The privately-owned Braid Hills Hotel sits proudly on its own high ground in Morningside, an affluent, residential area of Edinburgh known for its stone villas, leafy parks and refined accents. J K Rowling stays not a million miles away, here in her home town. The hotel’s lofty position offers panoramic views of the city, the Firth of Forth and beyond towards Fife and Pentland Hills. It’s a happy and very Scottish retreat from the hustle and noise of the centre – yet Princes Street is only 2 miles away. The main attractions of the nation’s capital can easily be reached by bus or taxi from outside the hotel. Morningside’s varied local shops, in this vibrant hub, are only a short walk away. You can also easily visit Midlothian Ski Centre at Hillend.

The hotel, which operates under the Best Western banner, is a fine Victorian building which has expanded over the years and has managed to retain that period’s charm. It was originally built in 1886, primarily as a golf hotel and there are five golf courses within a mile, including the challenging Braid Hills Golf Course itself, which has magnificent views. The stained glass window on the main staircase landing features John Braid, after whom the area and hotel were named, playing an iron shot off the fairway. And the golf aspect is just one of the plusses of this easy-to-recommend hotel.

The Braid Hills? Well, the Braid Hills themselves rise in a pair of summits up to about 700 feet, some 2½ miles south of the centre of Edinburgh. Established as a park by city fathers in 1890, the hills serve as an important part of Edinburgh's green belt and a wildlife refuge. Blackford and Braid Hills suggested walk.

First things first: car parking is easy and free and in anybody’s books that’s a bonus in Edinburgh where even the poshest of hotels can have challenges in this department and valet parking isn’t ever free. The hotel’s hillside setting, in neat gardens, and overlooking the park, is a distinct advantage. A large Scottish saltire flag is flown prominently and the turrets and traditional Scots baronial style of the sandstone building, with dormer windows and craw-stepped gables, fits in well with the modern, glassy Buckstone Bistro, with its Terrace area, to the left of the main building. This popular and contemporary dining facility is a definite asset, as you’ll read below.

The main entrance is an attractive, bow-fronted vestibule and, further in, Reception faces an open-plan Lounge are where comfy sofas and armchairs are clustered with coffee tables. When we checked-in this year, Nicola greeted us with friendly efficiency while James led the way as we were shown to our room. Friendly service seemed to us something of a tradition here. The concierges’ desk is used as an information point for guests and there are plenty of leaflets to give you ideas. Wi-fi internet access is available, and is free (top marks). Next door is the Cocktail Bar and Lounge, again very comfortable and contentedly traditional… popular as much for coffees and chats as it is for pre and post-dinner drinks. Lunchtimes here can be busy, too, and locals certainly use ‘their’ hotel.

The ground floor features the main Allermuir Restaurant with its wide windows looking over the park to the city (of which more below), and also the main function space the Comiston Suite, and the Braid Room which is perfect for smaller meetings, events or parties. The Buckstone Bistro is also on this level, slightly separate from the hotel, which has a side entrance... helpfully if amusingly signposted Side entrance.

There are 67 bedrooms, mostly similarly furnished with traditional dark wood pieces and decorated in soothing green and cream tones. Most have armchairs. The hotel’s Standard Rooms will not disappoint… and we particularly liked the quirkiness in layout and light in some of the top floor rooms, so you might like to consider these. As this is a characterful building, many of the rooms vary in layout and aspect. Adjoining Family Rooms are available on request. Most rooms have a good view.

In-room TV offers the main channels plus four SKY satellite channels and a number of national and local radio stations. A complimentary tea / coffee tray comes as standard and tea drinkers will be pleased to find a small teapot – Brail Hills’ guests would not be expected to make tea in a mug! Mineral water is also provided free, as is a copy of The Scotsman daily newspaper. Expect trouser presses, hairdryers, clock radios and (excellently) free wi-fi broadband internet access in all rooms. So rooms are well equipped. Guests can expect an undisturbed night’s rest thanks to the quieter location. Check-out is at 11.00 am.

There are a couple of special rooms available and here at HRS we always like to highlight the best! These two Four Poster Rooms offer extra space and luxury with rich-coloured walls, classic fabrics and the romance of a four-poster at the centre. Room 208, for example, is a spaciously splendid affair decorated in reds, cream and gold. The furniture is traditionally dark, in keeping with the Victorian theme and the bed’s drapes match the room’s curtains. The views from the large windows and turret recess here are breathtaking and Edinburgh castle could be clearly seen throughout the various moods of the day. The cornices are all original and well preserved. The room had a good standard of cleanliness, was well ventilated, and the heating was adjusted with ease. The en-suite bathroom is a good size and featured a Jacuzzi-style bath plus a good shower. Toiletries are provided in all rooms.

