Rated 3.0 out of 5.0 by Jude1967 GREAT LOCATION FOR ZOO AND TRAVELLING INTO EDINBURGH
Everything looked nice in the hotel on arrival. At reception the lady explained that my two 11 year olds would have to eat from the childrens buffet menu...chicken nuggets, chips etc. I asked for them to be able to eat of the adult carvery buffet as dont tend to eat nuggets, fish fingers etc. Was told yes that would be fine but it would be an extra £6.95 each for them. Even though I had paid for dinner bed and breakfast for us all.
I must admit, that did annoy me as when I booked, I booked for dinner b&b. We ate in the restaurant, the carvery was cold, none of the food looked appetising and the staff behind the carvery were very disinterested in helping or changing the food that was finished. I certainly wouldnt have wanted to pay and extra £13 odd pound for my children to have the pleasure of eating up dried out food.
The deserts were dried out and looked like they had been on display far too long. The waiting staff were very attentive when they finally realised we were waiting for a table.
The breakfast was buffet and very nice. The views from the restaurant are outstanding.
Overall the food was disappointing but the hotel is very handy for what we wanted, to visit the zoo. It would be perfect location for parents with young children
The rooms, swimming pool etc were fine. The pool is small but adequate for children to have a swim and splash about. It was I must say full of children. Which was fine for us, however if no children with you and imagining a relaxing swim...mmm...No its not that type of pool. Well, not in the school holidays anyway.
Hotel was clean and tidy.
I didnt in the end get charged for the childrens meals as the waiters at the restaurant did not seem bothered where the children ate from. However be aware you may be charged for your childrens meals if they dont wish to eat nuggets etc.
May 7, 2013
Rated 4.0 out of 5.0 by wishaz Cheeky Wee Break!
Had very good stay staff all very friendly and helpful. The hotel was very busy as it was school holidays but on arrival we were upgraded to an executive room without asking, most impressed. We didnt use the pool as there was a booking system in place because it was so busy, that was the only disappointment. Breakfast was very good a large choice of hot and cold foods all fresh and there was plenty space in the dining room. All in all a very good stay.
May 2, 2013
Rated 5.0 out of 5.0 by Lucysgran A Good Weekend Away
Thoroughly enjoyed our stay in clean, comfortable surroundings with staff who couldn't have been more helpful and good food.
Just 2 'niggles' - the enormous cost for broadband - don't mind paying, but reasonable rates. Secondly the system for breakfast, price is reasonable for the excellent full breakfast, but very expensive for just coffee and toast!
May 1, 2013
Rated 2.0 out of 5.0 by charlie101 Disappointing stay
Stayed overnight at this hotel as my daughter had an interview at Napier University the next morning and it saved time getting to the interview early morning.
We didn't book any meals there so cannot comment about the food. We considered the Chinese restaurant in the hotel but the menu was limited and pricey so we went across the road to the Chinese restaurant there which was fantastic.
The room was basic standard. Unlike other Holiday Inns there was no shower gel/ soap dispensers and the tiniest piece of soap was present in the bathroom so thank goodness we had taken our own.
We did not use the leisure facilities so cannot comment on that.
The real frustrating part of this stay was the particularly bad service of a receptionist who i had asked to book a taxi for my daughter to take her to the University. We requested a time allowing her to get there in plenty of time for her interview. We arrived downstairs 5 minutes before the booked time and checked with the other drivers already there if their taxi was for us but they were for other customers and each driver that arrived at the hotel subsequently was not for us also. Five minutes after our booked time I went back to reception to check if the booking was made and frustratingly it had not been made. No excuse! There had been no one else at reception when we requested the booking so why such bad service? We managed to get her into a taxi which had no booking. The driver said this particular hotel is notorious for not booking taxis. Take heed! Stressful start to the day for my daughter. Not happy.
Hotel is ideal situation if you want to visit the zoo but the gibbons provide a wake up call very early in morning.
