Frequently Asked Questions

We understand that there is no one size fits all hotel stay. We’re always on hand to answer any questions you may have about your visit, however, in the meantime, we’ve grouped together a list of our most commonly asked questions and their answers to help guide your plans.

Booking Queries

How much is a room per night?

Our rates are calculated on a daily basis and therefore are subject to change dependent on availability and season. You can easily enter the arrival dates in our booking engine and our system will search the best available rates for you.

Why has the price for my stay increased since I checked rates last week?

Generally, rates will increase, the closer to the date of your stay and are subject to change dependent on availability.

Are the rates per person or per room?

All prices, unless stated otherwise, are on a per-room-basis, and based on two people sharing a room.

How do I get make sure that I pay the best rate?

Our best prices are guaranteed when booking direct with the hotel via our website www.dalhousiecastle.co.uk by emailing info@dalhousiecastle.co.uk or calling us on 01875 820153. Direct bookers will receive the best rate, the opportunity for a priority room upgrade (subject to availability), a 10% discount on retail items, spa products and treatments and a choice of either a complimentary cream tea or a £10 food and beverage voucher to spend during your stay. In the event that you need to cancel or modify your reservation you’ll have the flexibility to talk directly to us to make the necessary changes, only when booking direct.

What is the Advanced Purchase Rate (APR)?

The APR offers a discount on the daily rate, with the value of the discount dependent on the booking date. In general, you can save between 10-15% on the cost of your stay.

Please note that this rate is not eligible to be cancelled free of charge and a non-refundable deposit is due at time of booking. If the hotel is notified up to 48 hours prior to arrival, guests may transfer their booking to another date within 6 months of the original arrival date. The rate for the new date will apply and any increase in rate will need to be paid for by the guest at the time of transfer.

Do you have any family rooms?

We warmly welcome children to the castle and have a selection of bedrooms and suites that accommodate up to four people either in one room or by means of interconnecting rooms.

Do you offer child rates?

Yes, we offer family-family rates at Dalhousie Castle. Children under two years are welcome to stay at the castle free of charge. Cots for infants are available for an additional charge of £15 per cot, per night. Children under 16 years are charged at £25 per child on a bed and breakfast basis. We also offer a children’s menu in our Orangery Restaurant where we recommend an early sitting. Children occupying their own bedroom will be charged at full tariff.

Do you offer accessible rooms?

Regrettably, owing to its construction, Dalhousie Castle does not have an accessible room or easy wheelchair access and, despite our best efforts it is has not been possible to install a lift in the castle. Ground-floor rooms are available at Castle Rocks within the hotel grounds.

Can I bring my pet?

We welcome well behaved pets in our lodge house, Castle Rocks, just a two-minute walk from the castle. Regrettably, pets aren’t allowed in the bedrooms, spa or restaurant areas within the main castle.

Do you offer special discounts (for senior citizens, students etc)?

We provide the best available rates for the dates of your stay. The discounts are already included and therefore it is not possible to have any other discount on the confirmed price.

Arrival & Departure

At what time can I check-in?: Bedrooms are available from 3pm on the day of arrival.
At what time must I check-out?: Check-out is at 11.00 am. A late check-out until 1.00 pm can be requested for a supplement, subject to availability. A £25 supplement applies to a late check out until 12.00 noon, and a £50 supplement applies to a 1.00 pm check-out.
I will be arriving late in the evening. Can I still check-in?: If you know that you will be arriving late please contact the hotel so that a member of staff can be there to greet you on arrival.
Is parking available at the hotel?: We have plenty of free of charge parking spaces at the hotel for use by our guests and visitors to the hotel. All vehicles are left at the owner’s risk.
What are the opening hours for Reception?: Reception is open 24 hours and a member of our team will be at your service day and night.
Do you offer a hotel shuttle bus to the airport or train station?: Unfortunately, we aren’t able to offer a shuttle service, however our Reception team will be happy to assist you to find public transport or will call a taxi for you.
How far is Dalhousie Castle from Edinburgh city centre?: Dalhousie Castle is just eight miles from the centre of Edinburgh. The easiest way to get into the city centre is by train. The nearest train station, Newtongrange Station, is just 1.7 miles from the castle, with trains running to city centre (Edinburgh Waverley Station) every 30 minutes, with a 22-minute journey time.
How far is Dalhousie Castle from Edinburgh Airport?: Dalhousie Castle is 16 miles from Edinburgh Airport by car, via the City of Edinburgh Bypass/ A720. During peak times we recommend that you allow an hour’s travel to the airport as traffic can be heavy. Buses also run from Edinburgh city centre to Edinburgh Airport every ten minutes from the Waverley Bridge bus stop, with a 30-minute journey time. Trams run every ten minutes to Edinburgh Airport from St Andrews Square in Edinburgh city centre. The tram stop is located opposite Edinburgh Waverley train station via the Waverley Steps exit. The journey time is approximately 35 minutes.
Where can I get a copy of my invoice after departure?: If staying in the main castle, your invoice will be placed under your bedroom door on the morning of departure. Alternatively, we can email you a copy of your invoice prior to departure. Guests staying in Castle Rocks will have their invoice emailed to them on the morning of departure.
I left something behind in my room after my stay, what shall I do?: Please contact info@dalhousiecastle.co.uk. Our rooms are cleaned daily, so it’s likely that your item will have been found by our housekeeping team and stored for safe keeping.