There’s a choice of dining at Braid Hills: enjoy the trad elegance of the hotel’s airy Allermuir Restaurant or opt for the more informal brasserie / pub atmosphere of the Buckstone Bistro situated in the hotel grounds. The main dining room is adjacent to the Cocktail Bar where, during the Guide’s visit, head barman Nino Vassilis served up pre-dinner drinks with friendly Greek charm. The restaurant is run efficiently and effectively by Alfredo who is knowledgeable and unobtrusive while quietly carrying out his duties; he's a real asset to the hotel. It’s a nice place to dine. If you stay in your room, there’s good room service (24hrs) including full meals during restaurant hours.

The view from the restaurant looks west and can offer grand sunset views (ask for a window seat). Tables are elegantly set with white linen and a fresh carnation. There’s a good choice on both à la carte and table d’hôte menus and head chef Greg Skelton serves distinctly Scottish dishes, using as much local produce as possible, presenting it all in an appealing and imaginative way. We have dined twice this season and one dinner will give you a taste of what’s available. Crab and Melon bound in Thai Crème Fraîche for starters – full of fresh tastes; Marinated Haunch of Highland Venison with Honey and Lavender Essence accompanied with Sweet Potato Purée for our main course – a modern twist on one of Scotland’s best ingredients; and Warm Apricot Tart with Clotted Cream and for dessert – delicious and moreish. A 2-course dinner is a reasonable £22.95 (although you can choose a pair of dishes off the à la carte for less), with 3-courses good value at £24.95. There’s a vegetarian option and special diets are catered for. Lunch is also served daily, from noon – 2pm. Booking is advised, especially at weekends.

The Buckstone Bistro serves a very good range of informal food from 11am to 11pm (or from 12.30 on Sundays). It’s an attractive, tasteful, split-level conservatory-style development with wooden tables and chairs in a bright, bistro format with a cheerful atmosphere. The bar, at which you can sit, or take a pew nearby, boasts a selection of tempting real ales, stouts and lagers on draught which can be quaffed while watching satellite TV. There’s a ‘weekend atmosphere’ we like! Modern dishes attract a busy crowd, including many non-residents (always a good sign): salmon, scampi and other fish, Buckstone steak pie, char-grilled burgers and steaks, pizzas, speciality ice-creams. Choose a cake from the chilled carousel. Sit outside on the Terrace when the sun’s making an appearance – and enjoy the view.

Breakfast is served buffet-style in the Allemuir Restaurant between 7 and 10am. Tea or coffee is offered with toast, brought to the table. There’s a good selection of fruit juice, cereal and yoghurt. Jams are portion packs. Enjoy a full Scottish breakfast to set you up for a day at the castle, shopping on Princes Street or wandering the Royal Mile. Or go for smoked Finnan haddock, grilled kippers, poached or scrambled eggs or a vegetarian option. Portions are generous and the room itself is a nice place to start your day, especally when bright outside.

The hotel does not have any leisure facilities itself but Edinburgh, with all its attractions, both historic and contemporary, is an ideal location for a city break. Keep an eye on the hotel’s website for themed breaks. It also offers possibilities as a base to tour other, further gems in Scotland’s tourist crown. With Braid Hills Hotel’s easy access to the capital’s motorway by-pass – the airport, for example, can be reached without going through town – makes both options valid stay here. Golf courses are a-plenty (get a discount at Braid Hills course) and nearby there’s a riding school, tennis courts… not to mention Europe’s longest artificial ski slope, at Hillend.

The Comiston Suite is the handsome main function room, and popular it is, too, for both weddings and corporate events. Up to 160 guests can be accommodated for a meal. The dance floor is a proper, sprung one – ideal for a ceilidh! Religious and civil services can be conducted here. The Braid Room has a good position towards the front of the building and can host up to 28 theatre style. The location of the hotel makes it popular – easy parking, excellent views.

Brian Smith says…
“The Best Western Braid Hills Hotel offers value in a truly excellent location, especially so if you prefer not to stay bang in Edinburgh’s city centre. I loved the view of the city! The public lounge areas are unpretentious, and it’s possible to sit back and imagine a Victorian heyday. Bedrooms are of a good standard, well equipped, well serviced. The Allermuir Restaurant provides a good dining experience both in comfort and culinary terms, at sensible prices for a city hotel. John Dignan, general manager / managing director, and his international staff are friendly, helpful and professional. The Braid Hills is definitely a strong contender as a base for leisure or pleasure (including families) when visiting the capital.”

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REVIEW STATUS & MERIT AWARDS This establishment has now been fully reviewed by the Guide and any HotelReviewScotland.com™ Merit Awards will show above, beneath the address details. We also list the latest ratings and gradings for this business from other guides and organisations. One or more of our experienced reviewer team has stayed at this establishment, spent time with the management, and the Guide is receiving reader and industry input from one or all of: online Reader’s Reviews; Comment Postcards; and Voting in The Scottish Hotels of the Year Awards. All entries are carefully monitored. The lead star grading has been awarded by the Scottish Tourist Board / VisitScotland. As the hotel is a Full Member of HotelReview™ Scotland the Look & Book Box™ links are LIVE.

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