Macdonald Houstoun House

Very nice and helpful staff. Silky smooth checkin and check out. Exceptional breakfast. Room is a bit dated but still spacious enough for 3 people. Hotel environment is great too. Lots of facilities… thought we didn’t have a chance to use them. Highly recommend.

Edinburgh based, but booked a night away for the wife's birthday to treat her, and myself. Got there really to use the spa area but were able to check in early. Receptionist was so friendly and welcoming it was a great start to the night. Couple of hours in the sauna and steam room before back to the hotel to a bonus bottle of bubbly from the hotel manager. That helped us to get ready before going to the restaurant. Three course meal with wine, all of which was excellent, but special mention to the Hollandaise sauce with the cod which was the nicest I've ever eaten. Lovely touch from the hotel to give my wife a wee treat board before dessert to mark her birthday. Waiting staff attentive but not not overly so which is how it should be. Down to the bar for a couple of drams and again staff so friendly and chatty, but not overly so. Comfy night's sleep and then down for a cooked breakfast, also excellent before checking out. Genuinely can't think of a single thing to improve it and would wholeheartedly recommend this place for a night away from it all, or even longer I suspect.

Been to houston house many years ago and enjoyed our stay but this time I was very disappointed . No staff at reception desk when we arrived just staff rushing about after a wedding that was on that day. Afternoon tea was set up at another table whilst we were sitting across from it then had to get it reset up as the wedding party sat at that table. No bar staff until a guest went looking for one. No prosecco in room on arrival you now have to scan a qr code to call reception after 3 attempts I asked the house keeper she went and told staff. The table we had our afternoon tea at and drinks earlier was still lying on the table hours later when we returned for more drinks before dinner. After dinner we decided to go back to our room to chill and watch tv, well the tv did not work either wires were hanging there was no connection a member of staff came and could not do anything either so that was that. The room was not cleaned properly thick with dust and there was still a guests personal details in the drawer of car rental address etc. The toilets over from reception the dryers are that slow you can't dry your hands there was tissue in all the cubicles on the the floor ,sanitary towels hanging out the bins this was only 6pm.(pictures taken) The place needs a refurbishment this is no way near 4* hotel.