We stayed at this hotel for a long weekend and whilst all the staff are really polite and friendly, we could'nt seem to get basic things done. One day our room was serviced but they did'nt replace our cups, glasses etc or the toiletries and although they were really apologetic it took about three calls to get the basics, we also requested papers which were not delivered or were charged for a paper we had'nt ordered or reveived. They also invite you to order fresh milk if you prefer it to the little cartons but they could'nt seem to get it to us and one day we waited 20 mins for some coffee and toast at breakfast. Only simple things I know but lots of them which were time consuming to sort out, in the end i got tired of calling the reception desk and although it did'nt spoil our stay it's not really on in a hotel of this standard (and price) On a positive note though (so I don't sound like an old moaner ) I will say that the hotel room that we had was lovely, clean and comfortable and the breakfast in the hotel was fab.

We stayed for a two nights at this hotel, and our stay could not have been better. The hotel is modern, clean, and the service was friendly and efficient. Breakfast was included in our package, and was excellent. However, as with most hotels the restaurant prices are a little steep, so we ate out for dinner. What we particularly liked was the peace and quiet of this hotel. Although it is only a 20 minute walk up to the castle, it is out of the way of the hustle and bustle of the main areas, and so felt very relaxing after a hard day's sightseeing. We would definately stay there again.

we stayed at this hotel to celebrate a significant family birthday, and the stay was 1st class from start to finish. We booked it via Easyjet - with our flight from Stansted. The room was wonderful, with the extras that I requested, all the staff we encountered were very polite and helpful, the food was great at all times, the spa, pools were well maintained and clean. The view from the room over the hills was magnificent, so much so that we went for a long walk up it.

I have left it this long to write a reply as I have only just found this web-site after an appauling stay at a London hotel in April 2008. I recommend the Macdonald Holyrood to everyone!!

We stayed at the MacDonald Holyrood for one night as a special break in March and it didn't disappoint, so we were surprised to read the other 'not so happy' reviews. The location is great, near to the Royal Mile and the shops, the pubs, restaurants and perhaps the guts of 10 mins walk from Princes Street.

We were warmly welcomed and the staff were great, they really made us feel valued as customers.

The room was spacious, well decorated, clean and the beds wonderfully comfy. Bathroom similarly was good.

We used the spa (situated in the basement) and had a couple of treatments there. These were generally good and worth the money, although perhaps the only crit worth mentioning is that while we were meant to have the same treatments, on discussion afterwards one of us was slightly happier than the other as they had been done differently.

It's not cheap for a large glass of wine (about £7) but it was good wine and this place is slap bang in the middle of the city so easy come easy go.

We will certainly go back to this hotel when staying in Edinburgh. Unless one insists on the snob value of the Balmoral or the Scotsman then it's arguable whether there's any need to go anywhere else but here....