Prestonfield

Came to Prestonfield as part of a large party celebrating my Mum’s birthday.
It was pretty much the perfect place for this kind of event. We had a private dining room which makes it much more relaxed. You don’t have to worry too much about bothering people by the amount of noise you make. (Or in our case by two children running around with lightsabres.)
The building itself is in some lovely grounds, complete with highland cows. Which is quite unusual given that it seems to just appear out of nowhere at the end of a residential street.
I’m not sure even how to begin to describe the décor inside. There were patterned sofas and antiques everywhere. Curtains everywhere. Ropes guiding up the staircase. There was a huge crown on our table. It should be garish but I think the house embraces this aesthetic so whole-​heartedly it gets away with it and you end up being charmed.
I really enjoyed the food. The starter was a cinnamon-​spiced onion veloute. It’s Christmas so I guess cinnamon and related spices are used liberally. It’s was a bit weird, but I enjoyed it well enough. Main course I had a pheasant with red cabbage and pear. Dessert was christmas pudding/​sponge.
I’m not always a huge fan of this type of food; I wasn’t blown away by a recent visit to their sister restaurant at The Tower. This however ticked the right boxes. It was tasty, it felt the right kind of hearty, and didn’t feel overly pretentious. It is however on the expensive side.
Overall Prestonfield is the kind of place I can definitely see us coming again for big family occasions. It’s a visually pretty spectacular and the food was of a high standard.

Let’s break it down:
Beautifully well-​maintained grounds, complete with gardens? Check.
The most delish and well-​presented treats? Check.
Excellent selection of teas to wash your treats down with? Check.
Good service and cozy, antique interior? Check.
HIGHLAND COWS IN THE FIELD OUTSIDE?! ULTRA-​CHECK!
That’s it! I could gush and go into elaborate detail about each delightful dessert I sampled, on how lovely each individual pot of tea was, the mismatched antique furniture, the tiny crocheted desserts on a platter by the entrance, and the fancy powder rooms (seriously – the ladies’ room was enough pink to last a lifetime). It’s just a darn lovely place, folks. A perfect treat for you and whoever else you decide is worthy of such an outing: friends, family, the works.
My first visit came recommended by my other half who’d heard it was a nice, if a bit pricey, place for such an event (perhaps it may be cheaper than places such as the Balmoral? Who could say!). As I’d never had an afternoon tea before, and had some friends visiting Scotland for the first time, I figured it was time to pull out the stops. With that said, I can now say with total confidence that Prestonfield is the perfect place to wow your visiting friends and family, or to just treat yo’self! (Not only that, but if you’re feeling like you deserve a little bit extra in the «treat yo’self» realm, you’re offered the slightly pricier option of champagne instead of tea).
The plus: they ask your dietary requirements before beginning, so no worries for those with dietary restrictions. That meant my veg husband and I were accommodated excellently, whereas my American cohorts got some wee haggis balls of some kind as part of their set-​up. (Perfect for visiting tourists!)
Seriously. What else can I say here? This place ticked all my boxes, and I’m looking forward to returning in the future. :D Treat yo’self!

Prestonfield is a new fave, and not only because I just got engaged there. ;) We went here for afternoon tea, and I have to say — it was a fantastic experience, classy but friendly. Each room in this historic building has it own distinctive feel and tone, and you really sense you’re getting a proper tea experience. And yet the staff was not at all aloof; they were all lovely and friendly and didn’t take themselves too seriously. The food was incredible too — I was in heaven! After tea, my boyfriend took me out to the gorgeous gardens and proposed… And the staff was nice enough to do an impromptu photo shoot for us, and brought us a glass of champagne… A real class act!

I’ve been wanting to try afternoon tea at Prestonfield for a *long* time. I love afternoon tea. When else can you stuff yourself with lots of carbalicious mini food and call it a meal?
The highlight of Prestonfield is the setting, with service as a close second. The grounds are lovely (with penned highland cows and peacocks which we didn’t see), but mostly the house itself is fantastic. It is a proper stately home which means that the setting for afternoon tea is incredibly luxurous.
The staff are lovely and attentive, and topped up our tea while having no apparent issues with our 2.5 hour visit.
Admittedly, the food itself didn’t rank highest in my afternoon tea experience — with somewhat mediocre sandwiches and good but not fabulous sweets (though the macaroons were the best I’ve found so far) — but we still left full and very happy with the afternoon.
All in all a great afternoon and one I would happily repeat.

