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Posted on Feb 28, 2026
Poppy Lee
I stayed at Courtyard by Marriott Edinburgh from 22 February to 26 February 2026 in Room ***. Unfortunately, my experience fell significantly below the service and housekeeping standards expected of the Marriott brand.
1) 22 February 2026 (Check-in)
Upon arrival, I immediately noticed several cleanliness issues with my room. The kettle was dusty and visibly dirty, the shower gel was completely empty, there were noticeable stains on the bed sheets, the shower room floor was unclean, and the shower water pressure was extremely poor. I reported these issues to the front desk on the same day.
In addition, during the check-in process, the staff did not provide any information about hotel amenities, such as gym operating hours, availability of facilities like the ice machine or microwave, or other services. I only became aware of some of these facilities on my last day during check-out, which was disappointing.
2) 23 February 2026
The shampoo had run out and was not replenished during housekeeping services. I emailed the Front Office Manager regarding both the missing amenities and the ongoing low shower pressure issue. I did not receive any response.
3) 24 February 2026
The situation continued. Coffee and tea bags were not refilled, the stained bed sheets had still not been changed since Day 1 check-in, and both shampoo and conditioner were empty. I called the same Front Office Manager twice, and only shampoo was delivered. I then contacted the front desk twice more to clearly request conditioner, yet incorrect items were delivered again. As a result, the conditioner remained unreplenished for me for 3 consecutive days (22–24 February).
4) 25 February 2026
In the morning, I requested a new toothbrush through the front desk and was told housekeeping would provide one during housekeeping service. When I returned to my room after housekeeping, no toothbrush had been supplied.
I later learned that when Trip.com contacted the hotel on my behalf regarding the service lapses, the Operations Manager informed them that everything had been “addressed and settled with me” which was not accurate. While individual staff members made partial attempts to assist, the repeated housekeeping lapses, lack of follow-up, and unresolved maintenance issue reflect systemic operational shortcomings rather than isolated mistakes. Throughout my entire stay (22–26 February), the shower water pressure issue remained unresolved.
The hotel’s location is excellent and within walking distance of many major attractions, which helps save on public transport costs. However, good location alone does not compensate for the overall service deficiencies experienced during this stay. As a paying guest, I expected basic cleanliness, consistent replenishment of amenities, and responsive service, especially from a reputable hotel property like Marriott. Unfortunately, those expectations were not met during this stay.
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Price per night from:US$214
Posted on May 31, 2026
ChenggongyangyaoConsidering it was during the May Day holiday, two thousand plus for a room with breakfast is pretty standard for Edinburgh, especially given the hotel's excellent location. It's a maximum ten-minute walk to the train station and about fifteen minutes to Calton Hill, making it super convenient for all city attractions. I was genuinely surprised that hotels in Edinburgh are significantly more expensive than in London. As for facilities, there were no surprises there – it's basically on par with a budget hotel like Hanting in China, and the room was quite small. Cleanliness was just up to standard, nothing more. The breakfast, however, was surprisingly good! They had a decent variety of fruits, including strawberries and blueberries. Of course, 'good' in this context is judged by the standards of an economical chain hotel in Europe.
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Price per night from:US$296
Posted on Jul 12, 2026
Guest User
The room was well-equipped with all the essentials, including toilet paper, shower gel, and soap. A hairdryer could be borrowed from the front desk. Breakfast was plentiful, featuring baked goods, fruit, sausages, milk, eggs, and various beverages. The front desk staff were very helpful; they provided a detailed map and answered all our questions when we asked for directions to Arthur's Seat. Getting to the main attractions was easy: you could take a bus (20+ minutes), a taxi (8 minutes), or walk (20+ minutes), making it very convenient for getting around. The campus itself was beautiful, with lush green trees, castle-like buildings, and a variety of flowers. It was also quiet at night, ensuring a good night's sleep. For food delivery, you can use the address 19 Holyrood Park Road. Overall, I was quite satisfied with everything.
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Price per night from:US$155
Posted on Jul 3, 2026
Tats13I rarely leave negative reviews, but I feel that other travellers should know what to expect.
I stayed in a single room on the top floor and was very disappointed, especially considering the price. The room was much smaller than I had expected and felt rather cramped. I paid £136 through Trip.com, even with a discount, and I simply did not feel that the room offered value for money.
The room looked tired and dated. The carpet did not look very fresh, the furniture was old-fashioned but not in a charming or historic way, and there were marks on the walls that could easily have been touched up. The bedside lamp also appeared to be damaged, as the lampshade was noticeably crooked and could not be adjusted.
I would also like to mention that the room and bathroom were clean, and the bed linen was fresh and clean.
I knew when I booked that the room did not include a safe or a fridge, as this was mentioned in the description. However, for a four-star hotel at this price, I still feel that a safe and at least a small fridge should be provided. The television was also very small, and overall the room felt very basic for the price and hotel rating.
The bathroom itself was a reasonable size, but it was not very practical. There was no shelf above the sink for toiletries, which was inconvenient. In the shower, the large shampoo and conditioner bottles were placed on the floor of the shower, meaning I had to keep bending down to reach them.
I would also like to mention that access to the upper floors involves a very steep spiral staircase. I was aware that there was no lift, but I did not expect the staircase to be so steep and difficult to climb.
As I was not comfortable in the room, I asked whether it might be possible to move to a different room. Unfortunately, there were no other rooms available.
I had originally planned to stay in Edinburgh for another night, but I decided to move to a different hotel instead.
