews
Getting there
Somewhat walkable
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I don’t know where to start, Liz took me on as a last minute booking. When I arrived I was met by Liz who welcomed me like she had known me all my life. Nothing was too much trouble I was given a room but before I even got there I said I needed a microwave to make myself a meal in an instant Liz put me in another room closer to a microwave with a kettle and a fridge. My room was spotlessly clean as was everywhere in the house. Now onto the breakfast, outstanding with all the best quality of food right down to the Stornaway black pudding (my favourite) haggis the works, I was even asked how many eggs I wanted, where do you ever get that these days. I almost forgot the lovely Orkney butter. On my second and last day I said I wanted to go into Kirkwall and get myself some of the butter straight away Liz said that they would take me in their car to get some, as you can see nothing was too much trouble for this couple. This is what hospitality is all about, but they went the extra mile. I would like to thank you both for my stay it was memorable and I would highly recommend your establishment to everyone. I don’t like to use the word establishment because it was more like a home from home.
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Date of stay: October 2020Trip type: Travelled on business
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We were booked here thru Rabbie´s and we had a very comfortable two nights at the Royal Oak Guest House. We were given a twin room en suite and it was a very spacious room with a lot of space for all your belongings. Since we were on a Rabbie´s tour our nights here were basically in and out with long days on the road. We did stay in since we were to tired to walk down the street to Kirkwall center. Our tour guide made a stop at the local Lidl so we bought some "tv-dinner" to heat up in the microwave in the lounge up stairs. Alice made a very nice breakfast for us. You basically fill in a form the evening before what you want for breakfast. Plenty to choose from.
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Date of stay: September 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I loved being a guest here. Our room was comfortable, modern and clean. You can adjust the heat in the shower to the temperature you prefer and there is no wait for hot water. Towels and blankets are plentiful if requested. The beds are comfortable. This Guest House is only about a fifteen-minute walk from the center of Kirkwall, yet it is in a quiet residential area. The breakfast is a generous amount, and it is phenomenal! There are quite a few choices which you can pick the night before, and the homemade jams are delicious. The lounge has an at home comfort feel to it complete with a microwave, sink, and dishes so that guests can heat something up if needed. The artwork throughout the house is beautiful, sometimes humorous, and thoughtful. Our host Eric Bruce went above and beyond to make our stay incredible! Eric is authentically friendly, an incredible cook, and he sincerely does care about his guests having a good experience in Orkney. Our luggage was delayed and when it finally arrived in Kirkwall, the Airline failed to ship our bags to us. Eric did not want us to miss our plans for the day, so he took a great amount of stress from our minds and went to collect our luggage for us from the Airport! We will never forget his kindness. I highly recommend this singular Guest House! Please note: The walk to the center of Kirkwall is only about fifteen minutes. Keep in mind on the way back it is all up hill, this could of course be a challenge for elderly or disabled travelers. However, I know for certain the host family will help anyone in need find a ride back to the Guest House if requested.
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Date of stay: July 2024
Value
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Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We stayed here for 2 nights, while on a rabbies tour, although it was clean and comfortable and Alice the host was lovely, this bnb just didnt really suit us. It was booked through rabbies so we didn't choose it and if we had known sooner that we were staying here we would have changed accommodation due to the location and the decor was very plain, it had no character. Its a 20 min walk into the town centre which is just a little far when you have no transport. There were a few little other things we didn't like such as the towels were tiny and very rough, the wardrobe (if you can call it that) in our room was just terrible, it was just a pole attached to the wall with hangers?, breakfast was just average, very limited choice, nothing to suit our tastes, as we don't like fry ups, the water didn't run out the sink taps and our window faced the carpark, which meant people could stare right into our bedroom. It wasn't worth the £90 per night compared to other bnbs we have stayed at with rabbies. If we returned to kirkwall we would stay in the town centre.
