23 Mayfield

Breakfast: Universally praised for quality, variety, and presentation . Vegetarian/flexitarian options and personalized menus were highlighted.

We stayed at this beautiful guesthouse for a week during the Edinburgh Festival and it was perfect in every way. Our room was spacious and very comfortable, with wonderful attention to detail, whether it be the authentic period styling or the tea and coffee provisions and bottle of fresh mint infused water. The excellent ensuite has fluffy towels and gorgeous toiletries, the whiskey hand soap was delightful. And of course I must join the chorus of praise for the breakfasts! Ross takes pride in sourcing only the best ingredients and cooking to order, and every morning was amazing. Also importantly, the location is great, you can walk into the city, or there is a bus stop a very short distance away and several buses that take you straight into the city centre, so you never wait for long, including coming home. Ross and Kathleen are very special hosts and we are very thankful for our wonderful week in a home away from home.

OK, so I needed a place in the Southside at fairly short notice for a big group party. And everywhere in Edinburgh is expensive all the time. I was trawling the online agencies, eveything was 540 for two nights. Then I saw this, and a memory of a pro review flickered, 23, so I looked, and found this amazing place, as had a newspaper recently. Its a coach house, on the south road into the city, but JUST far enough out for a 10 minute bus to the famous bits, and a quiet road outside. Total Goldilocks. It is beautifully restored by the owner/occupiers/hosts/curators Ross and Kath. Big light stained glass lit hall. Wait a moment in the club room - all old chesterfield, victorian maps, fat cushions, and the best stocked honesty bar i have ever seen, truly. Help yourself an just write it down, says Ross. The room, again victorian, huge bed, big armoire, lots of plugs, four seats, all victoriana. Tea tray contained real tea, real coffee, and the bits to use them. Huge dak wooden shutters, and bluetooth roberts radio quietly onsite. The ensuite tho was thourough;y modern, white ceramics, huge light window, rain shower, free scottish soaps. All of this, but then the food, the food is just astonishing; local, secret, well thought out, cooked for your order. Just absoultuely astonishing. I thought id ingratiaite myself by thanking Kath for the stem ginger in the oats, she thanked me a nd asked if id spotted the sea salt. Quite astonishing. I hope youve stayed for the one last hing I must tell you - it pretty much sits with the chains and the others when booked with online agencies. So dont - go to their own website, book it yourself, and save as I did, almost a hundred pound on a two night stay. I will never feel i need to look for anything in Edinburgh again. Sadly I couldnt get the drag and drop to accept my photographs - but believe me you wont be disappointed!