A seaside-and-city base on Moira Terrace
Step outside Ellwyn House and you are a short stroll from sand: Portobello Beach, with its two-mile sweep and Victorian promenade, sits about twenty minutes away on foot, while Edinburgh’s historic core is a quick bus ride in the other direction. That double pull is the whole appeal of this quiet residential pocket of eastern Edinburgh. You sleep away from Old Town crowds in the settled Craigentinny and Restalrig streets, then hop a bus that stops directly opposite the door and lands you on Princes Street in roughly fifteen minutes. The Firth of Forth lies just beyond the rooftops, and the back rooms feel genuinely calm, with garden views and birdsong that make the festivals feel a world away even when they are minutes down the road.
Inside, the rooms are bright and comfortable, each with a private en-suite shower room, a flat-screen TV with Netflix, a tea and coffee tray, heating and free Wi-Fi. Some look over the rear garden, and a few upper rooms catch a glimpse toward the Firth of Forth. What guests remember most, though, are the hosts: warm, hands-on people who hold your luggage, point you to the right bus and make solo travellers feel at home from the moment you arrive.
Relaunched, with an Indian kitchen at its heart
This building has long been a local fixture, once known as The Ellwyn Hotel, and it has been relaunched under new family ownership as the guest house you find today. The headline change is the kitchen: Ellwyn Street Food, an on-site Indian restaurant, now serves home-style street food, so you can settle in for a relaxed dinner without stepping back onto the bus. A daily breakfast keeps mornings simple before you head for the beach or the bus stop, and guests single out the home-cooked cooking as one of the reasons their scores run high.
Beyond the dining room you will find a back garden with outdoor furniture, a conservatory-style sun-lounge to sit out a Scottish shower, and a bar for a quiet drink. A 24-hour front desk means late arrivals after a delayed flight are no drama, and the team is happy to mind your bags before check-in or after check-out. It is not a polished chain hotel, and the family ownership is exactly the point: you get a personal welcome, genuine local tips and a fair price, the things that turn a budget Edinburgh stay into one guests come back to.
Calm streets, the Firth beyond the rooftops
The reward for staying east is room to breathe. From the upper floors and the garden you sense the Firth of Forth just past the rooftops, and a few minutes’ walk takes you toward Seafield’s shoreline or the swans of Figgate Park. It is a genuinely local corner of the capital, quietly historic and free of Old Town bustle, yet still wired into the city by the number 26 bus and fast trains from nearby Brunstane.
Why book Ellwyn House
A handful of honest reasons this family-run guest house punches above its price for a stay in eastern Edinburgh.
Free parking and a bus at the door
Park free on the unrestricted street outside, then catch Lothian bus 26 from directly opposite into Princes Street in about fifteen minutes.
Beach walks and an Indian kitchen
Portobello Beach and its promenade are around a twenty-minute walk, and Ellwyn Street Food serves home-style Indian food on site for an easy night in.
Warm family hosts, genuine value
Hands-on owners help with luggage, late arrivals and local tips, and guests consistently call the welcome and the price exceptional value.
A calm base near the festivals
Sleep in a quiet residential street away from Old Town noise, yet stay a short bus or train ride from the August festivals and the historic centre.
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Interesting Points About Ellwyn House
- Recently relaunched under new family ownership as Ellwyn House, with an on-site Indian restaurant, Ellwyn Street Food.
- Free unrestricted on-street parking right outside, a rarity for an Edinburgh stay.
- Lothian bus 26 stops opposite the door and runs to Princes Street in about 15 minutes.
- Around a 20-minute walk to Portobello Beach and its Victorian promenade.
Rooms & Accommodation at Ellwyn House
Superior Double Room
Sleeps 2 · 1 double bed · En-suite
The most fully featured room in the house, the Superior Double pairs a comfortable double bed with a seating area where you can spread out after a day in the city. Like every room it comes with a private en-suite shower room, a flat-screen TV with Netflix, a tea and coffee tray, heating and free Wi-Fi, and some Superior Doubles catch a view toward the inner courtyard or the rooftops beyond. Best for couples who want a little more space and somewhere to sit and plan the next day, rather than just a bed for the night.