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Date of stay: May 2022Trip type: Travelled with family
Room Tip:20 min walk into town centre
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Alice and Eric bruce, Owner at Royal Oak Guest House
Responded 16 May 2022
Thank you for taking the time to leave a review we are delighted that you found your stay clean and comfortable with us. Whilst we appreciate our guesthouse is located 1KM from the Kirkwall centre this indeed might be on the verge of being too far for some to walk. Having just taken over this premises 5 weeks ago, we are aware of some things we ourselves as a young couple plan to change and modernise, the current storage racks being one of them. Regarding our breakfasts, being a small bed and breakfast we offer the traditional Scottish cooked breakfast, fresh fruit, porridge and a range of cereals. We welcome feedback given and will always endeavour to provide a high standard to our guests. Thank you for your feedback and points raised. Alice and Eric
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Here for four nights, welcomed by Alice and baby Poppy (very cute). The room had recently been updated and was all new throughout and plenty of power points for charging gadgets (a pet peeve) the bathroom was very nice with a good sized shower,
In the morning Eric cooked us breakfast with a smile, nothing appeared to stress him. As a local he was also able to give us advice for places to visit and eat.
The Royal Oak is very well located for visiting the city, just a short trip from the airport.
We had a very relaxing short break and would definitely recommend to friends hoping to visit the islands.
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Date of stay: March 2024
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Alice and Eric bruce, Owner at Royal Oak Guest House
Responded 3 Apr 2024
Thank you for your kind review. Me, Alice & Poppy were delighted you stayed with us and hope all was grand and that you enjoyed the good Birthday celebrations on the island. Safe onward travels. Eric
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I stayed at the Royal Oak over a long weekend and had a great stay. No request was too big for Alice and Eric to manage, and I was well looked after. The rooms and clean, tidy and well maintained. I enjoyed a Scottish breakfast cooked fresh every morning and was aware of other continental selections being available. I thoroughly enjoyed my stay and would definitely book again when I return to Kirkwall. 10/10!
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Date of stay: August 2022Trip type: Travelled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The ROYAL OAK is a guest house ten minutes walk from the centre of Kirkwall, yet set in a quiet residential area. The airport bus (number 4) stops almost outside, there is also a private car park. Rooms are very cosy and comfy, plus come equipped with everything. There is even a residents kitchen/ sitting room. For us, the best surprise was breakfast. Not only the wide choice but portions enough to set you up 'til lunchtime. Brilliant. Eric (the owner) is also on hand to help make your visit as nice as possible, nothing is ever too much bother. We have never stayed anywhere so friendly or accomodating.
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Date of stay: June 2024
Value
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Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This is a lovely family run guest house. Nothing fancy but everything was clean and lovely. The rooms were good size and we took advantage of the towel warmers to dry out a few clothes. Breakfast and made to order and not a buffet. Our host was a delight and we enjoyed our stay very much. It is a little walk from town (up hill) . We found the walk to be enjoyable after dinner in town and would definitely stay here again.
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Date of stay: August 2024Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We recently spent four nights at the Royal Oak Guest House on a business trip. Absolutely lovely experience - the rooms, were elegant and comfortable, the common space was very convenient for us to gather in, and breakfast could not have been more delicious (it is worth the stay for the stewed rhubarb alone!). Eric made us very welcome - and went above and beyond in returning my lost mobile phone to me after the visit.
The guest house is about a 20 minute walk from the town centre, where there are plenty of dinner options. Plenty of off-street parking available at the guest house.
Highly recommend!
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Date of stay: March 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled on business
Room Tip:Restaurants in town are a little hit or miss - make sure to do your reseach ahead of time and...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Alice and Eric bruce, Owner at Royal Oak Guest House
Responded 9 Apr 2024
Thank you, for your kind review. It was great hosting you and your colleagues recently here at the Royal Oak and we are glad the Orkney trip in general was a success for you. Eric & Alice
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Thank you Liz .We really enjoyed our stay with you .The accomadation was first class. and the selection of food at breakfast time was delicious .We have holidayed in Orkney for lots of years now and the local people are so helpful and kind .Hopefully we will see you next year .Thank you
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Date of stay: September 2020Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
There are more places to choose from in the Kirkwall area.
PRICE RANGE
£88 - £101 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
LOCATION
United KingdomScotlandOrkney IslandsMainlandKirkwall
NUMBER OF ROOMS
8
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