Dorstan House is managed and maintained solely by Richard and Maki, who strictly adhere to a contactless policy. Therefore, I recommend making full use of the messaging system on Booking.com before your stay. Should any issues arise during your visit, your only chance of face-to-face interaction will be when they deliver breakfast to your room or during the cleaning schedule. The location is relatively convenient for budget-conscious travellers, though you’ll need to take a bus or walk at least 30 minutes to reach Edinburgh Old Town Center. Situated in a residential area, the guest house is wonderfully quiet (though you won’t find any convenience stores or supermarkets within a 10-minute walk). Breakfast offers a variety of choices, starting from 8 AM. If you need to leave earlier, Dorstan House can provide a breakfast bag, but you'll need to hang your breakfast order on your door by 8 PM the night before. However, for those spending the entire day sightseeing, this might feel a bit early, as Richard and Maki depart from Dorstan House each night at 10 PM. All the doors at Dorstan House, including the private rooms on the ground floor, are equipped with keycode locks. You’ll need to enter a code each time you come and go. While this adds an extra layer of security, it can be slightly inconvenient—especially if, like me, you’ve booked a room with a private restroom that isn’t en-suite but located down the corridor. This also requires a keycode to enter. Richard and Maki are well aware of guests’ concerns, so there are notices in the rooms explaining how to navigate situations where frequent access might be needed without the keycode becoming a nuisance. Considering that only two people manage the entire property, prepare breakfast, and handle bookings from around the world, it’s no wonder they kindly ask guests not to bring takeout food into the rooms and to switch off all lights before leaving. I completely understand and respect these requests!

The self check-in process was convenient and easy and our room was more spacious than expected with a big window and very comfortable bed. Everything was very clean and amenities such as real ground coffee, a french press, electric kettle, and little packages of cookies/biscuits were a thoughtful touch. The owner, Richard, was so nice and we thoroughly enjoyed the delicious breakfasts he brought us each morning. We also really liked the location as the house is in a quiet neighborhood but only 15-20 mins from the city center by bus (and extremely close to several bus stops). Overall just a lovely little place and we were so glad we chose to stay here.

Brilliant location for visiting my daughter at Pollock Halls . Very easy to walk or get a bus into the city . My room was described as a small single . It was plenty big enough and with an ensuite , which had lovely toiletries . Also a TV and a kettle with tea and coffee. If you like coffee there was instant , as well as some for the cafetière. The breakfast in the morning was also more than adequate - fruit juice , yoghurt with berries and granola and a fresh croissant with salmon and cream cheese - which had plenty of salmon . It was delivered exactly on time on a tray . Lovely hosts who allowed me to drop my bag off early at 8.30 am .

Nothing - but if really looking to find something - a couple of sachets of a herbal tea would be really great

Extremely convenient for the John McIntyre conference centre, and very close to a bus stop with regular buses into town. Breakfast delicious, and delivered promptly by the very friendly Richard. Comfortable bed, nice hot shower, quiet location. Fantastic to have the option of a single room (with the associated very reasonable price) given that I was travelling alone - much cheaper than any other option, including the 'budget' hotels.

I'm not a big fan of the contactless check in, but I knew about this in advance so not a problem. My next door neighbour had a private, not ensuite, bathroom, and banged the doors loudly in and out, on one occasion at 4:45am (!) and routinely late at night (after 11pm). Not the fault of Dorstan, but meant I didn't sleep as well as I could have done.

I recently had the pleasure of staying at the Dorstan House during my trip to Edinburgh, and it exceeded all expectations. From the moment I arrived, I was impressed by the exceptional hospitality provided by the friendly host Richard. The delicious breakfast served each morning in the room by Richard himself had options to suit every taste - the perfect way to start the day before heading out to explore the city. I stayed in one of the budget rooms, which offered excellent value for money. Although the private bathroom was located outside the room, it was impeccably clean and easily accessible.

Very comfortable stay at Dorstan - whilst the single room was cosy, it had everything you needed including ensuite, tea and coffee making, close proximity to Arthurs seat and the city via bus links and felt like a safe neighbourhood. The breakfast to your room was fresh and delicious! Richard could not have been more helpful !

It's hard to fault this place - if I could say anything it would just be more of a heads up that although you can leave luggage prior to check in, there is no shared bathroom to get changed or freshen up in if you've arrived from abroad (so just a note to do this at the airport before travelling to the bnb).

Everything. Spotlessly clean & welcoming. It was a typical English accommodation. Pretty bedwear, lovely curtains, nice windows. Table and chairs for sharing a meal. All kinds of coffee, tea accessories that you could ask for. Even an anti-skid mat in the shower. And a great breakfast to start the day with. A taxi was arranged for us to leave. Great work, Richard & Maki, keep it going. We will ask friends to come and stay with you.

The bed was a bit too springy. There was a dearth of space between the window and the bed, but that cannot be helped, considering the size of the room.

Breakfast was fab! Thank you so much. The bedding was crisp and clean as was the bathroom. Tge room is a great size and parking was great. The lobby is welcoming and the property is beautiful. I would suggest a blind on the windows only because it was difficult to pull the curtains because of the height of the room. We would have been mortified if we had damaged them trying to shut them. It was such a bright room. A privacy roller would have been lovely. Drink facilities were good. It was also lovely and quiet.

Only got to see the host delivering breakfast. Would have liked to have had the opportunity for a chat. He seemed lovely but obviously was very busy.

Our host was extremely helpful in setting up a surprise for when my partner and I arrived - a bottle was waiting for us, as planned. We had a wonderful stay at Dorstan House and couldn't recommend it more. The breakfasts we had were excellent!

Although this is not to be ascribed to the actual place, we had several issues and long waiting times for the busses. To be factored into your day if you plan several activities or return journeys to your room during the day. Also, the beds could be a wee bit more comfortable - but that's still reasonable

The Dorstan house is in a beautiful building in a quiet street , absolutely clean inside and out . The bed sheets and towels were soft , smelled good and clean . Bed was comfy . I slept well . Breakfast on time delivered to the room ! Richard is an adorable man . Very kind person. Bathroom placed outside of the room , beautiful white and completely clean . The Dorstan house is easy to find with 3 different busses ( 14,33,30) stopping just around the corner. Once on the bus you’re in the centre in about 10 minutes . (You can charge your phone on the busses btw . )

I was worried about the way the room doors make a loud noise as they close but it didn’t make much trouble to be honest. The nights were very quiet.