Sands Hotel in Orkney Islands

My husband & I stayed here for Valentine’s night. Got a good bargain on a Bed and Breakfast rate. Also had dinner here which was first class. All the staff we dealt with were welcome, friendly and helpful. Nothing was too much trouble. Our room was gorgeous, very well decorated, extremely comfy bed, bathroom was very clean and tastefully done. The food at the Sands Hotel is first class. Everything was well cooked and presented. Absolutely delicious. Both dinner & breakfast was prepared with top quality ingredients and all cooked fresh. Would very highly recommend The Sands Hotel when visiting Orkney, you will not be disappointed. 10/10

Great eating experience. Excellent, friendly staff First class tasty beautifully presented food. We took my cousin and his wife here for a meal. It's not the first time here and hopefully we'll be back. Staff were efficient, friendly and helpful. I recognised the waitress as the granddaughter of a school friend of 60 years ago!!! Where does time go. Highly recommended restaurant. Give it a try.👍👍👍👍

The Sands Hotel is located in southern Orkney, about 10 minutes by car from St Margaret’s Hope where the Pentland ferries arrive. It’s a rather quiet area, your on,y dinner option in walking distance is the on-site restaurant (which offers very good pub food at a reasonable price). Our room on the 1st floor was simple but well-kept with a newly renovated en-suite bathroom. Breakfast was served in the restaurant and while rather basic (think packed cereals and mini containers of jam and marmalade), hot breakfast could be ordered the night before and was freshly cooked. Parking is available in a large parking lot behind the hotel free of charge. Overall a nice hotel which may be lacking the views one might expect on a small island.

We visited the bar for an evening meal before getting the ferry back to the mainland. We were warmly greeted by Emma who made us feel very welcome. The food was wonderful. The bar area is also dog friendly.

The Sands Hotel has friendly and helpful staff, and this also applies if just having a meal in their restaurant as a non resident. Service was good and friendly. The value is average, and drinks tend to be on the expensive side. The food was good, but I found the Grimbister Cheese starter a bit of a let down. The servings are reasonably generous, and most people will probably only manage two courses, I would think. The vegetables served with the main course were generous and pretty good.

Great food, friendly staff and a lovely atmosphere. Starters, main and desserts were all delicious. All the staff were really friendly and helpful. Generally nice welcoming place.

We ate here one evening having caught up with a friend we hadn’t seen in almost 20 years. This place has been beautifully modernised and has a great location in Burray village. The restaurant ambience is perfect! A slightly maritime feel, as is appropriate given the proximity of Scapa Flow, with solid, comfortable seating and spacious tables. The menu has something for everyone. My Moroccan pie was absolutely wonderful. I was driving to the ferry afterwards so I didn’t get to sample any alcoholic drinks. However the available selection of soft drinks was great and the wine list looked really good. Burray Village has a very good bus service so, if you’re staying in Kirkwall and fancy a drink with your meal, this would be a really good choice.

Visited for an evening meal. Great selection on menu, food was delicious and ample helpings. Staff were very friendly and helpful. Lovely warm relaxed setting. Comfortable seating and never felt rushed.

Stopped for a bit if lunch after a walk, and it was by far the best meal I’ve had since moving to Orkney. The scallops and black pudding was cooked to perfection and the haddock and chips was huge. Quite obviously home made chips which I believe makes all the difference, and the haddock was delicious! Will definitely be going back to try their Sunday lunch

Food was absolutely amazing. Fresh and very tasty. Can highly recommend the Grimbister Cheese, the soup, the curry, the Old Man Of Hoy stck and Laurie's chicken. Service was the right speed and very friendly. Would very highly recommend

Lovely rooms, all with a view. Not sure what the earlier windowless review was all about as every room has a window and the dining room has a conservatory with a view!! Nicely decorated rooms with a tartan touch, comfy beds, clean bathrooms, superb power showers and very hot water. Good TV channels and hotel WiFi works well in the rooms. We stayed twice during our stay on the Islands and had different rooms, both equally spot on. Food in the restaurant is delicious and we were spoilt for choice from the menu and the specials. Staff are all lovely, Warm, friendly, helpful and service is good and attentive. Breakfast is pre-ordered the night before so is served very promptly at the time of your own choosing. Well done ladies. We really appreciate how well you looked after us. Thank you all so much. We will remember your hospitality. No hesitation five stars... if you are stopping anywhere on the Islands, book a meal, or a room at this hotel, you wont be disappointed.

