Classic Double Room
from $124
Macdonald Houstoun House
4.0 out of 5.0
62% based on 1470 reviews
Recent guest reviews
I visited today and ate in the restaurant withfriends the main was novel cuisine size just about adequate unlessyou ordered the pork which was very small. The beef was excellent. The wine list is good and our wine was excellent.. the desserts left a lot to be desired first they too,ages to come despite ordering at the start of the meal obviously they lost order. With the panacotta you got freeze dried raspberry despite them being in season they tasted like cardboard!
My parents have been visiting here for 17 years and always loved it hence the amount of times stayed here. Unfortunately this time they where really disappointed. Lots of little things that where of poor standard for a 4**** hotel. Room key not updated as stayed for 5 days so they had to keep going back to reception as they where staying in the annex. At breakfast they waited ages before being asked what they would like yet people came in after them and they where seen to first. Breakfast swimming in fat and when mentioned to a waitress they didnt understand as they didn't speak English/Scottish. Evening meals also of poor quality and puddings half the size of what it has been previously. They will not be going back.
Visited the Macdonald Houston back in May for a conference and this hotel was impeccable. Staff at the hotel were extremely polite and always happy to answer any questions. The hotel itself is obviously very old and it's great to see they've kept all the original features whilst trying to add a modern touches in the bathrooms etc. Facilities are very good, with tea and coffee being replenished everyday, and the Scottish shortbread being added was a nice touch (and also very tasty). Overall the rooms were well decorated and in keeping with the exterior. The grounds of this are hotel are by far the best thing about it. Well groomed with beautiful flowers and trees - definitely worth a walk around if you get a chance. You will definitely need a car to get around. The hotel itself is amazing but to visit Glasgow or Edinburgh both about 30 minutes away in either direction. Livingston outlet village is a 10-15 minute drive from the hotel, which offers a good variety of restaurants. Amazing hotel - if I visit Scotland again, I would stay nowhere else!
Turned up at 9.30 for 3 spa treatments for a friend's birthday. We were told at 9.55 that one appointment was for 9.00 and the other two were at 10.00. Can't understand this as the spa staff don't start till 10.00!! Over an hour later, with not much help from the Duty Manager who is the Head Housekeeper, we get a refund. We were offered a refund or two of us keep our appointments and the third person goes back another day for a complimentary day use of the facilities! We should have been offered complimentary use for the three of us that day right at the start as a gesture of Goodwill at least. This has been booked since May! The way it was handled was actually more frustrating than the fact they got our appointments wrong. Staff definitely need training in dealing with problem situations. Two of us had travelled from Edinburgh - that was the whole morning wasted. Apparently all three Managers are on holiday at the same time - not good staff management. Definitely will NOT be returning here in a hurry.
Bought an Itison deal for myself and two daughters to enjoy a Spa Day here. The body and face massages were excellent but everything else disappointed. Original booking not acknowledged so had to chase day before. Waited four hours for call back which never came, before phoning again. Times had been changed from original booking! No proper welcome or explanation of spa facilities on arrival. Wanted to use gym but receptionist had assumed we didn't so much precious time wasted. Waited ages for robes and when they arrived they had no cords! Never offered our glass of prosecco so eventually asked for. Had to go to main hotel for some food despite being told when I booked we could have food at the Spa. Spent an hour in rather odd-smelling bar with slow and poor service of expensive food which didn't even meet description on menu. Not even asked if our food was OK. Never had time to even try the pool - which looked lovely. Wouldn't go back. Management need to sort this out before more customers vote with their feet.
