23 Mayfield Guest House

We loved our stay at 23 Mayfield. The location was ideal — tucked away in a quiet neighborhood, yet still convenient to reach everything in Edinburgh. It felt like the best of both worlds: peaceful surroundings and easy access to the city. Our room was spacious, very comfortable, and spotless, with thoughtful touches that made it feel welcoming. Breakfast was truly phenomenal — beautifully prepared, with plenty of delicious options to start the day right. The service throughout our stay was excellent as well: attentive, helpful, and always with a warm smile. 23 Mayfield is a perfect combination of comfort, hospitality, and charm. We would absolutely stay here again and highly recommend it to anyone visiting Edinburgh.

We stayed at this beautiful guesthouse for a week during the Edinburgh Festival and it was perfect in every way. Our room was spacious and very comfortable, with wonderful attention to detail, whether it be the authentic period styling or the tea and coffee provisions and bottle of fresh mint infused water. The excellent ensuite has fluffy towels and gorgeous toiletries, the whiskey hand soap was delightful. And of course I must join the chorus of praise for the breakfasts! Ross takes pride in sourcing only the best ingredients and cooking to order, and every morning was amazing. Also importantly, the location is great, you can walk into the city, or there is a bus stop a very short distance away and several buses that take you straight into the city centre, so you never wait for long, including coming home. Ross and Kathleen are very special hosts and we are very thankful for our wonderful week in a home away from home.

What can I say? Ross and Kathleen made us feel so welcome and provided everything we could possibly need. The breakfasts are incredible, in a beautiful dining room. The entire house is filled with antique furniture and art, yet the bathrooms are fully modern. Beds and pillows are comfortable. They have an honour bar in the lovely lounge and a direct line to taxis, which arrive within just 5 minutes or less. A 2-minute walk takes you to a bus stop and, armed with the map and bus information provided on check-in, you have everything you need to find your way around the city. A 1-minute walk takes you to a lovely little Indian restaurant, wonderfully close for those tired evenings after a day of touring and walking, with other restaurants not too far away as well. I would stay here again for sure. We loved every minute of our 6 night stay.

There aren't stars high enough to rate our experience while staying at this place! We absolutely loved everything about it: The lovely couple that owns and runs it, who also does the delectable breakfasts, are absolutely delightful. The attention to detail at every turn is meticulous and a delight. They are also very jovial and always willing to help or even tell a wonderful story.|It was a magical stay and we hated to leave!

We had an amazing, the hotel was the highlight of our trip, the owners gave incredible recommendations so please ask before you visit as a lot require reservations. The breakfast was exquisite, I wish they could have cooked all 3 meals for us, please do not hesitate to book this hotel, I have recommended it to everyone I know.

We spent three nights in May – together with close friends – at this amazing bed and breakfast, and is was just perfect. From the warm welcome by Ross, to the breakfast that looked like it came straight out of a fancy magazine, everything felt wonderfully thoughtful and cozy. |Our rooms had all the nice little touches you’d hope for – fluffy towels, premium bath products, a tray for tea and coffee, fresh mint water – and they were sparkling clean. |You can tell just by walking through the house and garden how much love and heart Ross and Kathleen pour into the place. Ross, by the way, is always up for a laugh and has plenty of local tips, maps, and restaurant to share. |Free parking is a plus, and the bus stops practically outside the front door – super convenient for getting into town. |Next time we're in Edinburgh? No question – we're staying right here!

We had a wonderful stay. The house is beautiful and perfect for relaxing in. Our room had everything we needed and we loved tea and coffee provided. The hosts are very friendly and accommodating. We cannot wait to return.

