Novotel Edinburgh Centre

This hotel offers a highly convenient and comfortable stay, particularly appealing to families due to its excellent swimming pool facilities and accommodating atmosphere. Its signature feature is its prime central location, making it an ideal base for sightseers and tourists eager to explore the city's main attractions on foot. Many guests appreciate the modern and clean environment, along with the generally helpful staff. For couples, the hotel provides a pleasant setting for a city break, with a lively bar area. To make the most of your visit, consider utilizing the hotel's pool during off-peak hours to avoid crowds, and be prepared for potentially warm room temperatures, especially during warmer periods.

Facilities & Amenities
The hotel offers a range of facilities, with the swimming pool being a significant draw, especially for children, often complemented by a jacuzzi and sauna for relaxation. However, some guests found the pool area to be small and prone to crowding, with concerns about strong chlorine levels and limited privacy in the changing rooms. While lifts are available and generally functional, some guests experienced slow service or crowding during busy times. Rooms typically include a large TV screen and free Wi-Fi, though some noted the lack of smart TV capabilities. A fitness room is also available, described as functional. Despite these offerings, a recurring complaint is the absence of air conditioning, leading to uncomfortably warm rooms, often mitigated only by a small plug-in fan or opening windows, which can introduce traffic noise.

Cleanliness & Room Comfort
Guests generally commend the hotel for its high standards of cleanliness throughout the property and in the rooms. The beds are frequently praised for being comfortable, ensuring a restful night's sleep. Rooms are typically described as modern and well-maintained, with some guests finding them spacious, though others, particularly families, felt their rooms were on the small side once sofa beds were deployed. A notable point of mixed feedback concerns the bathroom layout; while some appreciate the large shower and provided toiletries, many express discomfort with the toilet being separate from the main bathroom and the use of see-through glass panels or doors for the shower and toilet, which compromises privacy. Issues such as stains on carpets, tiny taps, and a lack of drawer space were occasionally mentioned.

Dining & Food Quality
The hotel's breakfast consistently receives high praise for its variety and quality, with many guests highlighting the Scottish breakfast options and the popular make-your-own waffle station. Most guests found the breakfast to be a great start to the day, though some noted it could be busy and felt it was expensive if not included in their rate. The restaurant and bar areas are generally described as having a pleasant atmosphere, with the bar food often found to be delicious and reasonably priced. However, feedback on the main restaurant's dinner offerings is more mixed, with some guests finding the menu limited or the food quality inconsistent, occasionally describing it as sub-par or overpriced for what was offered.

Location & Accessibility
The hotel boasts an excellent central location, making it highly convenient for exploring the city. Guests frequently highlight its proximity to major attractions, with Edinburgh Castle, Grassmarket, and the Royal Mile all within a short walking distance of 5 to 15 minutes. This central positioning means that most key sites are easily accessible on foot, reducing the need for public transport. While the location is overwhelmingly positive, some guests noted that the walk from the train station could be a bit long, especially with luggage, and that the city's hilly terrain should be considered. Parking is available on-site, which is a convenience for some, but it is often described as limited, tight, and expensive, leading many to seek alternative parking solutions nearby.

Staff & Service
The hotel staff generally receive positive feedback for their friendliness, helpfulness, and attentiveness. Many guests commend the reception staff for their welcoming demeanor and efficiency during check-in and check-out, and their willingness to assist with queries and provide local recommendations. The service provided by the breakfast team is also frequently highlighted as excellent. However, there is mixed feedback, with some guests reporting instances of slow service at reception, particularly during busy periods, and a perceived lack of warmth or unfriendliness from certain staff members. Some guests also experienced issues with housekeeping, noting that rooms were not consistently serviced or that requests for fresh towels or supplies were not always met promptly.

Additional Information
The hotel is widely recognized as family-friendly, offering amenities and services tailored to guests with children, including a popular swimming pool. Guests should be aware that while the hotel aims for eco-friendly practices, this can sometimes lead to reduced daily room cleaning unless specifically requested. A recurring issue mentioned by guests is the persistent warm temperature in rooms, as there is no central air conditioning, which can impact comfort. Some guests also noted that the lifts can be slow or crowded, particularly during peak times, and that the pool area, while a great amenity, has a booking system that can be confusing or lead to long waits.