April 29, 2013
Rated 5.0 out of 5.0 by Adamk13 Great Visit
I was using the Holiday in as i had a wedding to attend in the zoo. The place was great, staff very plesent and welcoming. Room was really clean and i loved the bed. Place would be recommended to friends
April 29, 2013
Rated 5.0 out of 5.0 by Angrob great service and friendly staff
Definitely recommend this hotel. Stayed one night for our daughters 2nd birthday before visiting the zoo next door. We used the swimming pool in the evening which was very clean. Buffet breakfast was great and set us up for the day. Staff were very friendly, especially the restaurant staff at breakfast. Great bus links into city centre. Details of bus service were provided by reception on request. Room was very spacious and clean and having ceebeebies available on tv was ideal for us.
April 28, 2013
Rated 5.0 out of 5.0 by Hat73 Best place in edinburgh
Great value for money and fantastic family hotel, a bus ride away from city centre
April 28, 2013
Rated 5.0 out of 5.0 by fayemuff great experience
This hotel was brilliant and excellent value for money. Extremely helpful staff but just a bit disappointed not to come across ANY Scottish staff, they were all foreign, albeit nice though.
My only criticism would be that we had to queue each time at reception for long periods of time as they seemed very busy and short staffed.
Overall great. Would definately recommend and we will be back!!
April 27, 2013
Rated 5.0 out of 5.0 by bobby1290 Great location for Zoo, great facilities
Right next door to Zoo, Indoor heated pool and other facilities were great, and well maintained.
Meal in Bar was very good, reasonable priced.
Room excellent and comfy bed.
Breakfast was very good, great choice.
well worth it
April 25, 2013
Rated 5.0 out of 5.0 by Lor0211 Edinborough weekend
Comfortable rooms great service, convenient bus service to centre and airport. Extremely convenient for zoo. Only had breakfast but was to high standard. The only thing they could do was to have a fridge and perhaps a safe in the room which other holiday inns we have stayed in have. View from our room was of the car park but the view from the restaurant was good
April 21, 2013
Rated 5.0 out of 5.0 by Rannochrambler Great family hotel
We booked a family room for a weekend break. The key reason for choosing this hotel was the swimming pool and the proximity to the zoo. The room was very clean and comfortable - the bed was big (king size) and firm, and there was a choice of soft or firm pillows. The shower was good - powerful with lots of hot water - and it was quiet, despite being a Saturday night. The staff were very helpful and friendly, and after a foot-sore day tramping round Edinburgh, we had a wonderful two hours in the pool, jacuzzi and sauna. The only negative point about the latter was the radio station being played in the background, which was definitely aimed at people about 30 years younger than us! Our breakfast the next morning was also very good. We would highly recommend this hotel for a family break.
April 19, 2013
Rated 4.0 out of 5.0 by FionaM staff very helpful, lovely pool & friendly beautician
I stayed in the holiday inn, at Edinburgh zoo for 2 nights during the school hols on a dinner bed & breakfast rate, twin room. The room was very warm at night, and we had some touble sleeping the first night. The restaurant was fab, with all the staff being very friendly. The service was excellent. The pool area was very clean, the staff again were really friendly & helpful, and my daughter had a beauty treatment, The beautician, like other staff, was really friendly.
The room was a little disappointing, it was fairly small, but very clean with good facilities. All in all a great break, and i will return.
April 19, 2013
Rated 5.0 out of 5.0 by maggy09 fantastic birthday break
I booked this as a secret escape for my daughters 16th birthday for a break away with spa treatment and was pleased when I found out it was the Holiday Inn and was very more that pleased with the price. Having never stayed in this chain before I didn’t know what to expect, our experience was absolutely amazing. When I emailed The hotel to find out some information and mentioned it was a trip for my daughters birthday they went out of their way to call me to confirm the booking and with prices and information on spa treatments available, when we arrived they had left a birthday card and gift in our room for my daughter, this was so unexpected and much appreciated, she was over the moon. We ate in the carvery and it was fantastic, the food was beautiful and the staff very helpful and friendly. The breakfast was great too loads of variety. Our room was very spacious and comfortable and the hotel is spotlessly clean. All staff are very helpful and accommodating, the best part was the spa, pool and sauna, we loved this and used it a lot, it was the most relaxing break I’ve ever had and will definitely return soon.
