Stay at the Prestonfield House Hotel
How Good Is This Unique Luxury Hotel in Edinburgh?
Are you considering a stay at the Prestonfield Hotel in Edinburgh? You will not be alone as Prestonfield House is one of the most beautiful hotels in Edinburgh and the only one where luxury meets the tranquility of large open grounds and gardens only 10 minutes outside of the city centre.
Is it a better choice than other four or five stars hotels right in the city centre, though? And more importantly, is it what you would expect of a boutique hotel?
I've read hundreds of reviews from guests who have stayed at the Prestonfield over the years and the following is a clear and unbiased summary of what these guests really thought of their stay at this hotel.
What's special about the Prestonfield House Hotel?
- Luxury country house hotel in the unique setting of 13 acres of private gardens, pastures, and woodlands where peacocks and Highland cattle strut and stroll happily. You could say it's a rural hotel in Edinburgh.
- Historically important building offering tremendous character, upmarket decadence and opulence but feels surprisingly warm and welcoming.
- Award-winning dining experience at the hotel's Rhubarb restaurant and tea rooms.
- Prestonfield has its own golf course and helipad.
- Location: Located at the foot of Arthur's Seat, just south of Edinburgh City Centre, Prestonfield Hotel is a 5 minute drive or short walk/bus ride to the major attractions, combining city centre convenience with an unexpected rural setting.
Read Prestonfield Hotel reviews or check for discounted room rates.
What do guests really think?
The reviews of the Prestonfield House Hotel by guests reveal very consistent and glowing appraisals with very, very few average or negative exceptions. The overwhelming majority of reviews suggests that:
- The Prestonfield offers a truly luxurious hotel experience -- from room comfort and furnishings to service and staff -- with virtually all guests using words like decadence, opulence, indulgence and sumptuousness to describe it.
- It is an ideal choice for a special occasion like a romantic break or anniversary with the suites and rooms often described as sexy and romantic. In fact, it's often described as the most romantic hotel in Edinburgh alongside The Witchery by the Castle by the same owner.
- Most guests feel that staying at the Prestonfield is worth every penny, even those who have paid the full price as opposed to getting a discounted rate.
My Recommendation
Based on the hundreds of reviews I've read, I would recommend staying at The Prestonfield House Hotel if you're looking for a truly unique experience in an unusual luxury boutique hotel resembling more a stately home in a rural setting than your average city hotel experience but only if you can live with the fact that it's outside of Edinburgh city centre.
Book the Prestonfield Hotel or find other luxury hotel deals in Edinburgh.
In Depth Review of the Prestonfield Hotel in Edinburgh
Beautiful and sexy 5-star boutique hotel. Quiet location outside Edinburgh City Centre.
Average room price per night: £158-£295 ($248-$464)
What is the Prestonfield Hotel like?
Prestonfield started life as the country mansion of Edinburgh's Lord Provost over 300 years ago. Today, it's a glamorous hotel with a suitably impressive entrance tucked away on a quiet road in the Southside suburb, just outside the City Centre. It's considered to be one of the best and most beautiful hotels in Edinburgh because it is such a good, if unusual, combination between city hotel luxury and rural bliss (given by its unique location at the foot of Arthur's Seat and huge, lush-green open grounds). This is what most guests have to report about their stay at the Prestonfield.
Building and room design
- Prestonfield House has 18 guest rooms and 5 suites individually and luxuriously furnished in the hotel's trademark opulent style featuring deep red and velvet fabrics, antique furniture and discreet lighting. The decor is intentionally over the top in a way that works for most guests but some obviously did not appreciate this particular style.
- The rooms, designed with an outright disregard for minimalism, are often described as boudoir in style, sexy, romantic and funky. Most guests were happy with the balance between decor and space. However, some felt that the bathrooms are quite small.
- Noise is kept down to a minimum by the hotel's almost rural setting within Edinburgh.
- There are a series of cosy yet very elegant public lounges (such as the Whisky Room, Yellow Room, Leather Room and Tapestry Room) rich in drawings, art and antiques and with open fires as standard.
Staff and level of service
- Its aim may be to provide the most luxurious hotel experience but Prestonfield has an open ethos and friendly service that makes it easy for anyone to feel comfortable here, whether they've booked the cheapest room, whether they wear jeans and t-shirt or whether they're in their twenties.
- The vast majority of guests felt that the staff were very attentive, friendly, discreet and welcoming without being intrusive and many have commented on how they are clearly enthusiastic about working in a hotel as special as Prestonfield to the point of offering a guided tour of the various rooms and a bit of local knowledge.
Food and drink
- Fine dining restaurant Rhubarb described as superb and highly praised in virtually every review with more than a few guests planning to return to Prestonfield Hotel, even if just for the food.
- Breakfast is served at Rhubarb and is made up of a large selection of continental and cooked food to order.
- The Eggs Benedict and hand-dived scallops are the most frequently mentioned dishes served at the hotel's restaurant.
- Four unique private dining rooms suitable for different occasions from a romantic dinner for two to reception with up to 50 guests.
Location and parking
- This is one of the few luxury hotels with good free parking in Edinburgh thanks to Prestonfield House's huge grounds
- The hotel is 30-45 minute leisurely walk into Edinburgh City Centre or a £6-£7 taxi ride into town. There are frequent buses running within half an hour of Prestonfield Hotel.
- Not very straight-forward to find given the hotel's location in a suburb just south of Edinburgh City Centre. Most guests used their sat nav or printed off detailed driving directions.
Nice touches
- Bottle of chilled champagne and chocolates/cookies on arrival.
- Next to a golf course and Holyrood Park (ideal for a stroll).
- Peacocks and Highland cows wandering around the grounds.
Book the Prestonfield Hotel or find other four and five star hotels in Edinburgh.
Staying at the Prestonfield, Edinburgh - Web links
- Prestonfield Review - Hotel Review Scotland
- Prestonfield, Edinburgh: full review - Telegraph.co.uk
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