First impressions

The hotel is in Newington, a bustling suburb of Edinburgh that is ten minute’s from the city centre by bus, or 30 minutes on foot. The building is typical of the elegant Victorian architecture in the area, and has been lovingly maintained with a front garden that’s as neat and preened as the hotel interior.

Why it’s special

Look at the website and weekenders who are used to a diet of beige boutique may think dated and tawdry, but they’ll be pleasantly surprised. There’s tons of tartan, bold colours and even a hint of gold on the taps, but the place is spotless, functions smoothly and the service is slick.

You only have to glance in the guestbook to gauge the proportion of repeat guests, who rave about the service and friendly atmosphere. I received a warm welcome on arriving late one Friday from the receptionist, Shaun. He gave me brief directions to the bar and breakfast room, told me what time breakfast finished and patiently answered my questions about buses into town and local restaurants.

Hitting the sack

There is a choice of a basic double room, four-poster room or a business room.

My four-poster room had dark maroon décor, with crisp white bed sheets, a firm bed, flat-screen television, radio alarm, tea and coffee making facilities, safe and some things you wouldn’t expect for under £100 a night – free wireless internet access, a DVD player, slippers and bathrobe, one-day laundry and dry cleaning and the best hairdryer I’ve used.

The hotel accommodates business guests in modern rooms and has family rooms available, as well as offering services such as flowers and champagne on arrival.

Sampling the fare

Only breakfast is offered, although if you’re peckish there’s peanuts and crisps in the honesty bar, a cosy drawing room with comfortable sofas and newspapers; plus there’s shortbread in every room. A generous continental-style buffet and Scottish cooked breakfast is served in the bright and airy breakfast room from 7.30am to 9.15am (8.30am-10.15 at the weekend). Newspapers are left on each table and coffee and tea is served. The fruit salad and yoghurts were freshly made and the scrambled egg, potato cakes, kippers and bacon were all excellent (mushrooms, tomatoes, haggis and sausages also available). When I told the receptionist that I was leaving the hotel at 4am for an early flight she told me there would be yoghurts, cheese and fruit left in the fridge.

Access all areas

There are rooms on the ground floor accessed from the back door but guests in a wheelchair could not use the breakfast room or lounge and bathrooms are not adapted to disabled guests.

Added attractions

The hotel has a small garden and conservatory, which are a great place to enjoy breakfast or relax over the newspapers when the sun is shining. Additionally the lodge at the back of the hotel can be hired by groups, and has three bedrooms, a living room and small garden.

What we think

A friendly small hotel that thinks like a bigger property, with its policy to offer free newspapers, breakfast, wireless internet access, shortbread, tea and coffee, and mineral water.

Bottom line

Double rooms from £69 per night including VAT and breakfast; double room with four-poster bed and spa bath £98-150 per night including VAT and breakfast. There is a two-night minimum stay.

Need to know

Kildonan Lodge Hotel, 27 Craigmillar Park, Newington, Edinburgh EH16 5PE, tel. 0131 667 2793, www.kildonanlodgehotel.co.uk , info@kildonanlodgehotel.co.uk

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