I love Prestonfield, it is my go to place for a bit of luxury and pampering. I actually can’t believe that I haven’t reviewed it many times before!
My in laws got married here 45 years ago, (in what is now rhubarb restaurant) and have had a soft spot for the place ever since. They introduced me to the place about 8 years ago and I keep coming back.
I have been here on more than a dozen occasions and I’m never disappointed. I love the afternoon tea here and I have had it in the antler room, leather room and even in the summer house in the garden. There you can watch the peacocks roaming.
The attention to detail is fantastic, topping up your tea and placing napkins on your lap. I love a bit of grandeur and this place has it in bags full.
The last time I was here with the girls for a birthday party, my friend collected her coat from the cloakroom to find they had mended the coat loop that had come detached at one side! How amazing is that, I have been telling everyone about that.

The best afternoon tea in Edinburgh.
Ambiance, service and food are excellent and it’s only a short bus or taxi ride from the town centre. The scones are quite literally perfect. Crispy on the outside, soft in the middle. The homemade raspberry jam is both sweet and tart and a perfect match for the clotted cream. The mini cakes are unusual, not the ‘meh’ offering of some places. We had mini lemon and carrot cakes, raspberry and milk chocolate macarons, mint crunch brownies and hazelnut and Chantilly cream puffs. Yum. There was NO WAY I was gonna leave that table until every crumb had been consumed. The sandwiches were nice, if I was being extra picky they could have been better however no complaints regards the freshness or taste. Particular mention goes to the thick ham and mustard butter one.
The tea list isn’t extensive however I tried an unusual black tea called lovers leap which was lovely. They offered extra tea and hot water throughout.
This is a brilliant place for a special occasion, surrounded by opulence and candles. They do a 2 course lunch for £18 which I think I’ll try soon. An ideal Mother’s Day venue methinks!

Prepare to be transported to a place of indulgence, located in the grand setting of Prestonfield House, where Rhubarb wows from start to finish. Pure decadence is reflected in the rich fabrics, evocative fragrances and delightful service.
Prestonfield house is a five-​star boutique hotel located in the Prestonfield area of the city of Edinburgh. About a 5 – 10 minute taxi ride from the Royal mile depending on traffic and nestled in the shadow of Arthur’s Seat. Royalty have been known to stay here, and you will feel particularly special when offered the choice of four opulent drawing rooms in which to quaff pre-​dinner drinks. As Tatler says it is ‘Triple A Rated spoil me factor’!
The house was originally known as Priestfield and was once a monastery founded in 1150 by the Earl of Northumbria. Throughout the next few centuries, the estate changed hands many times until it was unfortunately burned to the ground by Protestant students in 1670. The family had the house re designed and built again by architect William Bruce and then renamed Prestonfield. The newly built estate stayed in the Dick family’s possession for many generations and over the years they continued to modify and improve the estate, adding more rooms, paintings, and a grand new staircase. In the years to come the new generations of the family spent less and less time at Prestonfield and this resulted in the preservation of the décor and character of the house remaining intact for the present day visitors to enjoy… it really is a trip back in time. It was bought by the James Thompson grou (owners of the Fabulous Witchery and The Tower Restaurants) and has been done up to a fine standard with themed rooms, antler furniture and velvet and chandeliers galore.
Rhubarb «. I wondered where the the restaurant name had actually come from… Sir Alexander Dick, one of Prestonfields first owners was the first person to introduce Rhubarb seeds to the UK after a trip to China. The plant was first planted in Scotland at Prestonfield in the 18^th century and still grows there today in the garden.
The a la carte menu is equally grand, with my favourite starter — scallops, cauliflower purée and iberco ham, and we tried the Duck Galantine — Foie gras and ham-​stuffed, boned Gressingham duck, with prunes, salted lemon, pistachio and gingerbread.
Also local produce abounds with dishes showcasing tender slow-​cooked lamb, smoked with rosemary and served with crisp sweetbreads, liver royale and buttermilk potato mousseline, or Roast loin of Strathspey red deer, black pudding crumble, red cabbage purée, Arran mustard and potato mousse. Crackling crusted loin of roe deer is perfectly cooked and complemented by a steak and liver pudding, Jerusalem artichoke purée and curious port-​poached salsify.
This is a unique experience, perfect for a special occasion, but the sumptuous surroundings can also be sampled with a reasonably priced table d’hote menu for only £33. Even better a fantastic 3 course Sunday Dinner is only £16.95 think crab salad with micro herbs, Roast rib of beef and the works with a chocolate pudding and a very reasonable Ventoux on the House wine list at £24. Afternoon tea is also a great option at just £16.95 too in the decadent dining room or lounge a glass of fizz with it is a must!
The rooms are a bit expensive but they are absolutely beautiful and all bookings get a complimentary bottle and choclates so you will never want to leave!

