Mercure Edinburgh Haymarket Hotel

The location made it easy to walk around, while being far enough from the main road that public noise didn't bother us. Our two rooms were both warm, clean, and serviced. Each had a coffee machine with pods, complimentary water, and shortbread. Staff were attentive, and breakfast was a buffet with plenty to eat, including a fun pancake maker. We booked breakfast ahead and it cost less. The rooms aren't huge, but three of us with lots of luggage had enough space for a two-night stay. I honestly couldn't relate to the reviews I'd read.

The room was warm and pleasant, with no heating trouble, despite my worries after reading recent reviews. Staff were wonderful, and the location is convenient for public transport with plenty of facilities nearby. I was in a lower-level room and did hear some light thumping at night, possibly from laundry or a washing machine. It wasn't loud enough to bother me much. From the reviews here, it seems some visitors get excellent service while others receive only the bare minimum.

Everything stayed spotless throughout our visit, and the staff were all very kind and professional. The hotel was beautiful, with elegant, luxurious decor. I highly recommend it.

We were disappointed with our four-night stay, especially for a hotel rated four stars. The one plus was that Haymarket tram stop is a ten-minute walk away. On day one the room had no heat, and we were told reception controls it, so they brought a portable heater. The safe didn't work, and housekeeping didn't know how to help. I couldn't call reception because the phone wasn't plugged in. The duvet was thin and lumpy, and getting another one seemed difficult for reception to understand. There was a water leak, which I know wasn't the hotel's fault, but communication was poor. Nobody called our room to explain that water would be off for two hours or let us know what was happening, even though we'd gone to reception to get water for the kettle. The room's hot water is so hot it needs a warning. There's no heated towel rail or place to hang towels apart from the shower wall, so with so little heat they stayed damp. At 3pm on the third day, I came back to find the room hadn't been serviced. I went to reception for tea and water, but the man couldn't provide any. He called housekeeping, who came more than 35 minutes later. The person didn't speak enough English to understand what I was asking for. Reception is opposite the lift, and the staff weren't friendly. Nobody said good morning at breakfast or asked how my stay was at checkout. They didn't even say goodbye or thanks. I wouldn't stay here again.