Bank Hotel - Edinburgh, United Kingdom 

"Fantastic Location, Great Value"
Posted: Mon, Nov 23 2009
Okay, so it WAS 56 stairs to the room (it would be more to the top floor) but even two completely out-of-shape Canadians could handle that. And no one has mentioned that elevators in buildings like this tend to be noisy, so the lack of noise could be considered a bonus (REALLY stretching there!). Location, location, location - smack dab in the middle of the Royal Mile, fifteen minutes to the castle (again, even for out-of-shape Canadians) and if you're too lazy to walk, buses and a cab stand right outside the door. Walking distance as well to the train station. Our room was clean and comfortable, and, being the John Logie Baird room, decorated with television equipment. The bar downstairs (also the reception desk) is well-stocked and serves good food, including a breakfast that was comped with the room. Go ahead, try the haggis - I wasn't convinced it worked as part of a breakfast, but it really does. We have no complaints about the room, the service, the location or the food. I think that may be why we've given this hotel our highest recommendation to our friends and will be going back to the Bank ourselves whenever we can get back to Scotland.

Great location and service but quirky and sometimes noisy rooms above a bar
Posted: Sat, Jul 05 2008
I stayed for 2 nights mid-week in early June. The rooms are above the Bank Bar. You pick up your keys from the bar staff and then go through a door at the back of the bar up some stairs to the rooms above. I was in Room 3 which has a "Robert Louis Stevenson" theme. Decor featured pictures of Jekyll & Hyde and framed tropical creepy crawlies including a spider the size of my hand. The location is superb on the corner of the Royal Mile and the Bridges. Local amenities (aside from the bar downstairs) include a taxi rank and late-night takeaways. The windows are pretty much original, don't quite shut and allow the sounds of Edinburgh to drift in all night long. The bed was firm but linen, shower and breakfast were excellent. Staff were exceptionally helpful. If you want the outstanding location but not the quirks then try the Radission Scandic Crown which is next door. If you like the idea of sleeping above a bar in a unique room then why not try the Bank.

A funtastic hotel..
Posted: Sat, Jul 05 2008
True, the bank Hotel is not your average chain hotel incarnation. It's first impression is downright quirky, but in this case, first impressions are deceiving. We stayed at the Bank Hotel for three nights, using the Alexander Graham Bell room on the top floor: a wonderfully decorated and spacious room with a great shower, a comfy king-sized bed and reasonably quiet, the only really interfering sound coming from the adjacent Tron Kirk clock. We had a great breakfast there, provided by a very friendly and helpful staff and cherish some great memories in the bar, which we also found to provide some very nice bar meals. The stairs within the hotel are really daunting, however, but if you take your time with them or look at them as a free extra workout and, they are really not that bad. Our experience was excellent, but we acknowledge this hotel not being to everyone's taste. If you enjoy a very central location in Edinburgh as well as staying in a place with a lot of character, we would heartily recommend the Bank Hotel.