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Reviews of Edinburgh Townhouse

3 out of 5
Edinburgh Townhouse
38 North Castle Street, Edinburgh, Scotland

Reviews

7.8

Good

Rating 10 - Excellent. 85 out of 302 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 136 out of 302 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 62 out of 302 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 14 out of 302 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 5 out of 302 reviews" "

8.6/10

Cleanliness

8.2/10

Staff & service

8.6/10

Amenities

7.6/10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

4/10 Poor

Adam

Business traveller
Disliked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Budget
Very small room with minimal comfort
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2020

4/10 Poor

Mark

Business traveller
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
Nothing like the pictures or feedback imply. Room was a shoe box
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2020
Response from The Boss on 15 Sept 2020
Hi Mark , 23 years i have been here and never been called that before i will now the name the room the shoe box . It is a small single room as stated in description and this is why the room is very reasonable priced for city centre.

2/10 Terrible

Jane

Stayed 1 night in May 2020

8/10 Good

Nick

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 5 nights in Feb 2020

10/10 Excellent

Paul

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
The location was absolutely perfect for our stay. The room was nice and very good value for money. Will definitely be staying here again when we next go to Edinburgh
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2020

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2019

10/10 Excellent

Julie

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Convenient to city centre
Very good access to town being just off princess drive Lovely host “ Valerie” and warm cosy room This is the first time we have dealt with automatic entry but all worked well after entering the code given to us by email
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2019

8/10 Good

Lalli

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2019

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2019

10/10 Excellent

Shane

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
perfect for solo traveller
Amazing , loved my stay!
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2019

8/10 Good

CME, Winnipeg

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
I liked the location; proximity to Edinburgh Castle and Royal mile was reasonable...walkable for healthy people.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2019
Response from Valerie on 23 Oct 2019
Thank You for your kind review. You are welcome back to stay with us any time. :-)

10/10 Excellent

Gustavo

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Gustavo
The people is friendly and the hotel is clean good ubication
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2019
Response from Valerie on 23 Oct 2019
Thank You :-)

8/10 Good

deborah, Tennessee

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
We loved the location and the charm of the area. The staff was very helpful in planning our adventures out into Edinburgh.
Stayed 9 nights in Jun 2019

6/10 Okay

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness
Disliked: Staff & service, room comfort
Things You Should Know Before Booking
The location is pretty good. We were assigned the attic room. It was tiny and cramped. It has low ceilings, just above six feet, and sloping ceilings. We ended up smacking our heads many times. The bathroom was external to the room and had to be shared with another family. I know I was dying to use the bathroom in the morning while the other family was showering, and I know that they were in similar pain the next day when I was showering. In the bathroom, the sloping ceiling over the sink is so low that I had to stay bent over at close to a ninety degree angle the whole time that I was using the sink. There are eight flights of stairs that we had to carry our heavy suitcases up and no elevator. Generally speaking, there is no staff in the hotel. Checkout is at 10 am, not the typical 11 am, and there is no one there to watch your bags after checkout. Having someone to watch our bags during our last day of touring is the main reason that we booked here versus Airbnb and we were disappointed that this was not disclosed up front. Rarely, there are staff in the lobby. We did happen to catch Tod, who gave us a good restaurant tip.The shower did not drain and we were forced to turn off the water every 30 seconds and wait for the water to drain. The rooms have electronic locks that lock automatically every time you open the door but the bathroom lock didn’t work well. My hotels.com email said shared bathroom in the fine print and this should have been made more obvious.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2019
Response from Val on 7 Jul 2019
Firstly I would like to say sorry for your experience. I feel that had you read the room description for the room which YOU had chosen to book over the Family Room which we did have available when you made your reservation which is En-suite. This room would have been more what you required, however the customer, not the guesthouse chooses the room they wish to reserve. unfortunately we cannot predict what our customers need are and rely upon them to make their own choice of room here by the descriptions given. In the description of our home we make sure in the information that all guests are aware of the facts. 1. We are an A listed Georgian Townhouse set on the 3rd floor. 2. We are not permitted to have a lift as we are an A listed Historical building. 3. you had as I observed from my reception camera in fact took over the shared bathroom from 7am until 9 or more each morning that you stayed as the guests in the other room reported that you knowingly held the bathroom and shower whilst they waited outside and you let them wait whilst you and your family interchanged leaving the poor lady standing there? We have this as proof on camera if need be. 4.Your bags cannot be our problem within our house for insurance purposes. We offered luggage storage information on your arrival and on departure as all guests receive. This is within your confirmation following your reservation and in bold not fine print. I feel the issues you have raised could have been everted if you had in fact booked the room you wished and not the room you did which is cheaper to rent due to the shared facility. We live on the premises and in fact are around most of the time. We try to live our lives also whilst we run our business, but cannot be everything to everybody all of the time. I personally saw you every day and talked with your wife and daughter on two occasions?