Food & Beverage

Do you have a hotel restaurant?: Yes, we have two on-site restaurants, The Dungeon which is open daily for dinner and The Orangery which serves breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and a bistro style dinner.
The Dungeon Restaurant: Once a dark and fearsome place, The Dunegon Restaurant is now a warm, atmospheric dining room where candlelight flickers across the barrel-vaulted ceiling and shining suits of armour. The food is award-winningly good, as Head chef brings a dash of French sophistication to a menu rich with the finest Scottish produce – earning two AA rosettes for excellence. Please note: we keep this special place for adults only; groups with children under 12 years old are welcome to dine with us in The Orangery.
The Orangery: In contrast to the atmospheric mystery of our Dungeon Restaurant, the Orangery is a bright, airy place to eat, drink and relax, its huge windows giving a fine view of the South Esk river and the rolling Scottish skies overhead. Family-friendly and informal, this bistro-style restaurant offers a modern mix of Scottish and European cuisine with plenty of family favourites to keep everyone happy, whether you’re here for a hearty breakfast, laid-back lunch, afternoon tea with Champagne, or dinner as dusk settles across the castle estate.
When is breakfast served at the hotel?: Breakfast is served between 8am and 10am (10.30 at weekends) in the hotel Orangery Restaurant. Breakfast may also be served in your room. Please complete the breakfast card located on the back of your door prior to 3am and place it outside on your door handle ready for collection.
Can I have breakfast, lunch or dinner even if I am not staying in your hotel?: Yes, of course you can enjoy a meal or drink in our Restaurants. Table reservations can be made via our website form, or direct with our Reservations team reservations@dalhousiecastle.co.uk.
Can the hotel provide a packed lunch?: Packed lunches and picnic hampers can be arranged with pleasure; however, we ask for as much notice as possible, preferably at least 24 hours please.
Are special requests, such as gluten-free meals, manageable?: Yes, we are very happy to accommodate any special dietary requirements you may have. Please let us know of your requirements at the time of booking so that we can discuss your requirements with our chef.
Do you offer room service?: Room service is available throughout your stay and a room service menu is available in your bedroom. A tray service of £3.50 will be applied to all room service orders.
Can I reserve a table in a restaurant?: Yes, you may book a table online via our website Restaurant page or reserve a table directly with Reservations team reservations@dalhousiecastle.co.uk. You will find a sample menu on our website.

