The Murray Arms Hotel & Seafood Restaurant

9.4
Exceptional
(426 reviews)

Back Rd, St Margaret's Hope, Orkney KW17 2SP, United Kingdom

+44 1856 831205

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Hotel Description

The Murray Arms Hotel & Seafood Restaurant, located on Back Rd, St Margaret's Hope, Orkney KW17 2SP, United Kingdom, is a charming and traditional stone inn nestled in the heart of the village. Offering a welcoming atmosphere with a unique blend of old-world charm and modern amenities, this quaint pub with rooms is the perfect retreat for those visiting the Orkney Islands. The hotel is conveniently situated next to the picturesque South Ronaldsay Golf Course and just 100 meters from the stunning Gill's Bay waterfront, allowing guests to easily enjoy scenic walks or relax by the sea. The hotel’s warm and inviting design incorporates elements of the local culture, making it feel like a true reflection of the village’s heritage.
The rooms at The Murray Arms are designed for comfort and relaxation, offering a peaceful ambiance with airy spaces featuring sloped ceilings and skylights. Each room is thoughtfully appointed with modern amenities, including free WiFi, flat-screen TVs, and tea and coffee-making facilities, ensuring that guests have all the comforts of home. En suite bathrooms are provided in every room for added convenience and privacy. Whether you're visiting for a quiet getaway or an adventurous trip to explore the beautiful island surroundings, these rooms provide a perfect base to unwind after a busy day.
One of the hotel’s standout features is its cozy pub, where guests can relax and enjoy a drink by the fire. The pub is also equipped with a pool table and TVs for entertainment, providing a social and fun atmosphere for guests. The hotel also boasts a modern dining room, where guests can enjoy delicious meals prepared with fresh, local produce. The menu includes a range of classic dishes, with seafood specialties being a particular highlight. The hotel’s seafood restaurant is a local favorite, and the famous “fish and chips” have received numerous positive reviews from guests.
For those seeking a more active experience, The Murray Arms offers easy access to outdoor activities and scenic spots. The hotel is located just a short drive from popular attractions like the Italian Chapel, Scapa Flow, and St Magnus Cathedral. Visitors can also take a leisurely drive to Burray, a nearby island known for its rich history and beautiful natural landscapes. The hotel is also ideally located for guests wishing to explore Orkney’s fascinating wartime history, with the Churchill Barriers and Scapa Flow within close reach.
Accessibility is easy with convenient public transport options available near the hotel. The St Margarets Hope Ferry Terminal is just a 10-minute walk away, offering a simple route for those arriving by ferry. For those flying in, Kirkwall Airport is a 25-minute taxi ride, while Wick John O'Groats Airport is a bit farther, about 1 hour and 55 minutes by taxi. The local area also boasts a variety of public transportation options, including walking distance to Cromarty Hall and the Post Office.
The Murray Arms is committed to guest safety, offering a smoke-free property with modern health and safety protocols in place. The hotel is pet-friendly, allowing guests to bring their furry companions along for their stay, and it also provides free parking for added convenience. There’s no fitness center or spa, but the natural beauty of Orkney, along with the vibrant local culture and numerous sightseeing opportunities, ensures that guests will find plenty of ways to stay active and entertained.
Whether you’re in the mood for a quiet dinner at the restaurant, a drink in the pub, or a day of sightseeing, The Murray Arms Hotel & Seafood Restaurant promises to provide a memorable experience in Orkney. Come and enjoy the warmth and hospitality of this charming hotel, where every guest is treated like family.

The Most Outstanding Trait

1. Located next to South Ronaldsay Golf Course and 100m from Gill's Bay waterfront.

2. Cozy pub with pool table, darts, and TVs for entertainment.

3. Modern seafood restaurant serving fresh local dishes, including famous 'fish and chips'.

4. Pet-friendly with free parking available for guests.

5. Rooms feature sloped ceilings, skylights, free WiFi, flat-screen TVs, and en suite bathrooms.

6. Located near popular Orkney attractions like Scapa Flow, St Magnus Cathedral, and the Italian Chapel.

7. Convenient walking distance to public transport options, including the St Margarets Hope Ferry Terminal.

8. Guests praised the service and the cozy atmosphere of the restaurant and bar.

9. No fitness center or spa, but plenty of outdoor and historical attractions nearby.

10. Perfect base for exploring Orkney’s stunning landscapes and rich history.


6.8 Good

Location rating

Top sights

Italian Chapel
14 min
Scapa Flow
25 min
St Magnus Cathedral
24 min
Churchill Barriers
13 min
Burray
9 min

Nearest locations

Viet Kitchen Orkney
4 min
The Sands Bar & Restaurant
9 min
The Sands Hotel, Orkney
9 min
Twenty One
25 min
Lucano
25 min
Helgi's
26 min
The Foveran
28 min
See more Interesting locations

Good to know

Check-in15:00
Check-out10:00
Location rating6.8
Nearest airportKirkwall Airport
Travel time to airport25 min

Nightly price (Only for reference price for sample day)

