Friars Wynd Hotel

“Odd little place that surprises”

This was the cheapest accommodation of our week in Scotland, and I’ll admit I wasn’t expecting much. The location, though, couldn’t be handier – slap bang in the centre with a car park tucked just behind the building (directions were clear and easy to follow). It’s not your standard hotel. You don… more

This was the cheapest accommodation of our week in Scotland, and I’ll admit I wasn’t expecting much. The location, though, couldn’t be handier – slap bang in the centre with a car park tucked just behind the building (directions were clear and easy to follow). It’s not your standard hotel. You don’t arrive to a lobby with a smiling receptionist, you wander through a wine bar (which always seemed to be waiting for customers that never quite arrived), and then climb a staircase that feels part fire escape, part leftover set from Acorn Antiques. The carpet hasn’t had a serious conversation with a vacuum cleaner in quite some time. And then – the surprise. The room itself was actually very good: a big comfortable double bed, a large bathroom, and all the bits and pieces you’d expect. No breakfast, but you’re in the middle of town so bacon rolls and coffee are a short stroll away. Being central, you might expect a bit of noise from the street below – and there was – but for reasons I can’t quite fathom, the glazing was oddly effective at muffling it. Not silent, but strangely acceptable, as if someone had pressed the “snooze” button on the city outside. In short: if you’re looking for polish and pampering, look elsewhere. But if you want a decent-priced base in the heart of town, this does the job with more charm than you’d think on first impression.

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“3 Nights stay”

Centrally located for walking everywhere, 3 mins from buses and train stations. Used the train to Edinburgh. Entrance through a little wine bar staff lovely ,closes at 9.30pm then use side entrance,not a problem.Its not in an alleyway as someone stated. Stayed in room Ness, nice little room and bat… more

Centrally located for walking everywhere, 3 mins from buses and train stations. Used the train to Edinburgh. Entrance through a little wine bar staff lovely ,closes at 9.30pm then use side entrance,not a problem.Its not in an alleyway as someone stated. Stayed in room Ness, nice little room and bathroom,plenty of tea and coffee ,, gusto coffee machine bonus and teacakes and caramel biscuit too . Clean bed and towels changed daily. The only thing bed was very low needed a higher mattress for us oldies and drawers in bedside cabinets to small. Had a lovely 3 night stay and would book again .

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“Not quite what I was expecting, but ok”

Central hotel which has a sort of wine bar frontage. There is not reception, you pick your door key up at the bar. This hotel is room only and the bar does not stay open late and they do not serve food. The rooms are through the bar and up stairs, though a series of doors a corridors. My room… more

Central hotel which has a sort of wine bar frontage. There is not reception, you pick your door key up at the bar. This hotel is room only and the bar does not stay open late and they do not serve food. The rooms are through the bar and up stairs, though a series of doors a corridors. My room Lochmond was a lovely size and the bedding was clean, bed comfy, pillows need replacing. The room felt very bland, no pictures or decor and it could be stunning, even had my own fireplace. Bathroom was clean and looked fairly new. However, the shower door opened folder in and covered the taps, you had to sort of climb round the door to turn the shower on to be kinda stuck in the cold water while you thought you way out of the shower. Good selection of teas and coffees and there lovely caramel bars in the room. Over all comfy stay for 3 nights, just a couple of little touches would make a difference

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