Macdonald Holyrood Hotel

We stayed here for 2 nites 7/08 and were shocked they consider themselves a 4 star hotel. Dirty dishes in the halls, tattered and worn furniture in the lobby, and sloppy maintainence people who leave a mess where they have been working. Our room was not clean, I requested to please dust our room; and the cleaning staff does not want to clean. The mirrors in the bathroom were filthy and the shower was full of hair. The second day our complimenary bathrobes 'disapeared'.... and the complimentary slippers did not exist. If you want a 4 star hotel, do not stay here!!!!!!!!!

Ronnie, usa
Mature Couple (36+)

We've just returned from a great weekend in this hotel. Its in a great position, round the corner from the Palace and Scottish Parliament building which is architectually brilliant. The rooms are a good size, bathroom full of little goodies. The breakfast is very good, its nice to get a freshly made hot breakfast and there is a wide choice if a cold breakfast is prefered. The only downside to the hotel is that it is quite hot and stuffy. All in all, this is a good hotel in a great location.

K Fletcher, Manchester
Young Couple (18-35)

Amazing Breakfast! The room/bathroom was also very clean and satisfactory. We had a few problems, such as the synthetic pillows I requested on my booking weren't in the room and it took 2 phone calls to reception to get them. Also they accidentally booked a new guest into our room whilst we were still in there which gave me a bit of a shock, but not as much of a shock as the poor woman who walked in on me. At least I wasn't naked. The staff handled these problems well however and were constantly polite and apologetic. The hotel is in a great location, with plenty of good restaurants in the area. Edinburgh is so small you're never really that far from anything.

Nick, Brighton
Young Couple (18-35)

Good location, really nice hotel, room spacious and well equipped, leisure facilities very good, great size pool. The hotel does a great breakfast and the staff are very pleasant. Overall a very enjoyable stay.

Linda Burns, Scotland
Mature Couple (36+)

Overall very pleased, room was a good size, dining room too small and led to delays both mornings but these were handled well, leisure facilities very good and location excellent

Aidan , Dublin
Mature Couple (36+)

We stayed for a long weekend. The Family room was larger than the norm, the room being L-shaped with a large double bed and tv, bed settee area with another tv and a single bed. The children were pleased to have their own tv area to chill out after all the walking around the city sights and museums. We had the pool to ourselves before dinner most nights so the children could indulge in as much play and swimming as they liked. Although not a children focused hotel we were all made to feel welcome from the doorman teasing the 6 year old to the restaurant staff asking us about our days out. Only one small down side was the lengthy breakfast due to the wait for food. We didnt push too hard as we were happy to take our time, others may not be so patient but it certainly didnt spoil our visit.

Breheny, UK
Family with Children 11 and Under

We thought it was great and the staff were really helpful.

ANNIE Gothard, London
Mature Couple (36+)

My daughter & I stayed at this hotel for one night to meet up with friends from Ireland.  The room was excellent, very clean and fresh, the staff very friendly and welcoming and the hotel very well situated for the Royal Mile and Edinburgh city centre. Breakfast and service were also very good. I have no hesitation in recommending this hotel and hope to return in the near future.

Alexandra Sharp, Aberdeen
Other

An excellent choice of hotel to stay at in order to stay in Edinburgh. Approx 10 minutes walk from the city centre and near the Sottish parliament.
Facilities are pretty standard for a four star hotel, with a reasonably sized room and well stocked bathroom. A gym and swimming pool are in the basement and restaurant is pleasant enough.
Service is the decisive factor which will bring me back again. The staff are polite and friendly. Nice one

S.Bali, London
Solo Traveller

I did not know of the existence of this hotel until I visited the alpharooms.com web site, on the recommendation of a friend who had used a;pharooms.com before.
The hotel is clean, classy and all the staff were extremely welcoming and courteous in the extreme.
The prices are realistic rather than being pitched at the upper end of the corporate market. I have been visiting Edinburgh for almost 30 years now, and I unhesitatingly put this hotel at the top of my list.

John Clamp, Darrington/England
Solo Traveller

This is the second time we have stayed in Macdonald Holyrood and whenever we go back to Edinburgh, we will stay there again. The atmosphere, decor, staff, breakfasts, room service and facilities are all excellent. We could not fault it in any way.  We went for a romantic break and the hotel lived up to its expectations in every respect - we left the hotel relaxed and refreshed.

Sharon Kennedy, Edinburgh
Mature Couple (36+)

The Macdonald Holyrood is a beautiful hotel and the staff could not be more helpful.  We had a lovely room with air con and a great bathroom and even though we were too busy out and about to use the pool etc, they looked excellent.  

The hotel is well placed to access the old town, the crags, Arthur's seat and so many other places on foot so we didn't use anything other than a taxi when we were feeling lazy after a night out.  

The only complaint I have is that we were unaware of the £15 a night parking fee.  I know that Edinburgh is renowned for being an anti-car city but to pay for parking in a hotel you are staying at is completely crazy.  The car was there and we needed to park it so we paid, but I would rather have spent that £45 on enjoying more of the city!

