PrancingPonyGoldMember

To add more detail, this is what you're looking at from the Terrace/street facing rooms, which are all to the right when you're facing the hotel entrance and built over the OMNI center mall. As I mentioned, the noise wasn't noticeable to me so I don't think it's a major concern. The rooms are set back a decent distance from the road and work.

That said, if you're concerned at all I would just ask for a Garden ("Calton Hill") room or suite - these face onto the hotels garden in a U shape on the roof and would all be well away from the street. There the only potential noise would be other hotel guests sitting out on the garden. Hopefully that makes sense - If you look at an overhead satellite in google maps you might get a better idea - it's a somewhat confusing building design to explain otherwise.


Terrace View Construction

nequine

The words nearby are for the building of the new St. James' Centre. Here is a link to the website and information about construction - https://www.edinburghstjames.com/progress

richarddd

I asked the hotel about the construction and noise. They responded that because the Lady Glenorchy Suite is in the back of the hotel the construction won't have an impact.

BTW. the terrace version has a slightly better view and the non-terrace version has a bigger main room.

bhrubin

Thanks so much!

Yes, we know the terrace means our living room is a bit smaller. But we want that terrace. I don't often care about view as much as my husband or everyone else--unless it's a pretty spectacular view.

cavitron

For anyone who has stayed there, how much bigger is the "Autograph" room compared to the "Signature" room. I will be there alone for two nights. I don't need a ton of room, but don't want a cramped room. Thanks!

Morland

Looks like they've done some reorganisation of rooms here, as I didn't recognise the terms Autograph Room or Signature Room, and looking at the hotel's own website, the Autograph Rooms are "the newest additions to the hotel". I'd be interested to read where these rooms are and what people think of them.

In terms of size, according to the hotel website, the Signature Room averages 32.5m2 while the Autograph Room averages 43m2 (although there are smaller rooms in both categories). I've only ever stayed in the hotel in what's now called a Calton Hill Room, which is similar to the Signature Room in layout - it's a rather strange layout with the beds in the middle of the room facing away from the windows, which is OK if you have a terrace as in the Calton Hill Room, but might feel a bit tight if you don't, as it doesn't feel like the most efficient use of space.

Anyway, the hotel's own website, which is a bit more informative that its Marriott site is here: https://www.theglasshousehotel.co.uk...mmodation.html

Radiation Station

Any recent stays? I’m wondering what the current breakfast situation is in general, and for elites, plus how generous the hotel is with upgrades.

I’m visiting Edinburgh next weekend and I’m trying to choose between the Glasshouse and the Sheraton. Both are very cheap with the healthcare rate I’m eligible for, with a similar price. I’m Titanium with Bonvoy, if that makes a difference.

I’ve stayed at the Sheraton before as Platinum and received a suite upgrade but the Sheraton doesn’t appear to have any suites available next weekend - possibly due to the recent fire that has caused the spa to be closed? I’ve not stayed at the Glasshouse before.

UKTraveller4Fun

You have access to the lounge at Sheraton, which is the new lounge on the reception level and I must say they have done a very good job on.

Radiation Station

Thank you, I didn’t realise the new lounge was open at the Sheraton! Have you stayed recently?

UKTraveller4Fun

​​​​​​The lounge reopened when restrictions allowed a few weeks ago now. Stayed just after the fire that shut the spa/pool. The lounge is currently table service only, but you can a canapes selection delivered to the table and drinks in the evening are similar to previously sparking / white / red wine or a selection of spirits.

Breakfast is serviced in the lounge and was a good spread, although I had option for in the restuarant and did it there, which was a buffet but not self serve.

​​​​​​One thing to note the restuarant is closed currently, they do food service in the bar in th evenings.

davidw70

Checked out of the Glasshouse this morning after a very pleasant 2 night stay. I was upgraded (Plat) from a King Signature to King New Town Terrace Studio Suite - lovely to have the terrace; the room was a bit 90s but very comfortable. Breakfast benefit was the normal breakfast and definitely a highlight of the stay. Tea/coffee/juice and basket of toast, croissant and pastries. And then a choice of continental items and cooked items - I had fruit salad and one day Eggs Royale and other Avocado toast with poached egg. There was also a full Scottish breakfast available.
The hotel is in an excellent location but its design doesn’t help. The bar area only had two tables occupied when I went in - they are serving drinks (one free welcome drink for Plat members) - food-wise there was only a cheese plate or meat plate. Staff were all very good.

Doppy

Had a great stay here as a gold. Upgraded on an award stay to a Calton Hill room with terrace access. The particular room they gave me seemed to be the biggest of that type and was at the end of the hall, partially on a corner so the room had a curve that afforded more space and windows. I never get upgrades as a Marriott gold so I didn't expect anything, this was a nice surprise. Two free drink certificates at check in as well.

Great location.

Would stay here again

Radiation Station

How was the privacy in the Carlton Hill rooms?

I unfortunately chose a weekend where a wedding party was staying in June 2021, and there were no suites available for upgrade. I ended up in a terrace room overlooking the street. The group of people staying next door could look straight into my entire room due to the entire front of it being glass, and the “terraces” being separated by a two foot hedge. To clarify, looking into my room required nothing more than turning in the direction of my room, which was right next to theirs. My only option was to embrace goldfish life or pull the curtains completely closed and deprive the room of all daylight. I found this very uncomfortable, especially as this was meant to be a romantic weekend getaway with my partner. Noise was also audible from next door because I strangely had an interconnecting room.

Elite treatment was mixed. I did receive some drinks vouchers, and obviously free breakfast. We were checked in by a man who had issues with mask wearing, who insisted my 4pm checkout was subject to availability (I am Titanium - it is guaranteed at this property). The drinks vouchers included expensive drinks (including specialist whiskey) and they generously gave my girlfriend’s parents free drinks too - I certainly didn’t ask for that, so was genuinely touched.

Some of the staff were very new too. Most of them seemed friendly and well intentioned.

So I was left with a mixed impression of the hotel. The location was interesting, the breakfast was solid, the free drinks were a nice touch; but some of the customer service and knowledge of the Bonvoy benefits was not up to scratch. The room itself felt very much like a goldfish bowl and the hard product needs refurbishing.

I subsequently went back to the Sheraton for my next Edinburgh stay and was upgraded to a suite and proactively offered 4pm checkout. The Sheraton also upgraded my friends (second room booked under my name) to a room across from the hall from my suite on the top floor, and gave them free breakfast, lounge access and 4pm checkout. I did not ask for this elite treatment of my friends and certainly didn’t expect it.

TL;DR - stay at the Sheraton Grand unless you are an exhibitionist.

Doppy

At least on the side of the building where I was, there was a hedge row that blocked the view from other people on the roof looking directly into your room. However, my room was all the way at the end - thus having the best view of Calton Hill - but it also meant that if people were out on the deck in the "public" area they could look into your room.

But there was no privacy screen in between each room's patio areas, so if I were sitting out on my patio, it would be easy to see into the neighbor's room, and vice versa. There was just something small on the ground to indicate that one should not physically cross into someone else's area.

I didn't really mind the setup, but it's not very private.

DELee

Hmm. Upon reading these posts, methinks there's a reason why this hotel is named "The Glasshouse".

David