The George Edinburgh

Despite a reservation for a "deluxe" nonsmoking room, I had to be shown six rooms before finally being given one that neither smelled of smoke nor had torn furniture and stained carpeting. I finally received a lovely room on the top floor, but my wife and I got this only after suggesting that separate beds was an option we'd consider to get a better room. The hotel is centrally located has its charm, but it's nowhwere near up to typical Intercontinental standards, and not nearly worth the price, even at the discounted government rate (89 pounds) I paid. Most rooms, by the way, overlook noisy streets, and only a few have double-paned windows. Also, the doors slam incredibly loudly when they close, so if you are noise sensitive, bring your ear plugs!

My wife and I visited Edinburgh as a birthday treat, booking a delux double room for our stay.We arrived lunchtime and were pleased to find that we were given access to our room, even though it was before the 2pm check in time.However the room was a major dissapointment, it stunk of stale cigarette smoke and the window overlooked the heating and ventalation plant which was less than 10 feet away. The noise from the machinery was making the window panes visably vibrate!We went straight back to reception to request another room, citing the fact that we had requested a delux room - we were moved - but no apology or comment made to us at all.The second room was on the 6th floor and was much improved, but still not to the standard you would expect from a 4* hotel. Carpet was dirty, furniture worn and chipped and the overall appearance of the room quite shabby.The bar and restaurant were excellent, both in ambeinece and service, we ate out on the evening, but the breakfast buffet was great. Plently of hot and cold choices, and a well managed team of staff.Ours was only a short stay, but overall I wouldn't rate the hotel considering the rate we paid for the room.Would we go back -very doubtful - would look to go to the Waverley or the Caledonian Hilton, both excellent hotels.

I stayed in The George on Wednesday 28th Jan, after having my flight back to London cancelled because of weather. Of all of corporate list hotels in Edinburgh, only the George had availability.

Now I know why!

The room allocated was a single room, with a view over the maintenance facility (not exactly the stunning views of the Castle which I usually get from The Caledonian or The Sheraton Grand). In terms of decor and style, this was dated.

Bathroom was tiny (you couldn't feasibily leave the door open in order to hear the radio, whilst having a bath), and come the morning, had only lukewarm water (which at 04:45, wasn't much fun!).

The room itself was cold, and lacked power points (plenty of circlular style lighting plugs, but very few normal 3-pin sockets to plug an iron into).

Sadly because of weather, the hotel was sold out, so no chance of a room change.

The rate (£99) was ok, but next time I'm in Edinburgh on business, I'll pay the extra £24 for a room at The Caledonian or The Sheraton.

All in all, I was pretty disappointed, particularly as The George is seen as one of Edinburgh's better hotels. Not up to usual Intercontinental standards.

I stay at the George regularly for business. My company has put me at different hotels but I was never quite happy, especially with staff service. until they finally booked me into the george, and I have never looked back. Restaurant and bar are stunning, as is the lobby. Rooms are comfortable, and although the style is not the trendiest, it has all the amenities you need: TV, minibar and coffee maker. Above all though, the staff is fantastic. They know how to recruit and train, because I keep seeing new faces, but all of them are lovely.

I recently stayed at the George intercontinental with my wife and two daughters,we arrived at a real busy time 30th December2003,our room was fabulous large and immaculate it was located on the oldside of hotel-(the west) room315.when we checked into our room it had been set up for 2 extras ,however we wanted our teenage daughters in a seperate room and our bed put back to a double.we had no sooner asked for this when the maid arrived, she was real nice,she was very pretty and her appearance immaculate even at the time of day she should have finished.She apologised for the bed and said rather unusual i thought as this room is never made into twins.But assumed that due to the time of year,HOGMANY it was standard.We had the same maid throughout our stay her name my wife tells me was Linda,and i would just like to say to her and the george a massive thankyou.

I stayed at the George on the 13 December and had a lovely time. The room was good and the service from the staff was excellent.

I have just stayed at the George on Nov 10-12, 2003 and found the hotel to be a great location and much better than previous comments. We were placed on the 4th floor with a view of the Castle. This was in the newer wing. The room was clean and the bathroom was sparkling.

The only negative that we experienced was that the room safe was not working originally but a staff did come the next day and it was fixed.

The staff was pleasant and helpful. There was a full extensive breakfast (included in the rate) that included both Scottish and American choices. The dining room was open and very pretty. I was very impressed. I would not hestitate to stay there again.

My wife and I were married on 1/3/03 in Edinburgh and stayed at the George Intercontinental. We were led to believe that that the Intercontinental was a luxury hotel. It was not. The room was in a newer (1960's) part of the hotel. The bedspread was worn so thin that it was full of holes. The furniture was scraped and was something you would find in a thrift store. The carpet was so old that it was shrinking away from the walls. The hallway wallpaper was worn out. I complained and we were moved to a smoking floor higher up. The room had the same furniture, carpet and wallpaper, only newer and in good shape.

A cleaning lady explained that rooms on the lower floors were dumpy and that the "undiscerning" Russians and Eastern Europeans were usually placed there. Unfortunately, my wife was suffering from bronchitis and the residual smoke aggravated her condition. The night manager, a great guy from former East Germany, apologized profusely and explained that the Intercontinental chain had not invested money in the George and that it was the only Intercontinental that was not rated with 5-stars.

The night manager and other staff made a terrible situation tolerable.

I feel sorry for them because the George could be a great hotel with a lot of updating. The onsite pub is great and open 24 hours a day. They have no problem with one buying a pint or dram and taking it up to the room. If you stay at the George, be sure to demand a room on the upper levels of the newer section - they also have a great view of the Firth of Forth. I am sorry to say that the other reviewer who gave rated the George as "Terrible" was right on the money.

We stayed at this hotel for 2 nights August 2003. The location is great but that is where it ends. Our first room was like a dungeon room a tiny window, a hole in the bedspread, very worn carpeting and a not very clean room. We asked for a better room but had to get in line. Our second room had a bigger window and in what they call the newwer part but it was a very worn room. This hotel does not live up to the InterContinetal name. I would not recommend this hotel.

Stayed here Easter weekend. Excellent location close to almost everything. Lots of good restaurants nearby. Only ate breakfast here which was very good buffet. Stayed in the 'new wing' so wasn't as much charm, but room was large and comfortable. Bed was excellent although chair coverings and carpet had seen better days. Very quiet even with windows wide open. Parking is a nightmare! Would recommend if you do not have a car to park.