Review: Salisbury Green Hotel & Bistro

Salisbury Green Hotel & Bistro is a boutique hotel in a unique location, within walking distance of the Old Town. The highlights of my overnight staycation include tasty Scottish produce, a rainfall shower, and a scenic stroll to Scotland’s oldest pub. Keep reading.

I couldn’t take my eyes off Arthur’s Seat. The glorious chunk of volcanic rock was glowing in the sunlight, and it was right there. Seeing it from this angle, so close and so clearly, was an unexpected treat.

Hotel stays in my home city are always an interesting experience. Spending time in locations around Edinburgh gives me a sense of normality and familiarity, but it feels very different. I look at my surroundings and experiences through the eyes of visitor – plus I get to abandon my own bed for the night. So often, I have been left scratching my head when one of my readers or Itinerary Planning clients asks for recommendations on where to stay in the city; after all, it’s not often you stay in a hotel when your own flat is just a short taxi journey away.

As well as being a pleasant little luxury, staycations are highly beneficial for my work. Extinct volcano views from my room are just an added bonus.

Introducing Salisbury Green Hotel & Bistro

The University of Edinburgh offers a host of unique venues and accommodation options in the city, trading under their Edinburgh First brand. Salisbury Green Hotel & Bistro sits within the Pollock Halls University campus; a peaceful haven next to one of the city’s prettiest green spaces – with no rowdy students or crowds of tourists in sight. Instead, there are trees, flowers in bloom, and birds having a wee sing song. The hotel feels far removed from the bustle of the city – particularly during the Edinburgh Festival – but is still within walking distance of all the action.

Masson House Makeover

Salisbury Green Hotel is split between two properties; Masson House and Mansion House. The 18th century Mansion House is a beautiful historic building, and has traditional rooms with some original features. I stayed in its modern counterpart, Masson House, which reopened in October 2018, having undergone a £4.5 million refurbishment. The property has 72 rooms, which have been transformed into a boutique hotel, with a lounge area and bistro.

The exterior doesn’t look as impressive as the Mansion House, nor does it look particularly like a hotel, but it’s important not to judge a book by its cover. Inside, you’ll find bright and modern spaces, and super-friendly staff. You can buy alcohol to drink in the lounge until 22.00, and much of the drinks menu features local Scottish brands.

I stayed in a deluxe double room, which was spacious and stylishly decorated. I loved the unique wallpaper, dark teal fabrics, and the massive double bed with big fluffy pillows. There was fast free WiFi, and a TV with Freeview channels, as well as an iron, safety deposit box, and hairdryer. The bathroom is big enough to host a party in, and has an amazing walk-in rainfall shower with Arran Aromatics toiletries. I slept like a baby after my long, hot shower. Happy days.

Food at the Bistro

Edinburgh First is accredited by Visit Scotland under the ‘Taste our Best’ scheme, which recognises businesses who source over 40% of their food from local, Scottish producers. This is apparent as soon as you read the menu at Salisbury Green Bistro. Big thumbs up from me! I had the fish plate for one to start: smoked mackerel pâté, Scottish smoked salmon, smoked haddock croquette, crispy prawns, pickled cucumber, Perthshire oatcakes. I loved it all, and my only concern was that I wouldn’t have room for my main!

I ordered the special of lamb rump with dauphinoise potatoes and veg, and didn’t have any trouble finishing it off. The lamb was tasty and tender, and the veg was cooked perfectly. I could’ve easily gone through a jug of jus, though – it’s always served as just a splash! The waiting staff were chatty and down-to-earth, and the service was quick. Being able to finish the meal, then be comfortably sprawled on my bed shortly after, was an added luxury.

The hotel breakfast also features plenty of Scottish produce, including Stornoway black pudding (my absolute favourite), Borders sausages, and Stobbs Farm smoked back bacon. During the week, the breakfast is cooked to order, and at weekends it’s served buffet-style; you can still order toast, hot drinks, and poached eggs from the waiting staff. I thoroughly enjoyed my yoghurt, croissant with jam, and cooked items from the buffet. A good start to the day!

Things to Do Nearby

Hike Arthur’s Seat – the view from the top of Arthur’s Seat is one of the best in the city, and it doesn’t take very long to get there. The quickest way from the hotel, is to ascend the steep steps which are on the right-hand side – when Salisbury Crags (see image below) is on your left. Edinburgh’s hills were formed by a volcano which last erupted over 365 million years ago, and nowadays they give Edinburgh its striking appearance, and provide a perfect viewing platform to admire the cityscape. Check out my guide to the best views in Edinburgh, and if you would like to scale all of Edinburgh’s seven hills, read my review of 7 Hills Tours.

Visit The Sheep Heid Inn – finish your hike up Arthurs Seat here, or walk 20-minutes through Holyrood Park from the hotel. The Sheep Heid Inn sits in the historic village of Duddingston, and claims to be one of the oldest pubs in Scotland; it is said there has been an inn on the site since 1360. Since its chic restoration, the pub has lost quite a bit of its original charm (it used to resemble an antique shop serving alcohol) but it’s still a lovely place to have a drink – particularly in the courtyard on a nice day. There’s serve quality food, and there’s a skittles alley though the back, which can be pre-booked for groups.

The Royal Commonwealth Pool – Salisbury Green Hotel sits in the campus behind this locally-loved swimming pool known as ‘The Commie’, which was built to bring the Commonwealth Games to Edinburgh. The A-listed building, which was refurbished in 2012, has Olympic standard diving boards, and a 50-metre pool. It was used in the Commonwealth Games in 2014, which was held in Glasgow. There’s also a gym, soft play and fitness studios.

Wander to the Old Town – in just over 20-minutes on foot, you can reach the charming Old Town, which centres around the Royal Mile. Lose yourself in the wee cobbled streets and ‘closes’ (our version of narrow alleyways), and visit some of Edinburgh’s free museums. You can also venture inside Holyrood Palace at the bottom, or Edinburgh Castle at the top; if you’re stuck for time, simply photograph them from outside. I also recommend walking down colourful Victoria Street, for some retail therapy in the independent shops, then stop for some refreshments in the lively Grassmarket area.

Final Thoughts

It’s not every day you find a boutique hotel within a student campus, but I can assure you that this lovely, leafy location is a real selling point. Staying right in the centre might be more convenient for some, but there’s every chance the location will be busier, noisier, and more expensive for a lesser standard.

The quality of the food surpassed my expectations, and the Bistro is a great option for guests after a day of city sightseeing. Overall, the Salisbury Green Hotel is a comfy, trendy and affordable accommodation, which I would have no trouble recommending.

• At the booking stage, you will be able to choose whether you would like a room in the Mansion House or Masson House (you can tell by the image in the wee gallery – if there’s an old building, it’s the Mansion House)
• Prices for the Mansion House start from £64 per night, and the Masson House for £79 per night
• To check prices and availability, visit the Edinburgh First website

This post is sponsored by Edinburgh First. As always, all content, opinions & chaotic behaviour are my own.

Happy travels!

Kay