Tasteful hedonism

Prestonfield in Edinburgh is a study in opulence. Sally Toms stayed there

Just a short taxi ride away from central Edinburgh's clatter of traffic and tourism, lies Prestonfield; a five star oasis of luxury quite unlike anything you've ever seen.

To get there you pass through a sea of very ordinary suburban streets, which makes arriving all the more dramatic. A mature tree lined drive leads you to a white rendered mansion tucked away in 20 acres of lush green parkland.

There are no turrets or anything too grand. Well maybe a flag. And every hotel should have a few peacocks...

An attentive and kilted member of staff is there to greet you. The first thing to strike you as walk through the entrance is a huge black and white, Tim Burton-esque carpet. It is then you realise this is no ordinary hotel.

Everywhere you look there are gilt mirrors, gold candlesticks, velvet chairs, brocades, thick curtains, tapestries, ceiling frescos, leather upholstery, fragrant flowers and objet d'art.

If Elton John threw a Pride & Prejudice themed party, it would look like this.

You suddenly feel under-dressed. This is the sort of hotel that entitles you to swish around in feather boa. Even a tutu wouldn't be out of place.

Prestonfield hasn't always encouraged such flamboyance. It was built for a former Lord Provost of Edinburgh in 1687, and remained safe in the hands of the Dick-Cunyngham family until it was bought by celebrity restaurateur James Thompson.

Thompson achieved notoriety through his other creations (of equal splendour): the rooftop Tower Restaurant, ...

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• By : Sally Toms
• In : Best of Scotland
• Issue : 25
• Page : 40
• Words : 822