Large carpark by the entrance but the initial impression is of an austere, windowless concrete wall. Go in to find a very nice dining area, welcoming staff and great food. Choose a window seat for views over the small harbour. Covid measures taken seriously. Highly recommended. Would definitely return.

We had dinner here and weren't sure what to expect as the property is unexceptional from the outside. Inside is a different story. It is clean and smart and very welcoming. The staff are friendly and helpful. The food was exceptionally good. Delicious huge scallops with excellent black pudding. We then had Highland Chicken with delicious fresh vegetables and crispy scampi with home made chips. Good value. We'll definitely be back.

booked in advance online, outlook was rainy , had good table by window. Food was super and great value at half price. Splurged & had scallops to start & cullen Skink which we all enjoyed & various mains. Service was friendly and prompt & had we been staying longer than 5 nights, we would have returned. It was recommended to us by Sebay Mills owner and we would also recommend this place for dinner.

We booked after being recommended, was not disappointed. Staff were lovely and efficient. Choice could not be faulted, and was delicious. We had a thoroughly good evening

Booked a table for 5 tonight. We enjoyed excellent food prepared and presented to a very high standard. The staff were helpful, efficient and friendly. The atmosphere and decor were both first class. We were here on a previous visit to Orkney. Ownership has changed...

The food today was fantastic. The Cullen skink soup was thevery best i have had ever. The fish and chips were huge and lovely home made chips. Excellent service and the restaurant was super clean and all freshly varnished. Cannot wait to go again. Excellent...

Worth finding at the end of the road in the village of Burray. Good sign - several tables occupied. Attention and service was good, interesting menu with several daily specials. Will make a point of going back when next in the area.

We had been down to South Ronaldsay sightseeing, and our lunch plans fell through. We were starving and headed to Kirkwall. As we passed through Burray, we decided to pop in and eat lunch here. It was almost 2:00 pm by this point, and while...

Service was excellent. Food was tasty and well prepared. a lovely setting. Had a steak one night and spicy beef another. All great. Seems to be used by locals which is a good sign.

Had two evening meals here, there are three of us, we all enjoyed our meals Thoroughly recommend the bar meals

Visited here for mid morning tea. The tea was lovely and the scones were delicious. They were served with rhubarb jam which was different but a good choice. The staff were friendly.

two of us had dinner in the restaurant, starters of scallops and black pudding and cullen skink. The scallops were good but only two for £8, the cullen skink was very good. Main courses specials of pork stuffed with fruit bread and ginger sauce, nothing...

Good food, friendly service in this lovely hotel on Burray. Can highly recommend the toasties and fish and chips. Wish we had had room for dessert but the portions were substantial. Nice restaurant area overlooking the water for lunch. Well worth a visit.

We stayed in the Scapa suite which was on two levels with two bedrooms . It had a view over the pier and sea. It was a lovely suite it even had a kitchen! The staff were friendly and we ate there most nights and...

We visited here looking for local Orkney seafood and were not disappointed. We were really looking to find a place for an evening meal but ended up having a fantastic big lunch. We ordered the Cullen skink to start with, a delicious smoked fish soup,...

It was so good we ended up going three or four times, but it does get busy and can get very warm in the sun room. The food was all lovely, good portions, good prices. Make sure you book so you don't miss out

My son and I are from the US taking a Scotland motor tour. The tour company arranged our stay here for 2 nights. Would have rated a 5 but the room, located on the top floor, was quite warm both days. The windows would not...

We came on a Viking Ocean cruise excursion for a tasting menu of local products. We tasted cheese, bread and dessert, plus a local beer. It was all served very professionally and the food was excellent. We enjoyed it.

