The Clarendon Hotel, Edinburgh

25-33 Shandwick Place, Edinburgh, EH2 4RG

 

__rating

3

A renovated hotel situated in the city centre, near Princes Street, the hotel is an ideal choice for business and leisure travellers. Located on Shandwick Plac... more

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8/10 Overall rating

Category Average Rating
8/10 Check-in process
8/10 Your room
8/10 Working order of facilities / equipment
8/10 Order and cleanliness of the hotel
7/10 Performance of staff
8/10 Overall experience
8/10 Overall value for money
  • 5/10 Anonymous ( Young couple) 

    on  July 1, 2008

    "Overall the stay at the clarendon was average. It was not too expensive for edinburgh prices but way too expensive for the quality of the hotel. If i was to goto edinburgh again i would consider a more expensive and hopefuly therefore better hotel." (108026835)

    The check in process was very good, as soon as we arrived the staff at the hotel knew we had booked and directed us to our room. Location was'nt too bad either, just across the road to princess street. They give you a discount card for the parking which is supposed to be 20% but it's still costly.

    There was no car park at the hotel and the nearest is down the street approx 500 yards away which is not secure parking and costs £15 a night. The room was VERY VERY basic and in need of serious modernisation, wallpaper in the room was scratched and ripped in some places, brown flowery throw on the bed and an itchy blanket underneath. When we got a taxi back to it on our night out the taxi driver laughed and asked why we would stay in a hotel like that, we did not get an explanation as to why he said it but it did not sound good. The outside of the hotel was a bit grubby too, a small window and door which was dirty with a small sign. luckily a local man pointed the hotel out to us or we might have been walking with our bags for a while longer.

    5 of 5 people found this review helpful:

  • 7/10 Anonymous ( Same sex couple) 

    on  August 27, 2008

    "Good stay. Centrally located at the end of Princes Street.Breakfast was good and set us up for the day. The hotel seemeed a bit'tired' in some areas but overall it was to an adequate standard. Staff were friendly and polite although they couldn't find me any Earl Grey tea bags!Overall a good stay." (107225519)

    Friendly, corteous staff.Room was clean.Beds comfortable.

    Shower leaked so bathroom floor became a lake. I did mention it to hotel and they were grateful for my comments and promised to put it right. Bedlinen clean but bedspread had unsavoury looking mark onit which put me off slightly.

    1 of 1 people found this review helpful:

  • 6/10 L c ( Same sex couple) 

    from Kirkham , GB  on  August 21, 2008

    "OK A little over priced for size of room" (107100027)

    Very pleasant staff

    Directions failed to mention you cannot drive to hotel (bus, taxis & bike route) so spent wasted time trying to negotiate diversions etc.

    1 of 1 people found this review helpful:

  • 7/10 Anonymous ( Mature couple) 

    on  August 12, 2008

    "One night stay for Tattoo--room very expensive at £150 but thats the market at that time. Room clean and comfortable though" (108002857)

    Location excellent

    Traffic noise from main street outside. Also Church clock chiming all night. Fire alarm went off also with unimpressive attention at evacuation. Limited facilities

    1 of 1 people found this review helpful:

  • 7/10 Sheila ( Solo leisure traveller) 

    from London ontario , CA  on  August 9, 2008

    Staff was excellent, very happy and helpful.

    We suffered many sleepless nights due to very very uncomfortable beds.

    1 of 1 people found this review helpful:

  • 8/10 Anonymous ( Same sex couple) 

    on  August 9, 2008

    "pleasant stay..recommended" (107255278)

    friendly staff...clean hotel...excellent location in relation to castle/city centre...20% off secure carparking

    although room nicely decorated there were bulges in the wall covered with wallpaper to hide it...looks cheaply done....plug wire from tv stretched to socket...looks unprofessionally done..no need

    1 of 1 people found this review helpful:

  • 9/10 Anonymous ( Young couple) 

    on  August 5, 2008

    "We are satisfied and happy of the service.We are going to recommend your place to our other friends who are planning to visit edinburgh." (107115157)

    All the staff are excellent, very helpful, courteous and trust worthy. The place is walking distance from the castle, park and high street.

