Motel in Edinburgh

“My girlfriend and I stayed at the Bala House for four nights back in mid-July meaning I am leaving this review quite late. But I am nothing more than effusive about our stay here! First, the negative (if you can call it that) it is a bit of a walk from the city center. I know that locals would likely just rely on public transportation rather than walk to and from the city center, but, given our nationality, I suppose we are just used to walking long distances since we don't have robust public transportation. Regardless, the walk to downtown is essentially a straight shot, with lots of little shops and spots to eat along the way. It's also just a short walk from Holyrood Park, meaning it's in a perfect location if you are into hiking. The surrounding neighborhood is cute and quiet. The entrance to the Bala House itself feels very safe. The room was stayed in was so spacious, and the bathroom, though somewhat small, had a shower therein with great pressure.The hosts were so kind though we did not see much of them at all during our stay--which isn't to say that someone did not stop by to clean our room a bit while we were away. The bed was large and comfortable. We loved the house! So, would we stay here again? Totally, 100%. I would probably learn a little bit more about the buses though....”

“I loved my stay here: close to everything and the staff was just so warm and happy that you are staying with them! I paid cheaply for two nights too!”

“I stayed two nights at the Dalhousie Castle to celebrate my friend’s wedding, and I have to say that they did a great job! The staff were all incredibly friendly, the castle is beautiful, and the grounds were fun to explore. I was also so impressed with how accommodating they were for my fiancée who was the only gluten free guest. They truly went above and beyond! The food for breakfast and dinner after the wedding were both great, as well. Lastly, our room truly made us feel like we were in a castle because it was huge and was stocked with robes and slippers. I would gladly come back to the Dalhousie Castle to sleep overnight or for another event!”

“Absolutely amazing hotel, everything I could hope for, with lovely welcome from Celia and the manager Steven. Steven then gave us a great tour full of anecdotes about the hotel's history, followed by exceptional service from every member of staff I met. Including the amazing Matthew at the leisure centre who I'll always remember for introducing me to golf. Can't thank you all enough. Looking forward to coming back next year.”

“After not planning on a place to eat we wandered into this wonderful local establishment 2 minutes from the gig venue we were attending. As soon as we walked in it was although we had been several times. The staff were incredibly helpful, as although we hadn't booked (although I will definitely book in advance next time) they invited us to take a seat. The service was warm, quick and felt like nothing would be a problem. The menu was filled with a varied amount of dishes, each sounding better than the last. The time between ordering and receiving our starters was minimal and when the food arrived it looked as good as the menu described and tasted sublime. The staff were polite and efficient but not pushy and the food from the kitchen was well presented and tasted better than many meals I've eaten at other establishments. 5 Stars are hard to earn but absolutely deserved.”

“We had a really lovely stay at the Premier Inn Livingston (Bathgate). From the moment we arrived, the staff made us feel so welcome — everyone was friendly, helpful, and genuinely attentive, which made such a difference to our visit. The hotel was clean, comfortable, and well-kept, just what you’d expect from a Premier Inn, but it was the staff that really stood out and made the experience special. The check-in was smooth, the team was always happy to help with any questions, and they went out of their way to make sure we had everything we needed. It was a great base for exploring the area, with good transport links nearby, and after a busy day out it was lovely to come back to such a relaxed and comfortable place. The rooms were spotless and the beds very comfortable, ensuring a good night’s sleep. Overall, we had a very positive stay and would happily recommend this hotel to anyone visiting the area. A big thank you to the team for making our trip so enjoyable!”

“Lovely menu and catered well for gluten free. Definitely be back again.”

“Booked for late December and had exactly the experience I hoped for. The interior design is dramatic and atmospheric without feeling gimmicky. The menu is strong, and the food delivered - the loin of Balmoral Estate red deer was excellent. Wine was great, dessert was rich but balanced, and coffee finished it perfectly. Pricey, yes, but the full experience totally justified it.”

“Awesome location, very friendly staff. They stored our bags as we arrived from the airport a few hours before check-in and we began our walk in the city. When we returned our luggage was in our room. Great service and extremely friendly staff!! Would stay again.”

“I have only given the rooms for stars because we didn't use any, we were only in the bar, but based on that experience, I would assume the rooms are fine. We found the service to be polite and friendly, the bar to be very clean and serviceable, the toilets to be perfectly satisfactory, the pricing was good, the outside of the building had interesting furniture and was very clean and well maintained. We didn't eat, but again would assume it would be good based on our experience. We would return.”

“Great guest house with nice comfy and quiet rooms with en suite bathroom (note that you need to turn on the power to the shower in the bedroom using the red switch). Breakfast cooked to order and delicious. Perfect location, 200m from haymarket railway station, close to bus stop to either go into town or on line 100 to the airport.”

“We stayed for 2 nights, the rooms were amazing and cozy, the beds very comfortable. The bathroom was very modern, despite the whole building being very (beautifully) old fashioned. The location was ideal, quiet at night, but just a 20-30 minute walk to the city center. Easily accessible from the airport. The host was very kind and helpful. The price is also very good.”

“Nice and clean room's. Plenty of space to dine and the bar area is reasonably sized. Parking, Plenty of spaces and will fit the larger SUV style car's too. Staff are polite, friendly and very helpful. Pool, steam room and the changing area's all in good order and clean. Can't remember on the pool area but the room's and bar are wheelchair accessible. In house WIFI available. Would I visit again? Yes yes I would. We found it a very good spot for excursions as it's located near the main road's and made the day trips start well. No body wants to sit in traffic at the very start of a day out. Forth bridge and Kelpies are very close by if you want to cross them off your bucket lists quickly.”

