Newington, United States
Superbly
maintained and beautifully finished period interiors
Welcoming
ambience with warm, homey atmosphere
Outstanding
breakfast with premium local products
Easy bus connections
to Edinburgh's city center
Immaculate rooms
with period charm and modern tech
Modern bathrooms
with luxury toiletries, rain-showers, and robes
Spacious garden
hot tub (during warmer months)
Cozy lounge with
open fire and honesty bar
Free Wi-Fi
Set on main road
away from tourist attractions
No on-site dining
beyond breakfast
The 23 Mayfield
is a luxury bed-and-breakfast housed in an immaculately presented Victorian
villa set about a mile south of Edinburgh's historical center. Period interiors
are particularly impressive throughout, extending to eight charming rooms with hand-carved mahogany furnishings and, in some, views of Arthur's Seat. Breakfast is a real highlight and one of the
best available in the city, while a cozy candle-lit lounge provides a superb
setting for a nightcap. While rates are justifiably toward the higher end and
the location isn't ideal for exploring the city on foot, this is certainly one
of the finest guesthouses on offer in Edinburgh.
Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.
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Beautifully presented Victorian villa with immaculate candle-lit interiors and rare antiques
This bed-and-breakfast occupies
a handsome, detached Victorian villa whose 19th-century charm has been
meticulously and tastefully maintained both inside and out. A garden path lined
with sculpted shrubbery leads to a well-presented, typically Edinburgh sandstone
facade and into splendidly restored interiors replete with original tiling,
pretty stained glass windows, and ornate coving. A warm welcome from owner,
Ross, adds to the homey, historical ambience created by abundant period details, from ornamental umbrella stands and antique books to Chesterfield sofas and gilt-framed
etchings. Still, the property feels anything but fusty, with its fresh, clean, and, to some extent, modern undertone. Candlelight and glowing coal fires further contribute towards the
cozy though high-end atmosphere that attracts vacationing couples looking for a
bit of luxury. Despite its grown-up vibe, it's also popular with
families with kids, and the lounge area has board games for all ages.
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Set on main road about a mile south of Edinburgh's historical center
The guesthouse is
situated on a main -- though not particularly noisy -- road in the Newington
area of Edinburgh about a mile south of the city's historical center. While
most tourist attractions aren't within walking distance, there are bus
stops within a five minutes' walk that connect to the city center's Royal Mile in just over
five minutes. Holyrood Park and the panoramic views from Arthur's Seat are
accessible on foot for those who enjoy a bit of a hike (20 to 35 minutes), while
for those with a car, Edinburgh Castle and its historical surrounds are within
10 minutes.
Rooms
Superbly finished rooms with period charm; some with four-poster beds and Arthur's Seat views
There are just
eight rooms in all, each one individually decorated in smart, period styling
with mahogany furnishings, handcrafted antiques, and spades of historical
charm by way of ornate, gilt mirrors and stacks of old books. Some rooms are decked out with handsome, wood-paneled walls and others with superb, Jacobean four-poster beds, while all include luxurious linen bedding, flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, and quality
tea and coffee facilities -- the family room also provides a Nintendo Wii
console. Bathrooms are all finished in natural-color travertine stone to a high standard, and
have walk-in rain showers, premium Penhaligon products, and bathrobes. A few
rooms offer views of Arthur's Seat, while others overlook the main road --
though traffic noise is not an issue.
Features
Outstanding Scottish breakfasts and spacious garden hot tub
As this is a bed-and-breakfast, there's not a great deal in the way of facilities. However there's a real
emphasis on excellent breakfasts, which always include local products, such as
Loch Fyne oak-smoked salmon and natural yogurt topped with Scottish Malt Whisky flambéed fruit -- served
in an elegant dining room with coal fire and candles. The lounge with honesty
bar also makes for a particularly cozy place to unwind in front of an open
fire, while a spa tub in the rear garden provides bubbly relaxation -- and an
iPod dock -- for up to seven adults (during warmer months). There are also board games for kids and adults in the lounge, including Scrabble and an oversize Connect Four.