We stayed here November last year and had the best time ever!! Completely forgot to write a review but we absolutely loved this stay it was so cozy and the owners are such kind and generous people! We left and talk about this place all of the time to anyone we speak to about Edinburgh. For sure will be coming back here. Also the breakfast was incredible and the owners were so attentive to all guests ensuring everyone was comfortable. May I also mention it smells so good! They have their own signature scent and my fiance and I talk about it alll the time! Can’t wait to go back one day☺️

23 Mayfield is a little hard to find. The GPS kept telling us we had arrived when it was actually 1 block down. Something to keep in mind in case your GPS had a mind of it's own as well. Once found , we were very pleased to see parking - rare in Edinburgh. The rooms were well appointed , a little small, and at first extremely noisy. We were on the first floor and could hear the clomping of guests on the exposed wood stairs. The breakfast room was also very near our door and I was thinking there was to be no sleeping - but I was wrong. Somehow , magically , the noise didn't wake us - I am a very light sleeper too. Whatever the sound dynamic was in the place - I slept very comfortably and quietly. If we were going to be spending time in our rooms , I would have found the space restrictive but for a good nights rest , it was great. The only other thing I felt was a head scratcher was the bathroom mirror. Very space age, 3-D type design that completely did not go with the decor. The breakfast room was lovely and the food was very good. The hosts are happy to accommodate your every need. They had umbrellas for the rain and a very nifty call button that summoned a cab in under 10 minutes ! It's location is walkable to some things but since you could have your car on property , it's easy to drive anywhere you want to go within a few minutes. Come and stay and enjoy this cozy gem in the midst of busting Edinburgh.

This place really is as good as it gets. The B&B is in the most beautiful old Victorian house, with elegant traditional Scottish decor. Each room is gorgeous, and when I walked in to my bedroom, classical music was playing (loved the sound system) and water, tea, candies, and chocolate were waiting. The bathrooms are also gorgeous, I especially loved the rain shower. The accommodations are a great mix of luxurious tradition and high-tech modern convenience. I have stayed here twice, and each time I was tempted to just move in! Ross & Kathleen, the owners, are absolutely delightful. They are very helpful, accommodating, and great at making you feel relaxed and welcome from the moment you step foot in 23 Mayfield. This trip, I unfortunately had a constantly changing schedule, but Ross & Kathleen were so helpful in adjusting with me. Breakfast is large and delicious, and there are several selections available to choose from each day, including vegetarian options. You order what you'd like to have for breakfast the afternoon/evening before on a card. High speed internet access is included. You can call a cab via speed-dial from the phone in the lobby, or walk in to town easily. I can't imagine staying anywhere else when I come to Edinburgh! I will continue to book 23 Mayfield personally, and to highly recommend it to everyone I know. 23 Mayfield really is special.

I would give a six-star rating if it were possible. The house is in beautiful luxurious old-Scotland condition. The drawing room has Classic movies running on the TV with classic tunes played in the background. The dining room is elegant as are the place settings at every table; complete with lit candle. Breakfast is large gourmet and cooked to order including eggs poached, grilled, or scrambled, black pudding, haggis, sausage, potato scone, bacon, beans, ham and far more options. Specials are prepared on the weekends. This meal is so hardy you won't need lunch. Bedrooms are comfortable, clean, and beautifully appointed. The beds are as comfortable as any top tier hotel. The rooms can be blacked out for a very quiet deep long sleep. I slept better here then I have in months anywhere else. Good free high speed internet that is fast enough to stream video. Ross and Kathleen have created a charming experience that we will return to with every visit to Edinburgh.

What a wonderful way to start our UK trip! I read up about 23 Mayfield on Trip Advisor and Yelp and the reviews sounded amazing, and they were 100% correct. Ross was responsive during the whole experience and was there upon our arrival. Our room was beautifully laid out (I suggest doing sparkling wine and chocolates upon arrival - such a nice treat!). His recommendations around town were wonderful and we thoroughly enjoyed our two days stay. The B&B is a bit of a walk from the Royal Mile but we had a great time trekking through a local park to get to the bottom of it. Really stunning peaks and views. Every morning we were able to choose our breakfast and it was really quite delicious. Ross and the staff were very welcoming throughout our whole experience. Skip staying at a hotel and get a more personal experience by staying at a B&B. And definitely if you get the chance to stay here, do! You won't regret it!

