Hotels near Greyfriars Bobby, Edinburgh

I stayed at Courtyard by Marriott Edinburgh from 22 February to 26 February 2026 in Room ***. Unfortunately, my experience fell significantly below the service and housekeeping standards expected of the Marriott brand. 1) 22 February 2026 (Check-in) Upon arrival, I immediately noticed several cleanliness issues with my room. The kettle was dusty and visibly dirty, the shower gel was completely empty, there were noticeable stains on the bed sheets, the shower room floor was unclean, and the shower water pressure was extremely poor. I reported these issues to the front desk on the same day. In addition, during the check-in process, the staff did not provide any information about hotel amenities, such as gym operating hours, availability of facilities like the ice machine or microwave, or other services. I only became aware of some of these facilities on my last day during check-out, which was disappointing. 2) 23 February 2026 The shampoo had run out and was not replenished during housekeeping services. I emailed the Front Office Manager regarding both the missing amenities and the ongoing low shower pressure issue. I did not receive any response. 3) 24 February 2026 The situation continued. Coffee and tea bags were not refilled, the stained bed sheets had still not been changed since Day 1 check-in, and both shampoo and conditioner were empty. I called the same Front Office Manager twice, and only shampoo was delivered. I then contacted the front desk twice more to clearly request conditioner, yet incorrect items were delivered again. As a result, the conditioner remained unreplenished for me for 3 consecutive days (22–24 February). 4) 25 February 2026 In the morning, I requested a new toothbrush through the front desk and was told housekeeping would provide one during housekeeping service. When I returned to my room after housekeeping, no toothbrush had been supplied. I later learned that when Trip.com contacted the hotel on my behalf regarding the service lapses, the Operations Manager informed them that everything had been “addressed and settled with me” which was not accurate. While individual staff members made partial attempts to assist, the repeated housekeeping lapses, lack of follow-up, and unresolved maintenance issue reflect systemic operational shortcomings rather than isolated mistakes. Throughout my entire stay (22–26 February), the shower water pressure issue remained unresolved. The hotel’s location is excellent and within walking distance of many major attractions, which helps save on public transport costs. However, good location alone does not compensate for the overall service deficiencies experienced during this stay. As a paying guest, I expected basic cleanliness, consistent replenishment of amenities, and responsive service, especially from a reputable hotel property like Marriott. Unfortunately, those expectations were not met during this stay.

An absolutely amazing, amazing, amazing hotel! The stunning view directly opposite is just breathtaking, I love it so much! 😍 I'll definitely stay here again next time. A huge thank you to Ms. Sni at the front desk for giving me such a fantastic room! Princes Street can be a bit noisy, but that's really nothing compared to the incredible view. 🤔 The only downside is the lack of a refrigerator.

Without doubt, this was one of our finest hotel stays in recent memory. From the moment we arrived, Novotel Edinburgh set the tone with a level of warmth and professionalism that genuinely stood out. The staff were incredibly helpful throughout and what really demonstrated this was a small but telling moment: we lost our key card during the stay, and it was replaced immediately, without any fuss or inconvenience whatsoever. It's the kind of effortless service that puts you completely at ease, and it's something you remember long after checkout. The breakfast deserves a special mention — it was simply top notch. The spread was so good that holding back was near impossible, and it's the kind of breakfast that makes you actually look forward to the morning. Freshly prepared, well-stocked, and served with care — it's one of the best hotel breakfasts we've had. The location is outstanding. Sitting just a mile from Edinburgh Castle, you're right in the heart of one of the most iconic cities in the UK. Public transport couldn't be more convenient either  buses are accessible right behind the hotel, making it incredibly easy to get around the city without needing a car at all. The one area that needs addressing is parking. The hotel's own car park is frequently full, which meant we had to use the nearby NCP instead. To the hotel's credit, they did provide a discount for the NCP - a thoughtful gesture that softened the inconvenience. However, it's worth noting for electric vehicle drivers: the EV charging at the NCP is painfully slow, so factor that into your plans if you're arriving in an electric car. A heads-up from the hotel at check-in would go a long way. Parking frustrations aside, Novotel Edinburgh is a brilliant base for exploring the city - exceptional staff, an unmissable breakfast, and a location that's hard to beat. We'd return without hesitation.

