Sheraton Grand Hotel & Spa, Edinburgh

We only stayed one night while travelling between Haddington and Oban, but it was a fantastic visit. The club lounge had a generous range of drinks and food, and the team there were attentive. Our room was spotless, with a stunning view of Edinburgh Castle, and the little towel display shaped like ducks was a sweet touch. Andy was especially helpful with our unusually large amount of luggage. I can’t remember the name of the person who checked us out, but he was lovely too and suggested places to stop near Oban. Highly recommend.

The restaurant had a good range of choices and high-quality food, with very good service from lovely people. I especially enjoyed the Rooftop Hydropool, the hotel's best-known feature, with its heated open-air water and views across the Edinburgh skyline. The Thermal Suite was relaxing and quiet, with different heat and water experiences including saunas, steam rooms and aromatherapy rooms. Spa access and treatments can be limited, so guests should book well ahead. I really enjoyed it, thanks!

The breakfast buffet had loads of tasty options, alongside dishes you could order from the menu. The avocado and poached eggs on sourdough were nice, but there was so much avocado that we had to scrape a lot off. We also used the hydro spa, which cost guests half price, £47 per person for three hours. There were several saunas and steam rooms, plus a heated rooftop outdoor pool that made for a relaxing visit. We were in town for a show at the Usher Hall, right across the road, so the location worked perfectly. The hotel was spotless and every staff member we met was welcoming. Guest parking was reasonable for the city centre, at £25 for 24 hours. We had a lovely stay and would return.

The club lounge was a comfortable place to unwind, though its limited food selection was only adequate for light refreshments and didn’t match what I’ve had at other Sheraton and Marriott hotels. The hotel’s location was convenient, and the rooms themselves were clean, spacious and well maintained. The service, however, left me disappointed. Front desk interactions felt transactional, with little flexibility when I raised a concern. As a Marriott Bonvoy Ambassador Elite member, I expected more recognition and hospitality. My brother and I stayed for one night in April 2026. I used a Suite Night Award and hoped for a memorable visit, ideally with a view of the castle. My upgrade was approved, but what they called a “suite” was two connected rooms, not a traditional suite. The view was of another building just a few feet away, almost like looking at a wall, rather than Edinburgh Castle or the city. After checking in, I asked to change rooms and specifically asked if one facing the castle was available. The request was refused on the grounds that none were available. Later, though, I could see castle-view room types in the Marriott Bonvoy app, so that was hard to understand. Edinburgh is a wonderful city, but based on the service and my overall experience, I wouldn’t choose this property again. Many other Marriott hotels do a far better job of making a stay memorable.