Carberry Tower Mansion House and Estate

Carberry Tower is a beautiful hotel with lovely grounds. The common rooms were amazing and we enjoyed playing a few rounds of cards in the library one evening. Our room was spacious and very comfortable. Our dinner and breakfasts were good. We would definitely stay again.

What a beautiful property with a gorgeous room! We also enjoyed the extra rooms: library, music, etc. They were decorated very nice; we felt like we were staying in a castle! The staff were helpful and professional. The beds were not as comfortable as I would have liked. A perfect place to stay about 10 minutes drive from a park and ride into Edinburgh.

what could be better than a two night stay in a 50,000 sq. ft century-old manor house. This place was fantastic. Libraries, music rooms, sitting rooms and a great bar for signature cocktails. The grounds were well maintained, the food was good and the people in charge were very helpful, particularly Lynn, who answered all of my questions. It was the perfect end to a perfect vacation in Scotland. My daughters fell in love with this place.

Absolutely stunning and historic house. The staff were quite helpful with our plans and needs while staying. Phil was delightful, gave us a quick tour and told us about the historic perspective that we would not have known. The grounds are peaceful and well kept. I highly recommend this gorgeous mansion house.

We have stayed at Carberry Towers several times now and have enjoyed every stay. The hotel is located in enclosed private grounds which are quite extensive. There is ample parking and the check in was easy. The staff are always friendly and helpful. The hotel building is old with some interesting history attached. Because it is old it has a few quirks which we feel adds to the overall charm. The food is always varied and well presented. Breakfast and the evening meal both satisfying. The room was comfortable and well stocked with all facilities available to enhance our stay. The hotel is set in its own grounds but within short travelling distance of local beaches, Edinburgh city centre and other local attractions. We always leave looking forward to our next visit.

Easy to find, plenty of parking on the grounds, relaxed atmosphere, does not feel like a hotel, very homely and comfortable. We were accommodated well. Thank you staff @Carberry

We really enjoyed this hotel. Lots of historical features and beautifully maintained. Lovely room, great breakfast, friendly staff. We particularly enjoyed the atmosphere in the Boar Bar.

Right from the grandeur of the driveway and as the mansion is revealed you have sense you have arrived at a special place. The staff were wholly attentive, welcoming and helpful. The room we stayed in was second level and will be a lasting memory. Way seeing the grounds brought tranquility as you felt one with nature. We ate in and would highly recommend it. And a bonus having a good wine list.

Clean room, helpful staff, plenty of parking

Unique setting with plenty of space. Plenty of parking at hotel and close to Park and Ride to commute into city

Carberry Tower is a magnificent property with rich history and beautiful grounds — but the hotel itself feels unloved and poorly cared for. Staying in the Royal Suite, I expected grandeur with character; instead, I found tired décor and clear neglect. Chandeliers had dead bulbs, one bathroom light was broken, the headboard and bedposts were broken and worn, and the paintwork was shabby and scuffed. Doors throughout were battered, and the stair carpets were shockingly dirty. A listed building can’t always be modernised, but cleanliness and basic upkeep are not restricted — just overlooked. At check-in, I was told to book dinner as the restaurant would be “average busy.” It wasn’t — fewer than a third of the tables were ever occupied. Yet service was painfully slow, and the bill included an automatic 10% service charge (happily removed when challenged). Breakfast was dreary, the food uninspired. When we left, reception simply wished us a good trip — no interest in how our stay had been, no opportunity to give feedback. This beautiful property deserves better management and pride in presentation. Right now, it’s running on past glory, not present care. Regrettably, I won’t be back.

**Time to Cut Those 4 Stars** We recently stayed at Carberry Tower Mansion House and Estate, and while the experience was acceptable overall, there are several issues that need addressing. We booked a suite and were disappointed to find that all the tiles in the bathroom were loose, with many of them cracked. The carpets in the room were stained and felt dirty. Large clusters of dust were hanging from the walls, which was quite unpleasant. The sofas in the room appeared filthy and weren’t exactly inviting to sit on. We considered complaining to the hotel, but after noticing that the carpets in other parts of the hotel were in even worse condition, we figured it wouldn't be worth the effort. Breakfast was also disappointing. On a Saturday morning, there was no cold meat or vegetables available, and we were told this was due to the hotel’s delivery schedule. The hotel is set in beautiful surroundings and is definitely worth a visit if you're not concerned about maintenance. However, for us, it’s time to reconsider the 4-star rating.

