By Jae-Ha Kim
jaehakim.com
March 8, 2009
One of my favorite hotels in Edinburgh is the Malmaison, which is conveniently located near Waverley Station in the Leith district. Trendy but not precious, this hotel has all the comforts of home, along with the casual hipness of the latest club or bar.
Located in Leith — Edinburgh’s bustling port district — the hotel is within walking distance of a United Nations-variety of restaurants. We were there on a weekend and hadn’t thought to make dinner reservations in advance. Oops. Make reservations … unless you enjoy eating very early or very late. I tried getting a table for dinner on a Saturday night and had to really search for a place that could accommodate me without a multi-hour wait.
We ended up at the Raj Restaurant (89 Henderson St.), which had no line. That made me wary, but we were hungry and decided to give it a shot. The food was excellent! I haven’t been able to find a place near me that makes Tandoori chicken better than theirs. [Update: As of 2021, this restaurant is permanently closed.]
To Tip or Not to Tip:
Let’s face it: The United States is one of the most tip-happy countries in the world. You tip maids, servers and doormen. But when you’re in a foreign country, what do you do? The locals always will tell you if natives tip or not. I remember the Kiwis rarely tipped in New Zealand and then only if service was extraordinary. The policy also seems to hold true in the United Kingdom. Cheapskates on a budget may revel at not being expected to tip. But the problem is that while locals don’t expect tips from their fellow countrymen — or perhaps even from other Europeans — they’ve come to expect them from Americans, who tend to tip out of habit automatically. Just keep in mind the exchange rate when you’re tipping (or paying for anything for that matter). The British pound was worth almost $2 when I was there and I had to remember that a 3-pound tip was almost $6. No wonder the cab drivers loved me so much.
Just the facts:
Malmaison, 1 Tower Place, Edinburgh, EH6 7BZ 0131285 (+44-131-370-4600)
From their website:
Our boutique hotel in Leith is perfectly placed on the area’s bustling waterfront. With a whole host of independent shops, stylish bars and cutting-edge restaurants, Leith is the most exciting area in Edinburgh. We’re just 15 minutes from the historic Royal Mile, making out hotel the perfect base for exploring some of the city’s most popular attractions, including Edinburgh Castle, Princes Street and Holyrood Palace, whilst enjoying the unrivalled cool of Edinburgh’s trendy coastal district.
© 2009 JAE-HA KIM | All Rights Reserved
