AS hubby’s 50th birthday approached, I was on the lookout for somewhere special to take him for a couple of nights.
I didn’t want to waste too much time travelling, so when I found Houstoun House Hotel near Livingston, I knew this was exactly the place for such a special occasion.
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A mere 25-minute drive and we found ourselves in the beautiful 22-acre grounds of this stunning hotel.
Houstoun House was once visited by Mary, Queen of Scots and the historical tower house has been expertly repurposed and transformed into a tranquil retreat fit for royalty — so was perfect for us!
Once checked in Steven and I were shown to our magnificent room which took our breath away — it was stunning and I’m sure any Prince or Princess would have been happy opening the door to it.
The room was a true blend of opulence and old world character, with antique furniture, a huge four poster bed, a Nespresso coffee machine and modern bathroom with walk in power shower — it was the best of both worlds.
The staff at the hotel had gone the extra mile and left a birthday platter in the room including chocolate covered strawberries, tablet and a mouth-watering brownie. Such a lovely touch.
The wonderful views from the bedroom windows enticed us outside for a stroll around the grounds.
Immaculately manicured lawns and stunning gardens, no wonder its a popular venue for weddings and summer events.
Relaxed and totally in birthday mode, we got ready for dinner at the Tower Restaurant. We were really excited to try it, as we’d been told they had just released a new menu and it looked amazing.
Traditional Scottish with a modern twist, the choices on offer were extremely enticing. I began the meal with the smoked salmon, which was utter perfection, while Steven opted for the duck liver parfait which he described being as ‘light as air’.
For our mains I couldn’t resist the ribeye steak with peppercorn sauce which didn’t disappoint.
Birthday boy chose the slow cooked lamb and I can confirm it was melt in the mouth — as I greedily stole a bit, it looked too good not to!
We just about had enough room for pudding so I had chose the trio of ice cream and half of Steven’s chocolate tart.
There’s always room for a dessert or two!
Following a fantastic night’s sleep in our regal room we were back in the restaurant for a top notch fully cooked Scottish breakfast which fuelled us for a session in the gym, followed by a swim, sauna and very indulgent beauty treatment.
The Vitality Spa is a truly welcoming and relaxing space and it offers a wide range of treatments. I opted for a facial. Joanne, my therapist, put me at ease and the 25 minutes just flew by. It was heavenly.
Next on the agenda was a casual lunch at the Vaulted Bar, where my Club Sandwich was to die for. Steven claims his burger was one of the best he’s had.
GO: LIVINGSTON
WHERE to stay:
Then it was time to head to Edinburgh for a birthday treat at the theatre. It’s easy to get there from Houstoun House. We jumped on a train at the nearby Uphall Train Station and 15 minutes later were in the capital.
After a thoroughly entertaining night at the theatre we made our way back to the hotel and enjoyed a nightcap (or two) in the bar before heading, exhausted to bed.
There is always something romantic at the thought of staying in a place so steeped in regal history.
Read more on the Scottish Sun
Houstoun House with its fab food, stunning views and luxury accommodation will go down as one of the best birthday weekends we’ve ever been lucky enough to enjoy.
When’s the next big day we can use as an excuse for a happy return?
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