Merkister Hotel Harray, Harray ➤ Reviews, Rooms & Prices 2024

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About the Hotel

Loch Harray, Harray, United Kingdom

Merkister Hotel is set on the picturesque shores of Harray Loch in Orkney, providing stunning views of the surrounding landscape. Renowned for its fishing opportunities, it offers unique experiences like guided fishing tuition and boat rentals. The hotel features an award-winning restaurant serving locally sourced food, making it a gastronomic destination as well. Conveniently located, it is a short drive from the main towns of Kirkwall and Stromness, ideal for exploring Orkney's historical sites.

Location

Merkister Hotel is located approximately 18.5 miles from Kirkwall and 15 minutes' drive from the main towns of Kirkwall and Stromness. The nearest airport is Wick Airport, situated 41.5 miles away. The hotel is easily accessible via the A965 road, with parking available onsite.

Rooms

The hotel offers a variety of room types, including Standard, Superior, and compact Saver rooms. All accommodations feature en-suite or private bathrooms. Certain rooms include a seating area and provide views over Harray Loch. Amenities such as a kettle, tea and coffee making facilities, and free Wi-Fi are included.

Eat & Drink

The Skerries Restaurant is known for its award-winning cuisine, specializing in Aberdeen Angus Beef sourced from nearby farms. Guests can enjoy meals with panoramic views of the loch and the surrounding hills. The lounge bar provides a more casual atmosphere for dining and is popular among locals and guests alike.

Leisure & Business

Merkister Hotel offers extensive fishing facilities, including a pier and boat rentals for guests. Staff can arrange fishing tuition for novices and guided fishing experiences. The hotel also caters for weddings, providing packages and accommodating up to 50 guests.

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Select your room type

The hotel offers a variety of rooms including double rooms, family rooms, and suites with breakfast, free cancelations, and special deals

Guest Room

Max:

1 person

12 m²

Bed options:

1 Single bed

Heating

room details

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Guest Room

Max:

2 persons

16 m²

Bed options:

1 Double bed

Heating

room details

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Guest Room

Max:

2 persons

16 m²

Bed options:

1 King Size Bed

Lake view

Heating

room details

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Price and Room Availability Calendar

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Getting around

A list of all available modes of transport

City Center

Harray 1.8 mi

Airports

Kirkwall (KOI) 16.8 mi

Eday (EOI) 32.8 mi

Facilities

The hotel offers amenities for your comfortable stay and unforgettable experiences

Delicious Breakfast!

I highly recommend trying the scrambled eggs and toast for breakfast—the flavors were exceptional, and I can't find anything like it at home!view full review

Dinner Delight!

The dinner was exceptional, featuring fresh and well-cooked dishes. Don't miss out on ordering the fried cheese, it's a must-try!view full review

Spotless Rooms!

My room was impeccably clean, with fluffy bedding and bright white towels that made me feel extra cozy and comfortable throughout my stay.view full review

Cozy Lounge Space

The separate lounge area for guests was fantastic! We enjoyed playing darts with the provided equipment, creating a fun and relaxing atmosphere.view full review

General

No smoking on site
Free parking
No pets allowed

Sports & Fitness

Fishing

Guest Parking

Electric kettle

Services

Laundry

Dining

Restaurant
Bar/ Lounge area
Special diet menus

Room features

Free Wi-Fi in rooms
Heating
Sitting area
Ironing facilities

Bathroom

Free toiletries

Self-catering

Electric kettle

Media

CD player

Location

Loch Harray, Harray, United Kingdom

Map view

Loch Harray, Harray, United Kingdom

City landmarks

Loch of Bosquoy

3700 ft

Museums

Corrigall Farm Museum

1.6 mi

You do not need to book to get into this attraction. There is free access at all times.

Ring of Brodgar

3.6 mi

Click Mill

1.1 mi

Harray Parish War Memorial

1.2 mi

Harray Parish Church

1.2 mi

Loch of Harray

1.4 mi

Huntiscarth at the Foot of the Ward O' Redland

The Knowes of Trotty

1.5 mi

Ireland Rd

Maeshowe

4.1 mi

B9055

Barnhouse Neolithic Settlement

2.9 mi

Skara Brae B9056

Skara Brae Prehistoric Village

4.1 mi

Hillside Rd

Dounby Click Mill

2.9 mi

Ring of Bookan

3.0 mi

Knowes of Trotty

2.9 mi

Skae Frue, mound 300m SW of Buckan

3.1 mi

Skaill House Breckness ESTATE

Skaill House

4.0 mi

A967

Orkney Folklore & Storytelling Visitor Centre

3.0 mi

Stromness KW16 3JZ

Standing Stones of Stenness

4.1 mi

Heart of Neolithic Orkney

Ness of Brodgar

3.9 mi

Museums

Kirbuster Farm Museum

4.0 mi

Kw17 2lt

Yellowbird Gallery

4.2 mi

Nearby

Loch of Bosquoy

3700 ft

Reviews and Ratings

Feedback from previous guests about their experience.

72%

liked the hotel and would stay again

Lovely garden view

Big super king-size bed

Overcooked dinner

Additional charges

7.2/10

Very good

Rooms

6.7

Location

8.5

Service

7.5

Dining

6.3

Tom

United Kingdom, April 2024

6.6/10

I truly enjoyed my stay at the Merkister Hotel. The room was lovely with a big super king-size bed, although it was a bit small for the price. Dinner, unfortunately, was overcooked but the garden view was superb.

