Even from outside, we could tell that these fine, warm-stone, gabled Edinburgh mansions, located across the road from each other, were going to be a treat. Stepping inside, we knew for sure. Interiors were imbued with gorgeous natural colours, from copper rust to dark inky blue, and heather-pale tweed fabrics gave it a comforting sense of place. If there's a hint of the Orkneys, it's because the Mowat family – who oversaw the 2017 restoration of what were then called The Dunstane Houses – hail from those islands. The hotel is now in the hands of the Roseate Group, who have proudly preserved the heritage and history of the buildings and their previous owners.
In The Roseate Building there's the restaurant with an intimate bar and lounge, and a garden terrace out front for sundowners when the weather is fine. In The House across the road, it's mostly suites and rooms, with a communal lounge area at the back. The rooms have kingsize beds with signature wallpapers and soft rugs, and the suites feature show-stopping bathtubs and sweeping bay windows. As is so often the way, the smaller details make it all the more memorable. Like piles of pillows you dissapear into, underfloor heating in the bathrooms, and classy tweed key rings. We also enjoyed browsing the illustrations and Orkney mementos on the walls of the common rooms, including black and white photos of fishermen and local characters – and, by coincidence, a portrait of this writer’s grandmother as a child. How's that for personalised service?
Highs
- Beautiful decor and character in the rooms, along with fabulous showers and Fired Earth copper bathtubs
- A friendly welcome extended to families and dog-lovers by a warm, helpful staff
- We loved the specialist whisky and gin bar
- A modern take on Scottish classics in the restaurant
- The airport bus stops right outside
Lows
- It’s a 20-min walk or 10-minute bus ride to the centre of town
- The hotel is set back a bit on a busy road, so there is some noise in the front rooms
- There is no lounge area aside from the restaurant dining room and bar, but when the weather is nice there is seating outside
Best time to go
There's plenty going on in Edinburgh year round. You may want to book well ahead for the summer festivals, and Hogmanay and the Christmas build up are also popular times. We loved coming in the autumn, when there were fewer crowds and the city feels like a Harry Potter set.
Our top tips
There's an entrance to the Water of Leith walk just down the road from the hotel (the concierge can point you in the right direction). If you're after a quieter exploration of the city, take the morning to stroll through picturesque Dean Village, past St. Bernards Well, and stop for a coffee in lovely Stockbridge. Then walk on to pretty Leith for lunch.
- Boutique Hotel
- 35 rooms
- Restaurant and bar open daily
- All ages welcome
- Open all year
- Pool
- Spa Treatments
- Beach Nearby
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Car not necessary
- Parking
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
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 indulgently huge, with free-standing copper bathtubs from Fired Earth, and great for honeymooners. We had The Roseate 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 Executive Rooms, 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 Superior Rooms may be smaller, but they also have plenty of charm, character and comfort.
Features include:
- Bathrobes
- Central heating
- Coffee / tea making
- Hairdryer
- Minibar
- Radio
- Slippers
- Toiletries
- TV
- WiFi
Eating
Situated in the Roseate Building, The Dunstane Restaurant has a cosy dining room/lounge with plush velvet and tweed seating, and all meals are served here. Breakfast can also be taken 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.
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 Dunstane'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
- Kids' meals
- 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:
- Historical sites
- Museums / galleries
- Private guided tours
- Shopping / markets
- Walking
- Whisky tasting
Kids
The Roseate Edinburgh welcomes families. Cots, sofa beds and folding beds are available, as well as kids' meals and optional room service. Edinburgh is a very family-friendly city with heaps of attractions and sights.
Best for:
Babies (0-1 years), Children (4-12 years), Teens (over 12)
Family friendly accommodation:
All Suites and Executive Rooms can each fit a baby cot and/or rollaway bed
Baby equipment:
Baby cots and high chairs
Remember baby and child equipment may be limited or need pre-booking
Children's meals:
Dedicated Dunstane children's menu using locally sourced, Scottish produce. Room service is optional if the kids would prefer an early supper in their room
Kids Activities nearby:
- Edinburgh Zoo is a short drive away
- The hotel is walking distance from Edinburgh Castle
- And the Museum of Scotland
- Camera Obscura's world of illusions offers a deep-dive into the city's fabled history and a 360-degree view of Edinburgh
- A short drive also brings you to the Botanical Gardens, Pentland Hill and South Queensferry
Distances:
- Airport: 15 minutes
- Hospital: 7 minutes
- Shops: 2 minutes
For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection
Location
The Roseate Edinburgh is 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. There's no EV charging at the hotel, but there are charging points nearby.
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
Airports:
- Edinburgh 9.0 km EDI
Other:
- Beach 6.0 km
- Shops 0.5 km
- Restaurant 0.5 km
Our guests' ratings...
Based on 2 independent reviews from i-escape guests
Feedback is only from guests who have booked and stayed through i-escape