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Large Double Room
Sleeps 2 · 1 double bed · En-suite
A roomier double with a seating corner, the Large Double gives couples space to relax without paying for the top tier. You get a private en-suite shower room, a flat-screen TV with Netflix, tea and coffee facilities, heating and free Wi-Fi, with the same warm, comfortable feel as the rest of the house. Choose this if you want more elbow room than a standard double and somewhere to unwind after the beach or the bus into town, but do not need every Superior extra.
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Deluxe Single Room
Sleeps 1 · 1 single bed · En-suite
A comfortable, well-kept solo room, the Deluxe Single is built for one traveller who wants their own private en-suite shower room rather than a shared bathroom. It comes with a flat-screen TV with Netflix, a tea and coffee tray, heating and free Wi-Fi, in the same quiet, homely style as the rest of the guest house. Ideal for solo travellers and business visitors who value a calm, affordable base near the beach and an easy bus into central Edinburgh.
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Deluxe Double with Sea View
Sleeps 2 · 1 double bed · En-suite
Set on an upper floor, this Deluxe Double is the room guests mention for its outlook, with a glimpse toward the Firth of Forth on a clear day rather than a full seafront panorama. Inside you get a comfortable double bed, a private en-suite shower room, a flat-screen TV with Netflix, a tea and coffee tray, heating and free Wi-Fi. Best for couples who want that little lift of a view over the rooftops and do not mind a flight or two of stairs to reach it.
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Economy Double Room
Sleeps 2 · 1 double bed · En-suite
The most budget-friendly double in the house, the Economy Double keeps things simple and comfortable for couples watching the spend. You still get a private en-suite shower room, a flat-screen TV with Netflix, tea and coffee facilities, heating and free Wi-Fi, in the same warm guest-house style. Choose this if value matters most and you plan to be out exploring the beach and the city, using the room mainly to sleep and recharge between days.
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Deluxe Twin Room
Sleeps 2 · 2 single beds · En-suite
With two separate single beds, the Deluxe Twin suits friends or family members travelling together who would rather not share a double. It comes with a private en-suite shower room, a flat-screen TV with Netflix, a tea and coffee tray, heating and free Wi-Fi, and some twins look toward the inner courtyard. Best for two travellers who want their own space, an easy bus into the centre and a free parking spot waiting outside the door.
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Deluxe Double or Twin with Garden View
Sleeps 2 · 1 double or 2 single beds · En-suite
A flexible room set up as either a double or a twin and looking over the rear garden, this is one of the calmest options in the house. Guests are often surprised how quiet the back rooms feel, with greenery and birdsong rather than street noise. It comes with a private en-suite shower room, a flat-screen TV with Netflix, tea and coffee, heating and free Wi-Fi. Ideal for couples or friends who want a peaceful, leafy outlook and the freedom to choose their bed layout.
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Single Room
Sleeps 1 · 1 single bed · En-suite
The entry-level single, this room is a tidy, affordable choice for one traveller who simply wants a clean, comfortable place to sleep near the beach and the bus. It still includes a private en-suite shower room, a flat-screen TV with Netflix, a tea and coffee tray, heating and free Wi-Fi. Best for solo travellers and anyone keeping the budget tight while staying within an easy bus ride of central Edinburgh and a short walk of Portobello.