Stayed here for one night recently working in Livingston. Hotel is very picturesque with plenty of history. Reception staff are very efficient and friendly and check in a doddle, however check out following morning was a bit of a chore as only one person on reception and four people checking out, all a bit long winded. Rooms are pleasant and reasonably large with decent bathroom and good wifi. As previously mentioned there is a lack of atmosphere in bar and prices are a little steep for what you get, but my main gripe was waiting for a drink refill at the bar as the staff went walkabout and left you waiting for five minutes to get another drink. Breakfast next morning was very good.plenty of parking available.
this place is quiet and the staff is very helpful. It has a wonderful restaurant and the food was great. Be prepared there is no air conditioning and any of the hotels where we stayed in Scotland. The room was very nice, but a lot of doors and stairs to go through. The rugs on the stairs need to be replaced. All in all not a bad place to stay.
The hotel was amazing, the check in was swift and the room is massive. The internet is probably the fastest I have experienced. The breakfast is gorgeous and plentiful I would return in a heart beat .
The building itself is lovely, and the receptionist was very pleasant. first impressions were positive. Our room was a decent size. However the positives end there: - the showers were lukewarm at most - the restaurant & bar had no atmosphere - we had to move table in the bar as there was an absolutely repulsive smell - the staff (with the exception of the lady on reception and David who worked in the restaurant) could do with a refresher course on customer service. Service was sloppy, and we had to wait 20 mins for drinks, in bar and at breakfast - at dinner, the food was unpleasant and expensive - at breakfast, some of the components were missing from my plate Overall a disappointing stay, and I would not recommend to anyone expecting a 4* break.
Our Spa day was a mixture of great quality treatments but was let down by having a rather disjointed approach by the staff. Positives-- The back massage and facial were excellent. Thanks Jane. I have received many compliments on my skin and my back muscles feel less crunchie! The lunch box was a feast for the eyes and the taste buds, especially the veggie box. Relaxing manicure. Access to the leisure facilities. Disappointments-- whilst we were warmly welcomed on arrival, no one seemed clear as to what our day would involve. Initially we trailed after a member of staff awaiting some direction, collecting robes etc. Between treatments we were a bit lost, there were no clocks and we didn't know where to go next. We would have preferred someone to guide us through our day so that we could fully relax and not have to think about what was next and when. Whilst my manicure was relaxing, I was disappointed that it has smudged on a couple of nails. The advice had been to wait 10 mins or so, although again lack of access to a clock meant that I probably had not waited long enough. I would have preferred someone to check my nails and then give me the all clear. The space was a bit cold, the feedback from staff was to tell us this was because we were only wearing robes! Bringing the clean towels into the reception area in a large blue wheelie bin (presumably it was clean and this was for ease of delivery) was not what I would have expected from a 4 star spa. Overall trying hard and almost there but not quite 4 star.
Hotel highlights
- Free WiFi in rooms and public areas
- Free parking
- Onsite dining
- Spa
Located in Uphall Broxburn, Macdonald Houstoun House is within a 10-minute drive of Livingston Designer Outlet and Almondvale Stadium. This 71-room, 4-star hotel has conveniences like a full-service spa, an indoor pool, and free in-room WiFi. Royal Highland Centre is also within a 15-minute drive of this Broxburn hotel.
Dining
This hotel serves as home to a bar, along with a fine-dining restaurant that specializes in local cuisine. Savor a meal from the comfort of your room with room service. For your convenience, a full breakfast is served for a fee each morning from 8 AM to 10 AM.
Rooms
All 71 air-conditioned rooms feature sofa beds, coffee makers, and free newspapers. TVs come with satellite channels, and guests can stay connected with free WiFi. Bathrooms have hair dryers and free toiletries. Other amenities include free bottled water, phones, and ironing boards.
Property features
At Macdonald Houstoun House, guests enjoy a full-service spa, an indoor pool, and a health club. If you decide to drive, there's free parking. Front-desk staff can answer questions 24/7, and assist with dry cleaning/laundry, luggage storage, and securing valuables. Other amenities at this spa hotel include a sauna, free WiFi in public areas, and conference space.
Reviews from Trip Advisor
62% of guests recommend this hotel
Total of 1470 reviews