“With some mixed reviews I wasn’t sure what to expect at Kildonan, but I was pleasantly surprised. Myself and a family member enjoyed a beautiful 3-night stay in this hotel, which truly has a homely vibe. With great transport links from the city centre we arrived within 20 minutes. Hamza greeted us warmly on arrival, helped us check in, and kindly showed us to our room, which was quietly situated away from the main house. The grounds were well-kept, and our room overlooked a quaint little garden. Despite ample parking nearby, it remained a peaceful spot. The room was modern yet cozy, with thoughtful touches such as bottled water, tea, coffee, hot chocolate, and cookies. A flat-screen TV, plenty of storage, and a bath all added to the comfort. Whenever we needed assistance, receptionists were just a phone call away and always dealt with queries professionally. Housekeeping staff were cheerful, asking daily if we wanted our room cleaned or snacks replenished. Ricardo at the main desk was another highlight — friendly, humorous, and professional, he made us feel right at home. On our last day, with a late train to catch, the hotel kindly stored our luggage. When we returned, a lovely receptionist even welcomed us to enjoy some tea before heading off, which was a thoughtful touch. The only downside was accessibility: stairs are unavoidable in most areas, and although some ground-level rooms exist, they are limited. This could be a challenge for less mobile guests. Overall, Kildonan was welcoming, comfortable, and full of friendly faces. I would happily return and recommend it for a relaxing stay.”

“Nice and relaxing and seems out of the way but so close”

“Very clean and presentable enjoyed my 50th birthday here”

“Very quick to get to Edinburgh City centre (19 minutes drive). Nice hotel and good pub, friendly.”

“Wonderful small hotel. Super convenient location close to Haymarket station (so, convenient to everything) and many excellent local restaurants. Very caring staff. I'm not sure it actually is but it totally feels like a family enterprise. Our room was nice but a bit snug. Great mattress and shower though! Heartly cooked breakfast included.”

“Stayed here for a week. Location is great with many amenities around. The rooms are very nice and clean. The best thing about the place is its hosts and their hospitality. The owner and staffs are super friendly, helpful and always ready to assist any request with a smile. It was indeed a home away from home.”

“Food was absolutely gorgeous. All enjoyed the meal and especially the kids. The plates were clean within minutes. Very well priced and good portions. Cleaning was held at a high standard and the staff were lovely and there for every need. Highly recommend”

“This is a wonderful place with a lovely owner and the people from the village. I had an honour to spend an evening in the pub with the locals, and it was my best evening during the whole schottland trip. I would never think it can be! I have never experienced sich a friendly and open atmosphere! I will love to come again. Thank you, Dave, Alan, Claire, and all other guys at that eve!”

“Stayed here when in Edinburgh and CAN NOT FAULT THEM. They are so friendly And welcoming, the parking is on site and so easy. The room is beautifully decorated, Wonderfully spacious and spotless. Then down stairs is a restaurant where you can get a delicious meal for a very reasonable price. Good drinks and cocktails. Already planning my next stay here. Also for those going into town the bus stop is 2 shops down and goes straight into town. So convenient.”

“This was a very good value for the location, parking, breakfast, dog friendliness. It's very hard to find hotels with private parking in the centre of the city. It can be a bit full depending on the season, but we always found a space the days we stayed. The location is great, you just walk to the places around the castle. Very good breakfast, including cooked to order in addition to the buffet. The rooms vary a bit in refurbishment, they are decent though and the service good too. The price is more than reasonable for what I got.”

“The most kind-hearted hotel I have even been in. Rooms are beautifully done and the people there are incredibly sweet and welcoming. Any issue or request was met with a smile and a smooth, fast response. I am incredibly happy to have stayed there and would/will definitely stay there again when possible.”

“My mother and I had a fantastic two night stay at The Inn on the Mile. We booked a twin room and were pleased with the spacious room, comfortable beds, and separate toilet & shower rooms. The room was quiet and the restaurant downstairs had good food. We ordered dinner one night and breakfast both mornings. They have a brekkie menu but you can also order ala cart. One thing to note - there is no lift to access the rooms. If you’re not good with stairs, request a lower floor. We were on the top floor (78 stairs up) - not a problem for us but just to be aware. The staff is super friendly and will help with bags. Overall, the location was the perfect place to explore Edinburgh. We will happily stay here again next time we’re in Edinburgh.”

“Booked this hotel very last minute after staying in what was the worst hotel I've ever visited. Happy with the price which although is expensive, isn't that bad for Edinburgh. The hotel is surrounded by bars and restaurants but I didn't hear any of this from my room (I was on the fourth floor). The reception staff were polite and informative, giving me the details I needed for my stay and informing me where the room was. Unlike other boutique hotels in Edinburgh I've stayed at there is a lift (elevator for our American friends). The entire hotel is clean and fresh wish lush carpets (makes me assume was recently upgraded). My room was very generous, high ceilings and a very comfortable bed. There is an iron and ironing board, kettle with tea and coffee etc. (as you would expect). I would very happily stay here again”

“Clean, friendly and good choice at breakfast, even a freshly cooked full English if wanted. On a main bus root with buses every few minuets to get into town centre. Very Impressed with management, I had a character picture done with my daughter which fell down and I forgot to pack it and they sent it back down to me. Was not an expensive item but something personal to us.”

“My partner and I had an excellent stay at this hotel (end of July) The establishment has been refurbished, thanks to the efforts of the owner and staff, and the result is very harmonious and soothing. The bed is extremely comfortable The staff we met were very kind and attentive Special thanks to Romik, who made our stay unique!”