Merkister

3 stars
9.1
Wonderful
based on 381 reviews
381 reviews
Loch Harray, Kirkwall, United Kingdom
Loch Harray, Kirkwall
+44 185 677 1366
Mon 3/8
-
Tue 4/8
2 guests, 1 room
Deals from
£124
/Cheapest rate per night
Room type
Provider
Nightly total
Double room, bed type unknown
£124
Luxury Room, bed type unknown
£276
Double room, bed type unknown
£199
5 more Merkister deals
5 more Merkister deals
Overview
Prices
Amenities
Reviews
Location
When to book
Tips & FAQs
Nearby stays

Overview

Located on the shore of Harray Loch and family-run for over 30 years, the Merkister Hotel is a 15-minute drive from the main towns of Kirkwall and Stromness. It features impressive views over the famous loch and its surroundings. Guests benefit from free private parking on site. With free Wi-Fi, the rooms feature a TV and tea and coffee making facilities.The rooms also benefit from an en suite bathroom. The hotel’s award-winning restaurant offers Aberdeen Angus Beef that is sourced from farms within a 10-mile radius, as well as fresh local seafood from hand-dived scallops, to fresh-landed halibut. Swans and herons can be spotted on the loch as guests enjoy their full Scottish breakfast, and scenic sunsets during dinner. Guests can fish on the hotel’s own pier. Staff can organise boat trips and tuition with special out-of-season rates from October to April.
9.1
Wonderful
381 reviews

Latest deals for Merkister

Mon 3/8
-
Tue 4/8
Double room, bed type unknown
£124
nightly with fees
Double room, bed type unknown
£199
nightly with fees
Luxury Room, bed type unknown
£276
nightly with fees
Double room, bed type unknown
£214
nightly with fees
Luxury Room, bed type unknown
£294
nightly with fees
How do payments to us affect ranking and how do we rank results?
Learn more
*Total includes estimated local taxes & fees payable on check out.
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Amenities at Merkister

  • Restaurant
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Free parking
  • TV
  • Free toiletries
  • Internet
  • Pets allowed on request. Charges may apply.
  • Laundry facilities
  • No smoking

General

  • Family rooms
  • Telephone
  • Seating area
  • Slippers
  • Interconnected room(s) available

Dining

  • Electric kettle
  • Restaurant
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Special diet menus (on request)

Basics

  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Internet
  • Free toiletries
  • Heating

Media and entertainment

  • CD player
  • TV
  • DVD player

Accessibility and suitability

  • No smoking
  • Pets allowed on request. Charges may apply.

Bathroom

  • Toilet
  • Private bathroom

Outdoor

  • Terrace/Patio
  • Garden

Laundry

  • Laundry facilities
  • Iron and ironing board

Parking and transportation

  • Free parking

Things to do

  • Fishing

Reviews of Merkister

9.1
Wonderful
381 verified ratings
Wonderful
242
Very good
79
Good
32
Okay
14
Fair
13
Mediocre
1
Poor
0

Summary of reviews

Guests say
Guests overwhelmingly praised the hotel's stunning location by the loch, describing the views as beautiful and relaxing. The staff received many compliments for being friendly, helpful, and accommodating, with several guests mentioning thoughtful gestures such as room upgrades and packed lunches. Breakfast and restaurant meals were consistently rated as excellent, with special mentions for variety and quality. While most found the rooms clean and comfortable, a few noted issues with cleanliness, dated decor, or minor maintenance problems. Overall, guests highly recommended the hotel for its atmosphere, service, and dining.
AI-generated from customer reviews
Location10 out of 10
Service9.5 out of 10
Breakfast9 out of 10
Restaurant9 out of 10
Cleanliness5 out of 10
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Location

Loch Harray, Kirkwall

What's nearby

  • Earl's Palace, Birsay6.1 mi
  • Scapa Distillery10.5 mi
  • Orkney Museum10.6 mi
  • St. Magnus Cathedral10.6 mi
  • Bishop's Palace10.7 mi
  • Earl's Palace, Kirkwall10.7 mi
  • Balfour Castle11 mi
  • Highland Park Distillery11.2 mi
  • Fitty Hill17.7 mi
  • Noltland Castle19.7 mi
  • Noup Head Lighthouse20.1 mi
  • Grobost Beach20.9 mi

Policies

Check-in/Check-out

Check in anytime after 15:00, check out anytime before 10:00

Cancellation/pre-payment

Cancellation/pre-payment policies vary by room type and provider.

