The Dunstane Houses - Hampton House

The Dunstane Houses - Hampton House: A Comprehensive Review of this Michelin Key Selected Property in Edinburgh

The Dunstane Houses, comprising both Dunstane House and Hampton House, offer a luxurious and intimate boutique hotel experience in Edinburgh's West End. This Michelin Key Selected property is frequently lauded for its unique blend of Scottish charm, Orcadian heritage, and high-end comforts, making it a popular choice for romantic getaways and discerning travelers.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

The general consensus for The Dunstane Houses, including Hampton House, is overwhelmingly positive, with guests frequently describing it as "fabulous and faultless" and a "special staycation." Review scores are consistently high, with many guests praising the exceptional service and convenient location. The hotel successfully balances luxury with a homely, welcoming feel.

2. Key Highlights

Guests consistently highlight several standout features:

• Exceptional Service & Hospitality: The staff are frequently described as "amazing," "attentive," "helpful," and "professional," bending over backward to make guests feel special.
• Unique Design & Atmosphere: The hotels boast a "sumptuous and timeless room design" with a blend of classic and contemporary elements, including statement furniture, bold patterns, and gorgeous fabrics. The Orcadian roots of the owners are evident throughout, from artwork and room names to featured produce.
• High-Quality Dining & Whisky Selection: The on-site Ba' Bar and restaurant are praised for their delicious modern Scottish cuisine, featuring local and Orkney produce, and an extensive collection of whiskies and artisan spirits.
• Comfort and Luxury Amenities: Guests appreciate the comfortable beds (often Vispring), high-end toiletries (Noble Isle Whisky & Water), Nespresso machines, and thoughtful touches like homemade shortbread and well-stocked minibars with Scottish treats.
• Convenient Location: Situated in a peaceful residential area of Edinburgh's West End, it offers easy access to the city center via a short walk or bus ride, and is also convenient for Haymarket station and Edinburgh Airport.

3. Room Quality

The rooms at The Dunstane Houses are individually decorated and exude luxury and comfort. Hampton House, specifically, is noted as being more recently refurbished with a slightly more contemporary feel, featuring Zoffany and Harlequin wallpaper. Rooms range from "Cosy Wee Doubles" and "Cosy Wee Singles" to larger "Luxury King Doubles/Twins" and suites.

• Design & Decor: Expect elaborate interiors with peacock feather wallpaper, patterned rugs, vintage-style radios, and touches of Harris Tweed. Original period features like ornate coving and high ceilings are preserved, while modern bathrooms feature rain showerheads and heated floors.
• Comfort: Guests consistently rave about the "super-comfy" Vispring beds and comfortable seating areas, often including plush sofas.
• Amenities: Standard room amenities include free Wi-Fi, private bathrooms with quality toiletries, espresso machines, kettles, and mini-fridges stocked with water, local beers, wines, and snacks. Suites, such as the Dunstane Suite, can feature massive bathrooms with freestanding copper tubs offering views of the Pentland Hills.

4. Dining Experience

The dining experience at The Dunstane Houses is a significant highlight, centered around the Ba' Bar and restaurant (located in Dunstane House).

• Cuisine: The restaurant specializes in modern Scottish cuisine, with a strong emphasis on local, seasonal produce, particularly from the Orkney Islands. Dishes like haggis bon bons, Orkney smoked salmon, hand-dived scallops, and Orkney fudge cheesecake are frequently praised.
• Breakfast: A complimentary breakfast is provided, featuring a continental buffet and cooked-to-order hot items, including a Traditional Scottish Breakfast and Orkney Smoked Salmon and Free Range Scrambled Eggs. Guests consistently rate the breakfast highly.
• Bar: The Ba' Bar boasts an impressive, extensive selection of whiskies (over 70 varieties, some rare), Scottish craft beers, and artisanal spirits. It's also a great spot for afternoon tea.

5. Service & Staff

The service at The Dunstane Houses receives near-unanimous praise. Staff members are described as genuinely helpful, friendly, warm, welcoming, and impeccably professional. They are known for their attentiveness and willingness to go the extra mile to meet guest requests and ensure a memorable stay. The family-run nature of the hotel contributes to a "welcoming family feel" and a close-knit team.

6. Location & Accessibility

The Dunstane Houses are "brilliantly situated" in a peaceful residential area of Edinburgh's West End, offering a quiet retreat away from the city center's hustle and bustle.

• Proximity to Attractions: It's approximately a 10-minute walk to the city center and about a 30-minute walk to Edinburgh Castle. It's also close to Murrayfield Stadium (a 5-minute walk), Edinburgh Zoo, and the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art.
• Transport Links: Haymarket train station is nearby, and a local bus stop directly outside the hotel provides easy access to Princes Street and the city center (around 10 minutes by bus). It's also very convenient for Edinburgh Airport, being a 15-minute drive or a 20-minute CityLink bus ride with a stop right outside.
• Parking: Free private parking is available on-site, though spaces can be limited and are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

7. Value & Pricing

While specific daily rates can vary, rooms at The Dunstane Houses start from around £287, or approximately $200 per night. Given its status as a Michelin Key Selected property and the consistently high praise for its luxurious amenities, exceptional service, and quality dining, many guests consider it to be worth the cost, offering "informal luxury" and a "fabulous and faultless guest experience." The hotel was sold in 2022 for a guide price of £7.5 million, reflecting its value as a prime luxury boutique hotel.

8. Common Complaints

While reviews are overwhelmingly positive, a few minor recurring points of criticism have been mentioned:

• Room Size: Some guests have found the "Cosy Wee Double" or "Cosy Wee Single" rooms to be on the smaller side, particularly for couples with significant luggage. However, Hampton House's cosy rooms are noted as being a little larger than those in Dunstane House.
• No Elevator: As historic Victorian villas, the properties do not have elevators, which could be an issue for guests with mobility challenges or heavy luggage.
• Restaurant Temperature: One review mentioned the restaurant could be a little cold in the mornings.
• Building Separation: The two houses are across the street from each other, which some reviews note as a minor point, particularly if dining or check-in are in a different building than where one is staying. Check-in is at Dunstane House (4 West Coates).

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