We stayed for 5 days in May/June '06, and the first 3 nights were fine, staying in room 5, which is on the street, which is quite noisy with traffic. The room also slopes slightly, which took some getting used to. The room and hotel seemed to be clean, a bit bigger than budget hotels in London, and the people pleasant.
The 4th night we had to change rooms, and were give room 7 at the back of the hotel, which also had nice views over Edinburgh toward the Firth of Forth, and was much quieter, though the tv did not get the range of channels that the one in room 5 got.
The fith night was a nightmare. When we arrived back at the hotel after a long day of sight seeing, the guy at the desk stopped us to ask us where we were going. We said to our room and he asked which it was, we replied #7, and he said no, we had to move rooms again, and we would be in room 5, and where was our luggage and the key to that room, as though we had it. It appeared that they had lost our luggage, were moving us for no reason, and didn't have a key for the room we were moving to, and blaming us for not having it - when they had it for the folks they put in the night before. Our luggage was finally located, however a room key was not. The 'porter' advised, when he finally got us into room 5 with his pass key that he would find the key and call us, before he brought it up to us - this never happened. We could not sleep for worrying that other guests (with the key) would show up at anytime and enter our room. We had to put a chair under the door knob to try to secure the room for the night. Very unhappy, unpleasant experience.

In a good location, but off a VERY busy road so can't sleep with windows open. Some staff rude, others OK (waiter was nice at breakfast). Walked up stairs with a very worn carpet to a cramped, uncomfortable and very dated room. Heard every noise, and could hear water rumbling through the pipes with every bath and shower in the hotel. Not worth the price -- could have paid £5 - £10 more a night for something much better and wish I had. Really unacceptable based on the description of the hotel. In fact, the hotel web site is VERY deceiving -- the rooms on the web site (and tourist information booklet) looks nothing like the room we stayed in, and is really false advertising.

We have stayed in hotels and B&Bs throughout the UK and Europe, and this is the most disappointing expereince we have had.

If you are staying here and you are two women please put something at your door at night.
Because the night porter he will use he's key to let anyone into your room... That's what happend to us.. Asleep in bed its about 04.00 a knock at the door call out "who's there" we could hear a man then he went off. About 15 min later the door was opened with a key..
Did we scream.... The night poter said he found the man drunk on the landing and he said that in was in room 11.. that was our room. The rest of the night we spent a wake worried. In the morning i said to the staff did you hear about last night.. she said yes l'm sorry but we have a sleep walking and he staying in room 18, I ask did the night porter know this she said yes so why the hell did he let him in our room???? She could'nt answer so please becareful...
Also the room's are dirty the staff smell of BO our room was so cold we went to bed with coats on.

We had two rooms, 17 and 13A. 17 is down two floors, by rear door to car park. Room is not huge but quite adequate. Bed was clean and comfortable, decor clean, neutral colours. Good heating which can be turned off. Bathroom campact but good shower, lots of hot water. New flat screen TV. There is a little noise from people coming thru back door, but this is locked at 6pm. 17 is one floor down, a bigger twin room, clean, neutral decor, comfortable, and quiet. Car Park only has ten spaces, and is quite tight, off back alley and a bit muddy but OK. Inc continental breakfast is adequate. Staff very friendly and helpfull. Stair carpet very worn in places but otherwise decor is fine. Rooms at front may pick up traffic noise, York Place can be a busy rd. 5 mins to city centre. This is not a chain hotel so don't expect Novotel etc, but it is fine for 3 star rating, and I have stayed in hotels not much better but twice price in London. I would stay at the Ballantrae again.