Guest Reviews & Comments
Albany Ballantrae near Edinburgh: Edinburgh Hotels
1 Young couple - 01/04/08	90%
Good Points: The rooms were very nicely decorated, and the staff are very friendly and helpful.
Further Comments: The hotel was excellant just a 5 minute walk from princes st, but still quiet. Despite other reviews the breakfast was fine- tea, coffee, cereals, fruit, toast, croissants, yoghurts, cold meats and cheese.
2 Business Trip - 11/03/08	80%
Good Points: value for money, ensuite and modern TV
Bad Points: Little bit cramped
3 Group of adult friends - 16/12/07	60%
Good Points: very comfortable room and close to the places we wished to visit
Further Comments: Overall a good hotel
4 Group of adult friends - 12/12/07	100%
Good Points: Decor, location, staff.
Bad Points: Bar would have been nice , but apparently opening soon. Would not call it a dislike, more on wish list.
Further Comments: Unusual decor with an atmosphere not experianced in other hotels, added to a fun weekend. Geographically well placed for the city sights, but out of the way enough to be quiet. Will stay again on next visit to the city.
5 Group of adult friends - 23/11/07	90%
Good Points: The decor was beautiful and the large rooms were great! The hotel had a cosy and welcoming feel and we thouroughly enjoyed our weekend staying in the hotel.
Bad Points: We couldn't get hot water one evening but we loved everything else.
6 Young couple - 21/11/07	80%
Good Points: friendly staff, interesting decor great location and great value for money
Further Comments: I think some places could ve been paid more attention, the breakfast room is rather bland and the breakfast very basic which I had read about in many reviews, it seemed like an after thought compared to the other rooms the decor didnt relate at all, there was nt really any!!The room off from reception was a bit of a dead space I think there could have been some music playing and some papers to read etc, instead it was just a place where guests seem to leave their luggage!!In the hotel rooms the mini bar wasn t cold the tv reception was poor and kept turning itself off. I always judge a place by its bathrooms and was disappointed by the toiletries I think it would ve made a huge difference if there was some nice smellies like mini malton brown and slippers and robes which always makes you feel like you re having abit of luxuary.Small complaints but tiny points that could make this hotel that extra bit special
7 Mature couple - 15/11/07	50%
Good Points: Closeness to Princes St and stop for Airport Bus, note - although short walk bit of a hill. No noise from outside. Unusual decor and spotlessly clean, comfortable bed.
Bad Points: Continental Breakfast when weather cold. Flask tea and coffee at breakfast, when there were staff there keeping an eye who could have made fresh drinks.
Further Comments: Stayed for three night, unfortunately Hotel was having problems with heating and hot water. We and many other guests did not have any heating or hot water in their rooms. Some guests told of too hot rooms and water! We were moved to a different room for our third night where we had heating but still no hot water - not a nice experience. This was a great shame as the Hotel could have been a 10/10. Cannot recommend staying there without checking that problems have been rectified.
8 Group of work colleagues - 04/11/07	70%
Good Points: FRIENDLY ATMOSPHERE
Bad Points: LOW SINK, VERY DARK DECOR
Further Comments: THE HOTEL IS VERY WELL PRESENTED WITH GOOD STAFF. THE DECOR IN THE ROOM WAS INCREDIBLY DARK AND IN MY OPINION NEED TO BE LIGHTER. THE LIGHTS HAVE TO BE TURNED ON IN THE DAY TIME. THE SINK WAS VERY LOW AND FOR SOMEONE WITH BACK PROBLEMS, WASHING WAS DIFFICULT.
9 Young couple - 29/10/07	60%
Good Points: Comfortable. Good location. Some reception staff helpful, others less so.
Further Comments: Poor 'maid service' tea not topped up and toiletries not replaced when running low. Breakfast was adequate, but could have been better without much more help. Felt that they tried to squeeze as many rooms in as possible, so were staying just off reception. Confortable, and well placed, but some elements of service were lacking.
10 Mature couple - 23/10/07	80%
Good Points: Very spacious, good big comfortable clean bed ,excellent night sleep, bathroom bright and cheerfull with good shower ,clean &comfortable, towels good size and clean .
Bad Points: very poor dull lighting , fixtures and fitings to dark that made it dificult to read in bed.minibar and safe deposit failed to work.
Further Comments: We had a very good weekend break , continental breakfast was very good with plenty of everything you wish. We will book this hotel again and recommend to our friends.
11 Young couple - 20/10/07	100%
Good Points: It was clean and the staff were very helpful and pleasent.
Bad Points: the room was too hot at night and we couldnt turn the heat down.
Further Comments: My stay was excellent, however we requested a smoking room and never got one but that couldnt be helped. It never bothered us too much.
12 Mature couple - 08/10/07	100%
Good Points: well-placed in town, good breakfast, good bathroom facilities, pleasant staff
Bad Points: dark room decorated in black
Further Comments: We enjoyed our stay very much, apart from the dark interior of our room.
13 Same sex couple - 05/10/07	100%
14 Young couple - 30/09/07	60%
15 Mature couple - 24/09/07	70%
Good Points: Very unusual Gothic theme. lovely bright bathroom
Bad Points: Not enough light in bedroom, so appeared gloomey.
Further Comments: Overall a very good stay. Nice bright dining room, unusual decor through out hotel. Close to centre of the city. On checking in the receptionist did not know about the parking conditions for cars outside over the weekend, so advised us to park at the NCP, this would have cost ￂﾣ18 per day.BUT parking outside hotel is free over the weekend !.
16 Mature couple - 24/09/07	70%
Good Points: Very unusual Gothic theme. lovely bright bathroom
Bad Points: Not enough light in bedroom, so appeared gloomey.
Further Comments: Overall a very good stay. Nice bright dining room, unusual decor through out hotel. Close to centre of the city. On checking in the receptionist did not know about the parking conditions for cars outside over the weekend, so advised us to park at the NCP, this would have cost ￂﾣ18 per day.BUT parking outside hotel is free over the weekend !.
17 Mature couple - 09/08/07	90%
Good Points: Friendly and helpful staff. Accommodation was excellent, and best of all just a short walk away from the city centre and local eateries. We would certainly recommend them.
Further Comments: Not having a lift was a bit of a problem due to advancing age and very heavy suitcases, but the overall pleasant stay at the hotel was certainly worth the initial struggle
18 Other - 28/07/07	90%
Good Points: Very clean, fresh decoration. Beds comfortable.
Bad Points: Nothing really important - perhaps a little more fresh fruit could have been available for breakfast.
Further Comments: My daughter and I enjoyed our stay at the Albany. It was near to the playhouse and the shops. The accomodation was perfect for the two of us as a base. The staff were very helpful, we checked out on time but were able to leave our bags all day.
19 Other - 28/07/07	90%
Good Points: Very clean, fresh decoration. Beds comfortable.
Bad Points: Nothing really important - perhaps a little more fresh fruit could have been available for breakfast.
Further Comments: My daughter and I enjoyed our stay at the Albany. It was near to the playhouse and the shops. The accomodation was perfect for the two of us as a base. The staff were very helpful, we checked out on time but were able to leave our bags all day.
20 Leisure Visit - 25/07/07	70%
Good Points: nice clean room
Bad Points: the color scheme + TV remote control not working
Further Comments: OK fro a few days
If you are unable to book a room at Albany Ballantrae then the nearest UK hotels around the Edinburgh area are: The Broughton Hotel - B&B Review, : Thistle Edinburgh Review, : Edinburgh Apartments Review,