Hotel Ceilidh-Donia

Top Marks!

Initial Enquiries
All my inquiries made prior to and after the booking were very promptly attended to i.e. within one day of my email enquiry. The booking reservation comes with detailed instructions on how to get to the hotel. I will include my own directions:-
- Take the Airlink 100 bus from the airport to Waverley Bridge (£6 for a return ticket)
- From Waverley Bridge, take the short walk up to Princes St (just ask the bus driver to point you in the right direction)
- On Princes St, look for BHS and Marks & Spencer (they're side by side). The hotel gives you instructions to take the bus from the bus stop right in front of Marks & Spencer but I find it more accurate to say that the relevant stop is the one in front of BHS. To be sure, just check the bus schedule at the bus stops and go to the one that has Buses No.s 30, 33, 48 or 86.
- Have £1.20 ready as the driver won't give you change
- Try to get a seat on the left side of the bus because once the bus turns into Dalkeith Road, you should look out for the Priestfield Parish Church and slightly, further on Priestfield Road on the left.
- Get off at the next stop and head up Priestfield Road. Take the first left turn and you'll find yourself in Marchhall Crescent. The hotel is further up the road.

Service and Cleanliness
The service is very warm and friendly. Overall cleanliness is top notch.

Room
I booked a single room but was pleasantly surprised to find a double bed in my rather spacious room. I get the sense that a lot of thought was put into decorating the room and it exuded warmth and comfort. The bed was a bit soft for my personal preference but very comfortable otherwise.

There is full coffee and tea making facilities and yet another nice surprise was the pack of stem ginger biscuits on the tray. Arriving after a long haul flight, there is nothing like a cup of hot chocolate (provided) and a couple of biscuits to perk you up.

The en suite had a shower stall large enough for one to move around comfortably. There is nothing I dislike more than a cramped shower stall where you end up bruised all over just trying to take a shower. Full bathroom amenities are provided.

Facilities
I enjoyed the lovely cooked breakfast provided - the fried mushrooms were a personal favourite. You are given a menu daily from which you select the items you would like to have for your cooked breakfast there next day. Fill that up and place it in the basket in the foyer and when you go down the next morning, you are served with your order in a very short space of time. There is also a continental buffet from which you can help yourself to.

There is a computer with internet facilities in the bar area which you can use free of charge. Of course, do be mindful that other guests may wish to use it to. I generally try to keep within a 10-15 minutes limit.

Maps and attraction brochures are liberally available in the lobby area. The hotel prints and places the weather forecast for the day and the next there too so if you believe that the weather can be predicted, you'll have something as reference. It is little things like these that gives this hotel extra points.

Surroundings
The hotel is located in what seemed like a residential area about 15-20 minutes away from the city centre by bus. The surroundings were very quiet and serene. Also, I also never felt unsafe walking around the area alone. Getting to the city centre was very easy. A short walk (less than 3 minutes for me) takes you to the bus stop on Dalkeith Road. From there, you can catch a bus that takes you right into the heart of the city.

I can find nothing negative about the Hotel Ceilidh-Donia and enjoyed my entire stay there. They get top marks from me and if I went back to Edinburgh, it will definitely be my first choice of accommodation.

Unique Quality: Warm and friendly service. It does feel like "home".