We are a family of 5 with three primary age children. We often find it hard to get reasonably priced accomodation for the whole family and many hotels will not let us share a room.

We were amazed and delighted by the accomodation at the Sands hotel. We booked a family suite which was vast. It had a sitting area with large family sized sofa and chairs, a dining area, a small separate kitchen (fully equipped). Upstairs in the loftspace were 2 bedrooms, one double and one twin. They were happy to put in another bed into the twin. The rooms were quite small but as there was lots of sitting space downstairs you didn't need much. All the furnishings were new and up to date and very clean, as was the bathroom. The suite had a contemporary feel and there were 3 TV/DVD players in the various rooms. Every window had stunning views out to sea.

All this cost little more per night than the cost of 2 rooms at the premier inn on the motorway up (2 rooms because they don't let a family of 5 sleep in one room).

The children found plenty they liked on the menu and so did we and we liked the relaxed feel in the dining room. They were happy to give us a jug of fresh milk to put in our fridge for morning tea and coffee - it is the little touches like this which make the difference for a family!

All in all a lovely small hotel.

We arrived on Orkney with no room for Saturday night and tourist info told us this was the only double room available on the whole mainland! Fortunately it was a lovely room with sea views and we had a fine evening meal there and walk along the rocky beach. Recommended.

Booked this hotel to go to a wedding nearby, the room was lovely, everything was newly decorated and it was very pleasant. The problem was the noise at night which started at eleven o clock and went on to midnight. On the Saturday night it was one o'clock. Breakfast was adequate although uninspiring to say the least. The dinners at night were very good and that is obviously where the business concentrates. On our last evening we returned to be greeted by "we weren't expecting you you were only booked in for 3 nights" as I had a copy of my emial confirming 4 nights we obviously weren't. Our rooms hadn't been done up and no fresh towels had been provided - this wasn't rectified. All in all it was fine but lacking something despite all the money that has obviously been spent on it.

Lovely place. Lovely food. Lovely people.

So much better than I expected!!!