Affordable 4-star castle hotel in Edinburgh: Dalmahoy Hotel & Country Club review

If you’re traveling to Edinburgh on a budget but would love nothing more than to find an affordable, unique stay, in a tranquil and picturesque location you’ll want to set your sights on the Dalmahoy Hotel & Country Club.

This Dalmahoy was built in 1725 and is situated in the beautiful lush countryside on the outskirts of Edinburgh and is still owned by a descendant of the 22nd Earl of Morton.

The estate has since been turned into a beautiful 4-star country club hotel on 1,000 acres of expansive lawn and manicured gardens with two restaurants, a bar, a pool and spa, a gym, an 18-hole championship golf course, and tennis courts!

After just getting engaged, staying at the Dalmahoy castle hotel during our 3 day trip to Edinburgh was a perfect choice and we didn’t even have to break the bank to enjoy amazing views, a comfortable suite, amazing service, and a variety of amenities!

This guide will give you the inside scoop on what it is like to stay in The Dalmahoy castle hotel in Edinburgh and why I believe staying at this beautiful property will enhance the time that both budget and luxury travelers spend in this Scottish city!

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Location and Setting of Dalmahoy Hotel & Country Club

The Dalmahoy Hotel & Country Club is located 15 kilometers (9.3 miles) outside of central Edinburgh which enables guests to relax and unwind from the business of the city yet it is still close enough to take advantage of all of the area’s most popular attractions.

The easiest way for guests to arrive from Edinburgh is a 35-minute drive by car and free parking is included in your stay. You can also reach the property fairly easily by public transport (train and/or bus) as it is right off of A71. Depending on the routes available at any given time getting to/from the city will take 40 to 50 minutes on average.

Accommodation Options

If you book one of the cheaper rooms, the Dalmahoy Hotel & Country Club is one of the cheapest places to stay in Edinburgh that offers comfortable rooms and 4-star amenities. Prices for the Classic room begin at just $100 GBR.

You could also get a lot for your money by upgrading to one of the luxurious suites! Junior Turret Suites begin at $455 GBP per night.

Below you’ll find information on all the different rooms and suites the Dalmahoy has to offer! Or you can check out the room types that are available on Booking.com for your travel dates.

Classic

The classic rooms are small but well-lit and would be super comfortable for solo travelers or couples who primarily want to take advantage of the property’s amenities. The mattresses are very comfortable and the room has the basic essentials including a mini fridge, coffee and tea maker, TV, WiFi, laptop safe, and an iron & board.

Superior

Superior rooms are similar to the classic rooms but have a lot more space and give you the choice of two double beds or one queen-sized bed. These rooms are particularly ideal for larger groups of friends or families because the rooms can be connected to adjacent rooms giving you more opportunities to socialize with your group.

These rooms also have a great view of the grounds so you’ll be able to soak up as much of the Dalmahoy’s property as possible!

Deluxe

The deluxe rooms are where more of the luxury elements are added. The rooms are very spacious and include a king-sized bed, a desk, and a seating area with a table.

You’ll notice small welcoming touches from the complimentary bottled water to the fluffy slippers and bath robes. Upon booking you can choose between a golf course or a garden view.

Family

Family rooms are exactly what they sound like, an option ideal for families! They have a spacious floor plan and have two double beds and can be connected to other family rooms if you need more space.

You can even request in advance a rollaway bed for older children and a crib for babes. If you decide to order room service there is conveniently a kids menu that will have enough options for pick eaters.

For an even more special time with your little ones, you can add on an indoor camping experience for kids that includes some take-home goodies like a bedtime story and a soft toy.

Manor House Deluxe

If you want to stay inside the original castle part of the hotel then you will need to book one of the Manor House Deluxe Rooms. There are a limited number of these king-sized rooms so make sure to book well in advance to secure your stay here!