    The curtains and bed cover needs updating the colors.

    1 of 1 people found this review helpful:

  • 7/10 Kelly ( Same sex couple) 

    from South shields , GB  on  August 1, 2008

    "Fair but not bad for money paid." (108037592)

    Room was adequate, good location for Princes street and buses to the zoo etc. Staff friendly and helpful. Breakfast was good.

    Very noisy on a night time and early morning due to location. Very heavy traffic on road. Woken up at 4.45am by delivery van to newsagent across the road. Decor fairly dated and very 'bumpy' bedroom floor. Waited 45 mins for iron and ironing board to arrive in room.

    1 of 1 people found this review helpful:

  • 8/10 Anonymous ( Mature couple) 

    on  July 19, 2008

    "OK, definately stayed in much worse hotels." (97784360)

    Clean & tidy, central location

    Heating set too high, others may not think so.

    1 of 1 people found this review helpful:

  • 7/10 Robert ( Mature couple) 

    from Cary, nc , US  on  June 8, 2008

    "Hotel was convenient location and reasonable accomodattion; staff addressed the normal things they were comfortable doing, but made no effort to resolve the parking issue. Parking cost undermined the good value of the hotel price. " (97232724)

    --room was clean --good mattress --good breakfast; on time --hotel close to downtown; easy access to downtown area --Free Internet

    --no parking provided by hotel; closest available parking was at car park about 5 min away. Cost of parking was 18 pounds per 24 hour period. Hotel claimed an arrangement for 20% discount (they punch a parking voucher in the hotel office with a machine provided by the car park company which is supposed to reduce the fee when checking out of the parking lot). The system didn't work; had to pay full parking fee. Hotel made no effort to resolve the problem; no attendants on duty at the parking deck when we checked out so no opportunity to resolve the issue. --Hotel is in an area of town that is under construction--main street in front of hotel entrance in long term project that will take several years to complete. Neither the directions at booking nor hotel staff (when called them on phone) made any mention of this issue. This was a difficult problem when arriving at night as we did. --shower very hard to adjust the water temperature; --Room quite small to handle luggage for two people

    4 of 4 people found this review helpful:

  • 7/10 Brian ( Solo business traveller) 

    from Birkenhead, merseyside , GB  on  June 6, 2008

    Convenient Location - it is suffering at present from the proximity of the major works for the new tram system in the city

    room was a bit 'tired' and only just qualified as a double!but the bed was comfortable

    3 of 3 people found this review helpful:

  • 8/10 Anonymous ( Mature couple) 

    on  June 19, 2008

    "good except for roadworks" (97460894)

    room comfotable, staff very helpful, breakfasts very good

    no parking. unfortunately road hotel was in was closed due to work for tramway systemn

    1 of 1 people found this review helpful:

  • 9/10 Roger ( Mature couple) 

    from Darlington , GB  on  July 29, 2008

    "very good my wife had a wonderful time looking forward to going back" (108096746)

    very lucky with the weather,Edinbrugh is a wanderful city witha good nite life for young and old

    2 of 3 people found this review helpful:

  • 8/10 Anonymous ( Young couple) 

    on  June 30, 2008

    "ENJOYABLE" (97191626)

    CLEAN HOTEL, NICE STAFF, GOOD BREAKFAST.

    ROOMS WERE EXTREMELY SMALL, ALMOST CLAUSTROPHOBIC, HAD TO OPEN A WINDOW TO GET ENOUGH AIR.

  • 9/10 David ( Young couple) 

    from Durham , GB  on  June 24, 2008

    "Would give it 4/5 for the overall stay. Cant ask for more. Nice Hotel" (108095028)

    Excellent Service, easy check-in, very clean hotel and nice room

    Room decor slightly old fashioned, not to my taste but possibly to others.

