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The Ben Doran Guest House

4.0 star property
Guesthouse with free breakfast, near Royal Mile

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Photo gallery for The Ben Doran Guest House

Exterior detail
Executive Double Room, 1 King Bed | Egyptian cotton sheets, premium bedding, iron/ironing board, free WiFi
Free daily buffet breakfast
22-inch LCD TV with digital channels, TV, DVD player
Designer toiletries, hair dryer, towels

Reviews

8.2 out of 10
Very good

Popular amenities

  • Room service
  • Housekeeping
  • Free WiFi
  • Business services
The current price is £225
includes taxes & fees
21 Apr - 22 Apr

Room options

Available filters for rooms
Showing 4 of 4 rooms

View all photos for Standard Double Room

Egyptian cotton sheets, premium bedding, iron/ironing board, free WiFi

Standard Double Room

Highlights

Heating
LCD TV
Hypo-allergenic bedding
Premium bedding
Egyptian cotton bed sheets
Private bathroom
Designer toiletries
Hairdryer
  • 377 sq ft
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Double Bed

View all photos for Executive Double Room, 1 King Bed

Executive Double Room, 1 King Bed | Living area | 22-inch LCD TV with digital channels, TV, DVD player

Executive Double Room, 1 King Bed

Highlights

Separate sitting area
Heating
LCD TV
Hypo-allergenic bedding
Premium bedding
Egyptian cotton bed sheets
Private bathroom
Designer toiletries
  • 431 sq ft
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

View all photos for Standard Double Room, Shared Bathroom

Egyptian cotton sheets, premium bedding, iron/ironing board, free WiFi

Standard Double Room, Shared Bathroom

Highlights

Heating
LCD TV
Hypo-allergenic bedding
Premium bedding
Egyptian cotton bed sheets
Designer toiletries
Hairdryer
Coffee/tea maker
  • 323 sq ft
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Double Bed

View all photos for Standard Single Room, 1 Single Bed, Shared Bathroom

Egyptian cotton sheets, premium bedding, iron/ironing board, free WiFi

Standard Single Room, 1 Single Bed, Shared Bathroom

Highlights

Heating
LCD TV
Hypo-allergenic bedding
Premium bedding
Egyptian cotton bed sheets
Designer toiletries
Hairdryer
Coffee/tea maker
  • 161 sq ft
  • Sleeps 1
  • 1 Single Bed

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About the area

Map
11 Mayfield Gardens, Edinburgh, Scotland, EH9 2AX

What's nearby

  • University of Edinburgh - 17 min walk - 0.9 miles
  • Grassmarket - 4 min drive - 1.5 miles
  • Royal Mile - 5 min drive - 1.6 miles
  • Edinburgh Castle - 5 min drive - 1.8 miles
  • Princes Street - 6 min drive - 2.2 miles

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

Upscale guest house near University of Edinburgh
Consider a stay at The Ben Doran Guest House and take advantage of a free breakfast buffet, a library and a business centre. Stay connected with free in-room WiFi.
You'll also find perks such as:
  • Express check-out, express check-in and tour/ticket information
  • A front desk safe, concierge services and smoke-free property
  • Luggage storage, a computer station and multilingual staff
  • Guest reviews give top marks for the helpful staff
Room features
All guest rooms at The Ben Doran Guest House include comforts, such as premium bedding, as well as
Extra conveniences in all rooms include:
  • Hypo-allergenic bedding and Egyptian cotton sheets
  • Designer toiletries and hairdryers
  • 22-inch LCD TVs with digital channels and DVD players
  • Coffee/tea makers, heating and daily housekeeping

Languages

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

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21 Apr - 22 Apr
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Property amenities

Internet

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

Parking and transport

  • Limited on-site parking

Food and drink

  • Free buffet breakfast available daily 8:00 AM to 9:00 AM

Things to do

  • Library

Conveniences

  • Limited-hour front desk
  • Luggage storage
  • Safe at front desk

Guest services

  • Concierge services
  • Housekeeping (daily)
  • Multilingual staff
  • Tour and ticket assistance

Business services

  • Business centre
  • Computer station

Accessibility

  • No lift

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Egyptian cotton sheets
  • Hypo-allergenic bedding

Bathroom

  • Designer toiletries
  • Hair dryer
  • Towels provided

Entertainment

  • 22-inch LCD TV with digital channels
  • DVD player

Food and drink

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Limited room service

More

  • Heating
  • 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 and check-out are available
Express check-in available
Minimum check-in age - 18

Check-out

Check-out before 10:30 AM
Contactless check-out
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 24 December and 27 December.

