Hidden gems close to Edinburgh

In association with HotelReviewScotland.com

OROCCO PIER
17 High Street, South
Queensferry, by Edinburgh
Tel: +44 (0)131 331 1298

You don't have to stay in the city centre to enjoy Edinburgh. Why not stay a few miles away by the seaside? Orocco Pier is a new, cool and contemporary hotel – best described as a restaurant with rooms – located on the beach at South Queensferry, nestled between the two famous rail and road Forth Bridges.

The building is an old coaching inn dating back to 1664. For 30 years it served as the Queensferry Arms Hotel, the local pub.

Time for a radical change! Three local entrepreneurs, all with successful backgrounds in the restaurant business, have recently undertaken
a bold £1 million investment. While the 17th century façade on the cobbled street remains, the funky interior is 21st century.

‘Dreaming, drinking, dreaming' is the new motto. The name Orocco is derived from a play on words – Iroko is a type of South African wood used throughout the hotel.

So picture the scene: a long, mirrored bar with chic booth tables leading through to the open plan lounge and dining area. The furnishings are of exceptional quality, leather sofas and stools, comfortable banquette wall seating and a couple of intimate hideaway corners for dinner à deux.

But it's the view from the windows that is the star attraction. From the lounge and restaurant the panoramic view of the Forth Bridges and over to Fife is breathtaking. At night the restaurant lights dim to highlight the bridges illuminated aga...

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• By : Dominic Roskrow
• In : Best of Scotland
• Issue : 14
• Page : 62
• Words : 967