The Tynecastle Park Hotel is open for business, utilising a space in the main stand at Heart of Midlothian FC which has not been used until now, and providing a new revenue stream for the ambitious cinch Premiership club.
Cash generated from the 25-bed hotel, which is claimed to be the first club-owned and operated hotel inside a football stadium in the UK, will be ploughed back into the team and guests and the media were given a sneak preview of the facility only hours before the official opening.
And the verdict? Well, if I had a choice then I would definitely bring out my wallet and pay to stay here. It is beautifully-furnished, modern, far more spacious than I had anticipated, and the Emperor beds look really comfortable. Twin beds can be supplied.
All rooms have en-suite, walk-in showers – no baths – and the rooms are air-conditioned, have large-screen TV (55-plus inch) and complimentary, high-speed, wi-fi, and really do offer comfort. The marble finishings ooze quality and luxury Molton Brown toiletries underline attention to detail.
Selected rooms use the latest technology to provide guests with the option of a live view of the pitch or city skyline and carpeting throughout is tasteful and, despite the hotel being integrated in a football stadium, there is not a plethora of Heart of Midlothian FC material.
Basically, this hotel has been well thought out, and the styled rooms include family, executive and accessible rooms, but there is more.
There are dedicated meeting, conference and event spaces, not big but certainly comfortable, and they appear ideal for executives to host corporate talks with staff and clients.
Heating is temperature controlled. If you are not in a room then the heat is decreased. A great idea in these energy saving days.
The hotel is ideally situated for those taking in a concert of a rugby match at nearby Murrayfield Stadium. A 15 minute stroll. Regular bus services are at the top of McLeod Street and Haymarket Stadium, with links to the busy West and East Coast rail lines, is a short walk or brief taxi ride. Edinburgh Airport is easily accessible.
Tynecastle Park Hotel is also convenient for those who wish to take in the Edinburgh Festival, yes, a wee bit outside of the city centre, but not that far and there are local shops which will provide those extras or help top up what you have forgotten to bring with you.
Prices are extremely competitive. The Plaza rooms are from £90, Roseburn and Accessible from £117 and Executive from £180. The family room is from £180.
Derek Paterson, the manager, said fans have been quick to buy into the concept and bosses have also reached out to Booking.com where the response has also been encouraging.
The popular Skyline Restaurant sits on the top floor of Tynecastle Park, providing seasonal dishes with locally sourced ingredients.
Undoubtedly, it will take time for word to filter through, but the Tynecastle Park Hotel is definitely an option for tourists, concert goers and sports fans, and it does have some parking spaces. Take a look on the website.
Experienced news, business, arts, sport and travel journalist. Food critic and managing editor of a well-established food and travel website. Also a magazine editor of publications with circulations of up to 200,000 and managing director of a long-established PR/marketing company with a string of blue-chip clients in its CV. Former communications lecturer at a Scottish university and social media specialist for a string of successful and busy SMEs.