  • 7/10 Anonymous ( Solo business traveller) 

    on  June 17, 2008

    breakfast good location very good

    decor a bit dated e.g some carpets

  • 9/10 Anonymous ( Solo leisure traveller) 

    on  April 11, 2008

    Good hotel. Near of the center of the town.

    3 of 3 people found this review helpful:

  • 7/10 Karen ( Solo business traveller) 

    from Lincoln , GB  on  April 16, 2008

    "Good central location within walking distance for Waverley Station and on bus routes. Clean and comfortable. Dining room very spacious and aesthetically pleasing. Loved the high ceilings." (97065800)

    It was very clean and comfortable and spacious for a single room. I liked the high ceiling.

    The outlook from the room was poor (? typical for a single room) and it was unsafe to have the window open as it opened directly onto a flat roof and fire escape access. The bathroom floor became dangerous slippery with the slightest drop of water and the surfacing needs urgent consideration.

    1 of 1 people found this review helpful:

  • 8/10 Robert gary ( Mature couple) 

    from Bothwell , GB  on  June 3, 2008

    "Most enjoyable weekend. Would recommend to others." (97872301)

    Great location, no fuss check-in, pleasant staff, enjoyable short stay.

    Breakfast reasonable.

  • 6/10 Anonymous ( Young couple) 

    on  April 14, 2008

    "Nice staff. Good central location. Noisy road works and closed road in front of the hotel, nobody told us before our arrival. Dirty laundry and stinky trash bags in the corridor of our room until evening." (97686883)

    Staff at check in. Good central location.

    Until evening lot of dirty laundry and stinky trash bags in the corridor of our room. Noisy road works in front of the hotel- street closed and nobody informed us before our arrival.

    1 of 1 people found this review helpful:

  • 7/10 Anonymous ( Solo leisure traveller) 

    on  May 24, 2008

    Quick check-in. Nice welcome and goodbye. Good service and quality of food at breakfast.

    Walls were a bit too thin and could hear my neighbors just when they were going to their door. There could have been more of a choice for the cold part of breakfast.

  • 8/10 Anonymous ( Solo leisure traveller) 

    on  May 21, 2008

    " For my purpose this hotel had an excellent location, and did the job in hand at the right price. " (97453247)

    I am of the opinion that for the West End of Edinburgh this is a well-serviceable provision, at a realistic price.

    Room qiute small, and, in general the inside of the proeprty is becoming tacky and could benefit from a 'face-lift'.

  • 9/10 Anonymous ( Solo business traveller) 

    on  May 18, 2008

    location

    not much,rooms sl older but new bathroom so for money excellent value

  • 8/10 Sean ( Young couple) 

    from Thorold , CA  on  September 19, 2008

    "Good value for the money." (107281190)

    Located downtown, close to Edinburgh castle, great shower, clean room.

    Free internet was very slow, breakfast was horrible

    0 of 1 people found this review helpful:

  • 8/10 Ankush ( Young couple) 

    from Pune , IN  on  May 14, 2008

    "I think the room is one of the most important factors in a stay at a hotel. It should brighten up your mood when you enter it. Apart from the room, our overall experience in the hotel was good." (97180827)

    The room was very clean, service was good, staff were friendly, complimentary breakfast was excellent

    The view from the room was very bad. The window opened out to a roof terrace full of bird droppings. I understand every guest may not get the best view but for 100Uk pounds room,I expected better. You can at least make a garden terrace in the roof so that guests can look out of the window.

  • 10/10 Joanne ( Young couple) 

    from Airdrie , GB  on  May 14, 2008

    "Overall the hotel was excellent, the room was modernised and the bathroom was immaculate. The breakfast was lovley and overall the hotel was excellent value for money." (97969414)

    The hotel was perfectly located in the centre of town and close to the bars and restaurants.