I am genuinely surprised that more people have not reviewed this place, it is amazing! My husband and I came here after reading its rave reviews on Trip Advisor and seeing the beuatiful shots on the website. We decided to splurge a little and go for the Premier Jacobean 4-Poster, and it was worth every pound! Amazing bed, full wardrobe, classical music softly playing in the background, and best of all, an incredible modern bathroom! Coming to a B&B I anticipated a "rustic" bathroom with a small-but-authentic-so-it's-ok-if-I-have-no-space-and-cold-floors experience. Oh no. This bathroom came compete with a tall shower with excellent water pressure, towel warmer, and mirror de-fogger. Loved it! The breakfast was also stunning. The breakfast room is adorable and beautifully set. Since we came at a time when only three rooms were booked we had our choice of breakfast tables so that we could adjust our view of the garden and quaint homes in the neighborhood. Lots of choices of juice, tea, and coffee that were self serve so that we didn't have to wait. The food itself was scrumptious and so filling that I don't think we ate lunch on our second day there! Definitely go for the Scottish dishes, but there are options for more familiar food to Americans like waffles, french toast, or bagels. Fun little bonus is that they have a serving dish for toast that keeps it crisp. Seems simple, but I was thrilled! I also loved the club room, which featured wooden board games, lots of books on the area, a gas fireplace, laptop with internet access, and big band music on the sound system. The lighting and the decor made it seem truly luxurious, and I couldn't help but bask in the joy of it all. As the other Yelper noted, probably the best part about 23 Mayfield is Ross. He was so welcoming, funny, and charming that we immediately felt at home. Since it was close to dinner time when we checked in he gave us restaurant recommendations right away, two of which we took and loved! He also sat with a directionally-challenged me and patiently explained how to take the most scenic route to the Royal Mile, allowing us to walk along the crags and get a breathtaking view of the whole city. It seemed like he truly cared about helping us to navigate the area and to get the most out of our time in Edinburgh. If you are going to be in the city and want to have a perfect Scottish experience, go to 23 Mayfield. You will thank me later :-).

Love. Pure love. A week later and I'm still savoring the moment the heavy wooden door opened to unveil the most elegant room I've ever stayed in. Classical music played in the background, regal textiles draped the 4-post canopy bed, home made sweet treats held us over before we hit the town... Ross and Kathleen (and their 2 beautiful sons!) have created something very special. The setting, a mansion of a Victorian tea merchant laden with luxurious dark woods and ornate detailing, sets the stage. But the hosts are what make it. Their energy and warmth flows through every nook. We loved the "honor bar", decadent candle-lit breakfasts, games and books of the club room, complimentary shared laptop to check email with printing capability, helpful tips on restaurants.... and many fine details we simply didn't have time to explore, like the hot tub and gardens in the back. Basking in the glamour of it all. Such a special romantic weekend getaway.

23 Mayfield is a terrific B&B and totally deserves its great reviews (on other sites). I stayed in the Premier Jacobean 4-Poster room in February 2011 and it far exceeded my expectations. I peeked into most of the other rooms at the B&B when the doors were propped open for cleaning in the morning and I feel that the Premier Jacobean room was far more luxurious than all of the less expensive rooms--it was more than worth it to pay a few extra pounds! The other rooms had character, but felt small and quaint, while the Premier Jacobean made me feel like royalty--it's a very generously sized room with beautiful dark wood paneling, period prints in gilt-edged frames, and rich fabrics swathed over the massive four-poster bed. It even had classical music softly playing in the background (on a Bose Wave sound system) when I arrived. In short, it was even nicer than the photos I had seen of it--and it had a plush, solid, "they-don't-build-things-like-this-anymore" feel to it. I felt relaxed and luxuriant the entire time I was lying in bed or padding about the "gentleman's library"-like room. The bathroom in the Premier Jacobean was great too, having just been remodeled with full Travertine marble and a huge, luxury shower. Like most European hotel bathrooms, it had a very contemporary style, which wasn't entirely in keeping with the bedroom, but it was nevertheless very high-end and nice to use. The breakfast at 23 Mayfield was fantastic too (and is, of course, included in the price)--just go for all the Scottish meats (Haggis, sausage, black pudding, bacon) and poached egg...be prepared to be full for most of the day if you eat everything on your plate, though! 23 Mayfield is located approximately 25-30 minutes by foot from the Royal Mile, but it's actually more convenient than one would expect, as it's a straight shot (and only 10 minutes) by bus, which comes frequently and stops right across the street. Finally, the thing that really distinguishes 23 Mayfield is Ross Birnie--he is much younger than your average B&B owner and is both very cool and extremely helpful. He's warm, friendly and has good recommendations for things to do and restaurants to eat at. Speaking of which, I loved Whiski on the Royal Mile--terrific pub food (definitely try the sticky toffee pudding) and a great Scotch selection, along with live Scottish music most nights. Also on the Royal Mile, the Albanach was nice as well (and has a lovely Scottish dessert called Cranachan). Bow Bar near Grassmarket also had great cask ales. All of these places were not far at all from the B&B--I was able to walk off the Haggis, pudding, ales, and Scotch at night by returning to 23 Mayfield on foot. Ross recommended a down-home Scottish restaurant halfway between 23 Mayfield and the Royal Mile, but I didn't have a chance to try it, as it was closed every time I went by...unfortunately, I can no longer remember the restaurant's name, but ask Ross about the place that serves food "like his grandmother used to make" and he should be able to direct you :) My only regret was that I couldn't stay longer at 23 Mayfield...they book up fast, so make sure you reserve either of the Jacobean rooms!