Check PricesFacilities at Ellwyn House
Rooms & comfort
- Private en-suite shower rooms
- Flat-screen TV with Netflix
- Tea and coffee tray
- Free Wi-Fi throughout
- Heating
- Iron
- Hairdryer
- Luggage storage
Food & drink
- On-site Indian restaurant, Ellwyn Street Food
- Daily breakfast
- Bar
- Conservatory sun-lounge
Getting around & parking
- Free unrestricted street parking
- Lothian bus 26 opposite the door
- 24-hour front desk
- Not available: Lift
Good to know
- Garden with outdoor furniture
- Non-smoking throughout
- Not available: Swimming pool
- Not available: Gym
- Not available: Spa
- Not available: Business centre
- Not available: Pets
Location: near Portobello Beach and central Edinburgh
Ellwyn House sits on Moira Terrace in the Craigentinny and Restalrig area of eastern Edinburgh, a quiet residential district roughly 2.5 miles east of the centre and set between the city and the Firth of Forth. It is a settled, genuinely local corner of the capital, so you sleep away from Old Town noise yet stay easily plugged into everything the city offers. Portobello Beach, Edinburgh’s two-mile sandy seaside with its Victorian promenade, cafes and swim centre, is around a twenty-minute walk away. For the centre, Lothian bus 26 stops directly opposite the door and runs to Princes Street and Waverley in about fifteen minutes, with services roughly every ten minutes during the day. Brunstane railway station is about a ten-minute walk for fast trains into Waverley, and free unrestricted street parking outside makes arriving by car simple too.
- Portobello Beach: ~1.1 mi · ~20-min walk · two-mile sandy beach and Victorian promenade
- Edinburgh Castle: ~2.9 mi · ~8-min drive · the fortress on Castle Rock
- Camera Obscura: ~2.8 mi · ~7-min drive · illusions and rooftop city views on Castlehill
- Figgate Park: ~0.9 mi · ~16-min walk · nature park with a pond and birdlife
- Seafield Recreation Ground: ~0.7 mi · ~13-min walk · green space toward the shoreline
- Edinburgh Zoo: ~5 mi · ~15-min drive · famous for its penguin parade
Getting to Key Locations
Photo: M J Richardson, CC BY-SA 2.0
Portobello Beach
Edinburgh’s own seaside, a two-mile sweep of sand backed by a Victorian promenade built in 1866, with cafes, an Art-Deco swim centre and Firth of Forth views across to Fife. It is around a twenty-minute walk from the door, with kayaking and beach volleyball in summer.
View on Map
Photo: Enchufla Con Clave, CC BY-SA 4.0
Edinburgh Castle
The fortress on Castle Rock crowns the Old Town and holds the Honours of Scotland and the One O’Clock Gun. It is roughly a fifteen-minute bus ride from the guest house, an easy day out from your calmer base in the east.
View on Map
Photo: David Monniaux, CC BY-SA 3.0
Arthur’s Seat & Holyrood Park
The green volcanic peak of Arthur’s Seat rises above Holyrood Park for one of the best walks and views in the city. It sits between the guest house and the centre, a short hop on the bus toward the Royal Mile and Holyrood.
View on MapGetting to Ellwyn House from Waverley and the airport
- Exit Edinburgh Waverley: Leave the station onto Princes Street and cross to the stop near the Apple Store.
- Board Lothian bus 26: Take the eastbound 26 toward Seton Sands or Tranent. An adult single is about £2.40, paid as exact cash into the hopper with no change given, or tap contactless, which Lothian caps at £5.70 a day.
- Ride to Moira Terrace: Stay on for about fifteen minutes and alight at the Moira Terrace stop; the guest house is a few doors away.
- By rail instead: Alternatively, take a train from Waverley to Brunstane in about seven to ten minutes, then walk roughly ten minutes to the door.
- From Edinburgh Airport: A taxi takes around twenty-five to thirty minutes, or use the Airlink 100 bus or tram into the centre and change to bus 26 heading east.
A quick guide to Edinburgh
From Ellwyn House you have the best of both worlds: the calm of the coast and quick access to one of Europe’s great capital cities. Spend mornings on Portobello’s sand, then ride the 26 into a centre packed with the Castle, the Royal Mile, Holyrood and the climb up Arthur’s Seat. Time your visit for August and the Fringe, the Military Tattoo and the International Festival take over the city; come in late December for Edinburgh’s Hogmanay. Staying east is a smart value play when central prices triple. One planning note: Edinburgh’s 5% Visitor Levy applies to stays on or after 24 July 2026, charged on the accommodation cost and capped at five consecutive nights.