A very big thanks to all Staff at the Holiday Inn Edinburgh for making my daughters 16th and unforgettable one for her and myself.
April 18, 2013
Rated 4.0 out of 5.0 by Jam50 Good Hotel near the zoo
We stayed here for 2 nights in 2 rooms 2 adults & 2 teenagers. I asked for 2 rooms next to each other in a quiet part of the hotel which was at the back overlooking the car park & the rooms were fine, quiet with no noise & great blackout curtains for a good sleep. No fridge which we could have done with & take your own hair dryer as though they provide one in the drawer it is ok for men but not us ladies -not powerful enough & no nozzle for direction. Did not eat here as too expensive for breakfast & evening meal for 4 as my kids to old for deal of £29.99 for 2 adults & 2 meals for children under 10 or 12 years I think..
Car park free until 10am when zoo opens then you have to pay then free again after about 5pm there are some spaces that are for free all the time but they are mostly taken & tight to get into if you have a big car ok in a mini or Peugeot 205 etc.....
Overall a good hotel would stay again. Pool and gym far too small. The pool needs to be bigger.we had to book to go in the pool which we did but in my opinion it is only big enough for 12 people & there were about 26 people in there - far too many for the size of it so only stopped in for 10 mins as couldn't do anything.
I tried to ring to book into the pool from my room but the phone did not work so I walked down 4 flights of stairs to book - but I do like exercise. The lifts are small says fit 7 people but 4 is more realistic.
Reception staff though efficient at check in & check out were not forthcoming with information unless asked specific questions & no information in the rooms. You can get into the zoo half price after 3pm if staying here but no one tells you this & it is not advertised anywhere.
The are bus stops right outside the hotel which take you into Edinburgh. The beds are comfortable we had 2 rooms with kingsize beds which were great. Good hotel but leisure facilities need to be better.
Enjoyed our stay there but we ate out for breakfast, lunch & evening meals so can't comments food only it was expensive.
Did not really acknowledge my priority club membership I have received vouchers for 10 per cent off the restaurant bill in other holiday inns but nothing offered here although I did get the rooms cheaper through priority membership
April 16, 2013
Rated 5.0 out of 5.0 by Helen12 Everything 5*
We have two children. It was the best low-mid range hotel we have used. Swimming facilities were good room was immaculate and food was great for the girls. They loved the view from the room over the zoo. Absolutely five star could not recommend it highly enough. We had the panda package which ,are our visit to the zoo effortless
April 16, 2013
Rated 2.0 out of 5.0 by Demi777 Very rude staff
Me and my mother took a trip to Edinburgh for my birthday in April 2013. We stayed in this hotel due to it's close proximity to the zoo. The hotel itself was clean but very aged. The pool area was lovely as were the staff around the pool. The bar staff were lovely and very hospitable. However, MOST staff in the restaurants were very very rude. This completely tainted the trip as we had breakfast and evening meals both nights of our stay.
April 15, 2013
Rated 2.0 out of 5.0 by alan3 Service, food and cleanliness could be better
Food was lukewarm. At the time we arrived children's food was extremely poor. Very little left of anything. Pasta dried up, a handfull of chips etc. Chef filled them up after we were finished! I felt dining room service could have been sharper. My daughter was finished before we ordered drinks! There was dust and a couple of hairs at the edge of the bath and one glass had toothpaste in the bottom of it!! I took this to reception the following morning. I have never experienced anything like this before and certainly wouldn't have expected it in this hotel! It was very disappointing.
