Located in Prestonfield, a neighborhood in Edinburgh, Gifford House is near a train station. Royal Mile and Edinburgh Castle are notable landmarks, and travelers looking to shop may want to visit Grassmarket and Princes Street. Check out an event or a game at Murrayfield Stadium, and consider making time for Edinburgh Zoo, a top attraction not to be missed. Visit our Edinburgh travel guide
Close to Grassmarket, Gifford House has plenty to offer. Stay connected with free in-room WiFi.
You'll also find perks like:
Express check-in, a nature reserve, and smoke-free premises
Luggage storage
Room features
All guestrooms are individually furnished, and feature comforts such as laptop-friendly workspaces and free stocked minibars, as well as perks like free WiFi and desk chairs.
In-room WiFi speed: 250+ Mbps (good for 3–5 people or up to 10 devices)
Available in some public areas: Free WiFi
Parking and transportation
Free offsite parking within 1 mile
Street parking available
Limited onsite parking
Family friendly
Mini-fridge
Conveniences
Guidebooks
Luggage storage
Virtual front desk
Guest services
Housekeeping (once per stay)
Outdoors
In a nature reserve
Accessibility
High-pile carpet in room
No elevator
More
3 floors
Smoking not allowed
Room amenities
Bedroom
Bedsheets provided
Bathroom
Free toiletries
Hair dryer
Shampoo
Shower
Soap
Toilet paper
Towels provided
Entertainment
LCD TV with digital channels
Food and drink
Coffee/tea maker
Electric kettle
Free bottled water
Free stocked minibar
Mini-fridge
Restaurant dining guides
More
Access via exterior corridors
Connecting rooms available
Desk
Desk chair
Heating
Individual decor
Individual furnishings
Laptop workspace
Policies
Check-in
Check-in start time: 3:00 PM; Check-in end time: 9:00 PM
Early check-in subject to availability
Early check-in is available for a fee
Express check-in available
Minimum check-in age: 18
Check-out
Check-out before 10:00 AM
Late check-out subject to availability
A late check-out fee will be charged
Special check-in instructions
There is no front desk at this property
Guests planning to arrive outside of normal check-in hours must contact the property in advance for check-in instructions; access will be through a private entrance
To make arrangements for check-in please contact the property at least 24 hours before arrival using the information on the booking confirmation
If you are planning to arrive after 9:00 PM please contact the property in advance using the information on the booking confirmation
A virtual front desk provides assistance to guests
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools
Access methods
Private entrance
Pets
Pets not allowed
Children and extra beds
Children are welcome
Rollaway/extra beds are not available
Cribs (infant beds) are not available
Property payment types
Important information
Optional extras
Early check-in is available for a fee (subject to availability)
Late check-out is available for a fee (subject to availability)
The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change.
You need to know
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 and debit cards; cash is not accepted
Noise-free guestrooms cannot be guaranteed
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher
We should mention
This property does not have elevators
The property has connecting/adjoining rooms, which are subject to availability and can be requested by contacting the property using the number on the booking confirmation
Frequently asked questions
Is Gifford House pet-friendly?
No, pets are not allowed at this property.
How much does it cost to stay at Gifford House?
As of 14 August 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Gifford House on 6 September 2026 start from AED 510, excluding 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?
Limited spots are available. There is free parking nearby.
What time is check-in at Gifford House?
Check-in start time: 3:00 PM; Check-in end time: 9:00 PM. A fee applies for early check-in (subject to availability).
What time is check-out at Gifford House?
Check-out is at 10:00 AM. Late check-out is available for a fee (subject to availability).
Where is Gifford House located?
Located in Prestonfield, this guesthouse is within 1 mi (2 km) of Royal Commonwealth Pool and University of Edinburgh. Royal Mile and Edinburgh Castle are also within 2 mi (3 km). Edinburgh Waverley Station is 27 minutes by foot and Edinburgh (ZXE-Edinburgh Waverly Train Station) is 29 minutes.
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Reviews
Gifford House Reviews
8.0
Very Good
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travelers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.