Each of these rooms has its own unique quirks but you are sure to enjoy the high ceilings, sash and case windows, and in some rooms, an original fireplace! Perfect for cozying up with your partner on a romantic getaway.

Like the deluxe rooms and suites, the manor house rooms also have robes and slippers, an espresso machine, and bottled water.

Suites

If you aren’t concerned with finding a cheap place to stay in Edinburgh, the Dalmahoy castle hotel can also wow if you upgrade to one of their suites! Here is a rundown of the three different suite options:

Turret Suites

These suites are located in the corners of the hotel and have super king-size beds, spacious corner seating areas, and large bathrooms with a separate shower and a bath spacious tub.

We booked the Junior Turret Suite and we loved everything about it! The bed has SO much space and it was seriously the most comfortable mattress I’ve ever slept on!

For even more room you could opt for the Full Turret Suite which has an additional bedroom with two queen-sized bed and an attached bathroom with a shower.

Presidential Suite

These suites are immaculate! They are themed after famous whiskey distilleries in Scotland with artwork of different malts. If staying here you will also enjoy stunning views of the countryside.

The room will have its own separate living room and master bedroom suite with a superior super-sized king bed and two bathrooms.

Morton Suite

Out of all the rooms, this suite is the most special because it used to be the residence of the Lord and Lady.

The decor of this suite is elegant and has upgraded bathrooms and furnishings. There is a main bedroom with a king-sized bed, a desk, and a sitting room with a soft.

From the corner bathroom, you can gaze in awe and the rolling hills of the countryside before soaking in the clawfoot tub.

If you want to stay inside a piece of Edinburgh’s history at this castle hotel, the Morton Suite is the room for you!

Note: The only rooms that are inside the original castle part of the hotel are the Manor House Deluxe or the Morton Suite.

Dining Experiences

Around the Dalmahoy you’ll find options that will meet your mood and fit the occasion. There are two restaurants and 3 different bar areas to hang out in.

Pentland Restaurant

A Scottish-style restaurant with a dining room that overlooks the golf course and grounds. You can dine here for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

A buffet-style breakfast is severed here each morning and you can add it to your stay during the booking process. The selection will be from an offering of hot and cold items including cereals, fruits and veggies, baked goods, an omelet station, breakfast meats, potatoes, beans, and eggs which can be ordered separately from your table to be cooked to your liking. You can even try Haggis (if you dare!).

I liked how wide of a selection there was but I personally didn’t love the food from the buffet. It wasn’t horrible but the quality wasn’t what I was hoping for, especially for the additional $21 GBP.

We didn’t end up trying lunch or dinner here as we spent most of the day in central Edinburgh but these menus looked much better! On Sunday there is a special lunch menu from 12:30 to 4 pm.

Cocktail Bar

This cocktail bar is extremely moody with dim lighting and leather sofas so it’s the perfect place to lounge for a few rounds of drinks.

They have a wide array of fine beers, wine, and spirits including some of Scotland’s finest single malt whiskies. My fiance ended up enjoying it while I sipped on the Bramble Cocktail which I swapped out the Hendricks Gin for one made in Edinburgh.

We loved this cocktail bar and the bartenders were super friendly and knowledgeable when we asked them questions.

The Douglas Lounge

This space is more suited to leisurely enjoying a drink during the daytime as the room has large windows that face out to the lawns. The elegant decor will create a relaxing atmosphere. You can also order light bites from this lounge.

Brasserie

For a laid-back meal, head over to the Brasserie that looks out to the pool and garden. The menu has options that the entire family will enjoy including fish and chips, satisfying burgers, and homemade pizzas.

If you want to catch the big game, the dining room has TVs with Sky Sports.

The Brasserie is open daily from noon to 9 pm.

Afternoon Tea

Tea is a big deal when it comes to the United Kingdom! You can take part in a Traditional Afternoon Tea complete with delightful finger sandwiches, homemade warm scones with jam or clotted cream, and fresh cakes, all severed with a tea of your choice!