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.
Cots (infant beds) are not available

Payment types at the property

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

This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business or profession.
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 and a smoke detector
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 any lifts
This property's policy is to refuse certain bookings for the purpose of group events or parties, including stag and hen 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

Frequently asked questions

Is The Ben Doran Guest House pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much does it cost to stay at The Ben Doran Guest House?

As of 20 Apr 2025, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at The Ben Doran Guest House on 21 Apr 2025 start from £225.0, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

How much is parking at The Ben Doran Guest House?

Limited spots are available.

What time is check-in at The Ben Doran Guest House?

Check-in start time: 3:00 PM; check-in end time: 5:00 AM.

What time is check-out at The Ben Doran Guest House?

Checkout is at 10:30 AM.

Where is The Ben Doran Guest House located?

Located in Newington, this guesthouse is within 1 mi (2 km) of National Library of Scotland and University of Edinburgh. Royal Mile and Edinburgh Castle are also within 2 miles (3 km). Edinburgh (ZXE-Edinburgh Waverly Train Station) is 28 minutes by foot and Edinburgh Waverley Station is 30 minutes.

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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

10/10 Excellent

Kate

The manager was super friendly and the breakfast was great. Plenty of food and the eggs were amazing.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Patrick

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

Alexander

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

8/10 Good

Shaun

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

Warren

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

Anita

Sorry that there was no elevator, but because it is an historical property, it can not be installed. Staff was wonderful and breakfast and the room it was served was beautiful. Well worth the money if you can do 47 steps to the top floor. Were in our late 70’s and we did it!!!! Great spot and great people running it.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2024

2/10 Terrible

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Disliked: Staff & service

Think twice

Shared shower and toilet in the corridor
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2024

8/10 Good

Cheryl

I was up on the 2nd floor so had to go up a lot of stairs with my heavy suitcase. The shower didn't function well. The water was either very hot or very cold.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

evelyn

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

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

10/10 Excellent

Robert

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

10/10 Excellent

larry

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

4/10 Poor

Verified traveller

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

6/10 Okay

John

Not really a four star hotel….

We didn’t know that four star hotels had shared bathrooms. The water temperature regulator in the shared shower was on engineer level to get right. It was either ice cold or volcanically hot and nothing in between. The walls might have been thick, which was good because you could barely hear the traffic from the busy street outside. But the door however was the weak spot. You could basically hear people two floors down as if they were in the room with you. Service however was supreme and the included Scottish breakfast was very good.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2022

2/10 Terrible

Alexandra

Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Förstår inte klassificeringen, 2-3, 3 är verkligen Max. Slitet, smutsigt, gammalt, ofräscht, säng för kortväxta, varmt, kvalmigt, fönstret gick inte att öppna, luktade unket.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2024

6/10 Okay

Verified traveller

Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2023

4/10 Poor

Kondo

Stayed 1 night in Jul 2023

4/10 Poor

Enrique

Liked: 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

Pamela

Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Susanne

Super overnatning i Edinburgh

Dejligt sted, pænt rent, meget sødt og imødekommende personale. Nemt at komme til Edinburg Centrum. Eneste forbedring kunne være en bredere dobbeltseng - 140 cm er lidt knebet som dobbeltseng til 2 voksne.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2022

8/10 Good

Alexander

Stayed 1 night in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

nathalie

Tres bien

Chambre sur cour tres propre et calme. 25 mns à pieds du centre. Sinon bus stop en face de l hotel tres bien desservi. Parfait pour visiter la ville.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Sara

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