2 Cambridge Street (The Dynamite Club) gallery Gallery
2 Cambridge Street (The Dynamite Club)
Edinburgh
Bed & Breakfast
+44 (0)131 478 0005
£145 - £195
per night
A fin-de-siècle Franco-Scottish décor for this hospitable, entertaining B&B, in the heart of Edinburgh’s cultural quarter
2 rooms
Rooms sleep 2
Children welcome
Pets welcome
Babies welcome
Your enquiry details
2 Guests 04 Dec 24 - 04 Dec 24
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£145 - £195 per night
The Experience
A mischievous humour, tinged with historical and cultural references, alerts you to the specialness of this place, a ground-floor B&B in the lee of Edinburgh Castle. Find striking colours, antiques aplenty and a captivating attention to detail. There are interactive art installations that sing and play, a line of old theatre seats up on the wall, photos and ‘objets’ serving startling and original purposes.
The drawing room is yours all day (handy if it’s raining) or you’re welcome to sit in the pretty Zen garden. Breakfast can include Blueberry Rocket, baked grapes, Avocado Bangkok, Chorizo surprise (surprise) and omelette citron-fromage among other delights. Recover slowly with hundreds of books to choose from before you venture out.
Wander the old streets admiring architecture, find fine restaurants, return to a nightcap of Marsala and French sweets.
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We think you'll love
- Hélène and Erlend with their generosity of spirit and sense of style
- Being able to walk to everything, including the stations
- The breakfasts - worth getting up for and will keep you going all day
You should know
- No TVs in bedrooms - just lots of lovely books
- Children accepted but it's not really geared up for them - too many breakable things
- Parking in the city is expensive, come by train! If you must bring a car there is cheaper parking further out - ask Erlend
Essentials
- EV charger
- Swimming pool
- Hot tub
- Garden
- Open fire / woodburner
- Breakfast included
- Breakfast available
- Meals available
- Vegetarian meals
- Oven
- Parking on premises
- Free parking nearby
- Accessible by public transport
- WiFi
- Television
- Spa
- Central heating
- Limited mobility
- Wheelchair access
- Mobile reception
- Hob
- Bar
- Barbecue
- Licensed premises
- Paid parking nearby
- Air conditioning
- Relaxation areas
- Washing machine
- Tennis court
- Microwave oven
- No smoking
- Credit cards
- Working farm
- Owner has pets
- Dishwasher
- Pets welcome
Family friendly
- Baby monitor
- Books and toys
- Children welcome
- Babies welcome
- Stair gates
- High chair
- Fire guard
- Cot available
Nearby
- Pub/bar within 3 miles
- Restaurant within 3 miles
- Shop within 3 miles
Activities
- Bikes available
- Food courses
- Kayaking
- Other courses
- Sailing
- Surfing
- Wild swimming
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Accommodation
Pricing
- Nightly price
- from £145
- Surcharges
- Singles £90-£110.
- 2 Doubles
- From £145
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Information
Booking information
- Closed
- Christmas.
- No smoking
- Smoking not permitted anywhere in the property.
- Meals
- Pubs/restaurants 1-minute walk.
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Reviews
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Erlend and Helene could not have been kinder and more welcoming. We had two wonderful nights at this charming B&B quite unlike anywhere else. Breakfast was sensational and the attention to detail spectacular. My daughter left a ring by her bed and we were called to let us know and arrangements made to collect. We had a beautiful hand written note left on our door asking about breakfast requests when we were back late. If you want a light airy modern B&B this is not for you. If you want charm, quirky, attention to detail, delicious food and endless kindness you won’t find anywhere better.
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Delightful; that is the word I would use to describe our stay at “The Dynamite Club”. Our hosts, Erlend and Hélène Clouston, were warm, welcoming, and engaging, and provided us with delicious breakfasts elaborately served each morning. It is their warm hospitality that sets this place apart. Their home (built circa 1850) is eclectically and beautifully furnished with some unusual twists and is located on a quiet street close to the city centre. After exploring the city, I was able to relax in their lovely garden each afternoon.
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The owners are truly original characters and it is they that make the place so special. You are treated as a friend & they let you use their lovely zen-styled garden. There is no traditional check in/out procedures. You just chat to them in the drawing room & they give you tips/advice. They have often chatted to guests till the early hours & one guest came back with the baby that was conceived there!