    Because the hotel was old the floorboards were very sqeaky and the walls were thin and could therefore heard people in the next rooom.

  • 5/10 Anonymous ( Young couple) 

    on  August 29, 2008

    "it served it purpose and was in a great location to the city" (107296000)

    clean bathroom

    marks on walls in bedroom (stains) poor staff for breakfast (not alert and unable to fully speak english)

    0 of 1 people found this review helpful:

  • 10/10 Anonymous ( Mature couple) 

    on  May 10, 2008

    "Overall very good and very well run. Service overall very good and we both enjoyed the stay." (97320610)

    Easy access and very near to the principal area of Edinburgh, i.e Princess Street. Pity about the works for the new Tram situ, but nevertheless it was very easy to get to.

  • 9/10 Anonymous ( Mature couple) 

    on  June 13, 2008

    "Very clean and friendly. Good central location." (97115126)

    Looks as though it has been recently refurbished.

    Furnishings a bit 'old-fashioned'.

    1 of 2 people found this review helpful:

  • 7/10 Anonymous ( Other) 

    on  June 13, 2008

    "Generally quite good " (97786111)

    good price, good location and good breakfast

    The carpet was a bit smelly

    1 of 2 people found this review helpful:

  • 8/10 Anonymous ( Solo business traveller) 

    on  May 9, 2008

    "No issues with accommodation or staff.Breakfast was good and the location was ideal for my onward journey." (97174122)

    Clean and good location.

  • 8/10 Kate ( Solo leisure traveller) 

    from London , GB  on  May 9, 2008

    "Very nice and clean and in a fantastic location." (97862180)

    Location

    There was also a terrible smell in the room and hallway. It was like a room air freshener but it was so sweet and horrible - I had to have the window open as it was very overpowering and sickly.

  • 9/10 Anonymous ( Young couple) 

    on  May 8, 2008

    "Excellent standard of cleanliness and good breakfast. Good range of information on events and dining etc. Overall good value for money and very close to Princess Street." (97303364)

    Cleanliness, good breakfast, good range of information on events and dining etc. Very close to Princess Street.

  • 8/10 Anonymous ( Mature couple) 

    on  August 20, 2008

    "Very enjoyabel" (108085219)

    Helpful and friendly staff - responded to requests promptly

    An extra half-hour for breakfast would be welcomed - especially for Festival-goers who have been to late events

    0 of 1 people found this review helpful:

  • 9/10 Kathryn ( Other) 

    from Newton aycliffe , GB  on  May 2, 2008

    "The first impression of the external of the Hotel was not very good. The doorway appeared dirty and uninviting. Apart from this, once inside everything was spotlessly clean. The Staff were welcoming and, at breakfast, extremely efficient. When making our booking there was no mention that the Hotel did not provide Evening Meals, however, this was really not a problem due to it's close proximity to a large variety of cafes and restaurants." (97286141)

    The room provided the basic essentias of TV, Kettle and Hairdryer and was impeccably clean with Housekeeping visiting daily to clean and change bedding and towels.

  • 10/10 Marie ( Solo business traveller) 

    from Swindon , GB  on  August 16, 2008

    Proximity to centre of city/ cleanliness

    0 of 1 people found this review helpful:

  • 9/10 Donald ( Other) 

    from Wigan , GB  on  April 20, 2008

    good location,close to Princes Street. Very reasonably priced. Clean and tidy room. Efficient staff

    Nothing except the heavy bed clothes,duvets would be much better.

  • 8/10 Chatree ( Mature couple) 

    from Bangkok , TH  on  April 19, 2008

    "Would stay here again and recommend to friends." (97626960)

    Good location. Clean room. Value for money.

    Construction in front of the hotel (actually on the whole street), but it isn't a problem if you wake up early.

