Stay at the Hilton Caledonian Hotel

How Good Is This Historic Luxury Hotel in Edinburgh?

Are you considering a stay at the Hilton Caledonian Hotel in Edinburgh? You will not be alone as it is one of the most luxurious hotels in the city, a historic and elegant railway hotel, now part of the Hilton family. It also boasts a heated indoor pool, a gym and health club. What is more, it is located on the prestigious Princes Street, perfectly situated in the heart of the city centre. But does this 5-star hotel stand out from the crowd?

I've read hundreds of reviews from guests who have stayed at the Hilton Caledonian over the years and the following is a clear and unbiased summary of what these guests really thought of their stay at this hotel.

What's special about the Caledonian Hotel?

• As one of Edinburgh's grand railway hotels, built in 1903 by the Caledonian Railway Company, the Hilton Caledonian enjoys a sense of history and has been tastefully renovated to provide elegant and traditional surroundings.
• The hotel provides extensive leisure facilities, including a gym, indoor heated pool and the Living Well health club.
• The staff are friendly and efficient, going out of their way to ensure that guests have a comfortable and memorable stay.
• Location: Location is everything, and the Caledonian Hilton does not fail to impress, being situated in the heart of the city centre at 4 Princes Street, with stunning views over Edinburgh Castle and Princes Street Gardens.

Read Caledonian Hotel reviews or check for discounted room rates.

What do guests really think?

There were some very mixed reviews on the Caledonian Hilton. Whilst most guests had extremely positive reviews on the service, surroundings and facilities, there were also some very negative comments, particularly concerning the size and maintenance of the guest rooms.

• For most reviewers, the very central location is the Hilton Caledonian's crowning glory, right in the midst of the city's shopping and dining areas and close enough to walk to Edinburgh's attractions.
• Some reviewers believed that the Caledonian Hotel reserves its worst rooms for those travellers booking through discount sites.
• The hotel started an extensive and costly refurbishment programme in 2008, however this does not seem to be complete at the time of writing, as some guests are still posting negative reviews on the subject. The negative reviews, however, should not detract from the fact that a higher percentage of guests loved the experience of staying at the Caledonian Hilton.
• The health and leisure facilities offered by the hotel are extremely popular with the guests, and whilst some reported that they are a little dated, they are spotlessly clean. The therapists in the spa are efficient and professional yet very friendly, and the overall spa experience is extremely relaxing.
• A few reviewers believe that the hotel charges too much for extras such as £15 for Internet access and they also commented that the prices for the mini-bar and in the Caley Bar are extremely expensive.

Detailed Caledonian Review (room design and comfort, staff and level of service, food and drink, location and nice touches)

My Recommendation

The Caledonian Hilton is a traditional and historic hotel in the heart of the city centre, with the standards of an international chain of hotels. Its got an excellent location and long history being one of the two original railway hotels in Edinburgh.

Although there were some negative reviews, mainly on the size and quality of the guest rooms, these were on the whole outweighed by positive reviews from people who have found their stay at the hotel to be above average and extremely good value for money.

I would advise however that you check what type of room you are booking. The hotel seems to be suited to both business and leisure travellers, but also to families with children, as the swimming pool will keep the kids occupied on the coldest of days.

Book the Caledonian Hotel or find other luxury hotel deals in Edinburgh.

Staying at the Hilton Caledonian, Edinburgh - Web links

• Caledonian Hotel Edinburgh : Images + Information - Edinburgharchitecture.co.uk

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Origin of 'Edinburgh'

Tourists have problems with the name of Edinburgh. There are hundreds of ways people write it and the most common writings include 'edinburg', 'edinborough', 'edimburgh', 'edinbourgh', 'ediburgh', 'edinbugh', 'edinboro', 'edingburgh', 'edinbrugh', 'edimburg', 'edinburugh', 'edingurgh', 'edinbrough', etc.

According to the Scottish Place Names dictionary, the name Edinburgh means 'Fort of the Rock Face'. The 'edin' part comes from Scottish Gaelic and means 'rock face', while 'burgh' comes from Old English meaning stronghold.

Some more obscure (and quite funny) ways of writing Edinburgh include: edinburough, edingburg, edinbourg, edinburh, edinurgh, edenburg, edinbough, edinbourough, edinbrgh, edingborough, edenburgh, edinberg, edinborgh, edinborugh, edinburge, edinburhg, edingbourgh, etc.

Edinburgh is spelt Edimburgo in Spanish and Italian and Édimbourg in French.

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