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I had a most wonderful two night stay with Helene and Erland whose beautiful, slightly quirky home is a delight - I so enjoyed my generously sized and yet cosy room with its very comfy bed. My hosts were hospitable, friendly and not at all intrusive, making clear that though conversation was welcome it was not expected. In fact we had a really lovely chat one evening. My two breakfasts were a treat, really delicious and served at a table set as though for the queen. A wonderful home from home; in fact a delight. Thank you both very much. Sarah
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Notwithstanding the wonderfully and yes quirky space itself, three things the traveler will most likely find of utmost importance staying here: (1) breakfasts by Virginia were as good as any meals we ate in Edinburgh; (2) our breakfast companions were fascinating and a genuine pleasure to spend an hour with in the morning; and last but by no means least (3) the location, you are right at the base of the castle and within walking distance to just about everything and anything of interest in Edinburgh.
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Wonderful two days. Erlend was very attentive to our needs and was always available to help. The house was like living with Sherlock Holmes. Querky and interesting things everywhere. Breakfast was like no other, a real experience.
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The only problem with staying with Erlend & Hélène is will you stop laughing long enough to stagger out and enjoy Edinburgh? Quirky doesn't cover it – whimsical might. Swot up on the Wilhelm Scream before you go – that will put you one step ahead. The rooms (like the hosts) are delightful, the beds excellent and the shower rooms, while small, perfectly formed. The breakfasts are OTT delicious and intriguing – what IS in that yoghurt concoction? You could not be better placed, a hop from Grassmarket and under the castle. Usher Hall is literally across the street. Truly fab and we will be back.
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Why would you stay anywhere else?! Perfect in every detail. From the generous warmth of the hosts to the deliciously made breakfast. We will be back!
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Erlend and Helene were superb hosts and were keen to get to know us from the moment we arrived- which was lovely. They went out of their way to help us on a couple of occasions clearly work very well as a team. As a result the breakfast was as good as any we've had! 2 Cambridge St itself is a beautiful property from the outside and the inside doesn't disappoint either: you only have to look at the photos here and elsewhere to get an idea of the luxurious and 'proper' feel of the place. Lots of interesting little features to explore, which Erlend especially takes a great delight in! 5*'s!
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We spent 4 nights with the Cloustons and I cannot say enough about their beautiful accommodations and their superb hospitality. Breakfasts were absolutely delicious and varied. Their house is elegant and very centrally located. This is a 5 star place, and they are 5 star hosts!
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We had a lovely time in this b&b. We got spoiled with beautiful breakfasts. The location was perfect for a short trip. The decor was as colourful as the owners and we certainly hope to come back soon
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a charming and delightful experience! I loved so many different aspects of the stay - Erlend and Helene were so kind and helpful; the surprise breakfast starters were wonderful; I loved the various gadgets, including musical in the hall and bedroom. Memorable
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Location
The neighbourhood
Walk to the base of the Castle Rock, the Traverse and Lyceum theatres, Princes Street and gardens. You're near to great restaurants and museums, the medieval Old Town and the trendy Grassmarket for independent bars and shops. The newly-opened St James Quarter is about a 20-minute walk, Waverley and Haymarket stations, 10 to 15 minutes and the airport express bus stop close by.
Local points of interest from Erlend & Hélène Clouston
- Princes Street and its bucolic gardens are only a two-minute stroll from this elegant cul-de-sac.
- Even closer is the atmospheric St Cuthbert's graveyard where the earthly remains of John Napier, the inventor of logarithms, and Thomas de Quincey, author of Confessions of an English Opium-Eater, confront each other.
- The Grassmarket, Edinburgh's ancient, cobbled, bazaar lies close by too: here supporters of inconvenient faiths met their end and Maggie Dickson (1728) famously did not.
- Bobby, the world's most famous Skye Terrier, rests in the adjacent Greyfriars Kirkyard, no doubt dreaming of sheep.
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Introducing
Erlend & Hélène Clouston
You'll love this fascinating and well-travelled couple. Hélène is French-Armenian, brought up in Argentina and was a French teacher; Erlend, a quietly spoken (but don't be fooled) Shetlander, is a journalist and was the Scottish correspondent for The Guardian for many years. They're interesting and intelligent and know the city backwards so do ask before you head out so you get to see the best.
We had the most wonderful stay at The Dynamite Club with Erland and Helene. We loved our three night stay meeting up with our long term friends from London. It was the perfect location, comfortable bedrooms and spotless ensuite shower rooms. The added bonus was the private lounge, where we enjoyed chatting. Erland and Helene are the perfect hosts. We immediately felt comfortable and at home. They were extremely hospitable, knowledgeable and nothing was too much trouble. The breakfasts are a triumph, everything home made, beautifully prepared, cooked and presented. We can't wait to return.