The Leddie

The Leddie in Aberlady, a Michelin Key Selected property, consistently receives high praise for its blend of historic charm and modern luxury, offering a refined yet relaxed experience in the picturesque East Lothian village.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

The general consensus for The Leddie is overwhelmingly positive, with guests frequently describing their stays as "superb" and "excellent." It holds a "Superb" rating based on numerous reviews, with high scores for cleanliness (9.5), comfort (9.7), staff (9.5), and location (9.3). The hotel is recognized for its "heritage without heaviness, luxury without affectation, and hospitality that feels intuitive." Its Michelin Key selection further underlines its commitment to quality and a notable stay.

2. Key Highlights

Guests consistently laud several aspects of The Leddie:

• Service & Staff: The staff are frequently described as "friendly," "helpful," "welcoming," "professional," and "attentive." The warm and professional welcome is a recurring theme.
• Design & Ambiance: The hotel boasts "wonderful decor, beautiful finishes and effortless chic". Its recent restoration has created "contemporary open-plan lounge" areas with "high-end muted greens, blues, dark woods, stone and terracotta," fostering a "lovely calm ambience" and a "cosy and relaxing" feel.
• Dining: The food and drink are consistently rated as "excellent," "top notch," and "very good quality." The restaurant's focus on local produce and beautifully crafted dishes is a significant draw.
• Comfort: Rooms are highlighted for being "very comfortable" with "beds you'll never want to leave."
• Location: Its prime location in Aberlady, a short walk from Aberlady Bay Beach and close to numerous golf courses, is highly appreciated.

3. Room Quality

The Leddie offers 27 elegantly designed rooms, each "thoughtfully designed with comfort and relaxation in mind." The decor features "rich, refined textures, soft muted tones, ambient lighting," and a "softened palette of mossy greens, warm russet, and tartan touches." Guests can expect "blissfully quiet" rooms that are the "height of luxury."

Room amenities include:

• Private ensuite bathrooms with fluffy bathrobes, slippers, and luxury L'Occitane toiletries.
• Nespresso machines (or coffee/tea makers) and electric kettles.
• Smart TVs or flat-screen TVs.
• Complimentary bottled water and free high-speed Wi-Fi.
• Work desks and wardrobes.

The hotel offers various room types, including Standard Double Rooms, Deluxe Double Rooms, Double Rooms, Junior Suites, and Deluxe Suites, with sizes ranging from 12 to 29 square meters. Some rooms are also dog-friendly, providing a dog bed, towel, and treats for a supplementary charge.

4. Dining Experience

Dining at The Leddie is described as a "relaxed yet refined experience," with a menu that celebrates East Lothian's local produce. The restaurant, headed by Chef Shaun Lund, is highly rated for its "excellent" and "top notch" food.

• Breakfast: A "superb breakfast" is consistently praised, with options including full English/Irish, vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free choices, featuring local specialties, warm dishes, pancakes, fruits, and juice. One reviewer particularly enjoyed the perfectly prepared porridge with Scottish honey.
• Dinner: The evening menu is also highly regarded. Dishes mentioned include crispy East Lothian partridge breast, roasted loin of East Lothian venison, curried kedgeree with smoked haddock, and comforting options like chicken, bacon, and leek pie. Desserts such as sticky toffee pudding and lemon posset are also popular.
• Atmosphere: The dining room offers a "warm and comfortable atmosphere" and the ambience is noted for being delightful and calm. The bar also provides a "perfect spot for socialising" with a selection of local and international wines, craft beers, and whiskies.

5. Service & Staff

The service at The Leddie is a standout feature. Guests consistently report staff as "exceptionally welcoming, helpful, and professional." Reviewers highlight the "warm professionalism" and "attentive staff that responded to our communication immediately." Staff are described as "young, smart and engaging" and committed to guest satisfaction. Thoughtful touches like turn-down service, morning newspapers, welcome drinks, and even leaving packs of water and shortbread on departure are appreciated. Many guests express a desire to return due to the excellent service.

6. Location & Accessibility

The Leddie is nestled in Aberlady, a "storybook village set on the East Lothian coast" and described as one of Scotland's "prettiest villages."

• Attractions: Aberlady Bay Beach is a mere 6-minute walk away, and the Aberlady Nature Reserve is a short stroll from the hotel. The hotel is also directly on the famous John Muir Way, a long-distance walking trail. East Lothian is renowned as "Scotland's Golf Coast," with over 20 golf courses nearby, including Muirfield (6 km distant). North Berwick and Gullane are also within easy reach.
• Transport: Edinburgh Airport is approximately 39 km (24 miles) away. The hotel offers free parking and can arrange a shuttle service.

7. Value & Pricing

While specific prices can vary by room type and season, The Leddie is generally perceived to offer good value, with a "Value for money" rating of 8.6 on Booking.com. Some deals indicate an overnight stay with breakfast for two starting from around £175, with options to add dinner spend. Given the "exceptional comfort and luxury" and high-quality dining, guests largely feel it is worth the cost. The restaurant is also noted for being "surprisingly fairly priced."

8. Common Complaints

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

• Room Size: One guest mentioned that room size could be "a little small" in some instances. The Standard Double Room, for example, is 12 square meters.
• Air Conditioning: During exceptionally hot weather, a guest noted that air conditioning "could do with some air con."
• Breakfast Service Speed: One review mentioned breakfast service being "very steady, not quite enough team members to cover the volume of diners."
• Limited Local Activities: A guest noted that there wasn't "much to do in Aberlady itself except the beach."
• Staircase Accessibility: One older guest found the staircase "steep and cramped."
• Dining Time Limits: A reviewer expressed dissatisfaction with not being advised of a time limit for dining, which they found insufficient for a relaxed experience.

Sources

1. booking.com
2. booking.com
3. livingnorth.com
4. michelin.com
5. booking.com
6. bite-magazine.com
7. myhotelbreak.com
8. sltn.co.uk
9. agoda.com
10. priceline.com
11. edinburghlifemagazine.com
12. itison.com
13. trip.com
14. trip.com
15. sundaypost.com
16. dishcult.com