In

In
well-heeled West Coates, Dunstane House is the first port
of call for Edinburgh habitués. 15 minutes from
the airport and 10 minutes from the city centre, it’s a go-between
place. It’s also an in-between – in so far as the hotel is split
across two properties, with Dunstane‘s sister hotel Hampton
House located across the road. Whichever house you sleep in, it’s
good to know there’s a free-flow policy across both properties;
come and go as you see fit.

The Edinburgh bolthole boasts
corniced ceilings and a snaking, stone staircase. With no check-in
desk, on arrival turn left at the staircase and just say hello –
someone extremely friendly will come to get you checked in and show
you to your room (which, if you’re in the main house, is likely to
be no more than a few paces away).

Bedrooms

Rooms are cosified with woollen throws, tweed armchairs,
four-poster beds and Persian rugs, which disguise dark-wood
floorboards. All rooms sit on the XXL end of the size chart, with
high ceilings and over-sized beds; at the foot of which you’ll find
a velvet sofa. Signature walls are clad in peacock-feather
wallpaper (and other geometric patterns). In the main house, The
Dunstane Suite is particularly appealing, complete with bay window
and a copper-soaking tub. Here, drawing straws for rooms is the
only diplomatic thing to do.

What’s for breakfast?

A continental buffet and an a la carte menu are served from 7am
to 11am. By the counter, choose from a range of cereals, fresh
fruits and freshly baked pastries. From the main menu, we’re
ordering the hearty full Scottish is a toppled plate of
haggis, Ayrshire bacon, black pudding and tattie scones – a
vegetarian option is also available. Arrive early and aim for a
table in the bay window.

How about lunch and dinner?

The menu changes seasonally at Dunstane’s laid-back, all-day
dining lounge and bar with a focus on Scottish Isles produce.
Assess your hunger levels and choose from a menu of “wee bites” or
“bigger bites”. Most dishes are tapas style; you’ll most certainly
need more than one order of pan-fried Orkney salmon for the table (it’s
not that it’s small, it’s just that it is very very tasty). Dessert
is a dish best served… well anyway really. The homemade sticky
toffee pudding with ice cream from local ice-cream parlour, S Luca,
is a winner.

Is there a bar?

Withdraw to the Ba’ Bar come evening. Painted a deep blue and
strewn with velvet lounge chairs, the vibe here is mellow. The
bar’s vintage whisky cabinet – stocking the rarest and oldest
single malts – is a connoisseur’s delight. With more than 70 single
malts to choose from, you’re likely to be here a while. If it’s too
hard to settle on your preferred malt, order a G&T, opting for
the hotel’s has its own variety – DunGin.

Amenities

Samsung smart TV and Nespresso coffee machines in every
room.

Things you should know

Free off-road parking at the rear of the premises (about six
spaces) is available for hotel guests. If you’re a light sleeper,
reserve a room at the back of the house – it’s the quieter
side.

Within a short walk you’ll find

The Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art and Edinburgh
Castle.