We also had to book a slot to go swimming. Again I have never experienced this before. Although very disappointing I can understand for healthy and safety however the reasons for doing so.
April 14, 2013
Rated 5.0 out of 5.0 by Keith9 Extremely handy for the Zoo and on major bus route to city centre
We were extremely satisfied with this hotel. Comfort, service and facilities all high quality, plus on a major bus route to the city centre which was efficient and reasonably priced.
April 14, 2013
Rated 5.0 out of 5.0 by Mightygers Fantastic Family Break
We enjoyed a 2 day break visiting the zoo and all the staff were very friendly and helpful. The breakfast and evening meals were super and the rooms were just right.
We will certainly be back to stay at this hotel again in the future.
April 13, 2013
Rated 5.0 out of 5.0 by Panda13 Nice Break
We enjoyed our stay and had a great time at Edinburgh. We will definitely be back in the near future. Can't resist the panda's and we enjoy the quality and comfort of the hotel. My son especially loves the swimming pool, jacuzzi and sauna.
April 13, 2013
Rated 4.0 out of 5.0 by Marie62 Comfortable
Room was clean and tidy but very small hardly any room at one side of the bed to step out if you were half asleep you would have bumped the wall.
April 12, 2013
Rated 5.0 out of 5.0 Family stay - the way it should be done - superb!!!
Absolute superb visit. Stayed one night to visit the Edinburgh zoo. Every member of staff was friendly (polite & friendly, balloon & high fives for the kids, informative & helpful). Parking was great - actually in the zoo car park. Room was perfect. Used the pool & hot-tub with my daughter, stayed up late & the set-up was very child friendly with nice bars and food and open plan- with a cracking view. had nice pictures & pencils to keep kids occupied. Breakfast was world class! Location is 2nd to none for the zoo & we nipped into the city centre & back with a 5 minute cab- couldnt fault anything - quite the opposite, hence why ive taken time to write the review - give praise when its due and these guys all delivered, great effort. keep it up.
April 11, 2013
Rated 3.0 out of 5.0 by hokkeysmokey uncomfortable dining.
It was a beautiful night when we stayed at the hotel, but unfortunately there were no blinds in the restaurant which meant that the sun was glaring through onto our table. It seems a petty thing to complain about but the 6 children in our party were feeling ill with the heat by the middle of the meal, and half our party were sitting into the sun which made it very difficult to see.
April 11, 2013
Rated 5.0 out of 5.0 by Wigansmoggy Outstanding stay
On a 3 night break with family (4 adults and 2 kids). Rooms were perfect size. Bathroom was a little dated but everything was spotless and cleaned/tidied every day.
Staff were exceptional across whole hotel. We used all of the areas of the hotel, so dealt with a wide range of staff. EVERY member of staff we spoke to is an absolute credit to the Holiday Inn. Nothing was ever too much and they make the hotel such an outstanding experience. Very family friendly and staff went out of their way to make sure the kids were happy.
We were on a DBB rate so ate in the restaurant every night. Food was excellent and enough variety each night to satisfy all tastes. Breakfast was vast and plenty of everything available. Hotel was busy (half term), although this didn't cause us any problems.
Excellent location with a bus stop directly outside of the hotel. Only a 15 min bus ride onto Princess St.
An outstanding stay in every sense! Many thanks!!
April 11, 2013
Rated 4.0 out of 5.0 by Sueh9 Easter break
We enjoyed our 3 nights at the hotel. The staff are excellent, friendly and open and always trying to help. The hotel is well placed for the Zoo and Airport and we really enjoyed the range of facilities on offer. Breakfast was good - lots of choice, but the evening meal was a little disappointing.
April 10, 2013
Rated 5.0 out of 5.0 by SteveE Fantastic!
Ok, so me and my partner stay away a lot, we've tried many different hotels at different prices along the way. Now this was my first experience of a Holiday Inn, they aren't the cheapest hotels, nor are they the most expensive either. I have to say from check in until check out, I was not let down once and my expectations were surpassed.