Rooms

7.0

The room was cozy and had a lovely garden view with a big super king-size bed. However, it was a bit small for the price.

Service

6.0

There were a few minor room issues like a broken window handle and a bathroom sliding door coming off hinges.

Location

8.0

The hotel's location by the beautiful loch was perfect for enjoying the serene views and exploring the Orkneys, but it was a bit secluded if you're interested in the bustling restaurant scene.

Dining

5.0

The dining experience was a bit disappointing with overcooked dinner, but my partner enjoyed her smoked salmon with scrambled eggs. The breakfast lacked variety and was not as filling as expected.

Facilities

7.0

The hotel facilities were basic but sufficient for a comfortable stay. However, there were additional charges of 60 pounds per day per room that were unexpected.

Lovely garden view

Overcooked dinner

Eric

United States of America, March 2024

8.6/10

I had a wonderful stay at the hotel, with spacious and well-fitted rooms offering a lovely view. The service was absolutely fantastic, from a bright and cheery start to exceptionally prepared meals at breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The location was perfect, overlooking the loch and surrounded by beautiful views. The dining experience, although not perfect, offered tasty and varied dishes with some room for improvement. Overall, a great value for a memorable stay.

Rooms

9.0

The rooms were quaint and great, with lovely views. They were spacious and well-fitted.

Service

9.0

The staff were all very pleasant and willing to offer recommendations. Laundry service was efficient too.

Location

10.0

The location was perfect, with beautiful views and a lovely lakeside setting.

Dining

7.0

The dining experience had its moments, with tasty and varied dishes. Some improvements in the quantity and imagination of the menu could make it even better.

Facilities

8.0

The facilities were well-equipped and contributed to a comfortable stay.

beautiful views

room for improvement in dining

Paul

United Kingdom, January 2024

6.4/10

My stay at the hotel was a mix of positives and negatives. The room was the smallest I have ever encountered, with outdated linen and furnishings, but it did offer a great view of Loch Harray, which was a bonus. The service was exceptionally pleasant but could benefit from updates, especially with poor lighting. The location was stunning, overlooking the loch, perfect for touring the island, although it was in need of some maintenance. The dining experience had its ups and downs, with excellent options but lacking in quantity and variety. Overall, it was a comfortable stay with some room for improvement in certain areas.

Rooms

5.0

The room was small and in need of updates, but the view of Loch Harray was great and the bed was very comfortable.

Service

7.0

The staff were exceptionally pleasant and helpful, although the lighting could be improved.

Location

8.0

The location was stunning, overlooking the loch, ideal for touring the island but in need of maintenance.

Dining

6.0

The dining experience had its high points with good quality breakfast items but lacked in variety and quantity.

Facilities

6.0

The facilities were basic but functional, could benefit from upgrades.

great view

small room

Alexander

United States of America, September 2023

6.8/10

My stay at the hotel was a mix of positives and negatives. The rooms were quite small and in need of refurbishment, but the shower was good. Unfortunately, the noise from dragging furniture was a constant disturbance. The hotel also hosted private events during the weekend, limiting guest accessibility. On the bright side, the service was exceptional with extremely helpful and friendly staff. The location was ideal for a quiet morning run and offered beautiful views, but it didn't entirely justify the cost. Dining was a hit and miss experience, with excellent breakfast options but room for improvement in other meals.

Rooms

5.0

Although the room was the smallest I have ever encountered with dated furnishings and stained carpet, the clean linen and good shower were redeeming qualities.

Service

9.0

The staff was extremely helpful and very friendly, providing great water pressure in the shower and a lovely view of the loch from the room.

Location

7.0

The location was great for a morning run and offered stunning views of the loch, but it fell short of justifying the high cost.

Dining

6.0

The dining experience had its highs and lows with excellent breakfast options but room for improvement in other meals.

Facilities

7.0

Bill

United States of America, August 2023

7.6/10

The hotel room was a bit cramped and in need of some updates, but it was very clean and comfortable overall. The service was friendly and informative, although not as warm as expected. The location was fantastic for outdoor activities and enjoying the peaceful Orkney Mainland. The dining experience had its ups and downs, with some dishes being excellent while others were lacking. The facilities were adequate for a pleasant stay.

Rooms

7.0

The room was small and could use some improvements in furniture and maintenance, but it was spotlessly clean and comfortable, which was great considering the weather.

Service

8.0

The staff were friendly and accommodating, going the extra mile to assist us, but their warmth could have been better.

Location

9.0

The hotel is ideally situated in a quiet rural area of Orkney Mainland, perfect for morning runs and enjoying the scenery.

Dining

7.0

The dining experience varied with some dishes being excellent while others were a bit disappointing, but overall, the food quality was good.

Facilities

7.0

The hotel offers basic facilities that are sufficient for a comfortable stay.

Wally

United Kingdom, April 2023

7.4/10

I couldn't have asked for a better location with beautiful views of the loch and isle of Hoy in the distance. However, the room had a spider issue with cobwebs around the ceiling. On the bright side, the power shower was fantastic!

Rooms

7.0

The room had fabulous views of the loch and isle of Hoy but was plagued by spiders and cobwebs. The power shower was cracking.

Service

6.0

Location

9.0

The location was excellent with easy access to major sights and viewing points on the island. The well-kept gardens added to the charm.

Dining

7.0

The dining experience was a mix of hits and misses, with substantial and delicious offerings but also a bit lacking in variety and quantity. Traditional local cakes were a highlight.

Facilities

8.0

The hotel had good facilities overall, but some maintenance issues were evident.