Six of us stayed at Channings for three nights whilst we attended a family wedding in Edinburgh.

A peaceful location, the front of the hotel overlooking the gardens and views of Fettes College. On street parking might be a little tiresome but no parking restrictions. Disabled access may be a problem as there are steps to the reception and the small lift only services ground to third floors, the restaurant and bar areas are in the basement with access by some steep steps. Our handicapped daughter was treated with great kindness by all the staff.

Reception staff knew us by name within hours, and this continued throughtout our stay with other members of staff. Nothing phased any of the staff, sorting taxis, maps etc. During the busy Bank holiday week-end the restaurant served an excellent breakfast and dinner, all staff here were totally on the ball. The bar closed when the last customer left! (No mini bars in the rooms thank goodness!).

We had a mixture of rooms. Try to book front rooms to get the views. Excellent furnishings, with good bathrooms and nice touches such as flat screen TV's, iron etc. The hotel is made up of five town houses, so there are some nice reception rooms which give it a wonderful 'homely' atmosphere.

Would return to stay here.

My partner and I stayed in the Channings for one night for a romantic stay in Edinburgh. We booked on the day, through the hotel and got a great rate for one of their new Shackleton suites. The staff couldn't do enough to help. The room was clean and luxurious with the most amazing bathroom - a "rain" shower and a roll top bath which were both fab.

Would definitely stay here again.

Watch Out - we booked our trip via a very reputable internet agency and when we arrived there was apparently no booking and no room. Interestingly we weren't the only people in this position as another couple trying to book themselves in at the same time as us had the same problem!

We were moved to their "sister" hotel - the 5* Howard which may be a nice hotel for single business travellers (particularly single middle-aged business men I suspect) but has absolutely no amenities and very limited public areas. It was not what we wanted particularly as the reason for booking Channings was that it is approx 50m from my sister's home.

Very disappointing but at least we know that there are 2 hotels off our potential accommodation list for Edinburgh in the future!

We were dropped off at the hotel by taxi (£16 from airport)and were able to leave our bags as we had arrived before check in and go and explore.

The staff were very friendly and couldnt have been more helpful. My boyfriend said it was THE best hotel he had stayed in purely because of the staff.

The bed was a double and slept very well despite on the second night some drunk people trying to get into their own room going "shoosh" to themeselves as only drunk people can.

We got room 46 on the second floor, looking out to the Georgian terraces of houses in the area. We were next to the lift but only heard it twice. The room was a good size, I booked through Octopus and got a good deal.

Castle - not worth going into £10 each and definitely avoid the restaurant there £21 for lunch that was barely edible.

Holyrood palace - good £8
but the separate exhibition of fans £5 not worth it unless thats your thing.

Scottish parliament buildings - free and worth a laught at the awful building.

Scottish museum - FREE and very good, was best part of trip.
Above all take good walking shoes as cobbles everywhere and a good raincoat with hood.

We had dinner at Zizzis (good italian restaurant, best to book as you go past in the afternoon).

The hotel is not in the middle of town so if you have mobility difficulties you may prefer something closer.

The breakfasts were Very good, choice of full cooked Scottish breakfast or make your own from the list eg 2 sausage, 2 bacon and a poached egg. Pastries, fresh fruit, juices, toast, tea coffee all very good.

Overall I enjoyed by break but this was due to the hotel and not the weather and Edinburgh itself. I wont be going again but I would recommend this hotel.