The Dunstane Houses

Rooms

In serene, earthy colours, the 35 rooms are sumptuously comfortable, with Loaf sofas to sink into, pale Scottish tweed, peacock wallpaper, huge upholstered headboards on kingsize beds, and soft carpet underfoot. Spacious bathrooms house good walk-in showers, Noble Isle toiletries and Moroccan-meets-Victorian-caustic-style tiling.

This is a place where the suites are totally worth the extra outlay; they’re huge, with free-standing copper bathtubs from Fired Earth. We had The Dunstane Suite, a wonderful first-floor room, with rolltop bath in the bay and large bathroom, but the other suites are equally good. Also recommended are the Luxury King Doubles, with views from the bed to the grandiose multi-turreted 19th-century Donaldson’s school. In one there's a seating nook with more views, armchairs and a telescope. The Cosy Wee Doubles may be smaller, but they also have plenty of charm, character and comfort.

Features include:

• Bathrobes
• Bottled water
• Central heating
• Coffee / tea making
• Desk
• Hairdryer
• Minibar/fridge
• Nespresso
• Phone
• Radio
• Satellite TV
• Slippers
• Toiletries
• WiFi

Eating

The restaurant is sitting-room comfortable, and breakfast is served here (or in your room if you prefer). Besides the buffet of fresh pastries and yoghurts, you can choose from a Scottish cooked breakfast, porridge with various toppings, eggs Benedict and more. Our pancakes were served with a tangy berry sauce, accompanied by French-press style coffee.

For lunch or dinner, there’s a pleasingly straightforward menu of modern Scottish classics, served as small or large plates. Haggis bon bons, Orkney smoked salmon linguine, and Scrabster haddock goujons. The Ba'Bar's drinks list is more complex, with a great range of local gins, and an incredible range of whiskeys. The extremely knowledgable waiter, when we asked, delivered a fascinating lecture about Scotch and how it became his passion, and when I ask to try something especially obscure, he brings me a very niche (and nice) Glenfiddich finished in IPA craft beer casks.

Features include:

• Bar
• Coffee / tea making
• Minibar/fridge
• Restaurant
• Room service

Activities

• You're a 10-minute bus ride from the centre of Edinburgh, with its many monuments, museums and shops. Don't miss the Royal Mile and the Castle
  
• We loved Mary King's Close, a warren of 17thC streets frozen in time below the Royal Mile (book in advance). Similarly eerie are the Dungeons
  
• Sweep away the cobwebs with a walk up to Arthur's Seat, perched atop an extinct volcano, with magnificent views over the city
  
• You're close to Murryfields Stadium for a match or a gig
  
• Edinburgh Zoo is also near
  
• The hotel can arrange a number of quirky tours, such as trips around the countryside in vintage cars
  
• Cosy up at the hotel bar and taste local whiskies and gins

  Activities on site or nearby include:

  • Golf
  • Hiking
  • Historical sites
  • Museums / galleries
  • Nightlife
  • Shopping / markets
  • Whisky Tasting
  • Wine tasting

Kids

Cots, high chairs and folding beds are available, as well as kids' meals, but this place feels much better suited to couples and friends than families.

Best for:

Babies (0-1 years)

Family friendly accommodation:

The Suites can each fit a baby cot or rollaway bed

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

The Dunstane Houses are in the Haymarket area of central Edinburgh, just outside the West End.

By Air:
Fly into Edinburgh Airport (9km) then take the airport bus, which stops outside the hotel, or a taxi. Or hire a car; the hotel has a private car park.

By Train:
Edinburgh’s Haymarket station is 10 minutes' walk from the hotel.

Detailed directions will be sent when you book through i-escape.

More on getting to the UK and getting around