Sheraton Grand Hotel & Spa, Edinburgh

I stayed four nights in a one-bedroom suite during the Edinburgh Fringe, paying approximately $3,400 total. Expensive, certainly, but for my particular needs I think it justified the cost. The suite The two-room setup was the reason I booked this hotel, and it worked perfectly. I was traveling with my adult daughter and wanted us to have separate space without booking two hotel rooms and consequently spending all our downtime apart. This setup has become increasingly difficult to find, and often I end up in a two room situation which doesn’t work as well for just hanging out. Room 559 had a generously sized king bedroom and a proper sitting room with a door between them. We hung out, talked, ate desserts and watched silly TV together, but either of us could retreat when we wanted. I know spacious rooms are a particularly American expectation, but room size matters to me and both rooms felt genuinely spacious by European city-hotel standards. There was also a small dining table for two and a good working desk. Wi-Fi was easy and reliable, with five devices connected between us. There were plenty of UK outlets plus, importantly for me, one US-style outlet near the desk. The AC was excellent and responsive. The shower was hot and strong, with L’Occitane shampoo, conditioner and shower gel. Oddly, body lotion wasn’t consistently replenished. My only room-design complaint was the confusing lighting controls. Getting one light or one area illuminated rather than everything seemed unnecessarily difficult. Service This was probably the hotel’s greatest strength. Even before arrival, communication was prompt, personal and helpful. Check-in after an exhausting journey was fast, polite and genuinely warm. That tone continued through almost every staff interaction. I normally dislike turndown service and declined it. The housekeeper smiled, checked whether I needed towels or sheets, then reached into her pocket and handed me two pillow chocolates with a cheerful “Take these.” Tiny interaction, but it captured the warmth of the staff. Unfortunately, actual housekeeping was the weak point. Maybe my expectations had been set too high by prior interactions. Nothing major—just a tad sloppy for a hotel at this price. Food and Club Lounge Club Lounge access proved genuinely useful, with breakfast, evening snacks and drinks available throughout the day. Room service on our exhausted first night arrived hot within about 30 minutes and was set up at our little dining table. Fish and chips and penne arrabbiata were satisfying rather than exceptional, although I was delighted to finally get proper chips. Desserts were excellent: sticky toffee pudding and pear frangipane tart were both standouts. One Spa and pool This was an unexpected annoyance. Spa access came with the suite. I’m not particularly interested in spa treatments, but I enjoy swimming. When I stopped by simply to see the pool and decide whether I’d use it later, I discovered that I had to register with One Spa—and wasn’t allowed onto the pool deck because I wasn’t wearing a swimsuit. They showed me a video instead. I ended up not using the pool. Location and value The location was excellent for the Fringe. The hotel was far enough from the festival crowds to feel peaceful, but only about a five-minute walk from Princes Street. At roughly $850 per night, I wouldn’t pretend this was inexpensive. But comparable standard rooms were around $450 during our dates, and two separate rooms would have cost roughly as much while defeating my purpose. I wish hotels offered this kind of bedroom + sitting room + closing door configuration without automatically attaching all the luxury-suite upcharges. But would I stay here again? Absolutely.

Hotel staff and concierge were incredibly helpful and kind. Hotel was great. Breakfast and appetizers on the evening with drinks were excellent. Would certainly come back

Oh my. Very bad or terribly bad? Cheerful enthusiasm of employees gets a star. No more to give. As excited as Marriott employees are, they have no idea what they are doing. That was true from the time I called the hotel two months before arrival to connect my separate reservations to the time throughout our stay. Giving us wrong info on connecting reservations, telling us we were booked into a “ lovely corner suite ” only to come back later ( room was not ready at check in) to find and ugly tiny room with a view of a rooftop. Spilled water on the floor and wiped it off. You can see a picture of the floor… I have no words. This relationship with Marriott that has just began is coming to a crushing end….