The Sands Hotel

Burray hotel with restaurant and bar/lounge

Choose dates to view prices

Mon 17 Nov
Thu 20 Nov
November 2025
16
December 2025
Unwind at The Sands Hotel, where a warm welcome awaits you. Savor kids' meals at the on-site restaurant and connect with free WiFi in public areas. With laundry facilities, a bar, and billiards/pool table to enjoy - not to mention helpful staff - your stay is sure to be an unforgettable retreat.
Exceptional

Popular amenities

  • Bar
  • Laundry facilities
  • Free parking
  • Non-smoking

Main amenities (4)

  • Daily housekeeping
  • Restaurants and bar/lounge
  • Self-serve laundry
  • Wedding services

Feel at home (5)

  • Television
  • Daily housekeeping
  • Laundry facilities
  • Free self-parking
  • Children's menu
£134
includes taxes & fees
22 Nov - 23 Nov

Room options

Showing 4 of 4 rooms
Bathroom
Room amenity
Room amenity
Room amenity

Superior Double Room, Ensuite, Sea View (First Floor )

Exceptional

Highlights

Heating
TV
Hypo-allergenic bedding
Heating
Premium bedding
Separate bedroom
Hairdryer
Detached private bathroom
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sea view
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed
Bathroom
Room amenity
Room amenity
Room amenity

Standard Double Room, Ensuite, Sea View (First Floor )

Exceptional

Highlights

Heating
TV
Hypo-allergenic bedding
Heating
Premium bedding
Separate bedroom
Hairdryer
Private bathroom
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sea view
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Double Bed
Traditional Suite, Ensuite, Sea View (Second Floor ) | Bathroom
Traditional Suite, Ensuite, Sea View (Second Floor ) | Room amenity
Traditional Suite, Ensuite, Sea View (Second Floor ) | Room amenity
Traditional Suite, Ensuite, Sea View (Second Floor ) | Room amenity

Traditional Suite, Ensuite, Sea View (Second Floor )

Exceptional

Highlights

Heating
TV
Hypo-allergenic bedding
Heating
Premium bedding
Separate bedroom
Private bathroom
Hairdryer
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sea view
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 Single Bed and 1 Double Bed
Classic Suite, Ensuite, Sea View (First & Second Floor ) | Bathroom
Classic Suite, Ensuite, Sea View (First & Second Floor ) | Room amenity
Classic Suite, Ensuite, Sea View (First & Second Floor ) | Room amenity
Classic Suite, Ensuite, Sea View (First & Second Floor ) | Room amenity

Classic Suite, Ensuite, Sea View (First & Second Floor )

Highlights

Separate dining area
Fireplace
Heating
Kitchen
Fridge
TV
Hypo-allergenic bedding
Separate bedroom
  • 2 bedrooms
  • Sea view
  • Sleeps 4
  • 1 Double Bed and 2 Single Beds

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About the area

Map
Pier Road, Burray, Scotland, KW17 2SS

What's nearby

  • Orkney Fossil and Heritage Centre - 4 min walk - 0.4 km
  • Orkney Fossil & Vintage Centre - 2 min drive - 2.3 km
  • Highland Park Distillery - 18 min drive - 20.4 km
  • Stromness Ferry Terminal - 47 min drive - 52.1 km
  • Skara Brae - 54 min drive - 56.4 km

Getting around

  • Kirkwall (KOI) - 22 min drive
  • Wick (WIC) - 102 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Robertson's - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪Barrier View Cafe - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪Anchorage & Galley Inn - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪Polly Kettle - ‬12 min walk
  • ‪Hoxa Tearoom - ‬13 min drive

About this property

The Sands Hotel

When visiting Burray, The Sands Hotel is a great choice to consider. You can relax with a drink at the bar/lounge, and the restaurant is the perfect spot to grab a bite to eat. Fellow travellers love the helpful staff.

At a glance

Hotel size

    • 8 rooms

Arriving/Leaving

    • Check-in start time: 2:00 PM; check-in end time: 10:00 PM
    • Minimum check-in age – 18
    • Check-out time is 10:30 AM

Special check-in instructions

    • Front desk staff will greet guests on arrival at the property

Required at check-in

    • Credit card, debit card or cash deposit required for incidental charges
    • Government-issued photo ID may be required
    • Minimum check-in age is 18

Pets

    • Pets not allowed

Internet

    • Free WiFi in public areas

Parking

    • Free on-site self-parking
    • Wheelchair-accessible parking on site

Other information

    • Smoke-free property

Property amenities

Food and drink

  • Free cooked-to-order breakfast each morning 7:30 AM–9:00 AM
  • Restaurant
  • Bar/lounge

