The Kirkwall Hotel (Kirkwall, United Kingdom)

This is a classic accommodation just aside the harbour with lovely views, especially from some of the upper rooms. You'll find mostly standard amenities of fairly decent quality, although a few are on the older side, and there's a popular restaurant and bar lounge. The continental or full English breakfast can be served in your room or the dining room. The bar features five televisions for live sports viewing, traditional pub food and assorted beverages. The restaurant has impressive menus with four courses and varying specials. Reservations are recommended in the restaurant.

Rooms are tidy with very comfortable beds, acceptable bathrooms and free, well-functioning Wi-Fi.

This friendly team will surely go out of their way for your comfort, even doing laundry for some, setting up breakfast in your room, assisting with the ageing elevator, and answering questions about the area.

This is quite an archaic device, one of the first of it's kind in the UK, and as such it requires its doors to be closed prior to moving up or down. If the top floor has forgotten to close them, someone may need to go up the stairs and do that before you can ride.

You may find some rooms are more modern than others; some of the decor has definitely seen better days. Water pressure is low, additional power outlets would be helpful and some of toilets should probably be replaced.

The breakfast ticks the boxes for a standard continental and the full English with some additional variations. There are few vegetarian items on the spread, however, so you may want to ask about alternatives. Nearby Helgi's and The Foveran both have assorted vegetarian options.