Watch: things to do in Edinburgh
An Edinburgh city guide covering the Castle, Portobello Beach and more of the sights you can reach from the guest house.
What guests say about Ellwyn House
Scores and review counts are aggregated from verified guest bookings on major travel platforms.
Good
Ellwyn House lands as a warm, well-located and genuinely good-value guest house whose biggest assets are its people and its position between the seaside and the city. Guests return again and again to the friendly, hands-on hosts, the bus stop directly opposite, the easy reach of Portobello Beach and the good home-cooked breakfast. It is not a polished hotel, the building shows its age and sound insulation is limited, but most guests leave happy and many would return. Expectations set correctly, a small, family-run, cash-only place with no lift, lead to strong scores.
Found it a really comfortable, tidy stay in a handy spot, with kind staff, the city centre and Portobello beach within easy reach, and a bus stop right at the door.
Barney
Liked the terrace and the lively beachside setting with restaurants nearby, and the closest bus stop was only a two-minute walk away.
Called it excellent, singling out owners who went out of their way to help, a very good breakfast, and how convenient the bus made reaching the city.
Rated the location highly, about twenty minutes into town with buses roughly every ten minutes, and credited staff who went the extra mile to let her in after a delayed flight.
Enjoyed the seaside location and easy city link, though at six foot four he found the mattress too short for comfort.
Described a very comfortable stay in a lovely area, with caretaker Manpreet looking after them exceptionally well.
Highly recommended it for the good location, the spotless, modern and spacious room and the friendly staff, with thin walls her one gripe.
Summed it up as friendly, comfortable and great value, with a warm welcome and very comfortable facilities.
Good to Know Before You Book
Payment is cash only
Bring cash for your stay, as rates are settled on site; there are ATMs and shops nearby.
Free, unrestricted street parking
Park free right outside and on surrounding streets, a rare and handy thing for an Edinburgh stay, though larger vans may need to look a little further in this busy area.
No lift, rooms reached by stairs
There is no lift and upper rooms are reached by stairs, easy enough for most but worth knowing if you have heavy bags; ask about a lower room when booking.
24-hour reception with late arrivals
You can check in late after a delayed flight, though early and late check-ins carry a charge, and the minimum check-in age is 18.
Photos of Ellwyn House
Ellwyn House FAQs
It is on Moira Terrace in eastern Edinburgh, roughly 2.5 miles east of the centre, near Portobello Beach. Lothian bus 26 stops opposite the door and reaches Princes Street in about fifteen minutes.
From Waverley, take Lothian bus 26 eastbound from Princes Street and ride about fifteen minutes to Moira Terrace. From Edinburgh Airport, a taxi takes around twenty-five to thirty minutes, or take the Airlink bus or tram into the centre and change to bus 26.
Yes. Free unrestricted on-street parking is available right outside and on surrounding streets, which is rare for an Edinburgh stay. Larger vans may need to look a little further in this busy area.
Yes. The guest house has an on-site Indian restaurant, Ellwyn Street Food, serving home-style street food, and a daily breakfast is served. There is also a bar and a conservatory sun-lounge.
Check-in is from 15:00 and check-out is by 10:30. The front desk is staffed 24 hours, so late arrivals are fine, though early and late check-ins carry a charge.
There is no lift, and upper-floor rooms are reached by stairs. It is manageable for most guests, but ask about a lower room when booking if stairs are difficult for you.
Pets are not allowed. Children are welcome within room-size limits, so a double sleeps two people, or one adult and one child, as there are no extra beds.
Payment is cash only and settled on site, so bring cash for your stay. There are ATMs and shops nearby if you need them.
Cancellation, deposit and prepayment terms vary by the room and rate you choose and are shown before you confirm. Very early or late arrivals may carry a charge.
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Free parking, a bus at the door, Portobello Beach on foot and an Indian kitchen on site, all from a family-run guest house that guests come back to.
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