The Ben Doran Guest House

4.0 star property
your current months are December, 2024 and January, 2025.
December 2024
January 2025

Photo gallery for The Ben Doran Guest House

Lobby
Executive Double Room, 1 King Bed
View from property
Exterior detail
Interior entrance

Reviews

8.2 out of 10

Very good

Popular amenities

  • Room service
    Room service
  • Breakfast included
    Breakfast included
  • Housekeeping
    Housekeeping
  • Free WiFi
    Free WiFi
  • Business services
    Business services

Explore the area

Map
11 Mayfield Gardens, Edinburgh, Scotland, EH9 2AX
  • University of Edinburgh
    17 min walk
  • National Museum of Scotland
    4 min drive
  • Royal Mile
    5 min drive
  • Edinburgh (EDI)
    28 min drive

Room options

Standard Double Room

  • 35 sq m
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Double Bed

Executive Double Room, 1 King Bed

  • 40 sq m
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

Standard Double Room, Shared Bathroom

  • 30 sq m
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Double Bed

Standard Single Room, 1 Single Bed, Shared Bathroom

  • 15 sq m
  • Sleeps 1
  • 1 Twin Bed

Similar properties

About the area

Edinburgh

With a stay at The Ben Doran Guest House in Edinburgh (Newington), you'll be within a 5-minute drive of Royal Mile and University of Edinburgh. .This guesthouse is 1.8 mi (2.8 km) from Edinburgh Castle and 2.1 mi (3.4 km) from Princes Street.

What's nearby

  • University of Edinburgh - 17 min walk - 1.5 km
  • Grassmarket - 4 min drive - 2.5 km
  • Royal Mile - 5 min drive - 2.5 km
  • Edinburgh Castle - 5 min drive - 2.9 km
  • Princes Street - 6 min drive - 3.4 km

Getting around

  • Princes Street Tram Stop - 5 min drive
  • Edinburgh (ZXE-Edinburgh Waverly Train Station) - 7 min drive
  • Edinburgh Airport (EDI) - 28 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Southpour - ‬9 min walk
  • ‪Pizza Hut - ‬7 min walk
  • ‪Old Bell Inn - ‬6 min walk
  • ‪The Salisbury Arms - ‬11 min walk
  • ‪The Earl Grange Cafe - ‬4 min walk

About this property

The Ben Doran Guest House

Guesthouse with free breakfast, near Royal Mile
The Ben Doran Guest House offers 11 accommodations with DVD players and coffee/tea makers. Beds feature Egyptian cotton sheets and premium bedding. 22-inch LCD televisions come with digital channels.

Bathrooms include designer toiletries, complimentary toiletries, and hair dryers. This Edinburgh guesthouse provides complimentary wireless Internet access. Hypo-allergenic bedding and irons/ironing boards can be requested. Housekeeping is provided daily.

The recreational activities listed below are available either on site or nearby; fees may apply.
Make yourself at home in one of the 11 guestrooms featuring DVD players and LCD televisions. Complimentary wireless internet access keeps you connected, and digital programming is available for your entertainment. Bathrooms have designer toiletries and hair dryers. Conveniences include phones and coffee/tea makers, and housekeeping is provided daily.
Make use of convenient amenities, which include complimentary wireless internet access and concierge services.
Take advantage of the guesthouse's room service (during limited hours). A complimentary buffet breakfast is served daily from 8:00 AM to 9:00 AM.
Featured amenities include a business center, express check-in, and express check-out. Limited parking is available onsite.
A complimentary buffet breakfast is served each morning between 8:00 AM and 9:00 AM.
Room service (during limited hours) is available.

Languages

Arabic, English, French, Greek, Japanese, Polish, Spanish

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and public transport

  • Limited on-site parking

Food and drink

  • Free buffet breakfast available daily 8:00 AM–9:00 AM
  • Room service available

Conveniences

  • Front-desk safe
  • Library

Guest services

  • Concierge services
  • Daily housekeeping
  • Front desk (limited hours)
  • Luggage storage
  • Multilingual staff
  • Tour/ticket assistance

Business services

  • Business centre
  • Computer station

Accessibility

  • This property does not have any lifts

More

  • Smoke-free property

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Bed sheets
  • Egyptian cotton sheets
  • Heating
  • Hypo-allergenic bedding
  • Premium bedding

