We love a good night away and when we were offered the chance to come along to Garleton Lodge, stay over and sample their hospitality, we couldn’t wait. Garleton Lodge is situated just outside Haddington and boasts spectacular, almost 360 degree views. David and Angela have recently taken over the reins and have been working their magic to create a lovely little piece of luxury, not all that far from the city. Situated just 17 miles outside Edinburgh it’s well within everyone’s reach.
We hopped in the car and off we went, excited to see just what they had on offer and to see those views for ourselves. Unfortunately the weather wasn’t quite on our side when we arrived. However despite the fact it was overcast we could already appreciate just how good the views could be. Quickly after our arrival we found Angela and David. On first meeting the welcome was warm and friendly and it’s almost like being welcomed into their own home. We’d no sooner introduced ourselves and Angela was offering us homemade baked delights and tea. We opted first to head up and see our room. At Garleton Lodge there are 6 rooms to choose from, 2 suites and 4 good sized double rooms. All rooms are en-suite. Our room for the night was one of their gorgeous suites, the Auchentoshan suite to be exact. Each of their rooms are named after a Scottish whisky and for each guest staying there is a little complimentary nip waiting for you in the room.
Once David and Angela had shown us our room and talked us through the amenities available we we’re asked what time would be suitable for dinner and once settled in to make our way down to their lounge to enjoy a drink. As soon as they’d left we had a good nosy around the room. The room was fab and really exceeded our high expectations. The furniture is all of excellent quality and really added to the luxurious feel of the room. This was carried through to the bathroom where the toiletries provided are from Arran Aromatics, one of my favourites. The bed, well what can we say. It was high enough that I had to do a little jump up to get on it and when on it, it felt like being on top of a giant marshmallow. Soft and cosy.
Beer awaited Mr E and there was a nice cup of Earl Grey and freshly baked lemon drizzle cake awaiting me in the lounge. The lounge really has stunning views. You can see right down the Forth to the 3 Bridges and then along the East Lothian coast and over to Fife and on a good day David has told us you can even see part of the Cairngorms. The views alone are worth coming for. During our chat with David we weather watched out the window and listened to their plans of using local suppliers where possible and showcasing what is available right on our doorstep. It seems owning their own guest house has been a dream for sometime and now that it’s a reality, they are putting their all into making it a roaring success. With all the talk of food it was time to freshen up and then make our way down for dinner. The dining room again makes great use of the lovely views with large windows and when the sun is setting it’s stunning.
The menu that evening was full of dishes which either of us would usually order when out for dinner and they are more than happy to cater for any dietary requirements. Along with a lovely menu, they also have an extensive wine list. It didn’t take Mr E long to select a glass of Malbec but if you’re unsure David is on hand to offer advice and suggest what might work best with the dishes ordered.
All of the dishes we had on the night were delicious. Angela is the cook and you can tell that she puts her all into each dish. It’s lovingly made comfort food and she is careful to present each dish tastefully without being overly fussy and showcases the natural freshness and flavour of the food. Service is a family affair with David, Angela and their daughter all taking turns to make sure we were OK. We really couldn’t fault dinner. It was delicious and we had a lovely relaxed evening.
Next morning when we woke all we could think about was how good the breakfast was going to be. Mr E had an excellent sleep and loved the cosiness of the bed. The bedding is of excellent quality and adds to the luxurious feel of your stay. I loved the comfort of the bed but found it a little too warm. I think having a baby on board might have had something to do with that though!
We made our way back down to the dining room where Angela and then David greeted us. The smell of fresh cooking hits you when you come into the room. It turns out there was a birthday party planned for the afternoon and Angela as well as making breakfast was whipping up numerous delights for the party. We both opted for the cooked breakfast. Mr E went for poached eggs and I scrambled. The same care taken to choose local ingredients was again evident on the breakfast menu. Whilst waiting for our cooked breakfast, there was a lovely breakfast table full of different cereals, fresh fruit, yoghurt and jams. I couldn’t resist the fresh fruit and when that was finished a basket full of toast, muffins and croissants appeared. The smell of fresh toast and muffins was fantastic.
The cooked breakfast didn’t disappoint. It was very tasty and really hit the spot. Just the right amount of everything to set us up for the day. Local produce made sure that it was full of flavour and only the highest quality items made it onto the plate. Enjoying a final cup of tea and coffee we made the most of the views out across the Forth before checking out.
Our stay at Garleton Lodge was just what we needed. A nice distraction from baby planning and allowed us to enjoy a nice relaxed evening just the two of us. They provided the perfect escape away from the hustle and bustle of city life. The warm welcome you receive from Angela and David (including their family and the three lovely dogs!) and the little things they’ve done to go the extra mile really do set them out from just another B&B. We would highly recommend an overnight stay if you’re looking to get away from it all and just re-charge your batteries with a bit of luxury. Or if you have a special occasion you can book all 6 rooms in the house and they will work with you create a tailor made package to meet your needs. Did we mention they also have a hot tub and BBQ hut on site if you wish to make use of them? It really is the perfect location for a short break away.
Garleton Lodge | 3 West Garleton Holdings, Haddington , EH41 3SL | Tel: +44 1620 826256 |
Twitter: @Garleton_Lodge
Facebook: /garletonlodge
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