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The Witchery by the Castle: Traveler Reviews


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The Royal Mile | Castlehill, Edinburgh EH1 2NF, Scotland
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Traveler Reviews

89% Recommend
4.5 of 5 stars 163 reviews
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Quite wonderful.......

The Witchery by the Castle

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5 of 5 stars
The_Chancellor 14 contributions
London, UK
Oct 15, 2007 | Trip type: Couples
5/5 found this review helpful

My fiancee and I stayed in the Sempill Suite for a birthday celebration. The other reviews here are spot on re the luxury of the place, the attention to detail and the sumptuousness of the rooms. I haven't stayed anywhere that compares to it. This is a restaurant with rooms rather than a 5-star hotel so I don't know if they can deliver toothpaste or launder shirts at 4am, but the service we got was excellent. Getting the breakfast served in the room was a nice touch, it arrived bang on time. Given a completely free choice I'd prefer a fry-up to the continental version but when the time comes you won't want to leave that suite to get it! It is worth arriving early and checking out late, none of which seems to present much of a problem to the very helpful staff.

On the practicalities, you need to book a suite for a Saturday night several months in advance - there are only 7 of them. You should also note that the rooms are located in a mediaeval town centre so there isn't a car park outside. The best thing to do is use the NCP at Castle Terrace and walk or cab it up the hill. Being right next to Edinburgh Castle, it's also in the middle of a main tourist and events thoroughfare so while the rooms are delightful and tranquil (the odd creaky floorboard excepted), it is a city centre rather than a rural hideaway.

We had dinner in the Secret Garden. The setting is beautiful, the service was attentive and friendly without being overbearing and the food was lovely. The wine list is impressive. In fairness, you can almost certainly get better value for money elsewhere (the food is not head-and-shoulders above other Edinburgh offerings in the way that the setting and atmosphere is) but for a romantic night away with a nice meal I don't think you could do better. Really quite special.

  • Liked — Everything
  • Disliked — Having to leave
  • My ratings for this hotel
    • 5 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 4 of 5 stars Check in / front desk
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
  • Date of stay October 2007
  • Visit was for Romantic getaway
  • Traveled with Spouse / significant other
  • Age group 25-34
  • Member since July 24, 2007
  • Would you recommend this hotel to a friend? Yes
  • I recommend this hotel for An amazing honeymoon, A romantic getaway, Girlfriend getaway
  • I do not recommend this hotel for Young singles, Families with young children, Families with teenagers
  • I selected this hotel as a top choice for Great food / Wine
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
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a fantastic place to stay!!

The Witchery by the Castle

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5 of 5 stars
buttsScotland 7 contributions
Scotland
Oct 12, 2007 | Trip type: Couples
1/1 found this review helpful

went here for a Romantic stay, it was fabulous, every detail was just
the best! staff excellent, felt really special, breakfast was wonderful too, the staff lit every candle for us. Romance xxxxxxx saving to go back!!

  • Liked — the whole experience xxx
  • Disliked — i loved it all x
  • My ratings for this hotel
    • 5 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Check in / front desk
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
    • 5 of 5 stars Business service (e.g., internet access)
  • Date of stay August 2006
  • Visit was for Romantic getaway
  • Traveled with Spouse / significant other
  • Age group 35-49
  • Member since November 06, 2005
  • Would you recommend this hotel to a friend? Yes
  • I recommend this hotel for An amazing honeymoon, A romantic getaway, Tourists
  • I do not recommend this hotel for Girlfriend getaway, People with disabilities, Older travelers, Great pool scene, Pet owners, Families with young children, Families with teenagers
  • I selected this hotel as a top choice for Great food / Wine
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Was this review helpful? Yes No
fantasic!

The Witchery by the Castle

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5 of 5 stars
ladypManchester 5 contributions
manchester
Oct 11, 2007 | Trip type: Couples
1/1 found this review helpful

My husband treated me to a stay at the witchery for my 40th birthday...it was amazing....from start to finish it was so atmospheric...deeply gothic and deeply sexy!!...we stayed in the inner sanctum...it was lovely...and a tiny bit spooky too...no ghosts tho...but the lights did flicker a lot!....its definately a place for romance and passion...i just hope queen victoria doesnt tell anybody what went on (if u have stayed there u will know what i mean)
You actually feel like you have been transported back in time when u get there...its all so ancient...but very stylish and luxuriant at the same time...ive never been anywhere like it....the little touches like champagne on ice ......hand made cookies.....chocolates..hand made fudge in a little gold ribbon tied box on your pillows...and we loved reading the guest book with all the little stories of romance that had happened to other people there too...just magical...we cant wait to go back next year and try another suite....take someone you love there and lose yourselves in this wonderful place

