I booked a room for 1 night on business in Edinburgh 13/2/2012. Even booking 3 weeks in advance I managed to grab a deal, to which I will later regret !!
I have stayed at this hotel for work many times before and have found the staff to be average, the rooms plesant enough and the food fine. This however was not one of these stays. It turns out I had booked during Kids half term, which for many people would be great to experience Edinburgh, however the hotel seems to decide this is the time to cater for families, who potentially could stay once a year and forget ALL about the bread and butter customers, the business person. This included some promotion where kids eat free as advertised on balloons.
I checked in with no issue, no queue at reception at 1830 a good sign. I was asked if I wanted to make a dinner reservation which I declined stating I was not sure whether I would have bar food or eat in Sampans, to which no further information was offered.
After a quick refresh I headed to the bar laptop in hand to finish some essential work and grab a glass of wine. Bar staff speed and service was fine and I grabbed a table in the corner to complete my work. 30 mins later, work complete and 1/2 a glass of wine consumed I headed over to the food podium to ask for a table for 1 in Sampans, the food sounded good. After waiting for 10 mins whilst the host seated people, then took orders from other guests I was met and told I would have to wait until 2030 for a table in both Sampans and Traders (the main restuarant with bright lights and a canteen style look). Current time was 1920. I asked if bar food was still available which I was told yes. My question here is where is the communication between restaurant and reception as if the hotel was busy why was I not advised to book a table??
After no apology I headed back to my table which had been taken over my kids, looking around it was like they were invading the Country, they were everywhere. Then I noticed why, a colouring competition (or something ) with a table full of templates kids could take and colour in. An obvious ploy to keep mum and dad in the bar / restaurant for longer !!
I found a table at the bottom of the stairs into the bar area, AKA sitting at the side of the M25. After 10 more minutes I finally waved down an employee to take my order, which he did after acknowledging me, cleaning a table then taking my order. My burger and chips soon arrived, which was over cooked, however as no member of staff gave eye contact to anyone it was hard to complain and as I was getting a headache from all the noise I ate and left. I was below average and not worth the money.
My room, a none smoking room as requested was on the 1st floor, which from the time the lift doors opened stunk of smoke and had an ashtray in the room, the room was smoke smell free however I thought the UK had a none smoking law. Again to me a hotel chain that does not care.
I stay in many hotels for work usually cheap to average price and a lot more higher end hotels privately. This I can say has been my worst experience of a hotel hell bent on creaming money in the short term and forgetting the long term customers. I am a priority card holder, a reason for booking here, however in the future I am happy to forget the points to have an enjoyable experience.

Stayed at this hotel for a couple of nights as i had an appointment nearby. Reception staff very efficient and we checked into our room at 13.00 which was good. The room and bathroom were clean and we had a great view over the city. The bed was comfortable and we had a great nights sleep. Breakfast was good although very busy as it was school half term but the staff seemed to be coping well. Hotel has plenty parking and a choice of buses takes you into the City Centre in about 20 minutes.
Would stay there again.

Stayed at Holiday Inn Edinburgh Feb 2012. Excellent position if visitng zoo, right next door. Several buses stop outside taking you to city centre. Staff really helpful, breakfast was also really good, everything you could wish for - and served until 11 am at weekends. Highly recommended.

I was accommodated here by an airline after being stranded at the airport - must have been one of the last ones, so ended up in a smoking room, which made the night a real nightmare (the smell of smoke really disturbing). This point aside, the hotel looks rather tired, it has definitely seen better days.

The manager manning the breakfast room was bordeline rude (it took him a while to realise I was not trying to free-ride on breakfast), while the young people serving were all sweeties.