Recently stayed here for 4 days on vacation and had a lovely stay that is typical of Starwood properties. Don't know if it is due to being a Gold Preferred member but most of the staff were very pleasant and helpful. Had a very nice room on the executive floor with a view of Edinburgh Castle. They also have a very nice executive lounge for continental breakfast and evening refreshments, which was very pleasant to sit in and relax after a day of touring or shopping. The staff had very good restaurant recommendations and were great about giving me directions to different sites or areas (I think I ended up with about 10 little maps of Edinburgh). The bathrooms had good amenities with nice deep tubs and good water pressure. Only thing thing that was so-so was the bed which was a little lumpier and not as comfortable as the Starwood Properties in the States. Do not miss scheduling time at the attached Spa as it is wonderful and one of the best I have been to. It was worth every penny for a great afternoon of relaxation and stress relief. The treatments were wonderful and I loved the Thermal Suite and Indoor/Outdoor Whirlpool. Edinburgh seemed to be a hip city with a wonderful history. Four days was not enough to explore all it has to offer and I can't wait to return. The Sheraton offers a great central location and very close to Princes Street and all the wonderful shops.

The Sheraton Grand is nothing but grand. I stayed in a classic room one week and it was so ordinary that it can be compared to a 3-star hotel. The next week I upgraded to the Grand Deluxe room and it was equally disappointing. Room service was prompt but very expensive with my £7.50 salad smaller than a typical side salad. Most of the hotel interior looks very tired and can definitely do with a face lift, e.g. the wood panels in the lifts are worn out and scratched. The only saving grace was the gym attached the spa.

The hotel and in particular the room was disappointing - for a 5 star hotel I expected it to be alot more luxurious admittedly we stayed in the ordinary rooms (which have a very poor view) but I was still surprised at just how basic it was. However, the spa really made up for any shortfall - it was wonderful. We booked 2.5 hours which costs £20 and we were allowed to use all the saunas, steam room etc but the highlight was the outside spa pool - it was really warm and bubbling and we lay outside watching the stars! I would stay here again, but only because of the spa. By the way the hotel staff were all very pleasant and the service was good except for the fact that both breakfast orders were incomplete.

When I checked in, although having requested a non-smoking room I was given a room which stank so much I could take no more than three paces inside. Needless to say, I turned on my heel, marched back to reception and demanded a non-smoking room, which was provided straight away. A complimentary bottle of champagne was sent up to my room for my trouble, which was a very pleasant and welcome surprise and all was well again within about 20 minutes. I was staying in Edinburgh on business for 3 nights. Throughout my stay, the heating was set to maximum and I had to open the window a crack (which is as far as it would open) and let the strage malty, musty smell in from the nearby distillery: the in-room heating/cooling controller seemed to have no effect. The room was otherwise unremarkable. I did not eat at the hotel so cannot comment on the quality of the food, but in any event for dinner I would recommend a short walk across the road to the excellent Stac Poly resturant for the very best of moden Scottish cuisine. For lunch, you cannot beat Oloroso in the city centre. The hotel has a nice enough bar where they mix first class cocktails; I had several dry martinis, each of which was spot on, which for me pushes this hotel into the "above average" category.