We stayed in this hotel for two nights as a short city break. Initially we were impressed - the location and building have a bit of a wow factor, and it was great getting parked at the back (although it looked like the car park got full later on).

The reception staff were friendly and allowed us to check in to our room early, which was good. The public areas were all very modern and stylish, but the room was a slight dissapointment - maybe expectations were too high, but it just wasn't as stylish as we hoped for. The decor was fairly plain and neutral, although the room was a decent size with plenty of windows. The bathroom was fine, but a little on the small side.

The room was well equiped, including free wired internet, but housekeeping standards could've been a little better, particularly in the bathroom. Our soap wasn't replaced after the 1st night, and we had to phone down to reception for a new one. A member of housekeeping staff duly arrived and handed me 4 bars, then asked if this would be enough (we only had one more night)!! I couldn't decide if he was being sarcastic or not...

The hotel is in a good location for restaurants, with a wide selection of acclaimed places to eat nearby. There is a very regular (every 5 or 10 mins) bus service into the centre of Edinburgh, and hotel staff were easily able to give me this information. The only downside when we stayed was a very windy walk down the quayside to get back to the hotel! We also used the hotel bar - good service, nice atmosphere but not cheap!

On checking out, the receptionist asked me to check a list she had of items we'd used from the minibar. We hadn't actually had anything from it, and she was happy to accept our word for this, but it does indicate more issues with the housekeeping staff.

Overall, the hotel was nice, no major complaints, but just missing a few aspects which would make it stand out more and make it one I would definately go back to.

We stayed for 3 nights in August to go and see the Comedy Festival. The hotel is about 2 miles out of town, in Leith, but easy to get to by taxi or bus. The staff were friendly and we were really impressed by the room. Had paid for the 2nd most basic room (deluxe twin?) and the room was light, spacious and very clean. The beds were also v comfortable and the room quiet (rm 317). The smellies were good.

The downsides of the hotel are the corridors - who decided to paint them dark brown and dark green? Obviously, they are very dark and a bit claustrophobic. The lift is slow and sounds as if it is on its last legs. There are also no prices for the mini bar.

We paid extra for breakfast (£13-15) and it was good, but expensive for what it was .. There are some restaurants close to the hotel - the best was a fish restaurant very close to the hotel (Finders?). We had to book but it was great value and lovely food. We had a drink in the pub next to the fish restaurant and think we paid tourist prices. I don't think the locals would pay what we did for a coke and beer.

My boyfriend and I stayed at the Malmaison out at Leith docks at the weekend. Our tariff rate was 'Love Suite Love' ...and it truly lives up to its name!
On arrival we were seen straight away and escorted to our room by the concierge to a private wing of the hotel and arranged breakfast for 10am on the way. Awaiting us was a bottle of champagne on ice, chocolate dipped strawberries with cream, the Mal cd playing and a gift bag with candles, oils and other bath products, and a little hand written personalised card wishing us a very happy stay (which I was most impressed with!). Our suite had beautiful views over the court yard, water and even up to the castle (which you can partially see if you scramble over the bath and peer out of the window, not as complex as it sounds!). The bath was situated in a little annex of the main room, and possibly the best feature! Closely followed by the massive walk in shower with its own window and views of the court yard and water! The bed was possibly one of the most comfortable I have ever slept on! At 10am on the button, the suite door was knocked by the waiters. There were two of them…one carrying the champagne, and the other the massive wicker hampers which contained our breakfast. The breakfast was included in the price of our room but is advertised at a little under £12, and believe me it is more than worth it! There was cereal, milk, freshly squeezed orange juice, croissant, pain-au-chocolate, pre-segmented and peeled orange pieces, yoghurts with fresh berries and a large selection of conserves…and enough butter to do ANY singleton a week! And not to mention the champagne, which we didn’t even touch! All served in a wicker hamper with real plates and a napkin…and you get a hamper EACH! Far too much for one person…unless you are VERY hungry! Check out was 12 noon and believe me, possibly one of the most depressing moments of my life!
The only down point about the room...and the whole hotel was that it was quite warm, we had to keep the fan on all day and night. We even left it on when we went out for dinner in hopes that the room would be cooler on our return.
The only comment that is slightly negative towards the level of service (which was no doubt my own fault!) was on ordering a bottle of champagne from room service at 2am, the waiter arrived and entered our room despite my boyfriend attempting to ambush him…only to find me in the bath drinking the remainder of the existing champagne. Thankfully I was hanging over the side of the bath and not very visible. On noticing me he discreetly shuffled out of view. It was my thought that if you were ordering a bottle of champagne at 2am from room service…we weren’t going to be watching Sky Sports 1, fully dressed and twiddling our thumbs, perhaps that was my own naivety! It has made for a very humorous anecdote if anything!!
In response to a couple of comments about the cost of taxies to and from the town to the hotel…yes I totally agree that £7-£10 is a little pricey but I’d rather not walk, especially if it is raining! Reception will order the taxi for you (we never waited more than 5mins) and the taxi driver always opened the doors for us! A small gesture, but a very noted and welcome one at that! Mal has an agreement with a taxi company (which is why you get this level of service!!) and when stating that you are returning to the hotel, the same service is repeated. All in all it adds to, and makes you feel as though Mal has made the extra effort to make you feel that little bit more special!
We had the most wonderful weekend, in one of the most chic hotels I have ever stayed in. Pricey…yes! Worth every penny…WITHOUT A DOUBT!!!!!

I was really looking forward to staying at Malmaison as I'd read the reviews on here. However my husband and I were disappointed. We'd enjoyed a lovely night at The Scotsman a week before and spent the last night of our holiday in Scotland here. Our room was nice enough but it seemed to us that the trendy fixtures and fittings were all that was going for this hotel. Without them, this place would be nothing at all. It seemed as though it was somewhere to 'be seen' rather than somewhere that really was a quality place to be.
We had a nice dinner in the evening but for the price we paid, we could have enjoyed a great meal at a top restaurant in London.
In the morning we decided to have breakfast (£15 each) however the service was the worst I've ever encountered in a hotel. There simply weren't enough staff for the customers. All of the buffet ran out, there weren't enough staff to take your orders for tea or coffee nevermind breakfast. We asked a couple of times to order but after 20 minutes we left. Customers on all of the tables around us were experiencing the same problems. I heard a man from the table next to us ask a waitress very politely if he could order some coffee and she told him to go back to his seat and wait for someone to take his order - he'd already been there for about 15 mins.
When we went to check-out, they'd added £30 to our room bill for breakfast despite never ordering! When I explained, the charge was taken off. I also noticed during check-out that other people were complaining about the service and problems with their room. It seemed to be quite a common problem. It's not a terrible hotel but it's definitely not worth the money. Until they employ more staff, I'd stay somewhere else.