Emmaus Guest House Edinburgh

There’s no elevator, but the staff will carry your luggage up. We enjoyed meeting other UK travelers at breakfast, and there’s a cozy first-floor lounge to relax in. The rooms are large, clean, and well heated, even during Hogmanay. Breakfast had a wide selection each morning, and they accommodated a gluten-free request. The staff were incredibly helpful and friendly, and it’s family friendly. There are plenty of restaurants nearby, especially Asian options including Thai, Indian, and Korean, plus pubs, coffee and sandwich shops, and a supermarket. The Kings Theatre is down the street. It’s a bit of a walk to the main tourist areas, but not too far, and a huge park is less than an eight-minute walk from the B&B.

Our room was really comfortable, and we appreciated the wooden shutters that kept it dark in the morning. Staff were friendly and helpful, and it’s a very nice B&B for the money. There are plenty of good restaurants close by, and the Grass Market is about a 15-minute walk. We walked back from there after midnight and felt very safe.

I appreciated being able to join the hosts and other guests for morning or evening prayer. The place has a real spiritual feel, but it isn’t overbearing, which was very welcome. The hosts, Janet and Andrew, are wonderfully hospitable, and that community feeling carries through the whole B&B. The communal breakfast table makes for good conversation and can be a useful way to hear about things to see and do. The rooms are well appointed, and guests can use a lounge. It’s about a 15-minute walk to the city centre, with one route passing through a splendid park behind the Quatermile district and ending at the University. There are also nearby bus stops with several routes, plus some nice places to eat.

The breakfasts at Emmaus House were a lovely chance to meet people from all over and swap stories. It felt like being part of a family, and I came away with friends and plenty of shared joy. Janet and Andrew were so welcoming, always ready to help with information or language, and I felt completely at home during my week there last August. On my final day, Janet made us a delicious supper. I’d love to return for a few days, and I’d happily recommend Emmaus House. Rosemeire Dos Reis