Within walking
distance of Edinburgh city center
Housed in a pretty, typical
period Georgian building
Rooms have bold colors, flat-screen TVs, and hairdryers
Some bathrooms
have been modernized
Good Thai
restaurant on-site
Free Wi-Fi
Rooms can be
noisy
Breakfast of questionable quality
Very gloomy in
parts, due to color palette and lack of maintenance
The 11-room Hotel Twenty
is a budget-oriented bed-and-breakfast occupying two floors of a typical Georgian building, located within walking distance of Edinburgh's city center. Interiors have a bold color palette of red, grey, and black. Rooms are generally well-presented and
clean with flat-screen TVs and hairdryers, though noise can be an issue. The breakfast buffet is limited and of questionable quality,
although the restaurant's Thai menu is rather good. All in all it's some of the
cheapest non-hostel accommodation you'll find with a location this central, so it's great value if
you can overlook its shortcomings. Wi-Fi is free.
Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.
Scene
Budget hotel in a typical Georgian property
Although housed in a typically fine example of Georgian Edinburgh
architecture, there's immediately something a little odd upon arrival at
Hotel Twenty. Despite obvious efforts at creating a good first impression -- with
patterned wallpaper, gilt-frame mirrors, and a brass centerpiece chandelier in the foyer --
the red and black color scheme might be too bold to suit the tastes of some guests. These attempts at elegance wane as guests continue into the property, and there are slightly yellowed corridors, worn carpets, and damp ceiling patches.
Spread over the ground floor and the basement, the gloomy downstairs reception area (which doubles as a Thai take-away spot) is particularly unwelcoming, while
several hallways lack any kind of lighting and add to the almost spooky
atmosphere that even the odd Thai statue and fake fireplace can't remedy.
Location
Set on a busy road within walking distance of Edinburgh's city center
The hotel is
located on a fairly busy road overlooking leafy Royal Terrace Gardens just
north of Calton Hill. Waverley Station -- Edinburgh's main train station -- is
about 10 minutes away on foot and the start of the city center. The historic
cobbled streets of the famous Royal Mile are five minutes further, while the
iconic Edinburgh Castle is about 10 minutes' walk from there. Also just around
the corner from the hotel is the start of Leith Walk -- Edinburgh's longest
street and a very popular destination full of shops, bars, and restaurants of
all kinds.
Rooms
Mostly simple but well-presented and clean rooms -- all with flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, and a bold color palette of red and black
The hotel has
just 11 rooms, all of which have a budget feel, a black, red, and white color scheme, and modern furnishings; some larger
rooms have polished floorboards and fireplaces. Amenities include flat-screen
TVs, free Wi-Fi, and hairdryers, while simple tea and coffee facilities are
also available. Bathrooms are mostly basic with wall-mounted soap dispensers,
however others are renovated and pleasantly modern. Being located on a busy road, and with a Thai take-away service operated downstairs, means some rooms can be noisy. Some rooms and bathrooms are also quite snug.
Features
Underwhelming breakfast buffet but decent Thai restaurant
As this is a bed-and-breakfast, there's really not much in the way of on-site
facilities. That said, although breakfast is included in the rates, it's not of
particularly good quality. However the hotel's on-site restaurant -- Thai Pad -- serves an excellent menu of Thai specialties and is also popular with
locals. Wi-Fi is also available free of charge throughout the property, though it can be inconsistent and there's no private parking.