6/10 Okay

Verified traveller

Disliked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Good location, not great hotel.
Edinburgh is a beautiful city and the Townhouse was a great location to explore it from. That said, the hotel was extremely dated and strangely organised! The bathroom tap was not correctly affixed, and our request for an iron by email was not acted upon, and when we did obtain one from the receptionist (who was not working when initially asked, although was present at the desk!), it was not in a good state (items of clothing had been burnt onto the plate) so we did not attempt to use it in case it damaged our own clothes!
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2019
Response from Val on 4 Jul 2019
Firstly You are correct that Edinburgh is a beautiful place and our Townhouse which dates back to 17th century is in a great location however not a hotel and possibly that is what you where looking for? Please check the price comparison for a hotel nearby. We are a 3 star property which offers exactly what it states and for a reasonable price. I do not understand your meaning of dated? possibly you did not appreciate the original fixtures and fittings of a Historic A listed building which has been tastefully decorated on an annual basis and in keeping with the age of the property. My lunch break I may sit where I choose? This is not for you to question and as I live and work in the house and had just returned from my days away , I was not yet familiar with any email sent requesting any iron?

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Staff was very friendly and helpful. Check-in was complicated because they sent an email with a code for the front door, but I was not aware that would happened, nor did I have access to my email account outside WIFI zone.
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2019

8/10 Good

Beverley

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
My nice time
Very good
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2019

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2019

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
I loved that it was in a great location. Unique and quaint with the small guest house feel I was looking for. Todd the owner was friendly and helpful. It is clean and very comfortable.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2019

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Was a mix up with getting access to the apartments but was sorted out really quickly. Room was nice and clean but bed was a bit uncomfortable.
Stayed 1 night in May 2019

8/10 Good

Michael S, Weston

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Comfortable visit.
The room was comfortable and clean. Wished we had a single bed instead of twins. The care taker was helpful and polite. It was a good location and within close walking distance of everything.
Stayed 6 nights in May 2019

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness
Stayed 1 night in May 2019

6/10 Okay

Verified traveller

Location good Ameneties poor Staff iffy Noisy because of open air pubs nearby Single room very smallk
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2019

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Stayed 1 night in Apr 2019

8/10 Good

A.

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2019

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2019

6/10 Okay

Verified traveller

Disliked: Room comfort
hmmm
The house is lovely but the bed was very small for two, the wifi didn't work, it was very noisy in the morning as reception is right outside the room and the hot water pressure was very low. Great location though!
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2019

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2019

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2019

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Small but comfortable for one person. Brilliant stay for 2 nights. Received the check-in process by email and received a call too from the reception to make sure i understand the process. Very happy with the service.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2019

8/10 Good

margaret

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Disliked: Staff & service
I'd recommend this. LOTS of stairs; be forewarned. Excellent location to pubs and sights. The hop on bus passes two doors away. Nice old building.
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2018

4/10 Poor

Nick, London

Liked: Cleanliness
The room was clean and comfortable. However, the street noise from the bar downstairs was a distraction that made sleeping difficult.
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2018
Response from Valerie on 21 Nov 2018
Hi Nick, We are sorry that the noise from the bar kept you awake. It is not normal here it is just the mad time of the year with the start of christmas parties and is not in our control. The diversion in the street for taxis and pick up points due to the christmas market opening up means that people are filtered our direction and Yes it is not fair on you or us as a business. Thankfully most of our rooms are to the rear of the building which is very quiet. We are glad that you found our accomodation clean and comfortable which is what we do provide. Sorry for the outside noise.

10/10 Excellent

margaret

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
I loved this little hideaway right in the heart of Edinburgh. Close to everything, day and night. I will definitely stay here again!
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2018

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
50/50
Nice location, view and bed was comfortable those are all I can say I really liked, and we had the biggest and best room in the place. Have to haul luggage up stairs to the 4th floor. Room had no table or anything to put luggage or anything on just a tiny bedside which was cluttered with tea and coffee stuff. The shower was very cheap and outdated and uses an instahot mounted to the wall in the shower which was very small and the sink was tiny. In my opinion it was overpriced as out of 4 hotels I used on my vacation to both Glasgow and edinburgh it was the most expensive and had the least amenities. Parking was a 15 min walk away. However the owners were nice and helpful with questions about the city when they were there which is only a couple hours a day. If they updated the bathrooms and put in a desk, dresser or even something that folds down it would have been a nicer stay.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2018

10/10 Excellent

Ross

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2018
Response from val on 28 Oct 2018
Thank you for your kind review We appreciate all feedback and hope that you will return to stay with us again. :-)