Check-in: Fri, Dec 06
Check-out: Sat, Dec 07
    Official Hotel

    $71

    Agoda

    $62

    Vio.com

    $62

    goseek.com

    $62

    Booking.com

    $71

    Priceline

    $71


Location

Back Rd, St Margaret's Hope, Orkney KW17 2SP, United Kingdom

Airports:

Wick John O'Groats Airport

Taxi: 1 hr 55 min

Transit: 3 hr 38 min

Kirkwall Airport

Taxi: 25 min

Transit: 47 min

Transit:

Cromarty Hall (opp)

Walking: 1 min

Post Office

Walking: 1 min

Car Park

Walking: 4 min

St Margarets Hope Ferry Terminal

Walking: 11 min

Doctors Road End

Walking: 4 min


Nearby locations

6.8

Good Location

Set in a quaint stone inn in the village centre, this traditional pub with rooms is adjacent to South Ronaldsay Golf Course and 100m from the Gill's Bay waterfront.

Top Attractions

Top Restaurants


Amenities and Facilities

Parking & transportation

Parking

Pets

Pet-friendly

Accessibility

Not accessible

Policies & payments

Smoke-free property

Food & drink

Restaurant

Bar

Breakfast

Wellness

No fitness center

No spa

Children

Kid-friendly

Internet

Wi-Fi

Pools

No pools

No hot tub

Rooms

No air conditioning


Reviews

100% reviews from partners and customers booking on Dinogo

9.2

10 reviews

Wonderful
8
Excellent
1
Good
0
Below Average
1
Not Good
0
Cover Image for Amanda W

Amanda W

5/5
Great to see this fantastic restaurant open in October when many are closed for the season.Extremely warm welcome when we arrived, especially with our dog who is still getting familiar with social environments. He loved the attention from the manager.Food was fantastic, highly recommend the seafood platter and orkney fudge cheesecake!Service was one of best we have experienced and we will definitely return to the restaurant and hopefully stay in the hotel.

Cover Image for Kyle Rodger

Kyle Rodger

5/5
This restaurant is an absolute must visit if you’re in the area. The atmosphere is fantastic, and the staff make you feel incredibly welcome. They truly go above and beyond to ensure you have an exceptional experience. The food is simply outstanding, with a diverse menu that caters to all tastes. Each dish is beautifully presented and bursting with flavor. Whether you’re a fan of hearty mains or delicate desserts, you’ll find something to love here! We had the seafood platter for two, and it was just incredible, the best locally sourced seafood in the Orkney Islands! They are also dog-friendly, which is a big plus for us!

KS

Karen S

4/5
We had the highly recommended Seafood Platter for 2 which was excellent. Can’t comment on anything else on the menu but their main fare is great. Service ok with one lady looking after everyone. Book ahead as it was full on a Thursday night.||It is a 30 minute drive from Kirkwall on South Ronaldson so you definitely need a car.

Cover Image for David Maxfield

David Maxfield

5/5
Popped in on the off chance of getting a table in the restaurant as it was advertisedas dog friendly - no joy as it was fully booked (hence why they suggest booking in advance) instead they kindly offered to serve us in the bar which was absolutely fine. We had the deep fried cheese to start which was delicious followed by the fish and chips and the scallops for my partner - absolutely amazing. Service was exceptional and the dog was well received and looked after - cannot recommend highly enough!

Cover Image for Katie White

Katie White

5/5
Such a wonderful seafood restaurant, with a delicious lunch and the warmest service. Seafood platter was stunning, fish and chips best we’ve ever had, pasta tasty and full of seafood and the rainbow trout was beautiful. Oh and did I mention the oysters?! Great portions and yummy cheesecake for dessert. Dog friendly. We’ll be back. Advise to book, but make sure it is the Murray Arms on Orkney and not elsewhere.

E

Expedition789476

5/5
We are a couple of pensioners with a small dog that stayed at the Murray Arms for 3 nights. The hotel is totally pet friendly and our dog was spoiled by the fantastic staff who totally looked after us for the duration. …

LH

Libby H

2/5
On our first day in Orkney we drove across the islands to the Murray Arms for a great fish lunch - as per the marketing. My friends chowder and scallops were good, but my Sea Bass was dry and overcooked. …

EJ

Emma J

5/5
From the moment we checked in, we felt like family. The staff here are the warmest of people. The smiles weren't just customer service smiles, they were genuine. …

Cover Image for Chris Mills (Krissie)

Chris Mills (Krissie)

5/5
The food here is simply the best but it’s the staff who make the place. Full of character and very welcoming.Popped in for lunch with our two dogs. Very dog friendly.Lovely venue. Best Penn pasta with seafood I’ve ever had. My partner had scallop chowder. Divine. Book!

Cover Image for Steven Rieley

Steven Rieley

5/5
I can’t rave enough about the food we were served. The Scallops were so delicious, fresh and massive. I have never had such fantastic sea food in my life. The owners and staff were welcoming and friendly the price was great as well. 10 stars from us.My wife and I are on holiday on Orkney. We arrive at the restaurant early. Although the restaurant was fully booked they accommodate us and served us food before the kitchen was officially open. We both had the chowder to start a then Scallops for our main. Truly. Truly Amazing.