The Scotsman Hotel

I will never forget the room 803. We landed late at edinburgh and we were quite tired, but happy that we arrived and couls rest. (We found later that no, we can't rest) The room had zero sound insulation — there was no double window, so we could hear every single noise from the street. Ambulances, people shouting, cars passing… it felt like we were sleeping on the sidewalk. We literally got 0 hours of sleep. On top of that, the room was tiny and claustrophobic, with a weirdly shaped ceiling that made it feel even smaller. It wasn’t even clean — dusty corners, stains on the floor. The ceiling was so low and oddly slanted that I actually hit my head when trying to go to the bathroom. Overall, this was one of the worst hotel experiences I’ve ever had. I paid almost 500 euros for this room at the first night and even thought the staff chanfed my room the next day no one even said sorry. Do you guys know that the primary goal of an hotel is to allow people to rest properly? Sorry, that wasn't accomplished. I don't give it a 1 star because we changed the room next nights, but this hotel is a big no on my next stays Definitely not worth the money — avoid this place unless you enjoy sleepless nights and headaches (literally). As a last note, try at least to put some fresh products in the breakfast at the morning.

Stayed three nights as a family at the end of a week tour of Scotland. We stayed in the penthouse suite which can only be described as next level. The room has a walk out private balcony with a view over the city skyline which was amazing. The beds, linens, and towels were 5-star level. Daily room service and turn-down were provided without fail. The building is the former home of The Scotsman newspaper which puts some limitations on the grandeur of the property's main entrance and first-floor public areas. This is a city center property conversion which feels part of the fabric of the old town but also provides great charm and incredible convenience. All old town attractions are within easy walking distance. If looking for a hotel with a grande staircase entranceway you might be disappointed. But this shortcoming is made up for by the wonderful front desk staff who provide a welcoming atmosphere for weary travelers. One such team member is Jonathan who is one of the lead concierges. From the moment we confirmed our reservation Jonathan provided detailed back and forth emails as we mapped out our Edinburgh visit. He helped secure dinner seatings and last-minute reservations for our family. In addition, he provided invaluable advice and suggestions as we cobbled together our self-led grand tour of Scotland before our arrival at the Scotsman. By the time we checked in at the hotel we felt like we were being greeted by an old friend. Cannot praise Jonathan enough for adding the personal touch to our lovely stay. In the end, as a traveler abroad, it is people like Jonathan who make your trip special. Kudos to Jonathan and his entire team for making our Edinburgh trip so memorable. Wonderful hotel and better front desk staff. Would gladly stay again.

This is a past its prime ‘luxury’ hotel - Dirty/worn carpet, windows so covered in grime you cant see clearly out of them. The furniture is as pictured in the photos but the up close it is worn and the dirty carpets gives the whole place a tired neglected feeling. Our first exposure to the real vibe of the Scotsman was stepping into the dingy, industrial grey carpeted main lift up to our guest bedrooms. The hallways and our 3 rooms all shared the similar stained and musty/moldy worn carpet. A simple carpet change would fix This! With so many choices, stay elsewhere. They were replacing radiators on the 2 floors where our rooms were and that added to the mess and noise. Workmen sharing tiny lifts, etc. We spoke to the Manager and he was very understanding but there not anything he could do. He did offer us a dinner at the Hotel’s restaurant. During our stay I heard another couple complaining about the condition of their room. That said, the location is very good. The rooms were clean (albeit worn) and the service we experienced was good and people were friendly. There is ongoing construction on the Bridge in front of the Hotel to be aware of.

I visited yesterday to meet with a colleague regarding some work and was welcomed exceptionally by Robert at reception who mentioned about the grand cafe (which, for a first time Scotsman visitor, was grand indeed). I will be highly recommending this place to friends and family and I will be mentioning about the elegant, yet relaxed atmosphere I felt.

The Scotsman is an institution in Edinburgh, and it feels like an honour to stay and dine there. Its location, right in the heart of the city, is truly unbeatable. We’ll be back — it feels just like visiting old friends. Many thanks, Jonathan, for your wonderful restaurant recommendations and for your helpful and open manner.