The Guards Hotel
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Summary of reviewsThe Guards Hotel enjoys a prime location directly across from Haymarket Station, providing excellent access to trains, trams and buses, facilitating easy travel within Edinburgh and to the airport. Guests appreciate its proximity to attractions such as Princes Street and Edinburgh Castle, complemented by nearby dining and shopping options.
Room experiences vary significantly. Positive reviews highlight clean, spacious rooms—especially larger suites with ensuite bathrooms and antique furniture—equipped with amenities like tea and coffee facilities, hairdryers and TVs. However, the hotel struggles with inconsistent room quality with some guests reporting dated decor, maintenance issues and cleanliness concerns. While some rooms are quiet and comfortable, others suffer from inadequate heating and unpleasant odors, necessitating upgrades and more consistent housekeeping.
Cleanliness is another area of mixed reviews. Some guests find the rooms very clean and comfortable, while others cite issues like dust, dirty carpets, mold and neglected details. Despite these challenges, the linens and towels are noted to be clean. The building itself needs refurbishment to meet higher cleanliness standards.
Staff at The Guards Hotel consistently receive praise for their friendliness, helpfulness and accommodating nature. The owner and reception staff are particularly noted for their warm and engaging service, making the check-in process smooth and efficient. However, the lack of 24/7 reception can cause inconvenience when trying to reach staff during off-hours.
The Wi-Fi service is generally perceived as problematic with many guests experiencing weak signals, especially on the top floors. While some manage to get a decent connection, many report difficulties logging on or staying connected, indicating a need for improvement in this area.
For families, the hotel offers large family rooms with cribs, highchairs and sofabeds, making it suitable for those traveling with children. However, space may be limited for larger families. Ground-floor rooms offer added comfort and accessibility.
Bed quality receives mixed feedback. Many guests find the beds comfortable with clean linens and cozy quilts. However, a number of reviews mention old, saggy mattresses, broken frames and even insect bites, pointing towards the need for better bed maintenance and upgrades.
As a three-star hotel, The Guards Hotel offers basic, budget-friendly accommodations that reflect its rating. It is especially suitable for short stays focused on affordability and central location, though some guests note the need for refurbishment and improved cleanliness. The hotel provides functional and economical lodging for budget-conscious travelers.
Accessibility features include disabled-friendly rooms and convenient access from the airport, but the lack of elevators and drainage issues in some bathrooms can pose challenges for disabled and elderly guests.
In summary, The Guards Hotel provides a decent stay with significant room for improvement in consistency, cleanliness and Wi-Fi reliability, balanced by its excellent location, friendly staff and budget-friendly rates.
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Room experiences vary significantly. Positive reviews highlight clean, spacious rooms—especially larger suites with ensuite bathrooms and antique furniture—equipped with amenities like tea and coffee facilities, hairdryers and TVs. However, the hotel struggles with inconsistent room quality with some guests reporting dated decor, maintenance issues and cleanliness concerns. While some rooms are quiet and comfortable, others suffer from inadequate heating and unpleasant odors, necessitating upgrades and more consistent housekeeping.
Cleanliness is another area of mixed reviews. Some guests find the rooms very clean and comfortable, while others cite issues like dust, dirty carpets, mold and neglected details. Despite these challenges, the linens and towels are noted to be clean. The building itself needs refurbishment to meet higher cleanliness standards.
Staff at The Guards Hotel consistently receive praise for their friendliness, helpfulness and accommodating nature. The owner and reception staff are particularly noted for their warm and engaging service, making the check-in process smooth and efficient. However, the lack of 24/7 reception can cause inconvenience when trying to reach staff during off-hours.
The Wi-Fi service is generally perceived as problematic with many guests experiencing weak signals, especially on the top floors. While some manage to get a decent connection, many report difficulties logging on or staying connected, indicating a need for improvement in this area.
For families, the hotel offers large family rooms with cribs, highchairs and sofabeds, making it suitable for those traveling with children. However, space may be limited for larger families. Ground-floor rooms offer added comfort and accessibility.
