Perfectly located for exploring both the medieval and Georgian parts of the central city directly across from the train station - everything within walking distance, including tourist information & internet access directly across the road. Good spread for breakfast and good dinner menu. Lovely view from the evening dining room over the old city. Fantastic view of the castle at night. Rooms were very big - lots of room to spread out and enjoy your stay, but the beds were very hard and uncomfortable. Tartan carpets for that extra Scottish touch. Very comfortable armchairs in the room, as well as hot chocolate & shortbread supplied in addition to the normal tea & coffee. The lift is very small and does not go to all floors, so be prepared to lug your suitcases up a flight or two. Staff were very helpful, but with only one person manning the reception there was no-one available to help with luggage.

I had a two night stay at this hotel with two girlfriends (in our 40s!) for a girlie/retail therapy break, from 21-23 April 08. We were pleasantly surprised with the hotel as we had it had a real bargain price. We had a triple room and a bathroom which was clean and tidy. Tea and coffee was also provided in the room. It was a bit noisy at the front of the hotel overlooking the Waverly and Princes Mall, but this soon died down once rush hour was over. Overall, clean, good breakfast and the staff are extremely polite and friendly. Drinks in the bar quite expensive but I guess all hotel prices are. Centrally positioned to walk easily to Holyrood House and the Royal Mall and also the Shopping Mall and main Princes Street where the hotel is situated. They also stored our bags pre and after check-in/out without hassle. All in all definitely recommended for a short stay.

I stayed at the Royal British for two nights in May whilst visiting a colleague in Edinburgh. I needed a place that was centrally located, where a single woman would feel safe, and that was not too dear. The Royal British filled those needs well. The hotel is literally across the street from Edinburgh Waverley station. I now know how I could have reached street level without climbing stairs with all my bags (walk along the platforms and up the taxi ramp). Cross Princes Street, and you're there. The check-in procedure was straightforward. The room was a twin; ample for one person. Wireless internet access was free and fast. The television service had extra channels, although I did not use them. The bath was clean and the shower worked well. The decor is a little dated but fine--the photo on the hotel website shows it well. I got the hotel continental breakfast at ?6.50 extra, as I was a bit pressed for time. For this, one gets coffee or tea, juices, fruits, cereals, yogurts, bakery rolls, hot toast, and cheese and ham if desired. The quality was good and it was convenient. The staff were very helpful about giving directions. The only small snag was that I was charged one day for a full Scottish breakfast instead of the continental; when I pointed this out, the bill was immediately corrected. The Royal British would not be my dream destination for a honeymoon, but it was just what I needed last weekend, and I will return.

The hotel location is fantastic, it couldn't be better! The sightseeing buses are right outside your doorstep and so is the Waverley train station. I took the door to door bus from the airport which cost me ?9.00 and was a 20-25 min ride, but on my return, I took the bus from Waverley Bridge (across the hotel) which cost me ?3.00. Both options worked just fine. The Royal British Hotel is a very old hotel, but this did not put me off. In fact, I liked the thought of being in an old hotel in a very old city - that is what being in Edinburgh is about. The rooms have everything you need, it was a little more than basic (complimentary toiletries and tea/coffee), but that's not what I was after. As long as the room was clean and doors secured - that was all I needed and got it! One plus was that I was given a room with a balcony facing Edinburgh Castle and Princes Street without any requests in advance (But do contact the hotel if you wish to have a room facing these sights.) I was pleased with breakfast as well as room service. Since I was on my own, I did not want to go downstairs and eat all by myself and I was glad to know that breakfast could be brought up to your room if you filled in the "Breakfast Room Service" form and hang outside your door before 3AM. There are a few choices, but portions were massive! For example, I ticked 2 teas thinking that they would be in small plastic tubs (like ones they have in the room), but instead, I got 2 small jugs! As for the fruit selection, you get a whole basket! And for ONE croissant with butter and preserves, they serve TWO croissants, 3 butters and 6 preserves! It only shows that they wants their guests to have more rather than less and its a good thing! I also had room service for dinner and it was the exact same thing, excellent presentation! Accomodation is somewhat pricey considering that there are other cheaper options in the city, but what can get more centrally located than this? Plus, if you book far in advance, you are likely to get a good deal. As for the staff, I would like to thank them for being so helpful all throughout my stay. I have read some bad reviews with regards to this, but from my experience, I can say that they have been very polite especially the receptionist who was always smiling and happy! Overall, I did enjoy my stay at this hotel and will definitely stay here once again. I will also recommend this hotel to others if they wish to explore the city of Edinburgh.