  • 5/10 Anonymous ( Mature couple) 

    on  April 9, 2008

    It was clean. It was very centrally located

    Very cramped and limited facilities. Smelled of smoke (especially corridor). Didn't have breakfast there.

  • 9/10 Anonymous ( Solo business traveller) 

    on  July 12, 2008

    excellent breakfast! check-in friendly and efficient

    0 of 1 people found this review helpful:

  • 7/10 Alasdair ( Mature couple) 

    from Deal , GB  on  April 7, 2008

    Central to Edinburgh. On the shuttle route from the airport

    Small room for the price, no internet access unless you have your laptop with you

  • 7/10 Anonymous ( Group of adult friends) 

    on  April 7, 2008

    "check-in times - I called the hotel the day before my visit to ask what time I could check-in, the man who answered the phone was unable to confirm what time I could check-in from and then promptly told me he was busy as he had people to check-in." (97384337)

    great location & quiet (due to the road outside being closed to traffic for Tram works)

    some parts of the hotel and rooms need re-decorating. looked a bit shabby for a 3 star

  • 5/10 Anonymous ( Solo business traveller) 

    on  April 4, 2008

    Suitable location, easy access late at night.

    Poor small room, not worth the cost. And had to pay separately for breakfast that I thought was included.

  • 6/10 Derek ( Mature couple) 

    from Peterborough , GB  on  March 30, 2008

    "The room was small but adequate for an overnight stop. If staying for longer then looking for a larger room would be essential. Breakfast was good and served on hot plates, the staff were very helpfull and the hotel provided a luggage room so that guests did not need to carry thier luggage round through the day. (Over all it was excellent value for money considering I only paid £50+Breakfast)" (97939945)

    Close to city centre

    Room was very cramped

  • 6/10 Philip ( Mature couple) 

    from Nottingham , GB  on  April 27, 2008

    "A great location near to Princes Street. Hotel is tired and dated. The room we had was small and at the front so we had noise from the roadworks and if they hadn't been there it would have been the traffic. I don't know about the other doors leading to the stairs, but the one opposite our room banged loudly when closing. Also floor boards creak loudly. Make sure you take ear plugs." (97612335)

    Loaction

    Small and dated room opposite stairs door that banged loudly when closing.

    1 of 2 people found this review helpful:

  • 9/10 J ( Solo leisure traveller) 

    from Northwood , GB  on  March 29, 2008

    "Would definitely stay again." (97098396)

    Staff was excellent. Easy in, easy out. Very helpful with needing to keep luggage in hotel before/after checkin/checkout.

    Minor issues with the shower.

  • 8/10 Anonymous ( Young couple) 

    on  March 29, 2008

    "The hotel is great in terms of access to attractions and stations." (97317820)

    It was close to city centre and it had a great access to both stations. And of course the price was great since we booked so late.

    We had problem with the heater so it was a bit cold during night. Also we had issue with breakfast as at the beginning we had pay but the invoice was for bed and breakfast, but later when we mentioned it the fixed it for us.

  • 5/10 Anonymous ( Group of adult friends) 

    on  March 28, 2008

    old bed not comfortable smell throughout the hotel

  • 10/10 Anonymous ( Mature couple) 

    on  March 23, 2008

    "neat, clean, plain & simple - very handy to town centre and sights" (97926936)

    neat, clean, plain & simple - very handy to town centre and sights

  • 6/10 Anonymous ( Solo leisure traveller) 

    on  June 11, 2008

    "Not enjoyable because of the hot stuffy room." (99280573)

    The room was very stuffy and hot with no fresh air and no air conditioning. Even the corridors were stuffy. Seemed like the hotel did not have air conditioning. There was no shelf in the shower to put toiletries.

    0 of 1 people found this review helpful:

The views expressed on this page are the personal opinions of guests and therefore do not necessarily represent the views of Active Hotels, Active Reservations or our distribution partners (About our hotel reviews).

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