Ballantrae Hotel
Hotel Class: 
3.0 Stars - 132 Opinions
8 York Place, Edinburgh, Scotland EH1 3HP, United Kingdom
More about Ballantrae Hotel
Ballantrae West End: Disappointing
by kit_mc about Ballantrae Hotel at the West End
I stayed here while on a work trip to Edinburgh in March 2008.
First impressions are good. The hotel is very central and fairly reasonably priced at between 60 and 80 pounds for a double room. The hotel has recently been refurbished which means everything does look fairly high spec.
However, a number of things detracted as the stay progressed. The room smelled very badly of damp which hit you every time you entered the room. Towels were taken away each day, even when they did't actually have replacement towels to give you, leaving you without towels. Worst of all, right outside the window was a huge floodlight that lit up the hotel all night. And also shone directly through the window meaning that even with curtains closed I woke in the middle of the night thinking it was daylight outside. TV reception was also very bad.
Additionally as my luggage had been lost at Heathrow on the way up, I needed to ring the BA free-phone line. Unfortunately the hotel charged me 2.50 for the pleasure, even though it cost them nothing. I thought given the circumstances this was very unfortunate. The bathroom here was lovely, with both a huge jacuzzi style bath and excellent shower. Unfortunately the room was badly ventilated meaning it smelled of damp the whole time.
Breakfast was very poor, costing an extra five pounds a day. Continental breakfast really just meant some bread and cheap processed meat.
While the hotel, both rooms, bathrooms and bar look quite swish at first glance, upon closer inspection you realise the upgrade hasn't been too thorough. All the various annoyances added up meaning I was less than impressed by the end of the stay and probably wouldn't stay here again.
Location is nevertheless very good just 10 minute walk from Princes Street and 5 to 10 minutes walk from the convention centre.
Photos
Modern seating
Rosslyn Chapel
St Andrews Square
Edinburgh Military Tattoo
Forum Posts
Accommodation for 3
by Judiz
Hiya
I am going to be in Edinburgh 11 and 12 Feb 2011....and have now realised that there is a Scotland/Wales Rugby match on and that most hotel accommodation is booked. I am now wanting B & B or hostel suggestions. I have managed to get a night at Travelodge on 11th but now seeking for 12th. We fly out at 8am so was even thinking of somewhere out near the airport. Thanks in advance for your help. Judi
Re: Accommodation for 3
by iaint
Yes, traditionally lots of Welsh fans make the trip north.
What kind of budget do you have for the 12th?
Re: Accommodation for 3
by WheninRome
http://www.stravenguesthouse.com/index.html
My wife and I stayed this past August at the Straven Guest House. It is located about 15 - 20 minutes outside of the city center so you shouldn't have a problem getting booked here even with the rugby match. The prices were very reasonable and the hosts (Mac and Marion) were wonderful. Mac is the cheeriest person I have ever met. They were both wonderfully helpful and accommodating. The rooms were good sized and very clean. Some of the decorations were a little dated, but that is rather trivial in the grand scheme of things. The full scottish breakfast is amazing. So is the decadent scottish breakfast (eggs with salmon!)
The B&B is located almost directly on the Firth of Forth, so if you like the ocean it is especially nice. Nothing like a walk along the Promenade along the Firth after a day of sightseeing in the crowded city center. If you wish to have dinner near the B&B one evening, which I highly recommend, Mac will point you in the direction of the Espy - probably our second favorite restaurant of our Great Britain vacation. Great food and great atmosphere.
If you are worried about the location being 15 - 20 minutes outside the city center, don't be. The buses run regularly and getting to and from the B&B was no problem.
Also, The Straven Guest House is also very well rated by TripAdvisor.
If I were you, I would cancel my night at the Travelodge and stay at the Straven both nights you are in Edinburgh. The decadent Scottish breakfast, need I say more? Oh, and the coffee was delicious also!
Re: Accommodation for 3
by leics
www.booking.com has 200+ hotels available for one night on 12th February 2011.
So you should be able to find somewhere there.
:-)
Re: Accommodation for 3
by bobbyrascal
Hi Judi,
There's a few Premier Inns and other chains near the airport; but I'd recommend South Queensferry as an idea. It's a village on the Forth between the bridges, they have a few cheap B&Bs and old-style Inns. Plus a good stretch of restaurants for your last evening. You would want to book a taxi to the airport; it would take about 10 mins and cost around £8.00. (0131 229 2468)
-Bob
Travel Tips for Edinburgh
Edinburgh Tip
by Carmanah
was just hanging out with my friends. I remember having a quick lunch at a 3-story Burger King on Princes Street. I also remember going on a tiny shopping spree buying presents for my family back home. This included buying an assortment of chocolates in the Menzies store for myself. Long live Cadbury! ;)
The "real" Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde
by Dabs
Deacon "William" Brodie was the real life inspiration for the horror classic "The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" by Robert Louis Stevenson. He was a respectable tradesman during the day but at night he led a double life as a heavy drinker and gambler and eventually a thief. To support his habits, he started taking wax impressions of keys from houses he was working on, returning later to steal from them along with an English locksmith, George Smith. A bungled job led to his arrest, he was caught and hanged in 1788 although rumors had him cheating the hangman and surfacing later in Paris.
Stevenson, an Edinburgh born author, also wrote "Treasure Island" and "Kidnapped". The climate in Scotland did not agree with his delicate constitution, he eventually settled in Samoa where he died at age 43.
My favourite house in George Street
by Emmjai
This house on George Street is the offices of the association in scotland that looks after Lighthouses, (THe Northern Lighthouse Board) so it is appropriate that above the door there is a fully working light house.
It pays to look up occassionally!
Greyfriars Kirk
by steventilly
Quite a unique and remarkable church building, resembling a dutch barn. It was built in 1620 and subsequently added to and altered throught its history.
Not exactly "off the beaten path" but it's a little way off the Royal Mile and might be missed by some.
View all Edinburgh hotels
View all Edinburgh hotels
Latest Edinburgh hotel reviews
- The Balmoral Hotel
- 1162 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 19, 2013
- George Hotel Edinburgh
- 1308 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 19, 2013
- Roselea House
- 91 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Apr 18, 2013
- Scotsman Hotel
- 883 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 19, 2013
- Macdonald Roxburghe Hotel
- 891 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 17, 2013
- Radisson Blu Hotel
- 1172 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 19, 2013
- Norton House Hotel
- 452 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 20, 2013
- Edinburgh Capital Hotel
- 364 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 19, 2013
- The Chester Residence
- 732 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 20, 2013
- Bruntsfield Youth Hostel
- 11 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Apr 18, 2013
- Ten Hill Place Hotel Edinburgh
- 694 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 20, 2013
- Festival Beds
- 99 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 19, 2013
- Holiday Inn Edinburgh
- 673 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 20, 2013
- Dene Guest House
- 71 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 13, 2013
Ballantrae Hotel
We've found that other people looking for this hotel also know it by these names:
- Ballantrae Hotel Edinburgh
Address: 8 York Place, Edinburgh, Scotland EH1 3HP, United Kingdom
Sign in with Facebook
Comments