Essential information about Merkister

Low season

High season

Average price (weeknight)

Average price (weekend night)

June
August
£238
£194
Cheapest month to stay with an average 20% drop in price.
Most expensive month to stay with an average 21% rise in price.
Average Sun - Thu price over the last 2 weeks.
Average Fri & Sat price over the last 2 weeks.

When to book a room at Merkister

Price per night. Prices are not fixed and may vary with time.
Average nightly price per month
Average nightly price

KAYAK's top tips for your stay at Merkister

  • If you’re after a cheap room at Merkister, then you should consider staying during the low season. The cheapest deals can generally be found in June and May.
  • Prices can also vary depending on which day of the week you stay. For the best room deals at Merkister, plan to stay on a Saturday or Thursday. The most expensive day is usually Tuesday.
  • The cheapest price a room at Merkister was booked for on KAYAK in the last 2 weeks was £276, while the most expensive was £276.
  • How long should you stay at Merkister? KAYAK users usually book their rooms here for 2 days.

FAQs when booking at Merkister

  • Where is Merkister located?

    Merkister is located at Loch Harray, 10.6 miles from the centre of Kirkwall. Earl's Palace, Birsay is the closest landmark to Merkister.

  • When is check-in time and check-out time at Merkister?

    Check-in time is 15:00 and check-out time is 10:00 at Merkister.

  • Does Merkister offer free Wi-Fi?

    Yes, Merkister offers free Wi-Fi.

  • Does Merkister offer free parking?

    Yes, Merkister offers free parking.

  • How far is Merkister from the airport?

    Merkister is 13.2 miles from Kirkwall Arpt. Merkister is 18.7 miles from Eday.

  • How does KAYAK find such great Merkister hotel deals?

    KAYAK scours the web for all room deals available at Merkister in Kirkwall and lets you compare them to find the best rate for your stay. Many different travel sites will offer discounts or deals at different times for rooms at Merkister and KAYAK will provide you with prices from a huge range of travel sites. That means that you can always find a great deal for Merkister.

Nearby hotels and places to stay

Closest

See more nearby stays
Holiday rental
Harray Loch Villa, Stunning Views 4 bed, 4 baths, Unique Space Free Wifi Parking
0.58 miWi-Fi£297+
Holiday rental
Idyllic Villa at Harray Loch With Views, 4 Bedrooms
9.5 Excellent (1 review)0.48 miKitchen, Washing machine, Tumble dryer£397+
Holiday rental
4% cheaper
Madras cottage Orkney Islands
8.4 Excellent (33 reviews)0.93 miLake view, Mountain view, Kitchen£130+
Holiday rental
11% cheaper
Mara Lodge B&B
9 Excellent (8 reviews)1.04 miMountain view, Hot tub, linens£121+

Cheapest

See cheapest stays in Kirkwall
Holiday rental
Harray Loch Villa, Stunning Views 4 bed, 4 baths, Unique Space Free Wifi Parking
0.58 miWi-Fi£297+
Holiday rental
11% cheaper
Mara Lodge B&B
9 Excellent (8 reviews)1.04 miMountain view, Hot tub, linens£121+
Holiday rental
4% cheaper
Madras cottage Orkney Islands
8.4 Excellent (33 reviews)0.93 miLake view, Mountain view, Kitchen£130+
Holiday rental
2% cheaper
Evas Howe Lodge
9.9 Excellent (24 reviews)1.08 miKitchen, terrace/patio, Flat-screen TV£133+

Most recommended

See most recommended stays in Kirkwall
Holiday rental
Harray Loch Villa, Stunning Views 4 bed, 4 baths, Unique Space Free Wifi Parking
0.58 miWi-Fi£297+
Holiday rental
2% cheaper
Evas Howe Lodge
9.9 Excellent (24 reviews)1.08 miKitchen, terrace/patio, Flat-screen TV£133+
Holiday rental
Idyllic Villa at Harray Loch With Views, 4 Bedrooms
9.5 Excellent (1 review)0.48 miKitchen, Washing machine, Tumble dryer£397+
Holiday rental
11% cheaper
Mara Lodge B&B
9 Excellent (8 reviews)1.04 miMountain view, Hot tub, linens£121+

Good to know

Value for money

Distance to city centre

Nearest airport

Distance to airport

8.5
10.6 mi
Kirkwall Arpt
13.2 mi

Everything you need to know for your stay in Kirkwall