Superior King Room
- 1 King-size bed,1 King-size bed and 1 Sofa bed
- Garden view
- Shower
- Coffee machine
- Heating
Guest house · Edinburgh · Edinburgh
The Gifford
A six-room guest house on Dalkeith Road, a short bus ride from Edinburgh's old town and within sight of Arthur's Seat.
- Walk to Arthur's Seat and Holyrood Park
- Heartfelt breakfast with local touches
- Free parking and easy bus links to the centre
8.4
Great
498 reviews
Booking.com 8.4 · 498 reviews
About
The Gifford
The Gifford is a four-star guest house set in a restored Victorian building on Dalkeith Road, about 1.4 km from Duddingston Loch. With only six rooms, it offers a quiet, personal stay that feels more like a private home than a hotel. Each room is individually styled, blending traditional architecture with modern comforts like flat-screen TVs, tea and coffee facilities, and soundproofed walls.
The owners, David and Margaret, run the place with evident care, and it shows in the immaculate rooms and the attention to detail at breakfast. The cooked-to-order morning spread includes black pudding, toast, and continental options, with everything frequently replenished. The guest house sits on a direct bus route to the city centre, making it easy to explore Edinburgh without the noise of staying right in the middle of it.
- No smoking on site
- Wi-Fi
- Parking
- Safe deposit box
- VIP check-in/ -out
- Express check-in/ -out
In brief
What works, what to weigh
+
Strengths
3 reasons to book- Immaculate rooms and attentive hosts — Guests repeatedly praise the spotless, well-decorated rooms and the warm, helpful service from owners David and Margaret, who go out of their way to make stays comfortable.
- Hearty, well-received breakfast — The cooked-to-order breakfast, with options like black pudding and fresh toast, is a recurring highlight, described as delicious and thoughtfully prepared.
- Great value for the location — Set a short bus or cab ride from the city centre, the guest house offers good value, especially with free parking, which is rare in Edinburgh.
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Worth weighing
3 to weigh- Facilities are limited — With only six rooms, there's no gym or spa, and the guest house scores lower on facilities than on rooms and service.
- Location is a bit outside the centre — The guest house is about a 5-minute bus ride or a 25-minute walk from the city centre, so you'll need to plan for transport if you want to be in the heart of the action.
- Early check-out time — Check-out is between 09:00 and 10:00, which might feel rushed if you're not an early riser.
01 — Rooms
Rooms & rates
High season: summer dates usually book out a few weeks ahead.
Two-Bedroom Suite
- 2 Single beds or 1 Queen-size bed,1 King-size bed and 1 Sofa bed
- Garden view
- Shower
- Coffee machine
Family Room
- 1 Single Bed or 1 Double Bed,1 Bunk bed
- Shower
- Heating
Deluxe Family Twin Room
- 2 Single beds
- With view
- Shower
- Coffee machine
- Heating
Deluxe Twin Room
- 2 Single beds,1 King-size bed
- Garden view
- Shower
- Coffee machine
- Heating
Double Room
- 1 King-size bed,1 Double bed
- City view
- Shower
- Coffee machine
- Heating
02 — Amenities
Services & amenities
Everything included at this stay — the facilities and essentials, at a glance.
General
- Wi-Fi
- No smoking on site
- Heating
- Soundproofed rooms
- Key access
Food & Drink
- Tea and coffee facilities
- Electric kettle
- Packed lunches
- Special diet menus
Services
- VIP check-in/out
- Express check-in/out
- Luggage storage
- Tours/Ticket assistance
- Safe deposit box
Activities
- Hiking
- Golf course
- Board games
Outdoor
- Sun terrace
- Garden area
Photos
Gallery
03 — Reviews
What guests say
Recent verified reviews from guests who stayed here.
Guest-rated 8.4/10 from 498 reviews
Booking.com · 8.4 · 498 reviews
8.4Verified guest“The standard of the room was the best I've experienced at a guest house in Edinburgh – beautifully decorated and spotless. The breakfast room was simple, but the details were immaculate. You can tell the owners put real love and passion into their business.”
8.4Verified guest“Service was fantastic, and we were allowed to check in early. Breakfast was excellent, with black pudding, very good toast, and both continental and hot options, all kept well stocked.”
8.4Verified guest“This hotel was outstanding! The bed in our room was enormous and the most comfortable we've ever slept in. Breakfast was served at a good time, and the service was top-notch. The staff were friendly and helpful, nothing was too much trouble. The location was great – a quick bus ride from the centre, and taxis were cheap too. The decor beautifully mixed modern and traditional. No complaints.”
8.4Verified guest“Gifford House gave us excellent accommodation and a superb breakfast, all made with top-quality ingredients. David and Margaret's customer service was second to none – nothing was too much trouble. We'd recommend this guest house to anyone wanting a comfortable and enjoyable stay in Edinburgh.”
8.4Verified guest“This bed and breakfast is well located on a bus route to historic Edinburgh. There were four of us, and we took a cab for less than the bus. The rooms and common areas were very nice and clean, a well-restored and maintained upscale older home. Breakfast was well cooked and served. We found the place online from the USA and were very pleased with our choice. We stayed for two nights – a great place to stay.”
8.4Verified guest“Good location, about 20 minutes' walk to the Royal Mile, with a lovely view of Arthur's Seat and beautiful Victorian architecture.”
04 — Location
Getting around Edinburgh
The property sits in Edinburgh.
Arthur's Seat: The ancient volcano at the heart of Holyrood Park is a short walk away and offers panoramic views over Edinburgh. A favourite for a morning hike before breakfast.
Royal Mile: About a 20-minute walk or a quick bus ride takes you to the Royal Mile, the historic thoroughfare linking Edinburgh Castle and the Palace of Holyroodhouse.
Duddingston Loch: Just 1.4 km from the guest house, this tranquil loch is ideal for a peaceful stroll and birdwatching, a world away from the city bustle.
103 Dalkeith Road, Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
05 — Good to know
Policies & conditions
Hotel details are shown for reference. Final rate terms are confirmed on the partner’s site at booking.
- Check-in
- From 15:00-23:59
- Check-out
- By 09:00-10:00
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation on many rates — terms on booking page
- Payment
- Pay-at-hotel available on many rates; final terms at booking
- Pets
- Not allowed
- Property
- 11 rooms
06 — Questions
Frequently asked
What are the check-in and check-out times at The Gifford?
Check-in is from 15:00 until 23:59, and check-out is between 09:00 and 10:00.
Is parking available at the hotel?
Yes, parking is available on site, making it easier for guests exploring Edinburgh by car.
Are pets allowed at The Gifford?
No, pets are not allowed at the property.
Is breakfast included in the stay?
Breakfast is frequently praised in reviews, with hot and continental options like black pudding and toast, but the input doesn't specify whether it's included in the room rate.
How far is the city centre from the hotel?
The city centre is about a 5-minute bus ride or a 25-minute walk away, and taxis are also reasonably priced.
The bottom line
The Gifford is a lovingly run guest house that wins on personal service, spotless rooms, and a memorable breakfast. It's not a full-service hotel, and you'll be a short hop from the centre, but for a calm, comfortable base with genuine character, it's a strong pick.
8.4Best for travellers who value a personal touch and a hearty start to the day over on-site extras.
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