Help! Edinborough rooms just cancelled!

We’re booked at the Ibus on Hunter Square for five nights in May. We wanted a larger bed then a double and they offer a queen, plus they are very close to the Royal Mile. It’s a bit worn but we’re not living there, only sleeping.

Destiny Scotland were apartments. Are you looking for other apartments in Edinburgh or for a hotel?

What is your budget?

Have you looked at booking.com?

That would help people with their thoughts.

It looks as if you are coinciding with the late May bank holiday, so it could be a bit tight for accommodation.

Hello Judy, it must be disappointing to have your plans fall through like this. Have you tried VRBO if you are looking for an apartment style lodging? Are you mobility impaired so being right on Royal Mile is important? Otherwise, maybe expand your search area a bit. Very easy transport and walking options available in Edinburgh. Consider Premier Inns and finding a launderette.

Have you thought about an extended stay hotel? They are like apartments in that each room has a kitchen. There is a laundrette in the building.

The two closest are the Fraser Suites Edinburgh and the Residence Inn Edinburgh

I have not stayed in either one but did consider them.

BTW, it's spelled Edinburgh.

Thank you for your suggestions. I received another message from booking.com this morning and they said the property is not cancelling the reservation after all. My reservation is back in place.

I am relieved that the reservation is being honored, but my confidence is shaken. How do I know I won’t receive another cancellation in the next thirty days? Since I booked this months ago, the inventory of rooms is drastically reduced.

Judy,
Have you thought about booking direct with Destiny Scotland and cancelling your booking.com reservation?, assuming that's possible and that you can't only book through booking.com.

It would make it simpler in that you were dealing direct with the property provider, and that the legal contract is between you and the property owner. It would probably make them think twice about accepting someone else, who may be looking for a longer stay.
You don't know who was at fault here- the apartments or booking.com.

If you wish to retain your existing booking it may also be worth calling Destiny Scotland direct to confirm your booking, and calling them again before you leave the US. That would also send the message that you are serious about your booking.

We stayed on the Royal Mile last June and it was extremely noisy until 4am when the drunks passed out. I wouldn't do it again. We were on Fleshmarket at the east end in an AirB&B apartment. Maybe the west is less raucous.

I have updated information from both booking.com and hotel. There was a fire and the hotel hopes that they can be ready for us in May. Booking.com has assured us they will take care of us. Both have apologized.
But the cancellation notice I received at midnight offered no explanation and I jumped to the conclusion they were bumping us for someone paying a higher rate.

" I jumped to the conclusion they were bumping us for someone paying a higher rate. " You may not have been wrong in thinking this , manipulations like this are not all that uncommon . In twelve years of travel , I have seen a number of occasions where this has occurred . In any event , I would dump this arrangement and try to book directly with a name brand chain like Motel One , or Premier Travel Inn , or Accor ( Ibis ) hotels . Booking directly gives you a way better chance of not having a repeat of this sort of performance

Judy, it is a small detail, but you might want to edit your title on your post to spell Edinburgh correctly.

I hope that all works out for you on your trip.

If you need another backup to look at, I stayed at Linton apartment hotel (whatever they called it) on North Bridge in the block off the Royal Mile. It had a small kitchen and more importantly, a washing machine. The location was great despite the construction in north bridge, and I didn’t have a problem with noise.

Judy,

It turns out that the fire story is true.

this is the newspaper story.
https://www.edinburghlive.co.uk/news/edinburgh-news/historic-edinburgh-old-town-pub-26198364
The pub is next door to where you are staying.
It actually looks an interesting pub, with live entertainment each night, and food prices which are quite reasonable for it's location.

Thank you for the newspaper article! I am so sorry for the damage to tavern and other buildings. Hopefully, anyone injured will recover quickly.

My first message from booking.com just said the hotel cancelled the reservation. Another property was offered. No explanation. That’s when I jumped to the wrong conclusion.

Both the hotel and booking.com have been apologetic since the first two emails and will hopefully have the hotel back in business by the time of my visit.

I apologize for spelling Edinburgh incorrectly. I was working at midnight and careless.

Again, thanks so much for article!

Judy , While in this instance the story did turn out to be legitimate ( most times this kind of thing is used is used as an excuse to cancel a booking ( its usually a plumbing problem ) ) nothing really changes for you . With your trip fairly close in , I wouldn't be counting on the repairs to be made in time for your visit , thus leaving you hanging without a confirmed reservation .

Judy, I am in agreement with Steven who posted just above me.
From his first post on this thread, "I would dump this arrangement and try to book directly with a name brand...."
Agree.
From Steven's second post: "With your trip fairly close in, I wouldn't be counting on the repairs to be made in time for your visit, thus leaving you hanging without a confirmed reservation."
Agree.
Can't say it any better than that.

Frank II has given you two excellent places to look at.
Either of these would be far better than the arrangement you have now.

Repairs go slowly after damage to a building from a fire. And what will you do if you check in and the while place still stinks of smoke? It will be too late then to find other arrangements. Mattresses, pillows, bed linens, carpet, curtains retain that smoky smell...you can't get it out. Unlikely they will replace all these items in every room. Too costly.
You would be wise to line up something else and book directly through the new hotel's website.

Fraser Suites (as mentioned by Frank) looks far better to me than Destiny Scotland (looked at it online) and the
Fraser Suites location is excellent.

I think you're in for trouble if you rely on your original room to be ready.
At least you have time to make other plans; you'd be smart to do so.