This unique experience starts at 34 GBP per person but you can also add a glass or bottle of wine for an additional fee. There is also a cheaper Tea for Two for only 18 GBP that includes scones with jam or cream and tea or coffee.

The James Braid Bar

An exclusive bar for golf or leisure club members can come to enjoy before or after hitting the fairways or working out.

The bar serves bacon rolls, Starbucks coffee, and soft and alcoholic drinks. There are some additional choices on the members-only menu too.

Activites and Services

When you book a stay at the Dalmahoy Hotel & Country Club there are a lot of great activities and services that you can take advantage of during your time here!

I really appreciate it when there aren’t any hidden fees and parking is one you won’t have to worry about if you stay at the Dalmahoy. It’s included in your room rate!

Stay on top of your workouts in the gym, try out a yoga or fitness class, loosen up in the sauna, detoxify in the steam room, go for a swim in the heated pool, get competitive with a game of tennis, or go for a walk or jog on the property’s trails.

If you’ve come for the golfing there are two different championship courses you can play on, the West and East Course.

The price for 18 holes starts at 35 GBP for the West Course and 55 GBP for the East Course. Prices go up depending on the time of day you book.

You can hire clubs for 45 GBP per set, a golf buggy for 40 GBP per round or 65 GBP for the day, an electric trolley for 15 GBP, and a standard pull trolley for 5 GBP.

Who would expect a castle hotel to have so many great amenities? I know I didn’t!

Value for Money

As far as places to stay in Edinburgh, the starting price point for a room here is already very cheap at just $100 GBR per night! Then, mix in all of the inclusions on the property and you’ve got yourself a great deal!

Even if you decide to splurge on one of the suites you shouldn’t have to pay much more than 500 GBP per night which to me is a great deal!

When talking about the price for food and drinks at the on-site restaurants and bar I found the prices to be on par with most other places in Scotland. The breakfast buffet was the only area where I felt that I didn’t get enough value for the price.

When comparing the price of the Dalmahoy to other castle hotels in Edinburgh there isn’t any denying that this is your best bet at affordable luxury!

Pros and Cons of Staying at the Dalmahoy Hotel & Country Club

Staying at a castle hotel in Edinburgh was something that I had high on my wish list and I was so happy to find that the Dalmahoy Hotel was affordable enough for us to book! Overall, we had such an amazing time here and would come back again in the future.

In this list below you can see which things I loved most about our stay and what things weren’t so great.

Pros:

Wide range of amenities – You really don’t have to leave the property to be entertained as there is truly something for everyone. Highlights for us were sweating in the steam room, going for a swim and relaxing in the hot tub, chatting with some cocktails in the Cocktail Bar, and talking peaceful morning walks on the grounds.

Beautiful property – Everything here is perfectly manicured and visually appealing. It makes it feel like you are paying way more than you really are to stay here! To take full advantage of the Dalmahoy’s location I would highly recommend booking a room with a view of the grounds or golf course – it’s just so calming to look at!

Spacious, updated, clean and comfortable rooms – I can’t say enough good things about our Junior Turret Suite. It was phenomenal and I still dream about how comfortable that mattress was. I would just lie down and fall asleep in seconds which is so unlike me to do! The cleanliness was on point and the added touch of robes and slippers we perfect after a hot bath in the tub.

Helpful and kind staff – Every person we interacted with during our stay was super cheerful and friendly. The bell boy even helped me to warm up some of my leftovers in the staff microwave as we were checking out!

Cons:

Limited authentic castle rooms – Most of the rooms at the Dalmahoy have been added to the original castle. This means you will need to pay a bit more to get a room that is actually a part of the original castle. During peak season these rooms go fast so be sure to book far in advance to get one! It didn’t bother me too much that our suite wasn’t part of the original castle because we got to enjoy many rooms in the hotel that were. Plus, we enjoyed taking in awesome views of the castle by walking the grounds outside.