Bathroom

  • Designer toiletries
  • Hairdryer
  • Towels

Entertainment

  • 22-inch LCD TV
  • Digital channels
  • DVD player

Food and drink

  • Coffee/tea maker

More

  • Iron/ironing board (on request)
  • Phone

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 3:00 PM; Check-in end time: 5:00 AM
Contactless check-in available
Express check-in available
Minimum check-in age: 18

Check-out

Check-out before 10:30 AM
Contactless check-out available
Express check-out available

Special check-in instructions

The property charges GBP 50 for credit card payments
The front desk is open daily from 7 AM - 7:00 PM
Guests planning to arrive outside of normal check-in hours must contact the property in advance for check-in instructions and lockbox information; front desk staffed during limited hours
To make arrangements for check-in please contact the property at least 24 hours before arrival using the information on the booking confirmation

Renovations and closures

The property is closed between December 24 and December 27.

Access methods

Front desk (limited hours), lockbox, private entrance

Pets

Pets not allowed

Children and extra beds

Children 12 and younger are not allowed at this property; All guests older than 12 are welcome
Rollaway/extra beds are not available
Cribs (infant beds) are not available

Payment types

Important information

Optional extras

  • Credit card charges are subject to a surcharge of GBP 50

The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change.

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
This property accepts credit cards; cash is not accepted
Noise-free guestrooms cannot be guaranteed
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher
Please note that cultural norms and guest policies may differ by country and by property; the policies listed are provided by the property

We should mention

This property does not have elevators
This property's policy is to refuse certain bookings for the purpose of group events or parties, including pre-wedding stag/bachelor and hen/bachelorette parties
Children 12 years old and younger are not permitted at this property
Only registered guests are allowed in the guestrooms

National rating

This establishment has received its official star rating from VisitScotland, the National Tourist Board for Scotland.

Property is also known as

Ben Doran
Ben Doran Edinburgh
Ben Doran Guest House
Ben Doran Guest House Edinburgh
Ben Doran Hotel Edinburgh
The Ben Doran Guest House Edinburgh, Scotland
Ben Doran Guest House Guesthouse Edinburgh
Ben Doran Guest House Guesthouse
The Ben Doran Guest House Edinburgh
The Ben Doran Edinburgh
The Ben Doran Guest House Edinburgh
The Ben Doran Guest House Guesthouse
The Ben Doran Guest House Guesthouse Edinburgh

The Ben Doran Guest House Reviews

Reviews

8.2

Very good

Rating 10 - Excellent. 175 out of 474 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 192 out of 474 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 65 out of 474 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 31 out of 474 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 11 out of 474 reviews" "

9.0/10

Cleanliness

8.6/10

Staff & service

8.0/10

Amenities

8.2/10

Property conditions & facilities

7.6/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

2/10 Terrible

Verified traveller

Business traveller
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Think twice
Shared shower and toilet in the corridor
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

larry

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
I had problems with the TV the lady on duty was more than helpful in resolving the problem and getting me a replacement nothing seemed too much trouble just what you need to be , looked after
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

evelyn

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The Ben Doran is a 300 year old mansion converted to a hotel. The ceilings are like 16 feet tall. The walls are really thick. So it is really quiet. The owners and personnel are so nice and friendly. Odette is a sweetheart. The location is awesome. You can walk if you want or take a bus from close by or uber. Loved our stay!!
Stayed 6 nights in Nov 2023

8/10 Good

toni

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Room was clean,bed comfortable but the traffic noise was awful even with window shut all through the night
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2023

8/10 Good

Alexander, Savannah

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great B&B in old Edinburgh mansion. Great hot breakfast and super friendly staff ( Odette was engaging, charming and very helpful). Not glamorous but highly recommended.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Warren

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Ben doran
Great spot. Close to the royal mile. Very comfortable rooms. Fantastic breakfast in a quaint dining room. Very welcoming and helpful staff. I definitely recommend staying here
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Robert

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
This is a classic structure with loads of personality. Well maintained and comfortable. Beautiful gently curving spiral staircase. Staff and owners were very helpful. They focus on guests’ needs. Broad choice of breakfast foods. Bus stop very close by. Don’t bother with a car in Edinburgh - it’s too congested and the streets are narrow. Walk or take the bus. We did!
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2023

6/10 Okay

Verified traveller

Liked: Staff & service, room comfort
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2023

4/10 Poor

Verified traveller

Business traveller
Liked: Staff & service
This is not a 4 * hotel!!! It is not more than a 2½ *. The Guest House do not have elevator and rooms are 1 or 2 floors upstairs and nobody helps you at the arrival. Some rooms are sharing bathroom. No front desk with employees. Only 1service: breakfast Is included.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2023