8/10 Good

Katherine

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Good
It was clean and comfortable and adequate for my short stay. I don't expect bathrooms to be large; however, this one was ridiculously small even for a smallish person like myself.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2018

8/10 Good

Cory

Good location, many stairs
The room was clean and quiet. Wifi was good. The location was within walking distance of the main areas of Edinburgh. We could see the castle from the front of the hotel. Five flights of stairs to get to reception! Then two more to get to our room. We knew that going in, but it was difficult with heavy suitcases. The staff was friendly and knowledgeable. I would stay there again.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2018

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Guest house
Nice little guest house in centre of Edinburgh close to princes street. You can see the castle lit at night. Excellent location for shops and attractions. Was very pleased with my stay here.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2018
Response from Val on 19 Sept 2018
Thank You for your kind review and we look forward to welcoming you back

10/10 Excellent

Gary

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Simply grand
Fantastic location, the royal mile is a 15 min walk, the room is basic but has everything you need. You won’t regret staying here 😄
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2018
Response from Val on 29 Aug 2018
Thanks for staying with us. We appreciate your feedback!

10/10 Excellent

Mark, Victoria BC Canada

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Cozy and quiet rooms on the upper floors of a walk up. Rooms are tidy, clean and comfortable. Only really in it to rest, sleep and clean up; and perfect for that. Many shops, restaurants, coffee shops and stores within a few block radius. Just two blocks up from Princess Street, where all buses run, and a short 15 min walk from train station. Short 20 minute stroll to Royal mile and Castle. Centrally located in every sense of the word.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2018
Response from Val on 29 Aug 2018
Thanks for staying with us. We appreciate your feedback!

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Nice hotel very central to everything Lots of stairs if older person or have health problems
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2018
Response from Val on 29 Aug 2018
Thanks for staying with us. We appreciate your feedback!

10/10 Excellent

Lauren, San Francisco

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Great central location and just off the Main Street so middle of town convenience with non-high street souls levels. Loved the natural light coming in through the big windows in the afternoon. The bathroom was updated, clean, felt upscale. And biscuits every day left in the room after it had been cleaned. Friendly front desk and knowledgeable to boot.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2018
Response from Val on 29 Aug 2018
Thanks for staying with us. We appreciate your feedback!

10/10 Excellent

Nicola, Reading, UK

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Perfect location for a city break
My friend and I stayed here in the top floor twin room for 2 nights during Fringe Festival/Tattoo. The location was perfect, close enough to everything but far enough away that it was peaceful. The lady who runs the townhouse has a wealth of local knowledge which she is more than keen to share to make your stay even better. The room was spacious, clean and well presented (at 6’3’ my friend had to mind his head but otherwise it was perfect). We’ve already discussed coming to stay again next year to revisit the delight that is Edinburgh!
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2018
Response from Val on 29 Aug 2018
Thanks for staying with us. We appreciate your feedback!

6/10 Okay

Paul, UK

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2018

8/10 Good

Barry

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Overall a pleasant room. I didn't see any staff because of my arrival time but there was nobody around when I left in the morning either. There are no breakfast facilities although they do offer a 15% discount at a nearby restaurant. This was an issue for me as the restaurant opens at 8.30am & I had to start a course at 9am so had to find somewhere open at 8am where I could eat
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2018
Response from Val on 29 Aug 2018
Thanks for staying with us. We appreciate your feedback!

8/10 Good

jim

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, room comfort
Up the golf. Just somewhere to sleep.
Small room at top of 88 stairs with shared bathroom. Very clean. Thought the price was a lot for what we got. Coffee in room undrinkable
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2018
Response from Val on 29 Aug 2018
Thanks for staying with us. We appreciate your feedback! The coffee in our rooms is Nescafe which is a recommended blend and is not cheap or undrinkable for most people. We are sorry however that it was not to your taste

8/10 Good

Matthew

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Perfect Location
We had a late check in due to a delayed flight, the check in instructions were clear and easily followed. Check out was a breeze! Perfect location!
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2018
Response from Val on 29 Aug 2018
Thanks for staying with us. We appreciate your feedback!

10/10 Excellent

Roger, England

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Sir Walter Scott's old house.
Basic accommodation, but it's an old historic house. No lift but they hadn't been invented 300 years ago. Owners great. Very near town centre. Highly recommended.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2018
Response from Val on 29 Aug 2018
Thanks for staying with us. We appreciate your feedback!

8/10 Good

Charles

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Disliked: Staff & service
Edinburgh stay
Great locality
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2018

6/10 Okay

Verified traveller

Liked: Room comfort
Up 4 flights of stairs (no elevator). Small, spare room. No breakfast. While conveniently located, this was overpriced for what was provided.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2018