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#1 of 2 hotels in Carberry
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Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
One of the great Castle Mansion Houses of Scotland, Carberry Tower is a multi-award winning, luxury 4 star Castle hotel with an award-winning Bistro, situated just outside Edinburgh in beautiful East Lothian countryside. Standing regally in 40 acres of stunning, private Estate parkland and widely recognised as Edinburgh's 'Castle in the country,' Carberry Tower is a place of intimate grandeur and to arrive here, is to weave your own story into a history that goes back to 1480 when our first foundation stone was laid. Since then, we have been a gathering place for Kings and Queens, Princes and Princesses and over the centuries, the great and the good have all come to warm themselves by our fires and feast from our banqueting tables. And with 30 en-suite bedrooms, ranging from elegant classic rooms to larger family rooms, well equipped executive rooms and luxurious Suites, we are able to accommodate up to 70 household guests in comfort and style.
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is officially classified according to VisitScotland standards.
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Nestled near Edinburgh, Carberry Tower Mansion House and Estate is celebrated for its cleanliness and striking location, drawing guests eager to experience its historical charm and well-maintained grounds. While the atmosphere is generally cherished for its historical character, there's a consensus that certain areas could benefit from rejuvenation.
The staff's friendliness and efficiency are frequently applauded, although some guests have encountered inconsistent service. The hotel's amenities, including the dining experience, are widely commended, yet opinions on value and room comfort show a divide, with a few guests suggesting enhancements are needed.
Location
Picturesque
Atmosphere
Charming
Rooms
Comfortable
Value
Reasonable
Cleanliness
Meticulous
Service
Inconsistent
Amenities
Well-appointed
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As the annual trip to Australia was not possible it was always going to be a challenge to find a venue that could compete for my wife’s birthday/wedding anniversary treat. We may have had to swap Centigrade temperature for the same number in Fahrenheit but everything else at Carberry Tower hit the spot. From the very first point of contact everyone was extremely helpful and, ultimately, welcoming. Special mention here to Lynn. The building is full of history and character and our room, The Mary Queen of Scots Suite, was even nicer than the website photographs suggested. It is really an apartment as opposed to a suite. On both nights we dined in the Campaign Bistro and the food was excellent. Due to Covid restrictions the usual breakfast buffet was not possible but on arrival we received a pre-order form with a wide, perfectly adequate choice. This ensured that everything was freshly prepared and the ingredients were from local suppliers. All in all this was a great experience and I look forward to returning in the future.
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Date of stay: November 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
A relative chose Carberry Tower A’s her wedding venue and many of the wedding guests were able to stay here. A group of 8 of us are in the on-site restaurant and had delicious dinners..two of us had duck and the other 6 all had fried fish...the biggest pieces many of us had ever seen! Only two of us had dessert Nd we both got the sticky toffee pudding since we are from the USA and wanted to try the “local” food. We stayed in the large Lothian Suite that was large and bore a sign saying the Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret had stayed in the room during their youth (visiting their aunt and uncle). The large room had a view of the formal garden and the large tent where we had the wedding dinner. The wedding ceremony was held in a “chapel” area on the grounds. My husband said the bar had a large variety of whiskies and a knowledgeable bartender. Breakfast had many choices in a hot and cold buffet, including haggis patties. Porridge was available upon request. Though it was muddy, I managed to see the nearby pond and climbed a hill for a spectacular view of Arthur’s Seat and old Edinburgh.
An A+ experience.
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Date of stay: February 2020Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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I live in Musselburgh, just a few miles from Carberry Tower, and was looking to book something a little different for my husband's birthday in December. I booked afternoon tea and an overnight stay. I was keen to book somewhere local, working in the tourism industry ourselves we knew how important it is to support local and given the tier systems thought it was a safe bet.
From the first call to the follow-up e-mails, the staff went above and beyond. Lynn Head of Guest Services was so amenable and even upgraded our room to an Executive Suite.
The room was huge, with a large four-poster bed, big grand dining table, and couch. We'd never stayed in a room quite like it. We really felt spoiled and there was even a bottle of prosecco in the room.
The afternoon tea was absolutely delicious and it was especially nice being able to enjoy it in the grandeur of our suite.
The breakfast the next morning was delicious with great quality ingredients.
Everything was very well managed in terms of social distancing and health and safety as well.
It really was a fantastic wee getaway and we can't wait to visit again.
Thank you so much to all the staff but especially Lynn, you are amazing at your job and really did make us feel so special.