4/10 Poor

Enrique

Liked: Cleanliness
Disliked: Staff & service, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Maxine

Stayed 2 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Beverley

Stayed 1 night in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Patrick

Liked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Staff was very friendly! Close to many different things to do if you just want to take a day from being downtown. Highly recommended!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2023

8/10 Good

Shaun

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Dated but very clean & perfect for overnight stay
A very honest Guesthouse. Doesn’t try to be anything but a pleasant overnight stay. Rooms are dated but facilities are very clean and accessible. Breakfast was very good with excellent service
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Kate

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The manager was super friendly and the breakfast was great. Plenty of food and the eggs were amazing.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2023

8/10 Good

Alexander

Stayed 1 night in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Sara

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Great Guest House - Clean & Warm Room
The room was very spacious and clean. It seemed as it was recently refurbished. They were really accommodating and provided us with a packed breakfast as we had an early tour one day and couldn´t stay for breakfast. The buffet breakfast was good and freshly made. The guest house is very well communicated, it is about 30 min walk from the city centre but has restaurants 10 minutes away. Also the bus stop is right opposite the house. There was barely face to face service and the man I spoke to wasn´t very welcoming, but other than that it was a pleasant stay and I would recommend this place if you are visiting Edinburgh.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2022

2/10 Terrible

alastair

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Booked this for my daughter to stay for two nights. First night we couldn’t get access to hotel. Nobody answers the phone.. 2nd day arrived 3pm. Hotel room freezing no heating on no hot water for a shower room not cleaned properly and smelt damp. My daughter returned home and drove back next morning.couldn’t talk to anyone as no staff present
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2021

4/10 Poor

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness
Disliked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Honest Review
The city was beautiful and we chose this hotel as it was the perfect location and it offered a full Scottish breakfast to prepare us for the day but that didn’t happen they served egg and sausage both of which were just topped up from the day before the cereal was stale and same as the bread. There was no body to greet you and the emergency number provided was in contactable on several occasions as we tried to get in contact as we had no front door keep and a problem with our bed.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2021

10/10 Excellent

ALEXANDER

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Very good
The guesthouse was very tasteful and quiet.The hosts were excellent. The shower could have been better in the room and the switch for the kettle was broken though still usable. We would visit again.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2021

10/10 Excellent

Gavin

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
1st Class, Recommended
Great stay, very friendly
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2021

2/10 Terrible

Orlando

Liked: Cleanliness
Disliked: Staff & service
This place ough to be renamed Fawlty Towers!!
Room was acceptable if stuck in 70's. On the other hand breakfast was like an episode of Fawlty Towers... We arrived at 8.30 (half way through the hour window for breakfast) to find that other than a handful of bacon rashers they were out of cooked breakfast options. When i asked for more, the owner/waitress checked each of the chafing dishes and announced 'there was still bacon'. I had to beg for an egg, i mean i almost had to drop to my knees... We then discovered that the orange juice was bad. Informed the hostess who took my glass; returned a little later, took the jug and that was it. Had to ask what the outcome was, only to be told there was nothing wrong with it, but that she'd open a new one if i wanted. There's more, a lot more... a full 10 minute wait for eggs and bacon (which all came on separate plates minutes apart); shoulders slumping and eyes rolling when any request was made (coffe, toast) ; noisiest clean up ever which began before we received our food.... Under no circumstances would i ever stay at this hotel again. But if they were to take their show on the road i might get tickets!!!
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2020

10/10 Excellent

John

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Rugby weekend in Edinburgh
Friendly comfortable residence close to the city. My room was ensuite with all of the home comforts. Easy to access from the city centre - 15 minute walk to Royal Mile Will be back
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2020

4/10 Poor

yvonne

Liked: Property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Disliked: Staff & service
overpriced; poor cooked breakfast
looked forward to a cooked breakfast - but only 3 items - bacon, scrambled egg & black pudding. A couple more items from mushrooms, beans, tomatoes, sausage, hash brown are usually standard. Overpriced - at £144 per night .
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2020

8/10 Good

Ruth

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Very pleasant
Owner went above and beyond to help and accommodate me when I was unable to manage the stairs. Big old townhouse on busy thoroughfare into Edinburgh with rooms on 1st and 2nd floors. Rooms spotless. Breakfast lovely and beautifully presented. Bus stop right outside with city centre and airport services.
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2020