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UK travel

Welcome to our UK travel forum where you can get advice on everything from holidays to exotic destinations, to tips on London travel.

Original poster

Edinburgh - fabulous hotel and restaurant recommendations please!

31 replies

TheBolter · 14/04/2011 11:25

I have a dirty weekend planned for later this year in Edinburgh (with dh I might add!) and am looking at hotels and places to eat. The ones on the Mr and Mrs Smith site look nice, my kind of thing, but I'd love to hear other MNers thoughts please!

OP posts:
Original poster
TheBolter · 14/04/2011 11:59

Bump - please? Anyone?!

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aftereight · 14/04/2011 12:09

Recently stayed in the Hilton Caledonian and seems to have had big makeover. Deluxe room all high ceilings and fantastic grey & gold boutique hotel decor. Breakfast great.
We ate at a small and v plain restaurant called the cellar door, food was lovely. Drinks afterwards in Hotel du Vin bar.
Have a great time!

Original poster
TheBolter · 14/04/2011 12:26

Thanks aftereight - I'd forgotten about HotelduVin, I love their hotels.

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shemademedoit · 14/04/2011 20:01

Back in the day, my dirty weekend of choice was at The Witchery. Ah....life before kids. Sigh. Hope you find somewhere lovely. x

AgentProvocateur · 14/04/2011 20:55

Yes, when we had money and no children, The Witchery was our dirty-weekend venue too... You're more likely to find us in the Travelodge these days.

Have a look at the Missoni Hotel - looks fab, and has good offers too. Heard great things about the restaurant also.

rookiemater · 14/04/2011 21:00

Ondine is my favourite restaurant, book early to get a table by the window.

Original poster
TheBolter · 15/04/2011 18:06

Thanks guys.

Have 'done' The Witchery before (wasn't that wowed by the food but the venue was awesome). Missoni is top of my list, but hanging in for an offer.

Will look up Ondine.

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Quattrocento · 15/04/2011 18:07

Another vote for the Caledonian - usually stay there when we go to Edinburgh and it's always nice

SherbetDibDab · 15/04/2011 18:08

Chester Residence is nice.

neenewps · 15/04/2011 18:11

Ondine always has good reviews.

What about The Kitchin, The Plumed horse or Martin Wishart (all Michelin starred)

DuplicitousBitch · 15/04/2011 18:14

vintners rooms in leith is fabulous if you are into candle light and full on service.
cafe st honore is full on formal french but fabulous

Bookswapper · 15/04/2011 18:17

no good review for Ondine from me....
£60+ a head...super snotty waiters...food a disappointment...especially for the price...and over zealous pushing of unwanted water bottles and alcohol...disappointment (and one of us was friends with the chef)

going back to Bonsai next...same side of town, fabulous fresh sushi and sashimi, genuine Japanese owned and run and wonderfully cheap! Much nicer way to eat fish!

Bookswapper · 15/04/2011 18:21

If money no object try here www.prestonfield.com/Hotel-About.html and eat at Rhubarb!

rookiemater · 15/04/2011 18:31

It's funny how different people have different experiences in restaurants. We have been 3 times to Ondine and one of the things I particularly like is the waiting staff, unfailingly polite even when DH managed to catapault a crab claw from his plate to under a nearby table.

PortiaPony · 15/04/2011 18:39

Prestonfield for sure.

Original poster
TheBolter · 15/04/2011 19:06

Fantastic guys.. thank you so much... keep em rolling in!

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Original poster
TheBolter · 15/04/2011 19:06

Wow. Prestonfield. Smile

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Original poster
TheBolter · 15/04/2011 19:06

Sorry - just been looking at the site. It looks amazing!

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lucyspangle · 15/04/2011 19:59

Going to the Hilton Caledonian next weekend but taking DCs .

It's pretty nice

Second the Witchery if going as a couple

Maybe lunch at the Dome

DuplicitousBitch · 15/04/2011 20:20

imo the best cup of coffee is to be had at valvona and crolla

fluffles · 15/04/2011 20:23

i love ondine, and i have heard that the missoni hotel is fantastic for staying over too.

martin wishart i love for lunch but is a bit ott for me for dinner.

the tower is pretty good too.

fluffles · 15/04/2011 20:25

i live in edinburgh and i like lunch at prestonfield but not sure why you'd stay there if visiting - it's like a country hotel but not in the country... if i were visiting i'd stay in hotel du vin, or missoni, or scotsman or mcdonald holyrood (slightly cheaper).

rookiemater · 15/04/2011 20:26

Yes agree with fluffles, Prestonfield is gorgeous but it is well out from the centre, I would stay somewhere like Sheraton ( if I had the dosh) as nice and central and fabulous spa

Neena28 · 15/04/2011 20:40

Missoni was disappointing we thought. No atmosphere and nonplused staff.

On the other hand had a really great time at tigerlily. Not quite in the same league maybe but really lovely food, the best staff I have ever ever met and just a lovely place.

Neena28 · 15/04/2011 20:40

Missoni was disappointing we thought. No atmosphere and nonplused staff.

On the other hand had a really great time at tigerlily. Not quite in the same league maybe but really lovely food, the best staff I have ever ever met and just a lovely place.