Facilities

How do I book a falconry experience?: Please contact info@falconryscotland.co.uk or 01875 825728
How do I book an archery experience?: Please contact info@falconryscotland.co.uk or 01875 825728
Can I have a whisky tasting?: Yes, we’d be delighted to arrange a whisky tasting in the Library with a member of the Dalhousie team who is knowledgeable about whiskies. Alternatively, a whisky tasting can be arranged with Glenkinchie Distillery. Please ask the hotel team for details prior to arrival by emailing info@dalhousiecastle.co.uk
What spa treatments do you provide at the hotel?: We offer a wide range of therapeutic and beauty treatments using products from the holistic, vegan spa brand Ytsara. More information on our treatments can be found by visiting our spa page online https://www.dalhousiecastle.co.uk/spa/ or by emailing our therapists directly at spa@dalhousiecastle.co.uk
Can I use the spa facilities when I’m staying at the hotel?: All hotel residential guests are welcome to use our spa facilities while staying with us and this is included within the cost of your stay. We are currently operating a Covid-safe booking system for all spa users and therefore time spent using our facilities will be strictly limited.
Is it possible to book spa treatments online?: Unfortunately we cannot currently take spa bookings online, however spa treatments are available to book by contacting our Spa team directly at spa@dalhousiecastle.co.uk. Your Spa therapist will be able to liaise with you about individual treatments and if appropriate the best sequence in which to take them.
Do I need to bring a towel?: No. Bathrobes, slippers and towels are provided for your comfort during your spa day and included in the cost of your spa experience. We advise changing into your robe before any spa treatments. There are lockers available for your use in our changing area. Swimwear must be worn at all times when using the Spa facilities. Robes are permitted when taking lunch or afternoon tea in The Orangery.
Can children use the spa facilities?: Unfortunately, persons under the age of 16 years are not permitted to use the Spa facilities.
Can I charge my electric vehicle at the hotel?: Yes, we have electric vehicle chargers on-site for use by our guests. These are charged at £0.49p per kwh.

Payment & Cancellation

I have bought / received a voucher. How can I redeem it in your hotel?

Please contact us directly on info@dalhousiecastle.co.uk and our team will be happy to help you.

Can I book without a credit/debit card?

No; a credit/debit card number is required to make a reservation. For your security, any personal information such as your credit card number or phone number will be encrypted before being transmitted over the internet.

Will my credit/debit card be charged at time of booking?

Please refer to booking terms and conditions for details, https://www.dalhousiecastle.co.uk/terms-conditions.

Which credit cards are accepted?

We accept payment via all major credit cards through our online booking engine and by telephone.

How can I change or cancel my reservation?

If you have booked a stay directly with us and your travel plans change you can cancel or modify your reservation in accordance with our Group cancellation policy which can be found on our website https://www.dalhousiecastle.co.uk/terms-conditions

Please note that our booking terms and conditions relate only to bookings made directly with us (either via email, by phone or through our website www.dalhousiecastle.co.uk). You can cancel your reservation or send us a request for a modification by clicking on the link at the bottom of your confirmation email.

How can I change or cancel my reservation if I didn’t book directly with the hotel?

Please refer to the specific cancellation terms provided by your booking agent and contact them directly to change your booking. Regrettably we are unable to make modifications to a booking contract of a third party.

Can I cancel my room if I’ve paid an Advanced Purchase Rate (APR)?

The APR offers a discount on the daily rate, with the value of the discount dependant on the booking date. This rate is not eligible to be cancelled free of charge and a non-refundable payment is due at time of booking. If the hotel is notified up to 48 hours prior to arrival, guests may transfer their booking to another date within six months of the original arrival date. The rate for the new date will apply and any increase in rate will need to be paid for by the guest at the time of transfer.

Can I amend / cancel my booking due to COVID-19?

Depending on the rate that you have booked you may cancel or change your booking in accordance with our terms and conditions which can be found online https://www.dalhousiecastle.co.uk/terms-conditions

Can I make a group booking online?

Regrettably it isn’t possible to make a group booking online. Instead, we recommend that you call us on 01875 820153 or email us directly info@dalhousiecastle.co.uk to discuss your group reservation.

I have booked a hotel room but I did not receive a confirmation by email. What do I have to do?

The most common reason for not getting a confirmation email is typing your email address incorrectly. Please double check your email address before completing your reservation. In some cases, our confirmation email may end up in your “spam folder”. If you do not receive an email after you have made a booking, please send an email with your booking number and details to info@dalhousiecastle.co.uk

Marketing Communications

How do I get to hear about special promotions?: We offer special promotions which are publicised to our loyal contacts on our database and on our social media channels. The easiest way to hear about offers and events is to follow us on social media via the relevant icons at the bottom of this website page, or to subscribe to our twice monthly (at most) email newsletter.
How can I subscribe/unsubscribe for the newsletter?: You will find a link on our homepage in the footer, where you can subscribe for our newsletter. If you wish to unsubscribe in the future, you will find a link at the bottom of each newsletter.
Do you offer a discount for returning guests?: Yes. All guests who stay with us are entitled to return to Dalhousie Castle, or any of the hotels in the Robert Parker Collection at a discount of 10%. You will be sent a booking code to use when making your next reservation.