On the positive side, the location was excellent.. 5 mins walk from Haymarket station and 10 to the Grassmarket, Royal Mile and Castle. The exterior of the hotel was also lovely - dark stone and gothic aspects in keeping with the tone of the area and city. Our request for a double room at the front of the property was accomodated and, by phone, the staff were very helpful and polite. The TVs in the room are modern and accessible.

HOWEVER -

We paid £90 a night for a double room. We got twin beds zipped together.

Some of the staff were stand-offish and unhelpful. For instance, we asked the breakfast staff where we could get some extra small cartons of milk for our tea tray and were told "Tesco" before she laughed and walked away.

The breakfast was basic but OK; some Scottish touches such as tattie scones and haggis would have brightened up a fairly depressing rubbery eggs and overcooked bacon.

The Housekeeping staff varied in their thoroughness; on one day, they simply left some clean towels on the floor and didn't even make up the bed. On the Sunday we lay in a while and were startled by a member of staff unlocking our door and letting herself in without knocking at 9am whilst we were sleeping. She was very apologetic but still..

We adhered to the no smoking regulations, but came back to a note left in our room stating they 'knew' we had been smoking in there and we would be booted out and fined £50 if it happened again. I can only think our clothes may have smelled of smoke, On our return to the hotel later we received a 5 minute lecture from an condescending member of staff on the matter (despite assuring her she was mistaken), blocking our way so we were forced to listen.

On another note, NEVER use Capitol Cars (the hotel recommended taxi service). We were fleeced nearly £15 for a 5 minute taxi journey.