The first night we called here for dinner they were very busy but they found a table for us and the service was delightfully friendly and personable. The soup (tatties and leek) was excellent and the fried Orkney cheese interesting and tasty. My husband’s main...

We visited for dinner on the last night of our holiday. The staff were friendly and welcoming and seated us in the conservatory, with panoramic views to the sea. My wife had the steak and ale pie and I had the battered haddock and chips,...

Place was busy on a Sunday evening. Food menu was standard and i chose scampi with chips and peas. Nothing fancy here as all out of a packet not fresh cooked. More a lunch portion but was cooked good. Price for it was a bit...

Day 1 - evening of 7th May So we came to the restaurant late in the evening for food and we were welcomed and seated by a window. We were able to otter watch which was great especially as we did see one!! My husband...

Enjoyed a nice evening meal here. Nice decor - clean and modern. Food was exceptional hot. Salmon was very nice and beef and dumplings delicious. Puddings were very nice. Service was good although we did feel it went a little to “pot” when we were...

Great place for eating out. Relaxed, friendly staff and good grub. Don’t forget the Orkney Fudge Cheesecake 😊

Good food, fresh produce, friendly staff, pleasant surroundings and a super location. Would happily return.

Went here for dinner whilst self-catering in Burray Village.....the service was attentive and friendly, the conservatory was warm and the food was delicious with big generous portions. It was so good that we asked if we could return for breakfast, normally only available to residents...

A very pleasant hotel, very nice ambiance and excellent food. Good service and very pleasant staff. I would highly recommend.

Was invited for a meal here, had a 3 course lunch, food was really nice, enjoyed a peaceful atmosphere and staff were most helpful

We ate here every evening of our 5 night stay on Orkney. The food was superb and very tasty. Good local ingredients cooked well. The staff were very friendly and helpful nothing was too much trouble. Would highly recommend

Didn't get off to best start. There was a haar so we drove very slowly all the way to hotel. WE couldn't park in the car park which was a shock after two weeks away from towns -at home it wouldn't have raised a comment!...

We visit Orkney frequently and always go to The Sands Hotel. Menu excellent, quality and taste of food amazing. Staff always very efficient and friendly. Children welcome.

Another week in Orkney and another two visits to the sands. Food is always top notch and varied menu offers bar food or a la carte choices. Staff are friendly and efficient and the place is just so unpretentious unlike some other local restaurants. Recommend...

Excellent food and service. We eat at the restaurant twice and the food was superb and the staff were excellent

Turned up at the start of dinner, quiet night. The staff were fantastic very accommodating chatty, informative and filled with good advice

Called in as part of a tour of the Orkney Islands for a cream tea. Lovely clean bright dining room and friendly staff. Small pier outside with a few fishing boats tied up.

Visited this restaurant twice while visiting Orkney, the first visit was much better to the second. On our first visit, we were served by a gentleman by the name of Mark, he was very welcoming and chatty. He had a good sense of humour and...

Always a good selection of local food on the menu. Lovely atmosphere We were well looked after by waiter Mark.

Visited the sands hotel twice for lunch during our stay in Orkney. Couldn’t fault it. had a great children’s menu. nice views across the water. Staff extremely attentive. Will definitely visit again.

It's a while since we have been at the Sands and Mothers Day seemed to be as good an excuse as any to make a booking and we are so glad we did. The restaurant was busy when we arrived but we were taken to...

Great freshly caught seafood here is a must. I myself had fish with my wife having crab. The portions were a good size. The fudge cheesecake was one of the best I have ever had. Great place to eat.

Breakfast and dinner here were both very, very good. Both the interior room and the windowed room overlooking the harbor were pretty and comfortable. Everything we had was well prepared and generously portioned. Although I'm an omnivore, I was impressed with the wide selection of...

I have to admit I didn't know this was called the Watersound Restaurant until coming on TA to search to leave a review - you live and learn. I've eaten here maybe 2 or 3 times in my life - all since leaving Orkney to...

We had lunch at The Sands Restaurant last week. Beautiful food, very fresh and most likely local. Quite reasonably priced and good service. It's in a lovely spot just down by the pier with views over to South Ronakdsay. Would definitely recommend.

