Hilton Edinburgh Carlton

There were some real ups and downs here. The position on North Bridge, near the Royal Mile, works brilliantly for exploring Old Town or arriving from Waverly Station. Ruby and her protégé at the hotel bar were friendly and quick. On the other hand, check-in felt casual and detached, which wasn't what I've come to expect at Hiltons. Breakfast was exactly the same every day, the workout room was poor, and housekeeping wasn't great. A pub across the street meant we were woken a couple of times by loud arguments and singing. I wish Google offered half stars, because I'd call this a solid 3.5-star hotel. I would have preferred the Caledonian if it hadn't been fully booked.

Breakfast had a big selection and was good, and the hotel is fairly central for getting around town. Our room was great once we found it, though. We'd been given an upgraded room on floor -3, which meant taking an elevator to -2, then walking through a corridor and a couple of doors to another elevator. A kind housekeeper spotted us wandering and walked us there. We were exhausted and would have been lost all day without her. I didn't get her name, but she was the nicest person at the hotel. It looks like several rooms are being updated, but the signs need work because some aren't accurate. Some elevators don't serve every floor, even if they have buttons for them. I wouldn't recommend the hotel restaurant. The staff there need more training.

Three of us stayed April 6-8 and had a corner room facing the street and Royal mile. The location at the bottom of the royal mile was great, with everything walkable. Check-in was quick and pleasant, and the beds were comfortable. The rooms could use some updating, but I'd definitely recommend staying here.

My renovated room was spacious and comfortable, with a large king bed and lots of extras: a mini fridge, storage for clothes, a big-screen TV, a lit makeup mirror, and a robe. There were two chairs and a small table that worked for drinks or as a workspace. I also liked the stylish coffee cups with the in-room Nespresso machine. Not essential, but it showed they were trying to create a certain feel. Scaffolding stood just outside my window, but there was no noise and the room was well worth it. Staff were friendly and attentive. Breakfast costs a bit more, though that's not unusual for comparable hotels, and there's a wide choice, including an omelette bar. I ate at the upstairs restaurant one evening, and both the cocktail and food were good. The location is great for central Edinburgh and The Royal Mile. My room had been remodeled, so I expect other rooms may vary.