The Scotsman Hotel

Great location, history, staff, AC and decoration! The only problem was the elevator

I thought I was booking a really top notch hotel. I was promised a bottle of prosecco (ok, not so top notch, not promised champagne!) We had to keep reminding them that we didn't get it, we did eventually. We changed rooms as the first we were offered had a nasty smell in the corridor, which did not permeate into the room, luckily. The lift was being changed, it was like a building site, it's my opinion that this part of the hotel should have been closed off whilst the work was being under taken. We were told that as we had to walk down to breakfast, then walk back up due to no elevator, we could change rooms if we liked. We did request to change rooms the following day. The pull out mirror was broken and would not stay in one place. The supplied room slippers were dirty. The view was terrible, no view, only the back of other parts of the hotel. We were promised another room after our day out, which we did get, the room was so much better. However, still no prosecco. Also, the kettle was extremely dangerous, it wobbled on the stand and if filled to the 'max' mark, it boiled over onto the electric stand. The toilet roll holder was also broken and on our final evening, the safe battery must have 'died' as the safe no longer worked. Eventually we got the prosecco after going down to Reception again. The only working lift in the hotel was always busy and often full with hotel trolleys and crates, impossible to get in with luggage sometimes. The staff were extremely nice and professional. We cannot fault the staff at all. Breakfast was lovely, however, the only choice of milk was full fat whole milk, or oat or almond. No semi skimmed or skimmed? I've never known a hotel like that before. So, we drank black tea. We booked a meal in the Grand Cafe, in fact, I booked two evenings. The second evening I cancelled, the service was so poor. People next to us got served before us even though they arrived much later. The choice of vegetarian food was limited, to say the least. Having read the published reviews before writing mine, I did wonder if we stayed at the same hotel!! Yes, the decor is beautiful and the staff exceptional, but I would not recommend the hotel.

While check in was a bit cumbersome with little information provided, we made our way to our room (going through a wedding reception)(guided by an employee). The layout of the hotel is a bit odd, but an incredibly lovely old building. Our room was a bit noisy on the second night due to a loud neighbor. Breakfast was very nice! Bathroom was spotless. Only issue with cleanliness was the upholstered furniture was a bit dirty. Bed was clean and comfortable. The cafe service was delightful and food was very good.

Had afternoon tea booked for lunch. Our server was very welcoming and full of smiles. She spent a long time recommending the alcoholic options to us and when we politely asked for the classic option her face visibly dropped. Clearly she was disappointed in our choice which made us feel awkward. She then proceeded to not smile at us at all during the rest of taking our order and the quick check on us later, even though we watched her being full of smiles when taking other people's orders who had come in after us. We felt that we had been judged for not wanting to get tipsy at lunchtime. Perhaps we were just unlucky to get this person. We feel that all customers should be treated with the same level of respect, no matter what they may or may not order. Also we were told there would be free refills of tea and coffee but we had to go to the bar to place those orders. For most of the visit no server even passed us. If the serving experience had been professional and respectful then this would have been a five star review and we would have recommended the Grand Cafe to our family and friends. Unfortunately this is not the case and we would be hesitant at returning.

Great food, drink and service!