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3 Brunstane Road North, Edinburgh, EH15 2DL, United Kingdom
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After 4 days in London and two in Paris, we were looking for a nice, quiet B&B outside of the hustle and bustle of Edinburgh's tourist center to spend our next few days, including our anniversary. With the Straven Guest House we found just that and so much more.
Owned and run by Mac and Marion, the Straven has to be one of Edinburgh's best B&B's. It is about a 15 minute bus ride from the tourist center located on a quiet side street adjacent to the Portobello Promenade and the Firth of Forth. The Edinburgh bus system is quite good so the location was not an issue at all, just make sure to have correct change for the buses as they do not make change from larger bills. If you ask Mac, he is happy to make change for you at the B&B.
We loved the location. Being next to the ocean was wonderful. We spent a lot of time walking the Promenade in the mornings and evenings and loved sitting outside of a small cafe (the Espy) watching the evenings go by. Even better, this area was dominated by locals and is certainly off of the beaten tourist path, which was a very nice change.
We had a very nice, large double room on the first floor. The decor was a bit dated, but everything was immaculate and the bed comfortable. Our room was great.
The best part of the Straven is the breakfast, which is served by Mac, the most cheery and polite host I have ever had the honor of staying with. Breakfast begins with a delicious bowl of porridge and cream with an assortment of cereals and fruits and toast as well. You then have your choice of a full Scottish Breakfast, the Scottish Decadence Breakfast, various Contintental Breakfast assortments or a sweet breakfast of belgian waffles. I loved the Full Scottish Breakfast (bacon, sausage, tattie scones, fried tomato, mushrooms, and choice of egg). One morning I had the Decadence breakfast, which was similar, but had scrambled eggs with salmon - yum. The coffee (or tea) was served in a french press and was also delicious.
As I said previously, Mac and Marion were the best hosts. Mac knows almost anything you would want to know about Edinburgh. Their recommendations were always wonderful and they would do anything they could to help make your stay enjoyable. It is apparent that they love their city and their establishment.
Unique Quality: Straven's location on the Firth of Forth was very special. Nothing like a walk along the Promenade and a nightcap at Espies to end a wonderful day in Edinburgh. And, if you want to get away from the tourist hordes one day, just stay along the Promenade in that part of town. We did and it was a fanastic and relaxing day. Mac gave us a couple old towels for sitting on the sand beach, we wandered the Promenade, and shopped in the little shops in the area, which were much better than the tourist traps in the Old City.
Straven Guest House Photo: Straven Guest House
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Prior to our arrival we checked the website, had two telephone conversations and exchanged two e-mails. The hosts were charming, friendly and helpful. The location was very convenient. The accommodation, all ensuite, was perfect and the breakfasts were lovely. We would definitely book again next time we visit Edinburgh. Thank you very much!
Straven House has lovely hosts with good taste in food running a warm and unpretentious B and B. Their townhouse is run on an ecologically conscious basis with policies that reflect this choice. It is 100 feet from the promenade along the Firth of Forth on a convenient bus line just 15 minutes from Princes St. in the center of wonderful Edinburgh! We were very content here...and will gladly visit again, if we can!
this is the first ever B&B we have stayed in during our visit to Scotland. i being a typical hotel-only girl was at first a bit skeptical about the whole B&B experience. however, after reading some of the raving reviews for Straven Guest House, i decided to give it a try, and i was pleasantly surprised.
the location is great, the beach is just a few steps away and great for evening walks. the city centre is a quick bus ride away and the attractions there will keep you busy for a whole day, at least! nothing much to eat around the area, so it's best to have your dinner at the city centre and travel back.
we got a sweet double room on the ground floor, and it was great. nice comfortable bed, very clean, satellite TV, free WIFI access. very quiet environment, maybe partly they don't allow pets or small children. breakfast was great. the hosts are super-nice people, friendly and yet non-intrusive. it was a very pleasant stay for those 2 nights and we will be back if there is a chance in the future.
our stay at straven guest house was nothing but wonderful. edinburgh is my favourite city, and this b&b is the perfect place to stay while enjoying the city.
the b&b is located steps from the beach on a quiet street, with easy access to the bus line that heads downtown. it is not a bother or inconvenience to use the public transit and is cheaper in the end. we parked our car out front of the b&b for the entire duration of our stay and instead relied on the bus to get around the city. it's less of a hassle, not having to worry about finding parking downtown.
our room was great, with satellite television and an amazing en suite bathroom. the hosts were very nice and pleasant and ready to assist you.
the choice at breakfast was unexpected - they went above and beyond normal b&b fare, and it was delicious.
i would definitely stay here again next time i am in edinburgh.
The rooms very big, although noisy. Food very good, not a buffet. If you carry special equipment, do not leave in room as it may be damaged by curiosity. Very nice, helpful owners. Very well located.
We spent one night at Stra'ven Guest House and rated it among the top of all the b&b's visited this trip. Mac and Marian were very friendly and helpful, down to specific directions for bus transportation to and from the house. The neighborhood was nice and quiet, and while not right next to the main attractions, the bus ride wasn't too far and gave us a chance to meet the friendly locals. Appreciated the delicious breakfast, reasonable on-site internet, very attractive and clean bedroom and en-suite bathroom, and especially the lovely and peaceful Portobello Beach a few yards away. We would gladly return to Stra'ven if we could.
My wife and I spent three nights at Straven last year (sometimes it just takes while to get around to writing a review). We really enjoyed our stay. Breakfasts were great and the location by the beach was really nice. Taking the bus into downtown was simple enough, but as in any new place it took a bit to figure out exactly which buses and stops to use. We stayed in a room downstairs. The room was large and very nice and we really enjoyed how quiet it was. Next time, though, I would try for a room upstairs simply because getting to the room downstairs was a bit like a dorm hallway experience. There is a lovely sitting room upstairs. If you plan on eating out (i.e., dinner) at places within easy walking distance of the Straven, plan on doing so early as they tend to close early (by 8 pm or so). We did find a takeout Chinese place open at 9 pm and the food was very good. Mac and Marian are excellent hosts and we appreciate their environmental friendly touches throughout their place and the fact that it is non-smoking. If we ever get back to Edinburgh, we will definitely be staying here again.
Was a tad difficult to locate, but that was probably down to my sense of direction! Very enjoyable and relaxing weekend. Nice to have a completely smoke free house as I quit the habit 6 weeks before. Thanks Mac for marvelous breakfast and putting inches on my waistband!
Not much to add to the other reviews, which I read before going. A Victorian Villa 25 metres from the beach. Don't walk on the beach if you dislike dogs. Homely, grandparently atmosphere about the house. Mac permanently cheerful and good-humoured, and very obliging. Buses run til 11.30 pm from the heart of edinburgh - maybe later, otherwise its about a 4 mile walk, I would say. Huge choice for breakfast, served between 8 and 9: I didn't eat lunch during my stay in edinburgh at all.
We would definitely stay here again.
Straven's location on the Firth of Forth was very special. Nothing like a walk along the Promenade and a nightcap at Espies to end a wonderful day in Edinburgh. And, if you want to get away from the tourist hordes one day, just stay along the Promenade in that part of town. We did and it was a fanastic and relaxing day. Mac gave us a couple old towels for sitting on the sand beach, we wandered the Promenade, and shopped in the little shops in the area, which were much better than the tourist traps in the Old City.
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