Macdonald Houstoun House

“Wonderful time whole waiting out Storm Bert.”

If you make a trip to Stirling and Edinburgh, perhaps stay at the Macdonald Houstoun House, which is in between. It's absolutely beautiful here. The rooms are clean and peaceful. The food is delicious. And the service...exceptional. Especially, Melinda at The Vault Bar. She's the best!

“Mixed experience”

We stayed here for our min moon for 3 nights. The room was nice, old traditional, four poster bed, romantic feel. Staff were very attentive and helpful generally however bar area was not very welcoming. Prices very higher £18 for a glass of Malbec, £24 each for breakfast, tray charge £8 for room se… more

We stayed here for our min moon for 3 nights. The room was nice, old traditional, four poster bed, romantic feel. Staff were very attentive and helpful generally however bar area was not very welcoming. Prices very higher £18 for a glass of Malbec, £24 each for breakfast, tray charge £8 for room service when it was a shorter walk than the bar area. Room cleanliness was average at best eg dirty cups. Didn’t replenish used coffee pods or bottled water. Lack of milk for tea or coffee making. Shower gel and shampoo was at a minimum. Windows were running with condensation and in need of repair and redecorating. Lack of available plug sockets for charging items etc. Heating turned off when not in the room or card not in wall socket. Overcharged for room service, complained on check out and was told to email accounts department rather than sorting out there and then.

less

“Disappointing weekend break”

Staff and food were excellent. Room was tired and in need of an update/repair (mold on window, rust on bathroom radiator, toilet roll holder loose, chips on the enamel of the bath plus the tv needed moving as it was difficult to watch from the bed. Communal carpet thread bare and no hand sanitise… more

Staff and food were excellent. Room was tired and in need of an update/repair (mold on window, rust on bathroom radiator, toilet roll holder loose, chips on the enamel of the bath plus the tv needed moving as it was difficult to watch from the bed. Communal carpet thread bare and no hand sanitiser in any of the dispensers

less

“Mediocre at best, nice staff though.”

Imposing and interesting building. Plenty of parking, lovely grounds. An array of EV chargers that work if you are battery bound. Front of house is good and first impressions suggest you’ll be in for a blindingly good stay. My room was in an annex away from the main building. Rooms 40+ are there. T… more

Imposing and interesting building. Plenty of parking, lovely grounds. An array of EV chargers that work if you are battery bound. Front of house is good and first impressions suggest you’ll be in for a blindingly good stay. My room was in an annex away from the main building. Rooms 40+ are there. The room was OK, but like the rest of the building it needs some real TLC. It’s a (really) well worn venue. The room was clean and tidy though and everything worked. It wasn’t warm and in the cold snap (zero) struggled to maintain a satisfactory temperature with the electric heater that’s the primary source. Ventilation was lacking. Shower was OK, maintained a good temp and did what it said on the tin. Big room, few amenities. No fridge, no beverages. Bed comfort OK. Breakfast was a let down. The continental buffet needs a lot of work. It’s poor by most standards and if you were tempted to fork out the £18 for it you’d have been robbed! Worst still, you could opt for the avocado on toast, or smoked salmon and scrambled eggs, or eggs Benedict, or eggs royale, for the exquisitely astronomical charge of £30! (£24 gets you a full vegan or full cooked breakfast) and then you add an absurd £6 supplement on for the privilege of wanting something different! Now you may think £24 - it’s going to be insanely good…. NO. It’s OK but just OK. Your £24 will get you one egg, one bacon, one sausage, a tiny pot of beans, a mushroom, 1/2 grilled tomato, a potato patty and a piece of black pudding. Standard tea or coffee - latte, sure, £4 more! If you ask, you’ll get some cold toast thrown in - bargain! Dinner fairs better. Still high prices and a service charge that gets added even though they tell you it’s optional - you never get the choice. If you have to stay, I’d opt for a pasta dish in the vaulted bar, but take a coat, it’s bloody cold in there . Staff were nice and came across as friendly, interested and engaging. You’ll find a lot better value for money elsewhere. It’s not awful, it’s not good. Sad to say - the venue has been rinsed for some time. It needs a full refurbished. So much potential, could be an incredible venue.

less