Edinburgh Thistle Hotel

The location was great and the two-night stay was pleasant, but I left feeling uneasy about how lost property is handled. I accidentally left my leather bracelet in the bathroom. Reception said no new guests had been in the room for hours after checkout and only staff had access, but the bracelet was reported as “not found.”

I was exhausted and booked a twin room for around 100£, hoping for somewhere clean and safe. I couldn't stay at all: the carpet, sink, toilet, bed, and really the whole room were extremely dirty. When I asked for help, reception said nothing could be done because the housekeeper had already left. What worried me most was that the receptionist wrote down all my bank card details, including the CVV code. That's a serious security issue and isn't allowed. I hope this helps other travelers know what to expect before booking.

The lounge they advertise was empty and had no atmosphere, and the room felt shabby and poorly cleaned. There were grimy carpets and baseboards, old cup rings on the bedside table, and mold in the shower. One bedside lamp had no bulb, the TV and radiator didn't work, and the bed had no fitted sheets. We told the front desk about the bulb; he said he'd sort it, but nothing had changed hours later. The pillows were hard and uncomfortable, though the bed itself wasn't terrible. Check-in was fine, but the hotel is run-down and needs maintenance. Save your money and go elsewhere.

The location made it easy to reach lots of famous spots, and the staff were friendly with excellent customer service. We could leave our bags before check-in and after departure, which was handy. We only stayed one night. The rooms are a little dated but clean and have everything you need. We didn't try breakfast, so I can't comment on it. It's a lovely family-run hotel.