For a 500+ year old royal residence, Carberry Tower Mansion is incredibly well maintained, presented and furnished. The room was super clean and well appointed, felt very homey and comfortable. The grounds and gardens are amazing. This was hands-down the best overnight stay experience I've had in my entire life, and will be hard to beat.

Staff was very helpful and great. The room and bathroom was dated and dusty. Furniture within the room was dated, cleaning was not great but room was big. This is not your 5 star hotel, I could give 3 star. If you’re planning to dine there, there is at least 10% service charge and portions aren’t that big but food has very good quality. Will I stay there again? I might go if price is reasonable.

My husband and I were extremely disappointed by our stay at Carberry Tower. It is a shame that the stewards have not maintained or upgraded this historical and iconic castle. The pictures on their website do not even touch the disrepair. Old and stained carpets, chipped and banged up wood moldings everywhere. Outdated furnishings, and there is almost this eerie feel to the whole castle as you walk around. The floor creeks on every floor. The breakfast was horrid, simple table with a cloth serving basics like cereal and small plates of mini pastries. No one was there to greet us at breakfast and it felt like a small cafeteria. Think kitchen in Downtown Abbey. I can’t even believe the outstanding reviews of this place. We were looking forward to staying here, but it left us disappointed. We had so many wonderful places we stayed from Isle to Skye, Edinburgh, Pitlochry, that were way beyond what this hotel offered. The stewards need to rethink if they are truly doing the best in tourism and hospitality and pass this real estate property on to someone who really knows their stuff taking care of the property and sharing that joy with others. Unfortunately, I will not be recommending this location as a place to stay when in Scotland which is such a shame.

We paid for a premium/Executive king room. It was FILTHY. I have pictures. Black mold in the shower and bathroom. Layers of actual dirt on the INSIDE of the windows in our room. Had to wipe mud off stuff. Peeling paint in the bathroom. Toilet paper holder loose and falling off the wall. Room door didn't close - had to just use the deadbolt lock. Could see through the gap it left. Carpeting in room was FILTHY. Handwritten note on room phone said "not connected." We asked for another room - were told they don't have one. Hotel itself was rundown. Carpeting was torn up and you had to walk on it. Tile was torn up. Had to watch how you walked. Carpeting on stairs FILTHY. We complained about our room, so when we were gone on Day 2, they fixed the peeling paint, tried to clean to black dirt off the windows to no avail, fixed the toilet paper holder, and removed some black mold in the bathroom. The construction guy said it was the cleaners who don't clean the room properly. If it were taken care of or just cleaned, it would be an OK property, but it is in disrepair. And hard to find even with GPS. Other rooms, cubbies throughout the hotel could be charming with a good clean and a coat of paint.

Carberry is an excellent choice for a stay near Edinburgh. I wanted the castle experience and this home has so much history, it exceeded my expectations. Breakfast was delicious with wonderful options, and the staff were both friendly and helpful. Our room was spotless and very comfortable, everything we needed and larger than I expected for a standard room. Definitely staying again!

The property looked nice both outside and in the common areas, but overall, my experience was underwhelming. The beer-battered fish and chips were disappointing — undercooked and very bland. My room had a strong sewage smell, so I had to keep the door shut to prevent it from spreading. It was also quite hot inside, and the only way to cool it down was by opening the window — which isn’t ideal if you’re trying to avoid mosquitoes. A new fresh coat of paint would help. If you’re planning to visit Edinburgh, be aware that taking a taxi into the city will cost between £25–£30 each way. The online reviews made this place sound much better than it actually is. In the end, it was just an average hotel.

Clean room, helpful staff, plenty of parking

The room was excellent, tidy and clean.

Beautiful but dated, needs a little upkeep (new mattresses etc.)

A bit knackered around the edges but warm room and good quality comfortable bedding. The bathroom was small and in need of improvement with low water pressure

Great service, great breakfast. Suites are amazing.