Bed quality receives mixed feedback. Many guests find the beds comfortable with clean linens and cozy quilts. However, a number of reviews mention old, saggy mattresses, broken frames and even insect bites, pointing towards the need for better bed maintenance and upgrades.
As a three-star hotel, The Guards Hotel offers basic, budget-friendly accommodations that reflect its rating. It is especially suitable for short stays focused on affordability and central location, though some guests note the need for refurbishment and improved cleanliness. The hotel provides functional and economical lodging for budget-conscious travelers.
Accessibility features include disabled-friendly rooms and convenient access from the airport, but the lack of elevators and drainage issues in some bathrooms can pose challenges for disabled and elderly guests.
In summary, The Guards Hotel provides a decent stay with significant room for improvement in consistency, cleanliness and Wi-Fi reliability, balanced by its excellent location, friendly staff and budget-friendly rates.
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Guest Reviews
The Guards Hotel boasts a superb location that consistently impresses guests. Positioned directly across from Haymarket Station, it offers excellent access to trains, trams and buses, making it ideal for travelers. The proximity to Edinburgh’s city center and its attractions, such as Princes Street and the Edinburgh Castle, allows for easy exploration by foot, making it perfect for short stays and city visits. The location is particularly praised for its convenience with numerous dining and shopping options nearby and seamless transport links to the airport. This central positioning provides an excellent base for those looking to discover the historical and lively parts of Edinburgh with minimal transit time. Guests appreciate the practical value, combining decent room sizes with easy access to key sights and transportation hubs.
The Guards Hotel offers a variety of rooms that provide basic accommodations suitable for short stays or budget travelers. Many reviews highlight the spaciousness and comfort of some rooms, particularly larger suites that come with ample space, ensuite bathrooms and charming antique furniture. Guests frequently mention that rooms are clean and equipped with necessary amenities like tea and coffee facilities, hairdryers and TVs. Some rooms also face quiet courtyards, providing a peaceful stay away from street noise.
However, the hotel seems to struggle with consistency in room quality. While some guests found their rooms to be cozy and well-maintained, others reported issues such as dated decor, cleanliness concerns and maintenance problems like broken shower units, leaking sinks and musty odors. Some reviews also note that certain rooms are very small and lack windows, which might not appeal to all travelers. There are occasional mentions of cold rooms with insufficient heating, requiring portable heaters to maintain comfort.
One highlight is the hotel's prime location, which is easily accessible by public transportation and within walking distance of city attractions. Despite its potential and convenient setting, the property appears to need significant upgrades and more consistent housekeeping to meet a higher standard of guest satisfaction. Overall, The Guards Hotel offers a mixed bag of experiences with room quality and maintenance needing attention but still providing a decent stay for those seeking affordability and centrality in their visit.
The guest reviews of The Guards Hotel offer mixed feedback on the beds. On the positive side, many guests found the beds to be comfortable with comments on their comfiness, clean linens and super cozy quilts. Several reviews mentioned beds being very comfortable to sleep on, highlighting a restful experience for some visitors. There were also mentions of beds being good in quality and providing adequate comfort for a decent sleep.
However, a significant portion of the reviews pointed out issues with the beds' comfort and quality. Numerous guests found the mattresses to be old, saggy and often uncomfortable with some even describing them as having springs that dug into their backs. Complaints about the beds being too soft and collapsing were common with some reviews noting that the bed frames were damaged or missing legs. The lack of mattress protectors and the presence of dirty or outdated beds was also noted. More serious issues included beds being described as a "block of wood with a thin mattress," and some guests experiencing insect bites from the old beds. In summary, while some guests appreciated the comfort of the beds at The Guards Hotel, many others found significant shortcomings in mattress quality and bed maintenance, suggesting a need for upgrades and improvements.
