Based on the many glowing Trip Advisor review, my husband and I stayed at Geraldsplace for three nights earlier this month during our second trip to Edinburgh (first time at Gerald’s). We’ve now joined the cheering section. This B&B earns its high marks for location, comfort, food, and for the obvious thought and care Gerald gives to the details that make life easier and more enriching for a traveler.
The location is perfect – in the heart of the New Town, but without the bustle of being on a major road. You walk down to the basement level, through a tiny courtyard alive with flowers, to enter; despite the lower level location, Geraldsplace is bright and welcoming. The irregularity of the elevations in this block of Georgian structures means that even a basement level flat has its share of windows to the outdoors. The house is also alive with art on every wall, and there are bright bedspreads and bouquets in the guests’ rooms. Across the road is a vast park, around the corner are some excellent art galleries, and Princes Street is a short stroll.
The breakfasts, as other reviewers have described, are excellent. There’s something for everyone, from delicious Scottish breakfasts with eggs, bacon, sausage, and whole-grain toast, to fresh fruit and yogurt or cereal. Plenty of good coffee. On the last morning of our stay, Gerald made us an early complete breakfast so that we could leave for the airport well-fed. (We were particularly happy with the food in the attractive pub/bar at The Magnum, a block away, which Gerald recommended for a casual dinner).
Gerald’s enthusiasm about Edinburgh, his adopted city, is infectious, and his suggestions were on target. He’s a delightful person, and we appreciated all he’s done to make this a guest-friendly B&B – from the very comfortable beds to the in-house refrigerators (stocked with milk and filtered water) to the computer for guests with a high-speed connection to the countless up-to-date magazines, books, and brochures about Edinburgh and environs. Bravo.