The staff here are unusually kind, helpful, competent and proactive - a rarity in Scotland these days. Service was amicable and professional. The maintenance guy Phil is particularly delightful. But that brings us to why I had to call him. My room on the top floor overlooking the grand driveway was nice and cozy, But the TV had a terrible signal and couldn’t be fixed so I couldn’t watch the Olympics. Also, I couldn’t sleep past 6am because the window shades are utterly useless. I had sunlight in my eyes very early morning. This means I am now tired during my work day. Not ideal and the hotel did nothing to compensate for that even though I told reception upon checkout. The hotel restaurant is solid - the lamb chops and cheese plate dessert were both first grade.

Great historical venue, beautiful parkland. Good breakfast. Kind staff. Bedroom: bed too soft, scandalous ‘roll-down’ IKEA curtains that do not block the morning light. Bathroom rudimentary shower (max height 1.70m) with trickling water.

The overall layout and surroundings of the hotel are wonderful, but I can't say the same for the room I stayed in. When I entered the room, it was very cold, and I struggled for a while to heat it up using the radiator, despite turning the thermostat all the way up to the highest level, it wasn't heating sufficiently. Therefore, I warmed up by wrapping myself in blankets. The water pressure in the bathroom was very low; in the morning, I had to turn on the water while entering the toilet to be able to enter the shower, and it only heated up by the time I left the toilet. The internet connection was very poor; since there was no strong internet connection in the area, you had to connect to the hotel's internet, and the speed was extremely slow. In short, it's a beautiful building, but it needs a complete renovation. If you're going for business purposes, you'll struggle a lot at this hotel.

This is a phenomenal property. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay here and will definitely be back in the future. The property / Suite was amazing and spacious. The grounds are well kept. The breakfast was great, and the staff were super friendly and very helpful. I would highly recommend this as it was an overall excellent experience.

I was really disappointed by our stay given the amount we paid for our classic room. The room itself was much smaller than the classic room shown in the photographs, and whilst the bed itself was comfortable, the room barely had space to open up a suitcase and be able to comfortably move around. The bathroom was again small, the shower didn’t really get that warm and there was mould in the grouting. We ordered room service which took about an hour and a half to arrive, and one side dish was missing. In the morning there was one lady having to run the entire breakfast service, she was constantly busy and so I do not fault her at all but unfortunately the food was luke warm at best and lots of items were not restocked. It was a real shame as I felt that the building itself had so much character but there were too many issues to make it worth the money paid.

The 300 numbered rooms are a bit dated and due to the age of the building water doesnt work well in the showers, could be doing with a good lick of paint in that part of the building area on level 3, 300 rooms. The food in the was amazing, wish they cooked breakfast fresh for their guests instead of buffet.

The hotel looks amazing and certainly has a history. Unfortunately our experience was disappointing. We stayed in a Classic room, this was at the back of the hotel (room 102), it looked tired and could definitely do with a coat of paint. As it was hot and we like fresh air in the room we opened a window, unfortunately there was a refrigeration unit that meant we couldn't sleep and had to close the window. The outlook didn't exist as it looked out on to the end of another building a out 3 meters away. The towel rail was right next the toilet which is questionable when men stand to urinate. Breakfast was disappointing as it was self-service and only the day before we stayed at a hotel where they cook it to order. All in all a very disappointing experience.

Carberry Tower is a magnificent property with rich history and beautiful grounds — but the hotel itself feels unloved and poorly cared for. Staying in the Royal Suite, I expected grandeur with character; instead, I found tired décor and clear neglect. Chandeliers had dead bulbs, one bathroom light was broken, the headboard and bedposts were broken and worn, and the paintwork was shabby and scuffed. Doors throughout were battered, and the stair carpets were shockingly dirty. A listed building can’t always be modernised, but cleanliness and basic upkeep are not restricted — just overlooked. At check-in, I was told to book dinner as the restaurant would be “average busy.” It wasn’t — fewer than a third of the tables were ever occupied. Yet service was painfully slow, and the bill included an automatic 10% service charge (happily removed when challenged). Breakfast was dreary, the food uninspired. When we left, reception simply wished us a good trip — no interest in how our stay had been, no opportunity to give feedback. This beautiful property deserves better management and pride in presentation. Right now, it’s running on past glory, not present care. Regrettably, I won’t be back.

This was our first time visiting Scotland. What a great stay to start our 2 weeks. The staff were the friendliest, most helpful we’ve come across in our travels. Dinner booked at the on site restaurant was amazing! The cocktails were scrumptious! We were kindly upgraded to a lovely suite overlooking the serene, picturesque grounds. Breakfast was so delicious and staff were so accommodating. They were so sweet to ask how our days out were, when we returned nightly. We would highly recommend you walk the grounds and trails around the property, the wind rustling in the trees with their huge canopies made me think I entered Narnia. We would certainly recommend and stay here again.

