itison.com Edinburgh offer

  The Bonham Hotel –  £135 for dinner for two people at The Bonham Hotel plus overnight accommodation including  an overnight stay with full Scottish breakfast in the morning. (usual price is £295 per two.) 

We have tried this offer out and highly recommend the whole experience as detailed below.  Even if you live in Edinburgh, why not spend a night in the city?

The hotel 

Built between 1874 and 1882 as a town house in a desirable part of Victorian Edinburgh, the Bonham Hotel has had a chequered past; it’s been a medical clinic to accommodation for female medical students in the 1950s  and in the late 70s, included male residents. In 1998 it became a hotel and hasn’t looked back. 

As you enter the hotel you are greeted by a grand wooden staircase (one of two), with plenty of places to sit and enjoy a pot of tea, a cappuccino or a warming hot chocolate. There are even cocktails to sip slowly before dinner. 

The food 

Food at the Bonham is sourced, as much as possible, from Scotland and head chef, Michel Bouyer, uses seasonal ingredients for the two menus. I decide on confit chicken terrine as a starter; it is meaty and full of flavour. My dining partner has the day’s special, gravad lax with potato salad; the salmon is fresh as I’d expect it to be and a horseradish sauce the right accompaniment for the fish. 

My loin of venison is butter soft and rare as I like it and its partnered venison pie is delightful. The cep cream is powerful but works well with the game. The other side of the table has rare duck breast on pearl barley, a creamy concoction very much like a risotto. Both dishes are well thought out and we clear our plates with relish. 

For dessert we both have the Valhrona dark chocolate soufflé, well we are girls after all! We happily wait the fifteen minutes for them to cook. They arrive puffed and light enticing us to dip in our spoons. The scent of chocolate perfumes the air and we both sigh in sheer delight.  

Sleep 

Sleep comes easily in the soft, comfortable king-size bed and there’s a choice of two types of pillows too. The bathroom has a deep bath as well as a shower with bathrobes and Molton Brown toiletries. 

As I arrived at the Bonham after dark, I wasn’t able to appreciate the views from my room. Opening the curtains in the morning, the huge bay window reveals a sweeping panorama of the hills of Fife across the Forth, which is a delightful surprise. 

There is plenty of space if you feel the need to work or keep in touch with friends and family as there is internet access in each room. Two comfortable chairs and table with sweetmeats, made by the kitchen, allows you to relax; watching the weather change across the Forth, read a favourite book or plan your day. 

One unusual aspect to the bedroom on the ground floor is it has a working fireplace and there is a freestanding full-sized copper bath! 

Breakfast 

Breakfast can be as light or indulgent as you like, from yoghurts and cereals (including porridge) to the full Scottish. There is a fine selection of cold meats and cheese to choose from as well as smoked salmon, fresh rolls, brioche and pastries, dried fruits and fresh fruit salad. 

The hot dishes include the normal eggs, bacon, sausages, black pudding and haggis, including vegetarian option, but I can’t resist the smoked cheese and chive potato cake with poached egg, Summer Isle smoked salmon and hollandaise. Beautifully cooked and filling, the perfect start to the day. 

The staff here are only too happy to help with any aspect of your visit, from booking spa treatments to babysitting, sorting out your airport on-line check in to arranging tours. 

The Bonham Hotel is well located for visiting Edinburgh’s city centre and is only four minutes walk from the West End of Princes Street and its shops. 

All in all The Bonham offers excellent service and value for money. There is one guest room that caters for the disabled traveller. 

 

You can take advantage of this excellent deal here.