Melville Castle Hotel near Edinburgh is a very poor choice.
My previous stay at this hotel was in 2006 and found it lacking in just about every aspect of a good hotel experience. I stayed again most recently on the night of the 1st of September 2026 and came to the conclusion it was just as run down as 20 years earlier. Prices are much too high for the standard....it should be five star for what they charge. It is hardly even three star and even that is debatable. At dinner with guests i.e. a party of four I ordered venison. The chef had no clue as to how venison should be cooked and served and it was raw when served. I sent mine back for further cooking on the grill (not how venison should be cooked) and it came back burned but still raw. Eating it was like chewing rubber. Shockingly bad. All in all the dinner was poor for the price.
The rooms were the same tatty decorated rooms I remember from my previous stay. In 2006 I had 12 rooms booked for my party so I am well aware of what the decor was like. I would suggest to anyone thinking of staying at this hotel.....don't waste your money.
Even the parking area outside is lacking sufficient gravel so it is impossible to walk to or from the car parking without getting one's feet muddy!
I have complained to the hotel and suggested they refund my money for the poor dinner at least. They have as yet declined to comment and I am not holding my breath on that coming to pass.