Hotel Du Vin Edinburgh

Our rooms were good, the staff mostly helpful and we enjoyed the accommodation, although the building was a bit of a maze. The last night, we ate at the Bistro and I wouldn't recommend dining there. We sat down for an early dinner at 6PM and ordered several starters, including scallops and beef tartare. The mains were passable for the high price, but the creme brulee dessert was awful, clearly microwaved and made earlier that day. In the middle of the night I woke with violent nausea, then diarrhea, and after 72hrs the symptoms still hadn't eased. I was in physical pain and lost time with relatives while we were staying in London. Our other meals in Edinburgh had been relatively uneventful, so I suspect it was the shellfish, raw beef or the creme brulee that made me ill. My wife and I were at Hotel du Vin with our infant daughter during the first week of March, on our first trip to Edinburgh. *** Beware of the food poisoning. *** I'd avoid the bistro at all costs.

The hotel itself is a magical building, and we had a wonderful stay. The location is fantastic, with lovely eggs cooked by the chef and really thoughtful housekeeping behind the scenes. We only had breakfast while we were there, and the bistro team were welcoming and served us smoothly and warmly. Service was lovely from check-in right through checkout. Special mention to Sam, who greeted us with a smile and was very hospitable. What a tremendous hotel.

The food was good and nicely presented, better than at a lot of places I've tried. It was a cold Monday afternoon in February, and the place was quiet. The service was attentive, but it was almost too quiet and didn't have much atmosphere. Still, we had a very nice afternoon tea.

The food was delicious, the whisky pairings were just right, and the lively haggis address got the night going. The staff were warm and attentive, making the whole Burns Night celebration at Hotel du Vin Edinburgh feel special. A memorable evening, I'd happily return next year.