Merkister Hotel

We went here for a lunch as a group of four with two kids. The food was excellent and very good value for money. A large plate of well made,well presented food. Staff were friendly and very helpful. We would thoroughly recommend The Merkister. Thank you very much.

It’s always lovely to eat at the Merkister. Unlike many places on Orkney they are open all year round and it’s always nice to see so many locals eating there. We went for Sunday Linch with friends. Delicious as usual and friendly helpful service. My only mild criticism would be that Drambuie wasn’t the best sauce for the trio of fish, a little sweet for my taste. The mackerel pate is superb and the trio of salmon monkfish and halibut were delicious, as were the chips!! Thanks again for a fabulous meal. I’m so pleased that I live close by and look forward to visiting again soon.

We decided to return to Orkney after a great holiday last year and revisiting the Merkister was a no brainer! The food was just as excellent as we remembered and the seafood dishes from the specials menu were particularly remarkable. Langoustines and scallops were delicious and huge! The staff were great, so hard working and friendly.

I stayed here for 4 nights with my elderly mum and this place is fantastic. Every staff member is friend,y, genuine and helpful and actively looked for ways to make our stay even better. Our hire car wasn’t available when we arrived in Kirkwall so the hotel Ghillie went out of his way to drive us both into town to collect it and wouldn’t accept any kind of gratuity for going above and beyond. The views across the loch are stunning and the air of solitude is breathtaking. We dined in every night and made it through most of the menu, and the food was excellent every time. A high light for was the super fresh haddock goujons. If we are coming back to Orkney this will be our first port of call.

Eversince COVID it seems so complicated to visit The Merkister as a non resident! Even for a drink at the bar you now have to book in advance and you can't sit in the bar as all the tables are booked! They're always fully booked, this wasn't the case before and the restaurant menu became a rather average bar menu, we didn't get the specials menu, it was not available???! The only positive thing was the frienly bartender!!!

We stayed for a week at the Merkister Hotel, and it was generally, excellent. The staff were very polite, welcoming and attentive - especially the breakfast folk that we had the pleasure of being greeted by each morning. Amanda, Debbie, Maddie, and a young lad who we didn't get the name of (sorry) were exceptional at breakfast each day. The breakfast itself was beautifully done too. The staff are what make this place amazing. They really are fantastic, friendly people who will go out of their way to help you. The rooms. They're a bit dated but they're very pleasant and very clean. The floorboards are a bit uneven in areas, and some of the furniture is very slanted. The windows could do with a clean so that the fantastic view can be taken advantage of. A good selection of teas were available, as well as coffee and locally made shortbread. We had a Loch view room and it had PLENTY of space. The water pressure is great but you can hear when the rooms next door are using their taps. We ate at the Merkister in the evenings twice and the food is to die for!! Very well priced and the portion sizes were perfect. The bar is well stocked with local and international brands. Their is plenty of parking but it can be busy at peak times on the weekend. Other notes: No cot available. Wifi couldn't be found?

The food was so nice the the two ladies was on in restaurant was very good keep up the good work lady u do a good job and the hotel was very clean one of lady was so beautiful we will back next year keep u the good job what a very nice place good run buissness

We all had fish - fresh and delicious. One fish and chips , one monkfish and one salmon. Sat in the bar as we hadn’t booked or dressed for lunch. Staff friendly. Good draught lager and Guinness. Dogs no longer allowed but we walked him down the lawn to the Loch side after lunch.

Was so looking forward to this meal. Langoustine starter was lovely and worth the money. Main course really poor. Over cooked monkfish and very soggy asparagus. I wasn't a fan of the prawn sauce but that was my fault as I didn't realise it was cream based and it simply tasted like Cullen skink, which I'm not a fan of. The level of cooking didn't warrant the cost. Servers were quite sullen and wearing casual outfits - grand for them but seemed odd for a meal out. The batter on the haddock was lovely (I nicked some off my family's plate). I'd go for the obvious pub grub in future rather than the more special menu.