The location – The Dalmahoy is obviously not as convenient as staying in the central part of the city but this affordable castle hotel in Edinburgh is all about having a unique experience on a relaxing piece of the countryside! If you are staying in Edinburgh for more than a couple of days you could even consider spending a night or two at the Dalmahoy to relax and then stay somewhere else more centrally located for the rest of your time in the city.

Breakfast buffet – I never typically enjoy breakfast buffets and the Dalmahoy’s was no exception, especially for the additional rate of 21 GBP per person. Overall, it felt like the quality was a bit lacking with some of the foods on the greasy side but I did appreciate that there were a few fresh items and that the eggs were cooked to order.

Ready to Experience a Scottish Castle Hotel on a Budget?

If you want to retreat to the tranquillity of the countryside, enjoy views of the gorgeous property, and all from a castle hotel then booking the Dalmahoy will be an easy decision!

Especially being that it is also one of the cheapest places to stay in Edinburgh that has luxury options for those with a higher budget!

You can check the current prices and availability here on Booking.com.

Nearby Edinburgh Attractions and Tours

The most exciting things to do in Edinburgh are around a 30 to 40-minute ride from the Dalmahoy Hotel! Here are just a few attractions and tours you won’t want to miss out on!

Edinburgh Castle – The majestic castle that rests on top of a hill in the center of the city is a must-visit! You can buy entry tickets here online or you can also book this guided walking tour for 40 GBP if you want more in-depth history than you will get by reading the informative panels around the castle. They also have a self-guided audio tour that can also be added to your tickets online or in person at the ticketing office for just 3.50 GBP.

Harry Potter Tour – Being that Edinburgh is where J.K. Rowling wrote Harry Potter there are tons of different Harry Potter tours that you can join but in particular, this 4-hour Edinburgh and the Writing of Harry Potter Tour is perfect for both Harry Potter fanatics and those who know nothing about it. A Harry Potter expert will take you to several significant locations that influenced the books while also learning about the life of JK Rowling. If you don’t have 4 hours to spare this Original Harry Potter Locations Tour only costs 15 GBP and condenses everything into 2 hours and a majority of the 900+ reviews are 5-star! You can also opt for this private version for a more personalized experience for just 20 more GBP.

Whiskey Tasting – At some point or another you’ll likely want to indulge in some Scottish whiskey! The best way to do this is on a whiskey tour because you will learn about the whiskey-making process on top of getting to sample a few different varieties. For true whiskey lovers, I would recommend this Whiskey and Folklore Tour as you will get to try four different single malt whiskeys all from different regions of Scotland. If whiskey isn’t your favorite spirit I would instead go for this Johnnie Walker Journey of Flavour Tour. I loved it because you get to try three custom whiskey-based cocktails instead it sipping it straight.

The Royal Mile – This is the busiest tourist street in Edinburgh and while you can enjoy walking it on your own for free you could pay a little bit to have a local guide teach you about all of the significant buildings that are on this mile-long stretch! This exact walking tour has incredible reviews and only costs 24 GBP which I think is a great price considering it lasts for 3 hours.

St Andrews & the Fishing Villages of Fife – If you are more interested in off-the-beaten-path locations this tour is the one for you! It heads north of Edinburgh to visit quaint towns and fishing villages, the oldest college in Scotland (St Andrews Collage), the Falkland Palace in Fife which was the main summer home of one of the old Royal Scottish families, and more. It lasts for 8.5 hours and costs 50 GBP per person.

Final Word on Staying at a Castle in Edinburgh

Thank you for reading my view of the Dalmahoy Hotel & Country Club! Whether you’re looking for a unique or cheap place to stay in Edinburgh I hope you’ll agree that this castle hotel is a great place to enjoy relaxing in the Scottish countryside! If you are looking for more ideas for your travels to Scotland I have some more guides you can read below!

1,2, or 3 days in Glasgow

Complete guide to the Harry Potter Steam Train