Braid Hills, United States
Situated in the quiet Braid Hills residential area,
surrounded by golf courses -- a five-minute drive from the Royal Observatory
and Blackford Hill
Within a 10-minute drive or 25-minute bus ride from
Edinburgh city center
Distinctive setting in 1897 Victorian building, surrounded by
gardens and lawns
Stylish rooms with coffee/tea makers, free Wi-Fi, and
flat-screen TVs
Some rooms have views of Edinburgh city
Scottish restaurant, upscale pub restaurant, and cocktail bar
Spacious outdoor deck with sweeping city views
Business center free parking
100 percent non-smoking property (con for some)
Lower room rates than city-center hotels
No fitness center, swimming pool, sauna, hot tub, or spa
Fee for breakfast
Some rooms are a little small, and shower only
Rooms lack mini-fridges, mini-bars, or in-room safes
No elevator (baggage assistance is available)
Best Western Braid Hills is a pleasant, modern mid-range hotel
housed in a late 19th-century Victorian building. The hotel has few facilities -- no pool, fitness center, sauna, or spa -- but it does
offer two restaurants, a bar, a deck with good city views, and 69 fairly stylish
rooms with free Wi-Fi and flat-screen TVs. The Best Western is a decent option
for travelers looking to save a little money by staying outside the city
center, which is about a 10-minute drive north, or a 25-minute bus ride (a bus
stop is right outside the hotel). Several golf courses are in the vicinity of
the hotel. As of the first half of 2015, rooms are still being renovated, so not all are updated. The Best Western is one of the few hotels in its category in the immediate area -- others are a few miles away.
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.
Scene
Modern hotel in an 1897 Victorian building surrounded by gardens
The Best Western is housed in an 1897 Victorian building with
corner towers, stained-glass windows, and the original ceiling cornices. Gardens and lawns surround the building. The hotel's interiors are modern with
classic elements. A mix of business and leisure travelers mingle in public
spaces like the library with its dark leather chairs, or the richly colored
reception area with dark woods and brown, beige, and rust-colored soft chairs.
The common areas have a restrained Scottish feel, with such decorative elements as dark woods, tartan plaids, antler chandeliers,
stags-head wallpaper, and parquet floors. Paintings of kings
and political figures line the hallways. A large outdoor deck is a good place
to get some sun and take in superb views of the city. While not overly
luxurious, the Best Western shows a dash of style and attention to detail. The hotel
has been undergoing renovation in the past few years, and as of 2015 is still refurbishing some rooms
and public spaces.
Location
Surrounded by golf courses, a 10-minute drive to Edinburgh city center
The Best Western is in the pleasant residential area
of Braid Hills, a 10-minute drive south of Edinburgh city center, with attractions like Edinburgh Castle, the Scott Monument, and Princes Street
shopping. The hotel is also on the bus route to the city center. The
immediate area around the hotel doesn't offer many activities, but there are
five golf courses within a one-mile radius, including the Braid Hills Golf
Course and Mortonhall Golf Club. Edinburgh Napier University is a three-minute
drive northwest of the hotel. Located within a five-minute drive northeast, the Royal
Observatory sits atop Blackford Hill, which offers spectacular views of the
city, Edinburgh Castle, Arthur's Seat mountain peak, and the Salisbury Crags. Because of this view, the hill is popular with local landscape photographers. Edinburgh Airport is a
20-minute drive northwest.
Rooms
Moderately stylish rooms with free Wi-Fi and flat-screen TVs
Housed in a three-floor Victorian building, the hotel's 100 percent non-smoking rooms all come with irons, hairdryers, desks, coffee/tea makers,
free mineral water, free Wi-Fi, and flat-screen TVs with satellite channels.
Rooms do not have mini-fridges, mini-bars, or in-room safes. Many rooms have
excellent views of Edinburgh city and the Firth of Forth. Rooms are individually decorated but are not overly luxurious or inspiring in their aesthetic, but
they they're still stylish, with a mix of contemporary and classic elements. Most
have white cotton bedding with a colorful bed throw and orange throw pillow,
light-green carpets, and beige walls with striped wallpaper running along the
bottom. Some rooms have four-poster beds and bright red bed skirts. Some of
the Modern Single Rooms have a more monochromatic color
palette. Most rooms are spacious, but the single rooms can be small, with
small closets with few hangers. Most bathrooms are large, with a good amount of counter space and both tubs and showers, while smaller rooms have shower-only
bathrooms. Many rooms have been refurbished, and some are still being
updated. There is no elevator to the rooms, but baggage assistance is
available.
Features
Two restaurants, a bar, and a deck with panoramic city views
The Best Western's Braid Hills stands out for its dining and drinking venues. One restaurant serves mostly Scottish fare, with
menu items like traditional haggis, steak pie, fillet of salmon, braised lamb
shank, and haunch of venison. The second restaurant serves upscale pub fare, including steaks, fish and chips, and burgers. It also serves an a la carte breakfast (for
a fee). The hotel has a cocktail bar with snacks, light fare, beer, wine,
cocktails, and whiskies. In good weather, a popular spot is the large outdoor
deck with stellar views of the city and the surrounding area. The hotel offers ample
space for banquets and large meetings, and is a popular wedding venue. Free parking is available on-site.
