“Comfort without fuss” is Ten Hill Place’s hype-free summary of its own
appeal. It’s hard to argue. The hotel, combining a Georgian terrace with a
tasteful new extension, avoids glitzy pretensions and “boutique” flimflam
and just gets on with being adult, efficient and quietly elegant.
Ten Hill Place is alongside a pleasant green square that comes as a surprise
down a side street from the rough-and-tumble of busy, scruffy Nicolson
Street.
Across the square is the HQ of Ten Hill Place’s owners, the Royal College of
Surgeons of Edinburgh (founded 1505), whose fascinating museums are full of
strange anatomical things preserved in bottles. The hotel makes surprisingly
little of this connection: a shame, since it would give the place more
character.
Our comfortable room feels on the small side, mainly because too much
furniture has been shoehorned into it. Apart from the bed, there are bedside
tables, an armchair, dressing table and wide-screen TV. It’s all faultlessly
smart, though, with clean lines and warm autumnal colours.
The two drawbacks are the glass door, which compromises more private moments
in the bright, well-equipped bath-room, and the dreary view. Our back room
overlooks a delivery area. Ask for a front room facing the square.
Downstairs, the breakfast room doubles as a bar: stylish, with cream and black
leather, but, at 7.30 on a Saturday night, empty. Disappointingly, it serves
only snacks – mainly soup and sandwiches, with two cooked options (also
available as room service).
Neither chicken à la king nor mushroom risotto, however, seem to promise an
enchanted evening, so we head down the road to Ann Purna, an Indian
restaurant in St Patrick’s Square. Friendly and informal, it serves superb
vegetarian dishes, with Gujarati specialities.
Next morning the hotel’s buffet breakfast offers a generous spread of fruit,
cereals and a “Full Scottish” cooked meal, but there is only sliced bread to
go with the impressive cheese selection.
No matter. Since it is handy for both Princes Street and the Royal Mile, this
is a fine, if slightly sober, place to stay. The discerning professional
need look no further.
Bottom line: Doubles from £95, including breakfast. Stephen McClarence
paid £122.
Sampling the fare: Good breakfast.
Best thing: Quietly mature appeal – tasteful and efficient.
Worst thing: The glass door (call me neurotic).
Access all areas: Yes. Four bedrooms with wheelchair access.
Need to know:
Ten Hill Place, 10 Hill Place, Edinburgh EH8 9DR.
0131 662 2080
www.tenhillplace.com
Room: 7 out of 10.
Food: 7 out of 10 (breakfast).
Service: 7 out of 10.
Value: 8 out of 10.
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