My husband and I will be in Edinburgh in September, and are looking for a hotel room package that includes a full breakfast (but will still let us be able to afford to eat the rest of the day). Has anyone stayed at the Carlton Hotel recently? I see reviews that range ffrom fantastic to "stay away". We're also looking at Fraser Suites and the King James. Does anyone have any thoughts or suggestions?
Posted by
washington
837 posts
Am going to Edinburgh for first time in May, so have no knowledge of the three establishments you mention. My question is "where did you find these?". Looking at tripadvisor, the ratings of these three range from #18 to one below the median of all hotels in Edinburgh. There are also numerous b&bs which meet your criteria and which are very highly rated. I would strongly recommend that you go back to tripadvisor.com and start at the top of the ratings, sorting first by price. Look at the pictures and read the reviews. Read the bad reviews to see if there is consistency or if there is an isolated crank.
Posted by
OP
Leesburg, VA, USA
342 posts
David, thanks for your reply and suggestions. The reviews I mentioned were for the Carlton Hotel only. I mentioned the other 2 places to see if anyone had any comments before I make my choice. This will be our third trip to Edinburgh. Both times before we stayed at some lovely B&B's, but I would really like to avoid lugging suitcases up 2 or 3 flights of stairs which we did the last time.
Posted by
Atlanta, Ga, USA
2023 posts
We stayed at the MacDonald Hotel last fall and really liked it. Breakfast was wonderful, room very nice, has a pool, and a great staff. The only downside is probably the location. It is near the Royal Mile but over a street or so and a short walk to Holyrood Palace. So getting to many sights and restaurants required a walk UP the RM. We did lots of walking but used taxis also.
Posted by
Sheboygan, Wisc., USA
934 posts
We stayed a 10 minute easy bus ride from the mile. at Priestville Guest House. A very nice simple place with nice breakfast and host. We paid 60 pds in May.
Posted by
NC, United States
970 posts
Can't recommend any hotels (I have stayed at the George Hotel over off of Princes Street. Ask for a room in the new section.) Remember that the Royal Mile is easily a mile in length, and mildly up hill if you are going toward the Castle. A hotel to B&B thats a few blocks north or south might easily be more convenient than one located at either end of the stret. Lots of traffic on parts of the street, too. BTW, if you stay over on the Princes Street side at a place near Waverly Station, the walk across to the Royal Mile is only a few blocks or so.
Posted by
Charlotte, NC, USA
3428 posts
We have always stayed at the Royal British. It is across Princes St. from Waverly train station. Easy walk up to the Royal Mile. Excellent breakfast. The quality of the rooms has varied over the years. The last time we were there 9about 3 years ago) they were in the middle of a refurbishment so I expect that has been rememdied.
Posted by
Downingtown, USA
2450 posts
You can also try "smoothound.com" which we used several times and not disappointed, lists cost, location, amenities, etc. Try them.
Posted by
New York City, NY, USA
5678 posts
I've stayed in New Town, which is an easy bus ride up to the Royal Mile and a short walk back. (Take the bus up hill and walk down hill.) I most recently stayed at The Walton B&B and they were very nice. I didn't get to try the breakfast as I was leaving too early, but they gave me a nice breakfast to go. I have also stayed at the Inverleith which is a little further down the hill toward Leith. I like it because it is family run and a bit off the beaten path. You can easily visit the Royal Botanic Gardens from there and the bus ride up the hill is easy to do. Pam