Travelling with children

  • Children's menu

What to do

  • Pool table

Services

  • Laundry facilities
  • Wedding services

Accessibility

  • Wheelchair-accessible parking

Room amenities

Be entertained

  • Television

More

  • Daily housekeeping

Fees & policies

Policies

This property does not have lifts.
This property welcomes guests of all sexual orientations and gender identities (LGBTQ+ friendly).
This property accepts credit cards and cash.
Credit cards accepted: Visa, Mastercard
Property Registration Number OI/PL/86
If you cancel your booking, you'll be subject to the property's cancellation policy. In accordance with UK consumer law, property booking services are not subject to the right of withdrawal.

Also known as

The Sands Hotel Hotel
The Sands Hotel Burray
The Sands Hotel Hotel Burray

Frequently asked questions

Are pets allowed at The Sands Hotel?

Sorry, pets aren't allowed.

Is parking offered on site at The Sands Hotel?

Yes, there's free self parking.

What are the check-in and check-out times at The Sands Hotel?

Check-in start time: 2:00 PM; check-in end time: 10:00 PM. Check-out time is 10:30 AM.

Are there restaurants at or near The Sands Hotel?

Yes, there's an on-site restaurant.

What's the area around The Sands Hotel like?

The Sands Hotel is located a short 5-minute walk from Orkney Fossil and Heritage Centre.

Have a question?

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The Sands Hotel Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

10

Cleanliness

9.6

Amenities

10

Staff & service

9.4

Eco-friendliness

9.8

Property conditions & facilities

What guests liked

  • Breakfast was delicious, varied, and cooked to order with a good choice of vegetarian and vegan options. (6 reviews)
  • The property offers good value and quality evening meals, with pleasant dining options. (3 reviews)
AI Sparkle IconFrom real guest reviews summarized by AI.

Popular mentions

Service staffFoodRoomBreakfastLocationRestaurant

10/10 Exceptional

Fantastic place to stay on Orkney

Fantastic hotel - great location, warm & friendly service, beautiful rooms tastefully decorated & great attention to detail, excellent food & ambience. Highly recommended
Mr Stephen Bruce, 1-night trip

10/10 Exceptional

So lovely

Everything at this hotel was just lovely- staff, ocean views, food. The room was simple but nicely updated and maintained. This hotel was a highlight of our trip. The restaurant is also delicious and we loved breakfast.
Kelsey, 2-night trip

10/10 Exceptional

A beautifully restored building with rooms tastefully decorated and having views over the water. A warm welcome and great food served. Only sorry that I was there for one night.
Robert, 1-night trip

10/10 Exceptional

The property is somewhat remote and located in an industrial area with a boat repair adjacent. However, the hotel has a good restaurant and bar so we didn't feel the need to leave the property.
Loyd, 2-night trip

10/10 Exceptional

The Sands Hotel is a first-class hotel. From the greeting at the reception to leaving at the end of our stay, we were treated as the only guests staying at the hotel. Although the hotel was busy, the staff were friendly and efficient, and advice from the team as to where to visit was knowledgeable and accurate. The bedroom was beyond our expectations, beautifully decorated as was the rest of the hotel, and there was a bath with a shower over the bath, I would personally wish for a free-standing shower, however, we cannot expect everything. The food was delicious, had good portions and was very well cooked. The breakfast offered a varied menu, the Scottish Breakfast I would recommend. I highly recommend this hotel and will use it again on my next visit to the Orkneys.
Geoffrey, 3-night trip

10/10 Exceptional

Well worth a stay

This is a really nice hotel with great staff and great food. You receive a warm welcome and the whole stay was relaxing and enjoyable.
Wonderful view if small harbour
View from room of open sea
Peter, 3-night trip

10/10 Exceptional

A splendid hotel, I want to come back!

Spent two nights, very nice place, extremely friendly and helpful staff. If I come back to the Orkneys, I’ll stay here and for more than two nights!
The hotel pub
Around the hotel
Skara Brea
Tor Kristian, 2-night trip

10/10 Exceptional

Serene sea views

Lovely quiet place by the sea with a great restauarant and cosy nautical themed bar. Very friendly staff :) Would love to stay here again next time!
Daniel, 1-night trip

10/10 Exceptional

we had a bad credit card and they politely let us know to pay our dues with a new card which we just did - all is well kevin mcleod
Kevin, 1-night trip

10/10 Exceptional

We loved staying at the Sands hotel and wished we could have stayed longer! Facilities, location and food fantastic, Thankyou for making our Orkney trip memorable - You even laid on lovely weather too !!
Jill, 2-night trip

8/10 Very good

Très bon hébergement pour un séjour long.