Extremely lovely boutique B&B with an amazing host, Ross, and his excellent chef skills for breakfast. The term B&B doesn't really mean what it used to - but 23 Mayfield is doing it right. No hassle, no stress, lovely smells everywhere, a great sound system in our room, beautiful rain shower, and one of the most comfortable beds I have ever slept in. The only - and I mean ONLY - drawback of this place is its location. A lot of people raved about how its really only a 20 minute walk from the center, or yeah there's a great bus going past 24 hours! - but when you are coming home from a night of partying at 3 or 4 am the bus comes only once an hour and after a full day of walking it really was tiring. My boyfriend and I would literally walk in and fall flat on the bed. So that kind of killed the romance. But that is not the problem of the establishment itself. It's really up to your tastes also. I get the feeling we were coming back the latest. This also meant that we didn't really make full use of the facilities. Again, due to our habits. So I can't speak for the hot tub or the lounge room, which we actually did not set foot in. :D The garden is nice. In short, this is without a doubt a 5-star place. Just know that it's a bit far from the center and might not be the romantic getaway you are looking for. Next time we might book even further away one night and then someone more central the next. This location was just a tad in-betweeny. Not countryside, not central, soooooo. Would stay again but maybe not in August, because prices are double basically during festival time. It was pricey, but worth it.

We stayed for two nights and were very pleased that we chose 23 Mayfield - it was wonderful - the staff was great. The rooms were beautiful with stained glass windows, mahogany furniture. The food delicious. We would definitely stay here again and would recommend it to others. Thank you Ross and Kathleen and all the staff for keeping such a lovely place.

The exemplar Bed and Breakfast! My wife was in town for a conference and we stayed at 23 Mayfield instead of the conference hotel. This was the correct call. Ross was proactive during our stay without being intrusive. His tips for sites off the beaten (guidebook) path were spot on. Ross and Kathleen have created a wonderful experience that we will return to with every visit to Edinburgh. I wish it were possible to give them a 5 plus.

Concur all the 5 star reviews. Can't go wrong with this place. The owners are great and helpful. Breakfast is amazing and the rooms both clean and beautiful. A very relaxing place.

I'm not sure why I waited so long to submit this review- except to say that life got in the way. That being said - I think about this place 23 Mayfield all the time. My husband and I use it as the basis against which we compare all of our out of town trips. Which is to say - 23 Mayfield is quite simply the finest accommodations either of us have ever experienced. Completely exquisite attention to detail in every respect. The rooms are breath taking, the breakfast among the most memorable I've ever had- and Ross is the superhuman host who makes it all seem like a piece of cake. We cannot recommend highly enough. Gorgeous common areas and an "honor" scotch bar fit for an aficionado. A healthy walking distance to all attractions small and large . The best place to be in Edinburgh- away from the major thoroughfare but close enough to be convenient. My husbands an Englishman, I'm an American- and we both haven't seen the likes of this in our home countries. Thanks again Ross and keep up the amazing work.