My partner and I booked a three-night stay in the Scotsman to celebrate Hogmanay. The building takes a little getting used to as it spans North Bridge and Market Street below. It was rather strange checking in and then going down to our room. It's worth mentioning that if you're coming in from Waverly Station there's an entrance and lift on Market street (although it's not well signed). If you intend to take the public stairs remember to pack a spare pair of lungs! Staff were friendly and polite although we did have to find our own way to the room. The room itself was very large and well furnished in a fairly modern (but not too minimalist) fashion. The bathroom was also large with high quality fittings. Generally there were some nice touches throughout including a heated bathroom mirror, under sink lighting, Molton Brown toiletries, a well stocked mini-bar and a service hatch to allow room service without disturbance. The bed was a good size and very comfortable and the linens and towels were all very high quality. Room service was prompt and although we only had a late night snack, it was of a good standard. Breakfast is served in the North Bridge Brasserie, which also doubles as a public bar and restaurant. Here the service was a bit patchy. On our first morning we were shown to our table and given the menus. Unfortunately the waitress didn’t think it would be prudent to return and take our order. After about twenty minutes, we had to call the waitress over to give her the order. Another twenty minutes passed with no sign of breakfast. The couple on the adjacent table began complaining to the waitress that their order of toast hadn’t turned up. I could appreciate their concern about the service as we discovered they were due to eat in the Brasserie for Hogmanay dinner at £125 a head! When my “Full Scottie” did arrive it was pretty good as was the rest of the buffet. When the waitress asked us if we had enjoyed our meal and I told her that the service wasn’t up to much she said “Sorry, but it’s Hogmanay!” That’s right! That’s the reason the room was £330 a night, £100 more than normal! It’s fair to say that the following mornings breakfast was a distinct improvement, although the waiter did initially give our breakfasts to someone else. We also ate in the Brasserie one evening but here the service was very good, as was the food. The Escape Health Club was excellent with a very atmospheric pool area. The steam room was particularly useful after baking in the December sunshine in Holyrood Park (the rain really does go sideways!). The Cow Shed was a real gem, which has been very well thought out. I had the Pampered Cow delivered by a masseuse who’s t-shirt proclaimed “Dirty Cow”. I didn’t like to ask. The whole experience of the hotel and spa was a good one but it was overpriced and a little freyed about the edges. As for the lift? I recommend taking the stairs. Life’s too short!

What a fantastic hotel!
I had arranged a surprise weekend for my girlfriend and myself - we flew up from London for a weekend in Edinburgh. The Scotsman had been highly recommended by our chauffeur service (and had good ratings on Trip Advisor) so I booked a deluxe room, which turned out to be wonderful. Quite important, really, as I was proposing on this weekend (she said 'yes', by the way!). The hotel lived up to all expectations.
The building itself was formerly the head offices of the Scotsman newspaper, and holds an imposing position on Edinburgh's North Bridge. If you can, book a 'turret' room overlooking the city - the views from the windows are amaxing! The hand made bed was probably the most comfortable I've ever slept in, with a very impressive quilt (I have been shopping for a similar one since!). Rooms have a 'privacy' hatch, so room service deliveries can take place without unneccessary interruption. The much raved about Molten Brown bathroom 'freebies' were very well received by the new fiancee.
Overall, the room we had was spacious, very well designed, and had all mod cons, including a high tech combined TV and Hi-Fi system.
Our evening meal in the trendy North Bridge Brasserie on a Saturday night was fun - the downstairs bar was really buzzing, and food was of an excellent standard. Staff were friendly and as helpful as one could wish for.
Also not to be missed is the unique stainless steel swimming pool, and great spa centre.
Go on - spoil yourself!

My fiance and i have stayed at the scotsman on three different occassions and each time we are just overwhelmed at how wonderful this place is. On our first stay we got a complimentary upgrade, on our second stay we thought our room was a tad small so they upgraded us to the third best room in the hotel! Rooms are luxurious with bath robes, molten brown toiletries and speakers for the tv/dvd in the bathroom! You trully feel like royalty when you stay here and even if only for one night you go home feeling completly refreshed.
The staff are extremly friendly especially the concierge boys who will go to every length to make your stay pleasurable.
To top it all off the health spa is one of its kind, individual tv's on each piece of gym equipment and a tranquil stainless steel pool, sauna, tropicarium, jacuzzi, steam room and tropical and artic showers.
If its good enough for mike stipe(rem), pink, justin timberlake and travis its good enough for me!

My wife and I stayed in this hotel in June and I will say this with all honesty: It is by far the worst 5 star hotel I've ever came across.
Where do I start? As other reviewers stated, the heat in the small overpriced room we had was unbearable. The 'full Scottish breakfast' was a joke. One tiny vegetarian sausage, a teaspoon of scrambled egg and three mushrooms. The smallest jug of milk you can imagine (maybe 4-5 teaspoonsful in it) was all we had for our coffee and two bowls of cereal. We had to phone down and ask for more and were given a small carton that had been already opened!
The food in their overpriced Brasserie was bland and the service terrible. We got the salad we ordered with our sweet! Oh yes, and our window, that didn't open, had lovely views of...a roof covered in pigeon dirt!
The only positive thing I can say about this hotel is that the staff were pleasant, especially the man at the front door.
This should definitely not be a 5 star hotel. I complained to the hotel afterwards and no one was really interested.
Due to their location they will always get custom but believe me, avoid this hotel if you can.