  • Liked — everything
  • Disliked — nothing
  • My ratings for this hotel
    • 5 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Check in / front desk
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
  • Date of stay October 2007
  • Visit was for Romantic getaway
  • Traveled with Spouse / significant other
  • Age group 35-49
  • Member since September 27, 2007
  • Would you recommend this hotel to a friend? Yes
  • I recommend this hotel for An amazing honeymoon, A romantic getaway
  • I do not recommend this hotel for Young singles, Girlfriend getaway, People with disabilities, Older travelers, Great pool scene, Pet owners, Families with young children, Families with teenagers
  • I selected this hotel as a top choice for Museums / Cultural / Historical sites, Outdoor / Adventure, Great food / Wine, Shopping
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
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If you want to be treated like a King (or Queen!!) This is the place for you

The Witchery by the Castle

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5 of 5 stars
Richard65 10 contributions
Glasgow, United Kingdom
Oct 7, 2007 | Trip type: Couples
3/3 found this review helpful

We have eaten at the Witchery several times always late September or early October to celebrate my partner’s birthday but this is the first time we have stayed. We booked the Sempill Suite. This is as previously mentioned on other reviews a historical building which is hundreds of years old, and that adds to the feeling of opulence.
This is not a hotel. It’s a restaurant with rooms but boy are they fantastic rooms. They are opulent, sensual, lavish, extravagant, luxurious, discrete and totally totally sexual.
We were shown to our suite by the famous Roxy. He had our Champagne already chilling on ice in the reception area, The Sempill suite is on the ground floor beyond a locked gate which gives you a feeling of totally security. There is a full kitchen which had fresh milk in the fridge. A truly stunning hallway leads you down to the sumptuous bedroom which is just decadence its self. The bathroom has a roll-top bath which is large enough for two. There are antiques in every room and the walls are covered in silks and velvets. This suite is utterly romantic. If you want to live like a king (or queen) for a day this is the location for you.
We also ate at the Witchery restaurant which is one of my favourite restaurants in Edinburgh The food was as always delicious and the service was excellent. I cannot rate the Witchery highly enough. We will indeed be returning next year. Do yourself a favour just go it is fantastic!!!!!!

  • Liked — its decadance
  • Disliked — nothing
  • My ratings for this hotel
    • 5 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Check in / front desk
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
  • Date of stay October 2007
  • Visit was for Romantic getaway
  • Traveled with Spouse / significant other
  • Age group 35-49
  • Member since July 14, 2006
  • Would you recommend this hotel to a friend? Yes
  • I recommend this hotel for An amazing honeymoon, A romantic getaway, Girlfriend getaway, Older travelers, Tourists
  • I do not recommend this hotel for Young singles, Great pool scene, Pet owners, Families with young children, Families with teenagers
  • I selected this hotel as a top choice for Great food / Wine
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Was this review helpful? Yes No
A Perfect Honeymoon

The Witchery by the Castle

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5 of 5 stars
C4HSY 2 contributions
Tyne & Wear
Sep 27, 2007 | Trip type: Couples
2/2 found this review helpful

We booked the Old Rectory for our Honeymoon, just stayed the 1 night, well you walk in and just think 'WOW'. It was just the perfect setting. You feel as if you are hidden away in the castle, so romantic we did not want to leave. We also booked a table in the Secret Garden which was superb. I had the lobster and belly pork which was to die for. The setting in the restaurant was so romantic. We will definitely be back next year to try one of the other suites.

  • Liked — The Decor
  • Disliked — Nothing
  • My ratings for this hotel
    • 5 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Check in / front desk
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
  • Date of stay September 2007
  • Visit was for Honeymoon
  • Traveled with Spouse / significant other
  • Age group 35-49
  • Member since September 27, 2007
  • Would you recommend this hotel to a friend? Yes
  • I recommend this hotel for An amazing honeymoon, A romantic getaway, Girlfriend getaway
  • I do not recommend this hotel for Young singles, People with disabilities, Great pool scene, Pet owners, Families with young children, Families with teenagers
  • I selected this hotel as a top choice for Great food / Wine
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Was this review helpful? Yes No
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The Witchery by the Castle Also Known As

Address: The Royal Mile | Castlehill, Edinburgh EH1 2NF, Scotland