The Guards Hotel boasts a central location and spacious rooms, but its cleanliness leaves much to be desired. While some guests found their rooms to be very clean and comfortable, many others reported issues with dust, dirty carpets and mold, especially in the bathrooms. The hotel features clean linens and towels with some rooms being described as tidy. However, the overall cleanliness showed inconsistency with numerous mentions of superficial cleaning and neglected details such as cobwebs, grime and stained carpets.
The building itself and the interior decor are noted to be outdated with a need for refurbishment and thorough cleaning. Despite the cleanliness issues, the reception staff are highlighted for being thorough and helpful and amenities like kettles with tea and coffee in the rooms add a touch of convenience. However, areas such as the carpets, curtains and skirting boards often required more attention. Common areas like the lobby were mentioned as clean but the rooms frequently didn't meet cleanliness expectations with some guests experiencing musty odors and unclean bathrooms.
In summary, while The Guards Hotel provides spacious accommodation and clean linens, improvements in deeper cleaning and maintenance are necessary to enhance the overall guest experience.
The Guards Hotel receives an abundance of positive feedback regarding its staff. Visitors frequently describe the hotel personnel as friendly, helpful and accommodating. Many guests highlighted the welcoming and courteous nature of the staff with mentions of specific individuals who went above and beyond to assist and create a pleasant atmosphere. The owner, an elderly gentleman, is particularly noted for his hands-on approach and engaging interactions, often receiving special commendation from guests.
Check-in processes are generally smooth and efficient, handled by a warm and informative front desk team. Numerous reviews mention a welcoming reception and a helpful night porter. Several guests appreciate the staff's knowledgeability and readiness to provide information and assistance.
Despite the commendations, there are occasional criticisms concerning the hotel’s operational hours. Some guests mention difficulties reaching staff outside of standard hours, noting that the reception is not open 24/7 and there were instances where staff were either unavailable or unresponsive. In isolated cases, comments were made about less friendly encounters or a lack of staff presence, leading to some inconvenience.
Overall, while there are sporadic issues with availability and communication, the general consensus among guests is that the staff at The Guards Hotel contribute positively to their stay with their friendliness and willingness to help.
The Guards Hotel offers comfortable accommodations, but when it comes to Wi-Fi service, guests have had a variety of experiences. For some, the Wi-Fi worked perfectly and was considered good, making it convenient for their needs. However, a significant number of guests encountered issues. Many reported poor Wi-Fi connections, weak signals and difficulties in logging on or staying connected. Some guests found that the Wi-Fi was particularly problematic on the top floors, where the signal was sporadic and often non-existent. While a few managed to get a decent connection, the majority faced issues such as sporadic internet, slow speeds and passwords that didn't work. Overall, while the hotel itself may cater well in other areas, reliable Wi-Fi service appears to be a common challenge for many guests.
The Guards Hotel offers a variety of amenities that cater to families, making it a viable option for those traveling with children. The big family rooms, complete with cribs and highchairs, are well-equipped to accommodate families with young kids. Additionally, the availability of a sofabed in the family room provides extra sleeping space, adding to the convenience. Some guests, however, noted that the space might be limited for larger families. The ground-floor family rooms offer additional comfort and accessibility.
Despite these positives, it is important to be aware of some concerns raised by previous guests. Issues such as room temperature during colder months and occasional service problems were mentioned. Location-wise, the hotel is deemed ideal for families due to its accessibility and surroundings. While The Guards Hotel appears to be generally family-friendly, some visitors felt it might not be the perfect fit for every family’s needs.
The Guards Hotel offers basic and budget-friendly accommodations, reflecting its three-star rating. The hotel is an excellent choice for a short stay, especially if affordability and central location are priorities. Although the facilities and decor are somewhat dated and the building shows signs of wear, the hotel maintains a clean environment with nice beds and super friendly staff. Despite being a bit run down, it continues to offer good value for money. Some guests have noted the need for refurbishment and improved cleanliness, but overall, it provides a functional and neat setup for budget-conscious travelers. The hotel is best suited for those who prioritize economy over luxury, delivering a simple and efficient experience at an affordable price.
