Edinburgh Holiday Guest House

For £320 for two nights, I expected far better. We came back after a day out to find the room hadn’t been cleaned, and the towels hadn’t been replaced either. The separate bathroom was in a dreadful state, with broken tiles, dirty grout and mirror, damp on the ceiling, old towels, and residue left behind from a previous appliance. They’re tiny towels, too, which made crossing the hall back to our room awkward and embarrassing. The bedroom looked as if it hadn’t been touched in years. There were dents and gaps in the door, scuffed walls and furniture, possible damp on one side, hardly any storage, and a cheap mirror that wasn’t much use. The bed linen was inside out and threadbare, with just one pillow each and no option to get more. Even the sheet barely covered the mattress. The lock was also awkward to use. Breakfast was lukewarm and left us feeling a bit unwell. The dining room was dirty, with small tables, mismatched mats, visibly used crockery and glassware, and food warmers in poor condition. The toaster looked like it had come from a bin, and the walls were scraped up too. It’s odd that they’ve spent attention on a lock worth about £100 per room while so little else shows care. Also, the hotel doesn’t appear to have a valid food hygiene certificate or rating from the Food Standards Agency. Appalling standard for the price.

The owner was warm and friendly, and I really enjoyed our morning chats. This is a quiet guest house in a safe area, with buses stopping just outside and about a 15-minute ride into downtown. It has the charm of a 200-plus-year-old house with a newer feel mixed in. Just be aware there’s no lift.

Breakfast was delicious, and the location worked really well, not far from either the old or new town. I stayed with two friends; our rooms were spotless and comfortable, with toiletries provided. The owners were so kind and hospitable, and the place felt lovely and homey. We all had a great time!

A straightforward place to stay in Edinburgh, with a good location near public transport. It’s rooms in a house, and some have their own bathrooms, even bathtubs. Breakfast can be had in-house.