Check in was cheerful, friendly and quick even with people coming in at the same time, the staff prioritize you rather than staring at a computer or taking a call. MASSIVE brownie points here. We also asked a lot of questions about local places / bus routes all sorts to be frank and they were so helpful, not to mention giving you a ticket that tells you bus prices, route numbers, times etc. Obviously they put this together themselves. So again HUGELY impressed.
The room was modern, warm, immaculate and fab amenities at hand. The TV was an LG 40" flatty with a decent selection of channels that actually worked as well! The hotel also has gym , swimming pool and on site beauty treatments you can use and purchase massages etc. The pool and gym are inclusive.
Ok so onto the breakfast..... I am not exaggerating when I say this was one of the BEST I have eaten, full stop. There was a selection of full English, pastries, cereal, pancakes, fruit, meats, you name it they have it. I had the full English and croissants, it was fresh, tasty superbly cooked and not batch cooked so there was too much and it went nasty like a lot of hotels have problems with. It was that good, it makes me wish this hotel was local so I could go and get a weekend fry up!
Service every step of the way was superb, no miserable or unhappy rude staff. Well engaged and accommodating with every contact we made. We had treatments at the Spa, good value and highly recommend the hot stones massage. Totally relaxed me and took the stress away from normal life!
I cannot stress how good this hotel is and trust me when I say, you will not regret a stay here.
Holiday Inn you just found yourselves two new repeat customers! Oh and before I forget to mention we signed up to their priority club (no fee!) which also allowed us to stay in hotel room until 2pm, with no further charge . We will also begin collecting points with the group, smashing!
April 9, 2013
Rated 4.0 out of 5.0 by Scafell Friendly staff, but shame about drink prices
The staff were very friendly and the facilities were very good for what we paid. They made my little'un feel very welcome.
It's a shame therefore, that Holiday Inn feel the need to charge £3.00 for a cup of tea, why?
April 8, 2013
Rated 5.0 out of 5.0 by Degsy Wedding Venue Visit
We stayed here on bank holiday Monday as we were visiting our wedding venue at the Vu in Bathgate.
We arrived and it was pretty busy with all the schools being off and it being next door to Edinburgh zoo.But was greeted by a very helpful and polite lady on reception. Check in was dealt with very swiftly and we were giving plenty of info about breakfast and use of the leisure facilities (they advised us on booking the swimming pool straight away as it was very busy).
We got up to our room which was very spacious a little dated with some of the furniture but the big flat screen tv was a bonus. The room was very clean and tidy and the bed was comfortable enough.
We then headed down to the gym which was pretty big with plenty of machines to use. We then headed for a swim, sauna & jacuzzi which even though it was a busy hotel we were able to use with ease and they were all top notch.
Breakfast the next day was busy but again we were able to get everything we needed relatively quickly and the choice was excellent full english, cereal, pancakes & toast. Pot of tea was served to our table whilst we were about getting our breakfast. Staff were all very helpful and quick at cleaning up the tables.
Overall a very good stay couldn't fault it. Me and my fiancee would definately stay again. Maybe go to the zoo next time.
April 8, 2013
Rated 3.0 out of 5.0 by Nanakins A different holiday inn experience
Having stayed at holiday inn's before and been very impressed with the quality and standard of service, room and dining experience I was looking forward to my stay at the Edinburgh holiday inn and of course a visit to the zoo. The room and service were great but the quality of food I felt was below standard, the evening meal was carvery and in my experience was cold and unappetising.
April 8, 2013
Rated 5.0 out of 5.0 by Bloomer84 Edinburgh Corstorphene
The hotel was one of the best I have ever stayed in. The cleanliness was impeccable and the complementary items were top quality. The sleep was silent and very comfortable and the staff were very friendly and helpful. The food was top quality.
The distance to the Zoo is simply a stones throw away and overall the experience was made that much more special.
April 5, 2013