Entering Greywalls House and poking my head around the corner unveiled an elegant corridor with a crackling fire all the way at the end. The welcoming glow made me feel like I was visiting a distant Aunt for the weekend. I couldn’t see a soul, so I apprehensively wandered down the corridor towards to see if there was a sign of life.
I stepped into an impressive library and was almost hoping someone with a pipe and a tweed jacket would pop there head over a wing backed chair and say ‘halloo!’ – this would have really been a great start to this Agatha Christie fantasy. Luckily, instead of someone lurking in the library, a friendly young lady bounded around the corner and said hello. Her smile and comforting Scottish lilt rested any concerns I had that accidentally stepped into a murder mystery novel!
About
Greywalls was built in 1901 and was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens, who is famous for his English country houses. The house is surrounded by six acres of walled garden, which residents are welcome to explore. The hotel is part of the ICMI hotel collection and boasts the first Chez Roux restaurant in Scotland.
Location
Located in Gullane, near North Berwick, stunning Gullane beach is close by. Muirfield golf course is on the doorstep and Edinburgh is a 30 minute drive away.
What Is There To Eat And Drink?
A three course meal in the restaurant was included with the room cost. The main was ok and the dessert was average, but overall a good meal. I had the almond and raspberry cake which didn’t taste any better than a desert from a supermarket fridge shelf.
Breakfast in the morning involved Whiskey Crème Brule porridge which is not to be missed!
What Are The Rooms Like?
Is there a better phrase than ‘we have upgraded your room for you’? We stayed in the room which is known as the King’s Loo. The room featured Penhaligon’s toiletries, a rolltop bath, separate shower and underfloor heating, the bathroom really gave this room the edge. Upon arrival in the room it was frustrating that there was not a kettle, but after we had settled in we received a telephone call asking if we wanted a hospitality tray with a kettle and selection of hot drinks. The biscuits that came with it made it worth the wait. The bed was ginormous and the room was lovely and quiet. The small window opposite the bed did not have a black out blind which would have meant an early start in the summer for us light sleepers, however due to it being a drizzly Scottish weekend that wasn’t a problem.
Location: 8/10
Food: 7/10
Rooms: 8/10
Total: 7.6/10
Greywalls Hotel & Chez Roux
Muirfield
Gullane
East Lothian
EH31 2EG
Tel: +44(0)1620 842144
You book into the Greywalls Hotel on their website.