This hotel/castle was beautiful. The grounds were breathtaking and the staff was exceptional. Ten out of ten!

Stayed here for a few days for work, the food is fantastic! There is a woman who works on reception and was also serving in the restaurant at one point, she went above and beyond to make sure I had everything I needed. Even made packed lunches and had a coffee ready in the morning as I couldn’t make it to breakfast in time. I’ve recommended this place to anyone who’ll listen! 10/10 would definitely stay again!

I was really disappointed by our stay given the amount we paid for our classic room. The room itself was much smaller than the classic room shown in the photographs, and whilst the bed itself was comfortable, the room barely had space to open up a suitcase and be able to comfortably move around. The bathroom was again small, the shower didn’t really get that warm and there was mould in the grouting. We ordered room service which took about an hour and a half to arrive, and one side dish was missing. In the morning there was one lady having to run the entire breakfast service, she was constantly busy and so I do not fault her at all but unfortunately the food was luke warm at best and lots of items were not restocked. It was a real shame as I felt that the building itself had so much character but there were too many issues to make it worth the money paid.

The outside of the property is beautiful. The inside left much to be desired. It has so much potential but needs some serious renovating. Service needs to be improved dramatically. Especially in the dining area. It took 35 min just to have our order taken… after we went and found someone to ask if they could please take our order. Food ended up being good after we finally received it. Overall, probably wouldn’t stay here again.

Huge fancy mansion house and tower with a lot of history. I've stayed in a variety of rooms, classic to mini-suite a number of times. It's quiet, tranquil and very well kept. This time, I was in a standard room, shower had no hot water. Cold shower it was. Informed front desk in morning, fixed by evening, but no discount or apology which I would have expected (I stayed for one night) The only issue I have is there seems to be no staff around 50% of the time.. constantly looking for staff. There was a new-ish member of staff, it seemed as though a particular senior was belittling him, he was doing a stellar job. They were saying he should talk to customers in the restaurant more, ask how the food was etc.. personally I would rather just eat my food and if there's an issue I'll raise it, I hate the British custom of a waiter asking you if everything is OK with your food halfway through eating with a mouthful of dinner. The young member of staff clearly recognised this and is a credit to your team, and should not be scorned for it. The location is dreamlike, I go for business but would happily stay there for holiday. It's the picture-perfect castle / mansion in Scotland, without having to go up to the highlands. I work away on average 10 nights a month, so this isn't just some random review. I get to sample a lot of hotels, in the UK and worldwide.

Not as good as last time i stayed. Room service poor and food choice limited. Breakfast served on cold plates.

Just one night but felt like a week, fabulous atmosphere. From arrival with Lynne, our excellent meal ( haddock chowder was first rate by the way) served by John and Dean on the bar who really knows his whisky, the staff are friendly and welcoming. Breakfast was nice and a walk round the grounds (we spoke to the groundsman/ maintenance guy who was also helpful) before heading off to Edinburgh, the park and ride suggested by another member of staff. All in all a fabulous stay in this amazing building. Well done all.

Lynne at the front desk was the absolute best! The property is something very special and we loved our stay

Beautiful property. Location requires a vehicle if you want to go to the city.

This was a wonderful hotel. Nice big room, with a great view. Nice gardens, and walking paths. It was close to the train to Edinburgh and the airport.

Great service. Beautiful building and grounds.Convenient to get around by car. Park and ride to Edinburgh city center is very convenient, you can avoid taking the car into the city.

Check in was easy. The staff are always friendly and helpful. The room was clean and comfortable. There is ample parking. The hotel is 15 minutes outside Edinburgh and is in a quiet secluded location. The hotel is a good base to explore the surrounding area. 10 minutes from Portobello Beach. 25 minutes from Arthur’s Seat. 30 minutes from the Royal mile and Edinburgh castle. There is plenty to see in Edinburgh, whether it be shopping or museums. The hotel has large grounds for exploring plenty of space inside for relaxing in the large library and sitting rooms. We have stayed several times and will stay again.