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Date of stay: December 2020
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
On arrival the location, building and grounds area absolutely stunning. We was lucky to be there on a gorgeous sunny day and spent the afternoon drinking wine and having lunch outside. The manager lady was attentive and accommodating. On the downside the hotel was lacking attention to detail, outside furniture quite dated, scruffy old cushions, some unclean and lots of cigarette stubs on hedge garden floor. Inside the bar area was unmanned in the evening and very untidy with paperwork on bar area and items on bar tables. Fabulous space that could of been so much more inviting with candles, music etc. Again restaurant was the same, no table cloths, candles, flowers, we literally just got cutlery dumped on the table when we ordered food. The food I have to say that we had was tasty and cooked wonderfully with fresh veg. The breakfast was also the same really nice. The room we had was pretty poor if not awful, we paid £150 and it was tiny, scruffy, chipped paint, mucky carpet with two big iron burns, peeling wall paper and a flimsy white blind which offered no blackout at 5am in the morning. Bathroom needed lots of TLC and as for the White Company toiletries stated on website there was none in site nor was there any bottles of mineral water! I think on the whole with feedback this hotel could be improved with a little more attention to detail, the hotel did have a wedding on and was very busy so possibly bar area and dining room may have been different on another day.
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Date of stay: July 2021
Location
Cleanliness
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The estate is beautiful, wildlife everywhere. Mulberry Lodge was nice, light & spacious with four good sized bedrooms, two of which are en-suite.
The hot tub was a lovely addition, clean and very well maintained throughout the week we stayed.
The negatives with the cottage are that it needs a good deep clean and some of the furniture is on its last legs. The dining room chairs are getting rickety, the sofa’s are a bit worn and the kitchen needs gutting, the oven and microwave are disgusting.
Simple little things like only one oven glove, one tea-towel and sponge left (no dishcloth) were frustrating for a ‘luxury’ cottage.
However, these were only tiny issues compared to the very unexpected news when we arrived Saturday afternoon. The cottage was ready for our arrival around 3.30pm, which was fantastic, however, when we were checking in we were advised that the hotel had an exclusive use booking and we would not be able to access any of the facilities (bar, restaurant etc) until Tuesday! On top of that, we were then told that if we were going to walking in the grounds we must keep to the very outer edges!
So having had no knowledge that this was even possible, or warning before we arrived, our plans of unpacking and heading to the bar / Bistro for a snack and drink to relax whilst we waited for our Tesco delivery to arrive was out of the window. Having had no notice, we did not have anything to eat or drink until the shopping arrived around 6pm.
As starts go, this was very bad. We felt very unwelcome and frustrated that there was nothing in the cottage for us, no welcome basket with basics that would have helped. Had we known, we would have brought some things with us or even paid for something if this was an option.
It is a beautiful place, but you should be warned about limited access, and the cottage needs a really good clean. I have never cleaned away so may spiders and webs in my life, my husband must have cleared 20 in the first hour of arrival and when I hoovered, I cleared loads of webs. There were also a lot of wasps and bees trying to get into the house, not bothered about the bees, would just have popped them back outside but I did not want wasps getting in so we kept the windows closed.
The patio area also needs a good clean, the patio furniture is looking tired and uninviting.
Give the cottage a freshen up, warn people if access is going to be limited and consider offering welcome baskets and you will definitely have a ‘luxury’ cottage, but right not it’s just missing the mark.
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Date of stay: August 2022
Value
Rooms
Service
Room Tip:Check if you have access to the hotel before you travel
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Stayed in a classic room that according to the website would have a view over the estate grounds. We looked out to the kitchen area of the hotel with no view. Room was terrible. It was very warm with no air-con and we had to prop the window open with the waste bin as the window wouldn’t stay open on its own. Decor was very tired, walls were scuffed, needing painted, skirting boards chipped in many places and valance around the bed was dirty. The wardrobe door couldn’t be fully opened as the beside table prevented it from doing so. We stayed in another 4 star hotel the previous evening that was far superior and no comparison. in fact the bathroom in Carberry Towers would have fitted into the shower area in the other hotel. The website also promised White Company toiletries that we didn’t get. We were in room 102 in the refectory area of the hotel and the carpets were leading up,to the bedroom were dirty. Baffled by the good reviews. We have stayed at many hotels and don’t complain very often but as we paid £126 (that was with a discount) for the room and we expected a lot more. Definitely not worth the money. I wouldn’t stay here again and will not be recommending it to anybody. Avoid!
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Date of stay: June 2021Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We were blown away just making our way up that beautiful drive. An impressive tower lay ahead followed with a warm welcome. Our room offered lots of space including a seating area and a huge and comfortable bed. Included in our DBB rate, a lovely cream tea refreshed us before we went for a walk in the impressive grounds. Dinner was of a very high quality and service was absolutely impeccable. Staff throughout our stay deserve much commendation for their pleasant, friendly and efficient manner. The freshly cooked breakfast did not disappoint, The tower offers stunning accommodation particularly with its public rooms even despite the covid restrictions. A wonderful overnight stay in historic accommodation and backed up with first class service throughout.