I am luck y enough to have fabulous friends that treated me to afternoon Tea on Sat for my Birthday.
I dont think i have ever been in a hotel that is 5 star and felt so comfortable and special all at the same time. Afternoon Tea was delicious and the staff who served us were extremely polite and attentive. The Hotel is beautiful and the gardens are equally as nice. I was even in shock at how nice the bathrooms are! The best place i have been for afternoon tea and the nicest hotels.
I hope to be back very soon.

I would give my right arm to stay here again.
This hotel is beautiful. Walking down the road, late in the night, through the lovely slightly lit grounds surrounded by fog made for the best arrival ever. I am still confused and in awe at how this place exists in the middle of town?! You would never have thought it when looking around the gardens from the plush breakfasting room. Especially when I spied some peacocks and a highland cow?!
So back to the hotel. It is extravagant, decorated to the most amazing standard, and did I mention the lovely green gardens?! Surrounded by golden embossed wallpaper, lovely complimentary smellies and a very welcoming staff make this by far the best hotel I have ever stayed in.
I may have felt a little out of place but I cannot wait to stay here, if I ever get the chance again?!

During this trip I found out that my daughter loves themed dinners.
We ended up here at «The Worlds Most Famous Scottish Show
Scottish Entertainment, Dinner & Wine
An unmissable evening of Scottish music, costume, bagpipes, fiddles and dance in the magically historic setting of Prestonfield House. Enjoy expectional entertainment with wine and a gourmet dinner served by our kilted waiters»
Although the food was unexceptional, think wedding or banquet meal, we had a grand time interacting with the LARGE tour groups that come and were entertained by the music and dancers.
We even had Haggis, which I did not mind… reminded me of meatloaf they way they prepared it.

havent stayed in hotel but wow the afternoon tea is fabulous. Log fire, lovely waiter and cofee and tea with free shortbread. Lovely surroundings Got to see this place its amazing

This is probably one of the best hotels I have stayed at ever, and I have been in some crazy hotels, from the Gritti Palace in Venice to the Plaza Athenee in Paris. None however were as warm and welcoming as the Scots running this prime Edinburgh hotel. It might be a short schlep out of the centre of town, but pound-​for-​pound, compared to the likes of the Missoni it is one helluvalot better.
I ended up here the marathon weekend over the summer, and was only able to book 1 night. Having arrived, I told them I needed another night, and within a couple of hours they squirreled me out enjoying afternoon tea in one of their beautifully decorated reception rooms to inform me that there was another night available if I so desired.
From the moment I stepped through the front door the staff made me feel as if I was a long lost friend returning home. Their courtesy and warmth was impeccable, and delivered with traditional Scottish gusto. No doubt to «remind me of my English-​ness» they put me in the Churchill suite, and I wasn’t disappointed in the den they had assigned me, which was super cosy and intimate.
The grounds are surrounded by a large golf course and there are plenty of good vantage points for Arthur’s seat and beyond. It’s a quite and idyllic spot to be in, and all the more amazing considering that the bounds of central Edinburgh and not that far away, with everything it has to offer. Edinburgh taxi drivers are certainly friendly!
If you are looking for a well-​served, romantic weekend away, with excellent hospitaility, amazing restaurant (michelin-​starred if I remember correctly) and great afternoon tea, then look no further than the Prestonfield House Hotel.

I went here as part of my birthday surprise had a really lovely time the staff could have not been any more friendly and the grounds were lovely really romantic

wow!
an level of baroque opulence you will probably not have seen before in a 17^th Century Palace for the Lord Provost of Edinburgh.
Can’t comment on the food, but have been for a drink and will certainly be coming back again.
Set in beautiful grounds with views of the Salisbury Crag and on the otherside a golf course. Roof Terrace and peacocks strutting around the drive way.
If you want to go somewhere for a special occasion, then this is where you come.

They offer a traditional dinner and a mediocre show, good stuff! Plus, I discovered an uncanny love for haggis here!

Haven’t stayed in the hotel but have been a couple of times for Afternoon Tea. Often served in a private little room, this was a meal in itself, with sandwiches of different types and all kinds of little cakes — mini eclairs and other delectable mouthfulls. We were left to chat in a very unhurried way and it was a great way to spend an afternoon.
The ladies toilets are also notable for their extreme shades of pink !

Five star hotel set in stunning grounds just outside the city limits. Exceptional service and well apointed rooms. They have a whiskey tasting bar, with so many whiskeys that you cant count them all. Who knew there were so many. The restaurant is fine dining with prices to match. Food and service are excellent and the staff are knowledgeable on the dishes available.

Each room in this luxury country house hotel has a very different character, and all are very luxurious, almost to the point of being over the top. You’ll feel very pampered after a stay here. The staff are very helpful and attentive, without ever being too ‘in your face’.
The hotel restaurant, ‘Rhubarb’ is very glamorous. The service is excellent and the food wonderful.