CITY SLICKERS
Reviewing hotels in some of Scotland's greatest cities
REVIEWED BY ANN AND HARRY MITCHELL FROM KIRKCALDY
The Principal Grand Central Station Hotel was built in the late 19th century and was one of the great railway hotels of Scotland. The hotel has been refurbished to a high standard with many original features restored to their former glory.
The hotel is easily reached by bus or train from all parts of the country. We arrived at Queen Street station and used the bus service which connects the two stations. If travelling by car there is a car park a few yards away in Mitchell Street, the hotel offers a 50% discount on the charges.
On arrival we were warmly greeted by staff, a factor which impressed us throughout the stay. Our luggage was stowed safely and was ready in our room when we arrived back from exploring the surrounding area. If you do visit Glasgow, turn your eyes above the shop fronts and admire the architecture. Around the hotel is a range of shops where you can buy anything from diamonds to dresses and toys to tinsel. Names like Hobbs, Hamleys, John Lewis to name but a few, and not forgetting the links with Charles Rennie Mackintosh.
Our bedroom was large and sumptuous and contained everything we needed, equally large was the bathroom with an over-bath shower. We ate in the restaurant which features seasonal dishes finding the staff friendly and helpful. A champagne bar overlooks the station concourse and is perfect for pre and after dinner relaxing, and also great for watching the travellers. A great place to stay for a city break.
REVIEWED BY TRACEY FAULDS FROM EDINBURGH
We drove through from Edinburgh on a sunny Saturday afternoon for our stay in the Boutique Hotel Indigo, Dundee. Having just opened a few weeks ago in time for the Open at Carnoustie, you might have expected some teething problems, but we couldn’t fault our stay. The building is an old textile mill and it reflects its industrial heritage with its bare brick walls and hardwood flooring. The entrance is very ‘museum-like’ with a gallery of old copies of The Beano, Jute reels and jam jars, for which Dundee is famous.
We were given the Tay Bridge Suite with beautiful views looking over the bridge and beyond. The room itself was immaculate - soft grey furnishings, concrete ceiling and beautiful freestanding bath all added to the character of the room. Some nice little touches only added to the overall experience - fluffy bathrobes, chocolates, Nespresso machine and Arran Aromatics toiletries.
Our meal in the Daisy Tasker restaurant – named after a 14-year old weaver who organised social activities for the jute mill workers – was faultless. The staff were friendly and polite and made us feel very welcome. The menu was extensive and reasonably priced. We asked for dessert in our room and they were happy to oblige. Similarly, breakfast was well laid out with a selection of cold meats, breads, pastries and juices. Alternatively there was a cooked option which was freshly made using local ingredients. All in all our stay was perfect. We’ll definitely be coming back.
REVIEWED BY IAN AND LINDA PARKER FROM LARBERT
The Bonham hotel is on the corner of a lovely Georgian terrace, only a five minute walk from the west end in Edinburgh. Readily accessible for those arriving by public transport, it has the added attraction of its own car park. It is also convenient for Stockbridge and visits to the Gallery of Modern Art and the Botanic Gardens.
We immediately had the impression of a place of warmth. All 49 bedrooms have recently been refurbished and our second floor room was spacious and bright, with picture windows giving a panoramic view of the New Town and the River Forth. The room had all of the expected amenities including bathrobes and slippers. A nice touch was the petit fours which awaited us. The tiled bathroom had both bath and a separate corner shower and large fluffy towels.
After settling in, we set out for the shops along Princes Street and George Street. Having worked up an appetite, we had an aperitif from the well-stocked bar in the cosy lounge then headed for the dining room. The dishes were prepared with skill and care. A good range of wines complemented the splendid food served by attentive waiting staff. We had an enjoyable breakfast – the cold buffet had an excellent choice and hot breakfast was selected from an extensive menu. For departing guests, the 12 noon check-out allows time for some last-minute Christmas shopping. All in all, the Bonham is a great base to enjoy Edinburgh’s Christmas attractions.
REVIEWED BY CAROL MEDLOCK AND GILLY JOHNSTONE FROM LAURENCEKIRK
Despite being battered by Storm Ali we arrived by train at The Edinburgh Grand in St Andrews Square. We entered a haven of quiet, sophisticated luxury and were cocooned in this recently refurbished self-catering apartment. The nod to Art Deco was evident throughout, including fabulous door handles and extravagant art that drew our eyes to examine each piece carefully. The vista over the rooftops of Edinburgh and on to Arthur’s Seat or equally to the Forth were breathtaking. We spent time just looking down to the reception from the fourth floor, the flowers at the bottom were spectacular.
The staff were knowledgeable, accommodating and utterly charming. We especially enjoyed the cocktails, which were drunk in the old board room of the previous bank. Many original features still exist today – it’s lovely to see how the new can accommodate the old with such panache. Predinner drinks were enjoyed in our own private sitting room as we chatted about the sumptuous decor.
The hotel was easy to reach from Waverley train station by foot, passing shops that make Edinburgh exciting. We took a short stroll to the Art Gallery on Princes Street where we had the treat of viewing the Rembrandt exhibition. We were sad to check out of our lovely Edinburgh Grand and to return to our more normal life, however it was all downhill back to the train station.