The location of the hotel is good and convenient for Waverley Station, and the staff were polite and friendly. However, my overall experience did not meet my expectations for a four-star hotel, especially at this price. Unfortunately, I would not choose to stay at this hotel again.
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Price per night from:US$185
Posted on May 23, 2026|Twin Room
Guest User
Very nice stay near the bus stop, with many supermarket options and halal restaurants nearby. I came for a visa appointment, and the location was very convenient, close to photo and printin services and other essentials as well.
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Price per night from:US$211
Posted on Jun 5, 2026
Guest UserThis hotel is ideally located right next to Haymarket Station, making travel super convenient. We were able to walk to all the city's attractions in just over ten minutes. Our room was compact but well-designed, spotless, and dry. The bedding was wonderfully soft and comfortable, the shower had consistent water pressure, and the smart lighting was a thoughtful touch. The front desk staff were incredibly warm and attentive, and check-in was a breeze.
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Price per night from:US$219
Posted on May 20, 2026
Guest UserStayed for 2 nights. Very quiet hotel in a great location right outside tramstop from airport.
Didnt eat in restaurant or have breakfast there, staff were lovely, bed very comfortable,
Only issue i had was that i would like to have been able to open a window for fresh air. Would definately stay here again, cant wait.
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Price per night from:US$219
Posted on Jun 1, 2026|Standard Queen Room With Sofa Bed
Sesha.KanduriWithout doubt, this was one of our finest hotel stays in recent memory. From the moment we arrived, Novotel Edinburgh set the tone with a level of warmth and professionalism that genuinely stood out. The staff were incredibly helpful throughout and what really demonstrated this was a small but telling moment: we lost our key card during the stay, and it was replaced immediately, without any fuss or inconvenience whatsoever. It's the kind of effortless service that puts you completely at ease, and it's something you remember long after checkout.
The breakfast deserves a special mention — it was simply top notch. The spread was so good that holding back was near impossible, and it's the kind of breakfast that makes you actually look forward to the morning. Freshly prepared, well-stocked, and served with care — it's one of the best hotel breakfasts we've had.
The location is outstanding. Sitting just a mile from Edinburgh Castle, you're right in the heart of one of the most iconic cities in the UK. Public transport couldn't be more convenient either buses are accessible right behind the hotel, making it incredibly easy to get around the city without needing a car at all.
The one area that needs addressing is parking. The hotel's own car park is frequently full, which meant we had to use the nearby NCP instead. To the hotel's credit, they did provide a discount for the NCP - a thoughtful gesture that softened the inconvenience. However, it's worth noting for electric vehicle drivers: the EV charging at the NCP is painfully slow, so factor that into your plans if you're arriving in an electric car. A heads-up from the hotel at check-in would go a long way.
Parking frustrations aside, Novotel Edinburgh is a brilliant base for exploring the city - exceptional staff, an unmissable breakfast, and a location that's hard to beat. We'd return without hesitation.
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Price per night from:US$255
Posted on Apr 9, 2026
Guest User
Excellent Location, but Serious Security Lapses
I recently stayed at this hotel and found it to be a bit of a mixed bag. While there are some undeniable perks to the property, a few significant service and security issues made for a rather unsettling experience.
The Highlights
Prime Location: This is easily the hotel's strongest suit. It’s situated right next to Haymarket station, and there is a bus stop literally just outside the front door. Getting into the city centre takes no more than 10 minutes, making it a perfect base for exploring.
Commendable Service: The reception team provided a decent welcome. I’d like to give a special mention to Shreyas, who was incredibly helpful and professional throughout our interactions.
Quality Dining: We ate at the on-site restaurant and were pleasantly surprised. The food was of a high standard, and the waitstaff were attentive and friendly.
Room Maintenance & Tech Issues
Unfortunately, the shine started to wear off once we settled into the room:
Housekeeping Oversights: Despite this being a multi-day stay, the complimentary water bottles were never replaced after the first day.
Faulty Tech: The in-room tablet was practically useless. It kept restarting due to a battery fault; ironically, it even cut out while I was trying to use it to contact reception.
Privacy Concerns: When we requested extra toilet roll, the staff member who delivered it attempted to walk straight into the room using their key, rather than knocking and waiting for us to answer. It was a complete breach of basic hospitality etiquette.
A Major Security Concern
The most distressing part of the trip occurred on our second day. Upon returning to our room in the evening, we were shocked to find the main door open. It appears the cleaning staff had failed to secure the door after finishing their rounds.
Finding your hotel room left open to the public is, quite frankly, scary. It’s a massive security fail that overshadowed the rest of the stay. While the location is brilliant, the hotel desperately needs to tighten up its staff training and safety protocols.
Would I stay again? Only if I were certain that the security and maintenance issues had been addressed.
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Price per night from:US$195
Posted on Jun 29, 2026
Guest User
I’ve spent there 3 nights, and I loved every moment there! The staff is friendly and ready to help 24/7. The rooms are clean. It is noisy till around 1 am at nights because of the bar. However, I was so tired at the end of the day that I just would fall asleep despite the room being right behind the bar. The best experience for me was new people who I met there. Dear Nancy Lao Shi, have a great stay in there, waiting for you to come to Uzbekistan! And dear Scottish family who we met the day before yesterday who bought us Irish brew and mars bars - if you come to Uzbekistan let me know!
All the things are great, dear staff thank you very much for your genuine hospitality and impeccable service!!!
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Price per night from:US$29