Travelodge Edinburgh Haymarket

We got this room through holiday pirates for £122 for two nights around Christmas, which is amazing for Edinburgh. Given what some people pay, I'd watch that website for deals. The hotel is an unusual conversion of Victorian houses, so expect quirks. Our room was number 2: there was a huge amount of floor space, with a double bed in the corner. The bed felt cramped and squeaked, but was okay. You can hear the lift and people in the corridor. The shower pressure was a little low, and there was no hairdryer in the room. Staff greeted us as we came and went, but there was no cot set up for our baby. They didn't seem to have sheets either and gave us towels to put under the crib mattress. The front entrance has only stairs and isn't accessible, unless there's a back route, so I had to carry the pram up and down. It's close to Haymarket station and the Haymarket tram and bus stop. Princes Street is about a 15-20 minute walk.

The easiest part was getting here from the airport, with a tram station less than five minutes away. Restaurants and grocery stores are very close, and the city centre is about a 20-30 minute walk. For me, the location was the golden ticket. The room and bathroom were clean, the view was nice, and I had no problems with the sockets or anything in the bathroom. Staff were efficient and polite when I checked in and out. Reviews vary a lot, so I was wary beforehand, and the place does feel a bit hit or miss. From other reviews, room quality seems inconsistent, but it is possible to get a perfectly adequate one. If you just need a bed and somewhere to keep your things while you're out, and location matters most, it works. The wind made a racket on something outside my window. Old buildings are quirky.

It's in a lovely, quiet area in an old building, with large, bright rooms and a reasonable price for Edinburgh. That's about it for the positives. It was absolutely dirty, with stains and bread crumbs everywhere.

The room was spacious and comfortable, and I enjoyed my stay in the end. Reception service was outstanding, though I’d rate the rest closer to three stars. Room service never seemed to happen, the heating wasn’t enough for the weather, and the shower pressure was low. Thanks to everyone at reception.