We enjoyed our stay. The room was clean with comfortable beds. The bathroom had been redone at some point and was nice. There was a slight problem with our room before we got there, but the staff had it all worked out before we arrived. It was also right on the bus route which was convenient.
Very small room, although immaculate. Barely enough room for one adult. Fridge was not operational. Good location to bus stop. No parking. No staff on site. Easy entry with clear instructions
This is a lovely hotel, well situated and very clean and well maintained. I was expecting a cosy room and was not disappointed. The room I had had a flight of stairs from the entrance door to the bedroom which were a bit steep and could be a struggle for some, so if that was a problem I’d ask about it when booking. The automated check in was very smooth. Parking is relatively easy in the street at weekends but more limited at other times.
Thomas
Stayed 1 night in May 2026
Verified review
10/10 Excellent
Brad
14 February 2026
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Lovely staff, very welcoming. room was perfect and very clean. Thanks again
We booked what was described as the deluxe apartment, that slept four. The sofa bed was only suitable for one adult. Above the sofa bed was a sky light with no blind.
The advert in Expedia referred to a shower and separate bathtub and the advert for amenities led us to believe there were two bathrooms. Neither was the case, there was a shower room only.
There was no instruction for the heating system- when we arrived at 6.30pm the heating was on. Then the following morning there was no heating and we were unable to find out why? Two hours after we left we got a Whatapp message to say it was being looked into. At the self service check in we needed a room number which we did not have in our booking confirmation. We were able to ring the number provided and speak to someone to obtain this.
Whilst it was clean and well decorated we found several screws found on the floor. The apartment is in a nice area with good transport links to the city.
Disappointing experience
Simple to use and felt homely; everything you need is available. Great price considering the location and time of year. We had an amazing stay, and I highly recommend the Gifford!
Marta
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2026
Verified review
4/10 Poor
Jonathan
23 June 2026
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
Photos of this place are mainly of larger rooms. I booked a single standard room but ultimately stayed in two different rooms. The first room's bathroom was down a winding staircase from the bedroom. The room itself was very tiny. Because I have arthritis in my leg, I requested a different room. The staff deserve praise for their helpfulness and friendliness in helping me switch rooms.
The second room was larger and bathroom was in the same room (the good). Unfortunately the pillows on the bed smelled faintly of urine. I pointed this out to the cleaning staff, and the second night this improved somewhat. However the smell was still detectable. I wonder if the mattress itself is the problem. This is not the only review to point this out and needs to be addressed. This room is also fronting a busy road so if you're a light sleeper this may not be for you.
Other things to note: the luggage room is on the second floor of the house and there is no elevator. So you must be prepared to lug it up there. If you're not so strong or older, this may pose problems. Some of the reviews suggest there is breakfast served here. This is incorrect.
Overall, I'd say the staff try hard but the facilities are not so nice, especially if you're booking a smaller room and/or if you have physical challenges. I don't think I'd stay here again.
This was my first time checking in to this kind of independent hotel service, so I was nervous about how it would play out. The instructions were very clear and concise, and everything went smoothly and stress-free. Great experience!
Room and bathroom were very clean. One staff member was there when we checked in. He was helpful and friendly. Location was good but parking is limited around the building. We stayed in the smaller room which was a tight fit for 2 people and luggage. We would stay again but get a bigger room.
Good location with an enjoyable walk into the centre. Staff answered my many questions beforehand and were very courteous. We stayed in a family room, which was big enough and very clean. Would recommend highly. Thanks
Room was good, and I appreciated the small touches. However, the self check-in was a horrible experience. I was unable to check in because my room hadn’t been marked as ready in the system, and I couldn’t contact anyone on WhatsApp or Expedia. I could only resolve the issue and check in after forty minutes when another guest had the same issue, but could contact the host via a competing provider (rhymes with “looking bot from”).
Nick
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2026
Verified review
2/10 Terrible
Jenny
27 March 2026
Liked: Cleanliness
Disliked: Staff & service, amenities
The staff don’t exist. I paid in full at time of booking and when I checked in I had to pay another 225 pounds. I have emailed, messaged through Travelocity and call but have yet to receive a single response. They are crooks.