Hilton Edinburgh
On my first trip to Scotland, I only knew I wanted to stay in the center of the old part of the city. I did a search of my usual suspects, Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt, and came up with a great price/location for a few days at the Hilton Edinburgh Carlton, originally a department store (and a huge one it seems), now it's the Hilton.Be warned, this trip, the hotel was under massive refurbishment, and is indicative of only my stay.
Arrival
As part of my jaunting about in northern Great Britain, I took the train everywhere. This particular run was from Newcastle to Edinburgh, so I arrived at the absolute center of town, in the massive train station.Then... I exited on the side closest to the hotel. Big mistake. Edinburgh is a difference of 8 stories of building heights within 1/4 mile. The trains are at -2, the hotel was +4. There is a street on that side that winds its way up, very steeply.
Well, a BETTER option would be go to the north side of the station and take North bridge up to the hotel (it's fairly steep too but less than the street I took).
I was knackered by the time I got to the lobby, but thankfully, they took my bags for me and I didn't have to touch them again.
The Room
I was able to garner a junior suite upgrade, and it was quite big. I doubted the front desk when they told me but wow, it is a good room.
3D interactive room tour, use your mouse or fingers to move around and see other rooms.
Executive Lounge
Ok, they did an amazing job putting the lounge in the seating area behind 1900 restaurant. Use a hallway entrance or you can enter through the dining area (I found a back elevator that came around to the hallway)Dining
The only open venue (and current from the website) is 1900, which is the bar and the dining. The steak is really good! The haggis was deservedly left untouched.Amenities
Yes, it is like a warren
Hallway entrance to the lounge
Very clean, modern, and elegant seating
All day snacks
Dinnertime hot food
Canapes, actually as the lounge should serve
All these all day
These drinks, at night
Entrance to the dining and drinking
Not bad for a replacement bar
The breakfast buffet is put into the lounge area in the morning
I often wonder as I see more of these, how many honeycombs are out there?
The Tastry Pastry
Haggis, for breakfast, contains gluten and grossness
This was so damn delicious
The menu is outside for your observation
And here in the 1900 menu for you to read
Way down on the lowest level (that I could find at least) is the gym
And it's not bad either
Summary
While under construction it was a little difficult to tell the quality of the hotel. The only issue I had was waiting for elevators. I know it's all great now that it's fixed up.The location close to the Royal Mile is very ideal, once you get there that is. Yes, get the lounge access here, paid for itself in just wine consumed.