The Guards Hotel offers certain accommodations suitable for guests with physical disabilities, such as disabled-friendly rooms that are easy to access and accommodate wheelchair users. However, the hotel lacks elevators, which can pose a challenge for disabled and elderly guests. The accessibility from the airport is convenient with the Airlink 100 stopping right in front of the hotel. While there are showers without trays and some accessible rooms, there have been reports of bathrooms remaining wet due to drainage issues, making it less ideal for ease of use.
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Location
Rooms
However, the hotel seems to struggle with consistency in room quality. While some guests found their rooms to be cozy and well-maintained, others reported issues such as dated decor, cleanliness concerns and maintenance problems like broken shower units, leaking sinks and musty odors. Some reviews also note that certain rooms are very small and lack windows, which might not appeal to all travelers. There are occasional mentions of cold rooms with insufficient heating, requiring portable heaters to maintain comfort.
One highlight is the hotel's prime location, which is easily accessible by public transportation and within walking distance of city attractions. Despite its potential and convenient setting, the property appears to need significant upgrades and more consistent housekeeping to meet a higher standard of guest satisfaction. Overall, The Guards Hotel offers a mixed bag of experiences with room quality and maintenance needing attention but still providing a decent stay for those seeking affordability and centrality in their visit.
Beds
However, a significant portion of the reviews pointed out issues with the beds' comfort and quality. Numerous guests found the mattresses to be old, saggy and often uncomfortable with some even describing them as having springs that dug into their backs. Complaints about the beds being too soft and collapsing were common with some reviews noting that the bed frames were damaged or missing legs. The lack of mattress protectors and the presence of dirty or outdated beds was also noted. More serious issues included beds being described as a "block of wood with a thin mattress," and some guests experiencing insect bites from the old beds. In summary, while some guests appreciated the comfort of the beds at The Guards Hotel, many others found significant shortcomings in mattress quality and bed maintenance, suggesting a need for upgrades and improvements.
Cleanliness
The building itself and the interior decor are noted to be outdated with a need for refurbishment and thorough cleaning. Despite the cleanliness issues, the reception staff are highlighted for being thorough and helpful and amenities like kettles with tea and coffee in the rooms add a touch of convenience. However, areas such as the carpets, curtains and skirting boards often required more attention. Common areas like the lobby were mentioned as clean but the rooms frequently didn't meet cleanliness expectations with some guests experiencing musty odors and unclean bathrooms.
In summary, while The Guards Hotel provides spacious accommodation and clean linens, improvements in deeper cleaning and maintenance are necessary to enhance the overall guest experience.
Staff
Check-in processes are generally smooth and efficient, handled by a warm and informative front desk team. Numerous reviews mention a welcoming reception and a helpful night porter. Several guests appreciate the staff's knowledgeability and readiness to provide information and assistance.
Despite the commendations, there are occasional criticisms concerning the hotel’s operational hours. Some guests mention difficulties reaching staff outside of standard hours, noting that the reception is not open 24/7 and there were instances where staff were either unavailable or unresponsive. In isolated cases, comments were made about less friendly encounters or a lack of staff presence, leading to some inconvenience.
Overall, while there are sporadic issues with availability and communication, the general consensus among guests is that the staff at The Guards Hotel contribute positively to their stay with their friendliness and willingness to help.
Wi-Fi
Family
Despite these positives, it is important to be aware of some concerns raised by previous guests. Issues such as room temperature during colder months and occasional service problems were mentioned. Location-wise, the hotel is deemed ideal for families due to its accessibility and surroundings. While The Guards Hotel appears to be generally family-friendly, some visitors felt it might not be the perfect fit for every family’s needs.
3 Star
Accessible
No, The Guards Hotel doesn't have any pool.
No, a spa isn't available at The Guards Hotel.
Yes, The Guards Hotel welcomes dogs.
No, parking facilities aren't available at The Guards Hotel.
No, The Guards Hotel doesn't have a gym.
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