Local food at its best with wonderful views. Service is excellent and the fish and chips are second to none!

Great food, comprehensive menu very reasonably priced. Friendly staff. Make a booking, this place is often fully booked over the summer. A seat in the conservatory gives a lovely view over the bay

Loved the situation with lunch in the conservatory with good food. Staff very friendly. Good basic cooking.

Popped in off the Gills ferry. Lovely setting, friendly staff & a delicious meal. A foggy evening so did not get a chance to see the views.

We had a lovely meal here. Great view from our table by the window looking out over the sea and great attentive service. Hand on heart on of the best Orkney Fudge cheesecakes I've ever eaten. It was rich but light and served with a...

My wife and I ate here yesterday and while the food we had for main meal was excellent, this was somewhat let down by the poorly made deserts. My wife had sticky toffee pud, which was dry and the sauce was cold and I had...

We ate dinner here twice in one week as we enjoyed the food so much and the staff were very friendly. If reasonably priced good food is what you are looking for then this is the place!

Went first night here, food, staff and service great. Tried to get in again yesterday but fully booked, so don't expect just to turn up and get a table, book ahead or check by phone. Great little community.

We were in a party from a cruise ship having a short stay to have a hot drink, shortbread and scones. I wished that I could have stayed longer as the staff were very welcoming, the shortbread delicious and the homemade rhubarb and ginger jam...

We had an excellent meal at this hotel. Service was very good and the food of a very high standard. The fish dishes were really excellent. Good helpings and all at a reasonable price. Just wish that the hotel was nearer home!

The breakfasts and dinners we had there were terrific. They make the best onion rings!! Their salads are fresh and have a great dressing. The breakfasts are very nice...really good fresh fruit salad each morning, cooked to order breakfast as you like. Each dinner was...

We return to the Sands whenever we're in Orkney because the quality of the meals is always excellent. They specialise in cooking local produce, especially the delicious locally caught fish and seafood. Look out for the 'Catch of the Day' on the menu which might...

Went to this hotel for a meal as it is within walking distance of where we were staying on Burray.It was an absolute perfect location and a beautiful sunny day,not a cloud in the sky . We left the hotel at 2130 and it still daylight as the sun sets very late in the Orkneys. The staff were very friendly and welcoming. The menu had had a great choice and prices were reasonable. The meal order was taken and food arrived swiftly. It was very well presented and tasted fantastic. The portions were very good.The friendly atmosphere in this restaurant was excellent and I would highly recommend this.

We had a decent dinner for four of us- although we were disappointed in the portions vs. price. The restaurant was cozy and our table was by the fireplace.

We arrived on to the island late on a cold wet and windy Thursday afternoon as a party of 8 adults. The B&B we stayed at recommended the hotel as a good place to eat. We arrived just at opening time but they made us...

We ate here (party of eight) two of our three nights in Orkney,excellent friendly staff and superb food.we went to the bar before and after our meal,very friendly locals (one asked if we wanted an extra table for our large group) excellent beers,pool table,darts,juke box.we...

We were given a big table in a corner of the dining room, with room for three toddlers, their parents and grand parents. This was sensible siting of a rather busy, active crowd because no other customers or staff had to negotiate the area and...

Arrived after lunchtime and the staff happily served us THE most beautiful meal- beautifully served by a delightfully attractive and welcoming intelligent waitress.

We had dinner here when staying at the hotel. There was a good choice on the menu and the food was tasty and well-presented. Service was good and we had a pleasant evening.

Excellent food in cosy family hotel in attractive surroundings. It was very handy for our holiday cottage and all the staff were friendly and polite. Shall be revisiting for a scrumptious Orkney steak this July!

The food in this fully accessible restaurant is really tasty and plentiful. The setting is pleasant and the polite young staff efficient. I couldn't single out any course as all were excellent.

We were fortunate that, because of the time of year, (Sept), things were winding down a little in the village of St Margarets Hope where we stayed, we were forced to look a little further afield for dinner. We came upon Sands Hotel in a...