Susan Owens, Liverpool, England
Young Couple (18-35)

Just a few minutes walk from the Royal Mile and 10 minute walk to Princes Street.  Spotless large room, helpful concierge and receptionist.  Terrific breakfast with calm efficient service.  The pool and sauna were quite basic and the towels a bit threadbare but good to have after a busy day.  All in all great value for money with Alpha (v.expensive if booked direct with the hotel!) and would definitely stay there again.

mary gray, dereham norfolk
Solo Traveller

I have just enjoyed a great Autumn break in Edinburgh and the Macdonald Holyrood hotel was a great choice.  The staff were both friendly and professional, the hotel was very comfortable and clean and all food was excellent.  The location turned out to be fantastic - close enough to the main attractions but also peaceful.  The hotel swimming pool and leisure centre were very welcome after a hard days sightseeing.  I would definitely go back to this hotel when back in Edinburgh.

A Yates, Manchester
Mature Couple (36+)

Upon arrival the staff were very helpful assisting with our suitcases and making you feel welcome. There was no parking available at the hotel, which is an extra £15 a day to use, but this was not a problem as there is an NCP car park across the road that worked out cheaper.

The Entrance lobby is welcoming with the restaurant to the left, we did not have a evening meal or a drink at the bar, but the breakfast in the morning was in my opinion excellent, with the staff rushing around making sure there is plenty of food for all. The breakfast has a wide selection, everything you would expect to see for a cooked breakfast, a selection of cereals and continental breakfasts, and finally fresh fruit and i would recommend trying the hotels specialised 3 pieces of fruit, one of which was small oranges prepared in cinnamon, pears in ginger and plums in cloves these which are exceptionally nice and refreshing.

In the basement area there is a suitable Gym with plenty of items to keep fit after your large breakfast in the morning.

The room we stayed in was clean, with suitable facilities. It had a marble bathroom, which is modern in design, and the double room we had was large enough for the both of us. Apart form the standard kettle and tea/coffee usually available, inside the cupboard there was a free safe to use and fridge which was stocked with goodies which in my opinion were to expensive, £3 for a small bottle of Cola. Not far from the hotel is a late night store so this is where we got our treats and filed the fridge up. The Scotsman newspaper was also delivered free every morning.

The hotel is perfectly placed for any visitor to Edinburgh City. The Royal Mile, Edinburgh Castle, Dynamic Earth, to name a few tourist destinations are all in close walking distance, but the hotel has the advantage of not being in a noisy location.

Only complaints about the hotel we had to ask for the bath robes which were missing (we were more concerned of being charged for them missing when we checked out) and ask for the form if wanted breakfast in the morning. The TV is to low down, fine if you watch it in the arm chair, but you do not get a clear view of it whilst you watch it bed, Finally we had to also ask for Tea/ and Coffee as there was none in our room. These are minor things but you expect to see this already in place.
  
I would recommend this hotel if you are a couple visiting Edinburgh for a few

Andrew Lawrence, Bexhill England
Young Couple (18-35)

Hotel was a 10-15 minute walk to city centre, situated next to the Scottish Parliament,Holyrood Palace and Arthur's Seat. The rooms were clean with very comfortable beds, mini fridges(very expensive items though), good size wardrobe and dressing table. Rooms cleaned every day to a high standard and it was nice to have large bath towels! Plenty of tea coffee etc and fresh milk if required.  The breakfast(up to 10 oclock) was also excellent with a huge choice, recommend you go earlier than later as if it gets busy there can be a wait.  Best of all were the staff. Absolutely lovely people, couldnt do enough to help.  I paid a very good rate for my 3 nights in March and would definitely stay again at that sort of price.

Vivien Barrie, Plymouth
Group of Mature Friends/Couples

A very well appointed hotel approximately 400 metres from the Royal Mile.  Opened in 2000, this hotel is well maintained and staffed by enthusiastic and helpful people in a relaxed atmosphere.
Using Alpharooms meant a huge discount and a cheap (so long as you don't use the mini-bar) long weekend in a great city to walk around.
We will definately return, if only for the amazing breakfast!

Mr D Mortimer, Bridgend / South Wales
Mature Couple (36+)

Excellent hotel if a bit out of the centre of Edinburgh. Very comfortable room and an excellent breakfast.
The full price on their website is ridiculous - I would recommend anyone to stay there at Alpha room rates!

andrw horn, tenterden/england
Solo Traveller

The holyrood hotel is well situated in the centre of Edinburgh, easy to find, and a pleasure to stay in. Situated just off the Royal Mile the hotel offers great accomodation for both business and pleasure, the staff were very friendly and polite. The rooms are very spacious and clean, the mini bar is quite basic and expensive as is generally the case in most hotels, the king size bed was a nice surprise and very comfy. The gymnasium is well organised with plenty of equipment as well as the pool/sauna/steam room. Negatively the tv wasn't tuned in, car parking is limited and expensive at £15 per 24 hours, Breakfast is adequate with a mix of continental and scottish, although having to order the hot meal against a buffet style option is rather annoying as some portions are small eg mushrooms = 3. Overall an enjoyable stay and would definetly return.

richard, wakefield, england
Young Couple (18-35)

This hotel well deserved its 4 stars with beautifully furnished bedroom and spacious en suite. Not very central but right beside Scottish Parliament and Dynamic Earth and walking distance of Holyrood Palace. Only limited parking at hotel.Plentiful and friendly staff. Excellent choice for breakfast including Loch Fyne Kippers and porridge served with individual cream and honey. Bargain rate from Alpha rooms meant we paid less than half the standard rate. We'll be going back!

Dave and Wendy Best, Hexham Northumberland
Mature Couple (36+)