Très bon hébergement. Surtout pour un séjour plus long en famille (cuisine). En septembre, plutôt désert avec boite à clef et personne.
VALERIE, 2-night trip

8/10 Very good

They are lovely people and it is a nice enough hotel. It’s in an out of the way location which was fine for us as we had a car. The food was ok. The room was light, clean and comfortable.
Anne, 3-night trip

10/10 Exceptional

The Sands Hotel is a lovely small hotel in a tranquil island within the Orkneys. There is absolutely no noise in any of the rooms, they are equipped with WiFi and everything you need. The restaurant serves excellent-quality food with locally sourced ingredients. The staff are first rate, every single one of them. They helped us out with everything we needed. Very prompt and professional service. Best Hotel in the Orkneys, bar none!
Roger, 2-night trip

10/10 Exceptional

An enjoyable stay. Attentive staff. Excellent food.
Alex, 3-night trip

8/10 Very good

Lovely quiet historic hotel

Lovely quiet hotel being an old Herring Warehouse. Rooms were comfortable and had a nice view of the boat ramp. We stayed 2 nights and meals were nice both nights. We needed washing done and were able to pay 15 pounds for a small bag to be done for us, which saved having to go to Laundromat in Kirkwall.
2-night trip

10/10 Exceptional

Good base from where to explore part of Orkney

Our brief stay at the Sands Hotel was just what we were looking for in that part of Orkney. We wanted to see Skapa Flow, the Italian Chapel, and we discovered a fascinating private museum with fossil collection. The staff were helpful and welcoming and the room comfortable.
Ludovic, 3-night trip

10/10 Exceptional

Loved it. Need a car to explore but that’s obvious
Elise, 2-night trip

10/10 Exceptional

This property is exceptionally clean! The restaurant staff were friendly, outgoing and accommodating to a food allergy. This hotel is convenient for morning ferry departures from St. Margaret's Hope.
Lisa, 1-night trip

10/10 Exceptional

Pleasant Quiet comfortable nice dining options
William Andrew Haralam and Mary Ann, 2-night trip

10/10 Exceptional

Brilliant staff and brilliant stay

The staff were brilliant and truly went out their way to make my stay very enjoyable. I would return here and recommend others to stay here also. The food was excellent and a very good selection to choose from.
Martin, 3-night trip

10/10 Exceptional

Excellent hotel in Burray

Stayed at the Sands with my wife for one night. All the staff in the hotel we came into contact were very friendly and helpful. Our room was tastefully decorated and very comfortable.We enjoyed a beautiful evening meal in the restaurant and the cooked breakfast provided in the morning was one of the best I have had in any hotel.Our only complaint is we could only stay one night.
John, 1-night trip

10/10 Exceptional

Dont overlook this Hotel

A lovely hotel over looking Burray Harbour. The staff are so friendly and welcoming, rooms are very clean and comfortable, food is honest well cooked fair. The homemade Mac n Cheese was a delight. If youre leaving before breakfast theyll make up a lunch sandwich for you. Salmon and Scrambled egg and full cooked breakfast both superb. Lots of Tea and Toast too. The bar stocks well kept beer and a few Whiskys. You pass the Highland Park Distillery on the way to Burray. If you are looking for a quiet hotel with genuinely friendly people who provide superb service, book The Sands.
View from bedroom window.
View from bedroom window at sunset.
Hearty and tasty breakfast.
3-night trip

10/10 Exceptional

A hidden gem

For someone who stays in hotels a lot The Sands was a wonderful experience. All the tiny things that you’d wish for in other hotels are just done perfectly here! I can’t recommend this hotel highly enough. The restaurant is great, breakfast is cooked to order so absolutely no food waste and the evening meals are delicious.
Simon, 1-night trip

10/10 Exceptional

A gem in Orkney's crown

This was an excellent hotel in a lovely location overlooking Watersound. We booked an apartment and were delighted with the spaciousness and facilities. It was spotless and looked like it had been recently refurbished. The staff couldn't have been more friendly and the food at breakfast and dinner was super, with a good choice of vegetarian and vegan dishes. We would highly recommend this hotel and will definitely stay there again.
7-night trip

10/10 Exceptional

Friendly welcoming hotel

Very comfortable, relaxed hotel with helpful staff and good hearty food. Great location for the ferry from Gills Bay, and all the major places of interest.
Neil, 4-night trip