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Date of stay: October 2020Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Having read very good reviews here I’m sorry but we were disappointed in our stay. Although impressive from the outside and set in lovely grounds inside the hotel had a musty smell and all the furnishings in common areas looked tired. WiFi in the room was poor. I found the bed really uncomfortable, very hard. We had a spacious room, the Princess Margaret suite, it was nice to see a sign in the room saying it had been the bedroom of the Queen Mother. A nice bathroom but after one bath the hot water ran out and we boiled kettles. I am sorry to be critical as the staff did their best and were welcoming and the food in the bistro was very good and the presentation was really beautiful. Because of Covid we were served breakfast in our room and it was very good including a lovely fresh fruit salad. For £250 a night bed and breakfast family of 4 I think it was expensive for what we got.
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Date of stay: July 2020Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We saw the property appear on a third party website at a great rate. It looked unique so we booked it.
It’s about 20 minutes away from some of the better know attractions in Edinburgh, so you will definitely need a car if staying at the property. Parking is free and convenient.
The grounds are impressive (bring some wellies if you want to explore and find the memorial to the site where Mary Queen of Scots surrendered 500+ years ago. Also keep an eye out for some of the wildlife; deers, squirrels, rabbits and owls!
The building itself is breathtaking. Staff encourage you to explore and encourage you to make full use of the property, including sitting in each of the rooms (as long as you follow the current Covid rules regarding alcohol consumption). There’s several private rooms that you can use including a library and a music room! I’m sure after Covid the rooms will be packed, but right now you’re very likely to have the room to yourself- so I would recommend making good use of them!
The building is full of history. I hadn’t realised that until I arrived and did a google search. The mansion has links to the royal family with HRH The Queen often staying as a child! When you visit, you can see why the Royal Family spent so much time at the estate.
Although there’s no shortage of fancy restaurants about, we tried the one at the hotel. The food was amazing. So amazing that we booked it 2/3 days that we stayed! The breakfast was also of a good quality- a traditional Scottish breakfast with haggis! Be sure to make it clear if you want the room delivered to your room!
We stayed in two different rooms; the Royal Suite and The Strathmore Suite. The Royal Suite was amazing! I could actually imagine the Queen staying in a similar suite if she ever visited. The Strathmore Suite was also very impressive! Very spacious and luxurious.
With a great hotel, you need a great team behind it and The Carberry is no different! Lyn was brilliant from even before we arrived. She dealt with my emails regarding room preferences well before my stay and was able to accommodate my requests! When I met her at the hotel, she was just as welcoming and efficient as she was via email! She made us feel very welcome and made an effort to learn our names and have a chat with us each morning. I was impressed that she actually remembered what our plans were, e.g. she asked how our visit to the zoo had been the previous day! We also met Douglas (the general manager) by chance when roaming the grounds. He was equally as delightful and entertained us with conversation for 30 minutes!
This hotel is amazing and although I live in London, I’m already thinking of excuses as to why I should return in the near future!
If you’re read all of this review (sorry for going on) and are considering booking the hotel... I would strongly suggest booking!!! Oh and treat yourself to a Suite!
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Date of stay: May 2021Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Booked an overnight stay for our 25th anniversary and we were not disappointed. The long straight approach is very impressive and the outside of the house is also imposing. We had afternoon tea booked and were advised to push back dinner which was exactly right. The afternoon tea was plentiful and very tasty. The turret suite we had booked was very comfortable with a dual aspect, looking back up the long drive and over the south gardens from other windows. Dinner was spot on and beautifully presented. Breakfast was ordered the night before and it was all brought to our table and again it was all very tasty. Loads of large comfortable rooms for sitting with a drink/cuppa. All the staff were chatty and always acknowledged you. Would look at booking this again or even just booking for food
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Date of stay: September 2020Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Falkirk, United Kingdom78 contributions57 helpful votes
Scotrail trains are wheelchair accessible . If you phone in advance the guard will be ready with a ramp onto the train . Sorry I don't know about the path to the station . The hotel might know
Boston, MA, United States105 contributions66 helpful votes
I'm not too sure there is public transport available from Carberry. I think the best bet is to take a cab (that's what we did.) It's only about a 20 minute ride by cab and was NOT that expensive. (I remember thinking it would cost a lot and was surprised that it did not.) Of course, I live near Boston where it costs about $75 to get from Logan Airport to our house, so a cab fair of 20-some pounds for all 4 of us and all our luggage did not seem extravagant. It might've even been less.
There are more places to choose from in the Carberry area.
PRICE RANGE
S$205 - S$322 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
carberry tower hotel musselburgh
LOCATION
United KingdomScotlandEast LothianMusselburghCarberry
NUMBER OF ROOMS
30
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