Ok,Sir Alfonso, here goes.
lounge is open 2 -10 PM, and functions as part of the restaurant for breakfast buffet.Certain egg dishes such as omelette scan be ordered for free and there are fried eggs - which appear to be eggs over easy - are on the buffet table. I would guess that other simple egg dishes are gratis and some additional items listed on the menu are extra charges.
On the breakfast buffet are American bacon, referred to as streaky bacon (which was crispy to perfection) as well as UK bacon, which looked like fatty cooked ham. There was haggis, which I liked, as well as various cheeses, and fruit. Although not the most extensive buffet I have partaken of, it was acceptable and the wait staff were pleasant. There were cranberry, apple and orange juices, as well as various pastries if you are into that, such as pain au chocolate which my wife enjoyed.
Although stated to open at 2 PM, I was able to enter at 1:30 PM and found finger sandwiches available at that time.
There are always available various bottled small soda bottles, containing various juice concoctions, I preferred the apple mango variety the best. Of course, teas and coffee available throughout the day, I found a strawberry/raspberry variety quite good.
Small packages of Oreos, at least 6 varieties of potato chips in small bags, small Haribo gummies, 2 different varieties of caramel bars/wafer’s always available throughout the day, as well.
Happy hour is 5 - 8 PM and there is always some form of small toast squares topped with a rotating series of items: hummus, salmon spread, avocado, etc. There are generally 2 hot items - I saw small fried shrimps and egg tarts when I was there. My spouse said that she also saw small samosas and a beef dish, the latter which she did not try.
In no way should you expect to make a dinner out of spread, IMHO. There also were small falafel balls on one occasion.
As far as Alcohol goes, there were 2 different varieties of Peroni beers, a Scottish lager, a sparkling wine, a still wine, and a small number of mixers, which I think included gin, vodka, etc - sorry, I did not partake in those thus my memory is hazy.
There were also some cakes and sweet items, but I do not favor those so I can’t tell you what they are or how they tasted.
One thing I found nice during Sunday breakfast, was that on that day, they lay out what was necessary to make your own Bloody Mary’s, including the vodka.
The rooms were modern if a bit worn, but very clean and for the Fringe, there is no better hotel located for it, except perhaps the Radisson which is located across from it on the Royal Mile. High street is diagonally across from the hotel where the street buskers perform most of the day and the 1/2 price tix office is located. Most shows take place within 15 -20 minutes walk from that epicenter, as well as many of the downtown city sites that should be seen.
With respect to the ongoing renovation, the building is covered in scaffolding but I heard no noise while there. The entrance hall and reception area are a work in progress, truncated as they are with finished plaster board making it less offensive looking.
The plan is for the reception desk to be pushed back into the next door shop that they have taken over some time in the future, with that vacated area forming the nucleus of a new lounge area with seating extending into a new bar/restaurant area to be built on that ground floor.
Some new rooms are to be built above the new reception area, as well, but that is not to be happening anytime soon.
I heard no interior renovation noise, but since this is the end of August during the Fringe and the crowds, they may have been put on hiatus until after the summer season is over.
All in all, I can heartily recommend the hotel, inasmuch as it is the only Hilton with pride of place right downtown, as well as an Executive Lounge.
Finally, ease of reaching transportation links be they by rail or the airport bus are at most a 10 minute walk.
Enjoy your stay!