The Scotsman Hotel - Edinburgh, United Kingdom     

For anyone tired of samey, predictable chain hotels, this is a break from the ordinary. Ideally situated one block from Princess St., on the Old Town side of Edinburgh the Scotsman is a walk from anywhere you want to go - and has Waverly Station on its doorstep. Service quality is top-notch. With attentive and responsive front-of-house staff. The whole place has a great ambiance. The rooms are well equipped with modern entertainment and sound systems. The decor is plush, from the welcoming open fire in the foyer to the mood lighting in the rooms. The view and aspect of the rooms is pot-luck, and having stayed a few times, it's never been the same layout twice. Like most upscale Edinburgh establishments, this place can get unreasonably pricey in the high season, and during special events. But off season, and booked directly with the hotel web-site it is possible to bag some different Edinburgh quirky luxury for a reasonable rate.

My boyfriend and I decided to see in the New Year in Edinburgh having spent the 06/07 celebrations in bed with flu! I had stayed in the Scotsman before with family and it had been good - not great - but decided to give it a second chance. My boyfriend and I have stayed in the Balmoral several times and love it. But we preferred a more relaxed New Year rather than the Black Tie event offered in the Balmoral, hence why we went for the Brasserie in the Scotsman. I have to say the pre-arrival reservation process was utterly disorganised. I was told several different arrangements by different staff in regards to payment up front, price, cancellation policies, dinner on Hogmanay etc. It actually made feel really uneasy about coming to the Scotsman and we considered cancelling. However after an email to mangement and a lovely reassuring conversation with one of the Directors we decided to go ahead with the booking. We had a beautiful room/suite with great views, huge bed which was very very comfy. Our bathroom had a tub and seperate shower (which was really far too small for the size of bath room). The rooms all have discreet service cupboards so your room service can be delivered in a secret hatch so you are not disturbed - perfect for New Years Day! Hogmanay Dinner was wonderful, lovley. The food was excellant as was the service. The Manager who ran the event had the perfect touch with ultimate customer service. She had the perfect balance of working the room checking we were all ok and making sure the staff were tip top. Our table was reserved for us so we could watch the fireworks at midnight on the North bridge and still go back for cocktails afterwards! I used the spa the following day and it was lovely with all the cowshed products and treatments. Great pool also, very cool. Great location - there is a bottom floor entrance just out the back of Waverly station. Starbucks just around the corner, quick walk up to the castle, Princes Street, George Street etc. All in all we had a great time, however.... Agree with others - the breakfast service is pretty terrible - waiting for a long time to order, no one there to greet you, cold toast, disorganised staff, dirty tables etc. The food was very good as was the buffet spread but staff really let it down. I think a little staff training would be in order! I really loved our stay the hotel was great, the building is beautiful, food is wonderful and 7 out of 10 for the staff - apart from the head of conceirge and the Brasserie New Year Evening Manager. They make a very good cosmopolitan too!! Expensive though but I think it was almost worth it! We would go back.