The hotel was immaculate the room was lovely everything great location near the town and train station hotel reception  were lovely really helpful i definitely do recommend thankyou so much many thanks

Excellent Location, but Serious Security Lapses I recently stayed at this hotel and found it to be a bit of a mixed bag. While there are some undeniable perks to the property, a few significant service and security issues made for a rather unsettling experience. The Highlights Prime Location: This is easily the hotel's strongest suit. It’s situated right next to Haymarket station, and there is a bus stop literally just outside the front door. Getting into the city centre takes no more than 10 minutes, making it a perfect base for exploring. Commendable Service: The reception team provided a decent welcome. I’d like to give a special mention to Shreyas, who was incredibly helpful and professional throughout our interactions. Quality Dining: We ate at the on-site restaurant and were pleasantly surprised. The food was of a high standard, and the waitstaff were attentive and friendly. Room Maintenance & Tech Issues Unfortunately, the shine started to wear off once we settled into the room: Housekeeping Oversights: Despite this being a multi-day stay, the complimentary water bottles were never replaced after the first day. Faulty Tech: The in-room tablet was practically useless. It kept restarting due to a battery fault; ironically, it even cut out while I was trying to use it to contact reception. Privacy Concerns: When we requested extra toilet roll, the staff member who delivered it attempted to walk straight into the room using their key, rather than knocking and waiting for us to answer. It was a complete breach of basic hospitality etiquette. A Major Security Concern The most distressing part of the trip occurred on our second day. Upon returning to our room in the evening, we were shocked to find the main door open. It appears the cleaning staff had failed to secure the door after finishing their rounds. Finding your hotel room left open to the public is, quite frankly, scary. It’s a massive security fail that overshadowed the rest of the stay. While the location is brilliant, the hotel desperately needs to tighten up its staff training and safety protocols. Would I stay again? Only if I were certain that the security and maintenance issues had been addressed.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Stayed at Stewart by Heeton Concept for 2 days and I would absolutely love to come back in the future! The apartment was spotless — no dust, no bed bugs, fresh clean bedsheets, and a tidy washroom. Everything was well-maintained and made for a really comfortable stay. It truly felt like a great place to relax and unwind. The only two things I’d mention as areas for improvement: the check-out time of 10:30 AM felt a little early, and a few basic toiletry amenities like toothpaste, a toothbrush, and slippers were missing. Everything else was provided and well-stocked. Overall a fantastic stay and highly recommended. Will definitely be returning! 😊

Super stay! The hotel is ideally located, right next to a tram stop. The room is clean, modern, and very quiet. The Wi-Fi connection is excellent. The breakfast is delicious and varied. Nearby, there's also a shopping center with a cinema, a bowling alley, a roller park, and many other activities. This is a real plus for families with children.

Right by the station, close to attractions like the Scottish National Gallery and Princes Street Gardens. You can refill your water bottle near the front desk. Luggage storage is available; the free lockers are small and require your own padlock, but paid options offer various sizes and storage durations. Overall, it's very convenient. Recommended.

The room was very clean, but we had to share the bathrooms with some really messy people who left everything disgusting. Though, I have to admit, the staff cleaned it up super fast. The shower doors weren't very secure; they'd open with just a touch, and there wasn't much privacy, especially considering it was a mixed-gender bathroom. On the bright side, the water was very hot, and there was heating in the room, so we weren't cold. It's worth noting that we were in the pub area, so there was a fair bit of noise and music at night, but it didn't bother us too much. We did miss having a kitchen, like some other hostels provide.

We had a pleasant stay at the hotel overall. The location is a bit far from the main tourist attractions, but it was still manageable and didn’t significantly affect our trip. The room was comfortable and clean, and we appreciated the overall atmosphere. However, we did notice a few areas for improvement. One thing that stood out was the placement of the power outlets, which were quite far from the bed. It made charging our phones a bit inconvenient, as we had to sit at the table while waiting, especially when uploading photos and sharing our experiences. Despite these small inconveniences, we still enjoyed our stay. With a few minor improvements to the room amenities, the experience could be even better.