Albany Ballantrae Hotel  

the location suited us-walking distance to shops, cinema, restaurants etc. Thr room was large and comfortable.

The hotel is 4 houses long. The walk from reception to our room was a maze through 3 houses. The decor in the corridors is scruffy - battered, chipped paintwork and un-vaccumed, worn carpets. Wallpaper/decoration is confined to the reception area alone. The only staff visible was the receptionist. Our room was not attended to on 2nd day until well into afternoon and the bathroom was not touched at all. We reported that the shower was broken.Lamps were dusty. Generally we were surprised by the 4 star rating unless it is based on the room alone.

Friendly staff

The rooms I had on both visits were very spacious (one very large indeed) and well-equipped. The level of comfort was very good. The staff were pleasant and courteous, and it is reasonably well located, on a quiet and fairly central street. There is an excellent Thai restaurant round the corner in Broughton Street.

The downstairs room I had was rather dark and cold the first night (the heating wasn't on in that part of the hotel, though it was elsewhere). When I rang reception to complain (early evening) nobody answered, although I hung on for several minutes. The hotel also charges one night when you make the booking, and the remaining nights when one first turns up, which in my view is completely unnecessary and implies a lack of trust and respect. The service in the restaurant is good, but the food is poor by Edinburgh standards.

IWe have nothing but praise for the staff, location of hotel, comfort and cleanliness - particularly of bathroom....we would have no hesitation in staying there again ++++++

Good location, near the old town. Room very clean, huge and confortable. Nice staff

Parking is not free. Regarding the price it should be.

On arrival at 2.45 I found the hotel was in a complete mess. Laundry bags & vacuum cleaners every where. The carpets were very dirty. The advertises itself as 4 stars, but in my room there was no basic facilities one would expect such as an iron or hair dryer. The carpet was very dirty and the shower needed cleaning. Breakfast was not great either,

Staff in the dining room/bar were cheerful and helpful.

A small, squalid, shabby room, opening, behind bars, directly onto a street. There was one power point and half the light fixtures were broken, leaving the room bathed in gloom. No telephone but there was a list of extortionate telephone charges prominently displayed. Wi-fi access was patchy. The food served in the dining room/bar was both institutional in its range and utilitarian in its execution, suggesting more than a passing acquaintance with a microwave.

When we arrived we were met with a friendly receptionist who showed us to our room. Although we had a basement room it was great, large comfortable and well decorated and furnished. The sink in the bathroom could have been cleaner, but the cleaner must have forgotten it, as the rest of the bathroom was good. The following evening lost our 9/10 rating for the Albany Balantrae, as, after a hard exhausting day of sightseeing we decided to have room service, only to be told that there was none and the restaurant was closed for a private function. We had not been told this on our arrival, and received no communication about it on the day. This is a 4 * city centre hotel !!! Not good enough and a real let down. If a service is advertised then it should be available at all times. We heard at breakfast the following morning a member of staff tell another guest who was complaining of the same thing " that it was a do for the boss's daughters birthday". Many Happy Returns.!!!

The location was just perfect. There was a very polite and helpful girl at the reception. Clean, simple rooms. Good internet connection. Warm rooms Plenty of choice for breakfast - but don't order scrambled eggs. Very quite hotel.

The mattress could have been a bit more comfortable, I could feel some springs. In the breakfast room...the staff should behave a little bit more, while serving me, they were talking over my head to their friends in the kitchen laughing and joking in Spanish. Kinda makes you feel uncomfortable.

Great location, attentive staff and one of the best sleeps I'd had in ages (ie.. Very comfy bed and dark room, plus possible exhaustion from a busy day!) The hotel is trying to be very luxurious with its decor. Sometimes it was a bit dark and boudoire-sque for me but it made a nice change. The breakfast was superb and great value.

Decor a bit tired in places - marks on sofa, velvet top sheet (not bedding), bath panelling falling apart. Overall great impression but close up you spot the shabby bits.

Price. Artwork. Central city location. Breakfast.

Location, restaurant and the room.

Very poor internet access. The hotel is sold as having internet in the whole hotel. As a travelling business man there was a lot of work I was unable to complete.