North Berwick's big hotel now on top form

The Marine Hotel in North Berwick, a much-loved and rather classy Victorian seaside resort, is well-known in Scotland. In 2007 the popular hotel re-opened, fully refurbished – and is now bang on form. Not just thanks to enhanced décor and facilities… but due to outstanding management and lovely staff. Manager of the Year 2009 Seamus Coen leads a friendly team who – from spa, golf to restaurant – look after you well. The big old hotel, now with a contemporary feel, overlooks golf links, the sea and Bass Rock. Bedrooms offer a wide choice and we do recommend the sea view ones since you got this far. Best rooms are turret suites, although feature sea view rooms have four-poster beds, all rather swish. In the Craigleith Restaurant chef John Paul MacLachlan, winner of a Chef Médaille d’Or 2009, serves excellent, rated cuisine in a lovely room. Breakfast is good, too. The spa offers genuinely first-class treatments and was Hotel Spa of the Year 2008. We love the public rooms: airy lounge, contemporary bar, sun room area, richly-panelled library room. Recommended.

E S S E N T I A L   I N F O
> The 86 bedrooms are classified as classic, executive, feature, junior suites and suites
> Executive rooms are just a shade bigger and have a few more extra touches like bathrobes
> Feature rooms can include four-poster beds and bathrooms with separate tub and shower
> Family rooms are available and the hotel is well set-up for family breaks
> The Craigleith Restaurant has a big bay window table ideal to book for 4-8 people
> The restaurant serves lunch and an excellent dinner menu (PDF); and a very good breakfast
> The Links Bar has soft, contemporary décor and plenty squishy sofas and seats with a sea view
> The Marine Spa has a good pool, thermal sauna complex, outdoor hot-tub and a fully-equipped gym
> Treatments at the spa are highly recommended; plan ahead as it can be busy. Spa brochure PDF
> Golfers will feel right at home and the hotel and concierge will do all they can to help you play

R A T I N G
Highly Recommended
Breakfast star

L O C A T I O N   Map
North Berwick is 25 miles south-east of Edinburgh. Once you make you way into the town from the north, look out for a sign on the left – near the first set of traffic lights – which leads down towards the sea. The hotel is on the left, down the hill a bit, in Cromwell Road. Parking is easy.

T I P S   &   H I N T S
Leadership management has brought this hotel on by leaps and bounds over the past couple of years. Sometimes the ‘chain’ feel shows a little, but in general Macdonald Hotels and the team here provide something rather individual. Do book spa treatments early. Book a sea view room. Keep an eye out for packages and deals on the hotel’s own website. It's a favourite of ours.