Absolutely amazing! Wonderful hotel, lovely grounds. The staff were great and the breakfast was good too. We stayed a night, quick taxi from centre or Edinburgh and it was so peaceful.

We loved Carberry Tower where it is located in the picturesque countryside. The History & culture is very inspiring. We would love to stay a couple of days next time we visit.

Great location and excellent value for a luxury estate stay in the pristine w countryside.

The property looked nice both outside and in the common areas, but overall, my experience was underwhelming. The beer-battered fish and chips were disappointing — undercooked and very bland. My room had a strong sewage smell, so I had to keep the door shut to prevent it from spreading. It was also quite hot inside, and the only way to cool it down was by opening the window — which isn’t ideal if you’re trying to avoid mosquitoes. A new fresh coat of paint would help. If you’re planning to visit Edinburgh, be aware that taking a taxi into the city will cost between £25–£30 each way. The online reviews made this place sound much better than it actually is. In the end, it was just an average hotel.

Unique building in a tranquil place. Pleasant staff. A easy access to Edinburgh.

Unique setting with plenty of space. Plenty of parking at hotel and close to Park and Ride to commute into city

Carberry tower is a stunning and well run establishment. The staff is excellent! From the moment we walked in the doors we knew we would be well taken care of. The suite we stayed in had ample room and a beautiful view of the front walk. The grounds are massive and so well kept, very enjoyable to wander around for a walk. The food was exceptional, we enjoyed dinner in the bistro, it was delicious, the service was outstanding, and they have ver very good cocktails wow! Overall our stay, albeit short, was incredibly enjoyable and we find ourselves wanting to go back soon!

Easy parking, well stocked bar. Smallish room. Clean and tidy though. Building was a bit cold .No fires on .Heating on but outside temp very low. We were in the very top of the building & the shower on Sunday was cold. Food really good but served onto cold plates at breakfast ( my own pet hate) Ate in the Bistro at night,Lovely food & great service.Friendly , helpful staff.

This review is based on two recent stays at this hotel in November and December 2024. Both trips were similar with following good and bad points: Good: staff are excellent, friendly and keen to help. The grounds and building are spectacular, especially when decorated for Christmas. Bad: the restaurant food is very average, bordering on bad (depending on what you have). I ordered the beef cheeks for one meal, which was as tough as leather. Another meal i had the burger, which was like a lump of rubber. On the plus side, the breakfast is much better - maybe a different cook? On the whole, I would stay at this hotel again, but would avoid eating at the restaurant.

Stunning, stunning, STUNNING! A real step back in time, beautifully maintained & retaining all the beauty and grandeur you’d ever need. You feel like you’re living another life. You can wander through the house and grounds at your leisure. A lot of time was spent in the library and the drawing room as they are peaceful places to sit back and enjoy the rooms, with comfortable chairs galore. We added the afternoon tea to our stay, and were so glad we did. The food was exceptional and laid out beautifully. Overall would 100% recommend!!

food was always cold plates and cups were ice cold so food was cold. Over priced and not worth the money. I would never go back there or would I refer this hotel to any one.

I was really disappointed by our stay given the amount we paid for our classic room. The room itself was much smaller than the classic room shown in the photographs, and whilst the bed itself was comfortable, the room barely had space to open up a suitcase and be able to comfortably move around. The bathroom was again small, the shower didn’t really get that warm and there was mould in the grouting. We ordered room service which took about an hour and a half to arrive, and one side dish was missing. In the morning there was one lady having to run the entire breakfast service, she was constantly busy and so I do not fault her at all but unfortunately the food was luke warm at best and lots of items were not restocked. It was a real shame as I felt that the building itself had so much character but there were too many issues to make it worth the money paid.

The 300 numbered rooms are a bit dated and due to the age of the building water doesnt work well in the showers, could be doing with a good lick of paint in that part of the building area on level 3, 300 rooms. The food in the was amazing, wish they cooked breakfast fresh for their guests instead of buffet.

Evening meals were excellent with great service

The outside of the property is beautiful. The inside left much to be desired. It has so much potential but needs some serious renovating. Service needs to be improved dramatically. Especially in the dining area. It took 35 min just to have our order taken… after we went and found someone to ask if they could please take our order. Food ended up being good after we finally received it. Overall, probably wouldn’t stay here again.

Absolutely amazing stay. The place was gorgeous, the food was lovely and the cocktails were spot on