|
The Edinburgh BA FT Do
Queueing this one up a little early whilst I have a spare half hour this evening as I’m off to Birmingham on business first thing tomorrow and not back until late Friday. Time will be at a premium Saturday morning!
This weekend I’m heading off just up the road to Edinburgh for the FlyerTalk weekend do. Huge thanks go to crazy8534 for doing the hard yards organising this shindig. https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/brit...er-2024-a.html I have to admit that I have vacillated mightily about attending, mostly due to the brutal hotel prices. What tipped the balance was a post by Cymro regarding the number of points needed for the Hilton. Unfortunately my points balances across the board were close to zero as I’d not long since booked up all the hotels for the next nine months, and wiped out pretty much every point I had in the process. However, Hilton had a double points sale going and £130 worth of points secured me a room that at that time was selling for £469. i’ve just checked and right now they’re asking £806 for the basic queen bed room for the Saturday night! I definitely owe Cymro a beer for that suggestion. As you can see from the thread above, there are a number of event streams planned for the Saturday, and then the weekend culminates with a visit to the National Museum of Flight and Concorde, My personal plans for the weekend are: Saturday
Next update will be Saturday morning once I’m on the move. |
It wouldn’t be one of my trip reports if everything went according to plan :)
Standing at Birmingham station contemplating the journey home to Newcastle on the EDINBURGH train… you know what is coming! A quick check on the Hilton app and there was a room available for 40k points, and the points sale was still running, and the rest, as they say, is history. I have managed to find a seat on this fairly busy cross country train and about to get settled in for the multitudinous joys of five hours of cross country comfort. https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...833462eda.jpeg Now the question is…. Is there a buffet on board?! |
Originally Posted by JapesUK
(Post 36505395)
It wouldn’t be one of my trip reports if everything went according to plan :)
Standing at Birmingham station contemplating the journey home to Newcastle on the EDINBURGH train… you know what is coming! A quick check on the Hilton app and there was a room available for 40k points, and the points sale was still, and the rest, as they say, is history. I have managed to find a seat on this fairly busy cross country train and about to get settled in for the multitudinous joys of five hours of cross country comfort. https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...833462eda.jpeg Now the question is…. Is there a buffet on board?! |
Five long and miserable hours later and I’ve made it to the Hilton. There was a buffet trolley for the first half of the journey but after Darlington, nada for the last two hours.
Very foggy up here right now which I believe is messing with flights https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...baa6daa3b.jpeg The Hilton is clearly being renovated inside and out https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...0a6616a46.jpeg https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...7be9c2db7.jpeg Reception is definitely NOT that way No room upgrade this weekend and honestly I was not expecting one given that occupancy must be nigh on 100%, especially tomorrow https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...e351a7e89.jpeg https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...23eb66764.jpeg https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...516088ffd.jpeg https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...e1576a368.jpeg https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...93757f198.jpeg I do, however, get access to the lounge so time to go hunt it down |
The lounge is on the first floor along with the restaurant and bar.
First, the restaurant, which is currently appears to be closed https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...d212ed04d.jpeg https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...42169c20c.jpeg https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...8c7745947.jpeg Following along the corridor and passing the executive lounge, the bar is at the far end https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...b2b9152db.jpeg https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...ac74fd385.jpeg https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...0923de0c5.jpeg And then back to the lounge https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...4043c8764.jpeg https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...89db980bd.jpeg The lounge is inexplicable, it’s more like a cafe. There is nowhere comfortable to actually lounge, and nowhere to work??? All in all it’s a pretty unappealing space. Honestly none of the three spaces are that appealing but this one least of all. |
When I arrived the buffet was set out for afternoon tea/snacks
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...281486734.jpeg https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...6c0993a70.jpeg https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...5d8e93ba2.jpeg https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...6e5f50460.jpeg https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...41a618830.jpeg I have a longstanding love of Tunnocks teacakes and caramel bars. Some of these may well wander off to my room :) https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...827506695.jpeg At 5pm they started to vey slowly transition over to evening snacks. I expected better. https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...ddab747d9.jpeg https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...ce15fb111.jpeg Around 5:20 the alcohol made an appearance https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...f1a49774d.jpeg https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...bead6fc27.jpeg To add insult to injury, the sausages were tasteless, the falafel greasy and soggy, just a very poor showing. |
That lounge is just... yikes.
Looking forward to hearing about your time in Edinburgh. We seem to be hopscotching each other around the world the past few weeks - after Tirana, I headed back to London before going up to the Fringe for the last weekend of August, so had my own (very different) experience of Edinburgh there. |
Your suggestion of a Hilton hotel for 40k points intrigued me. Managed to book the DoubleTree at EDI airport for that on Saturday night, which seems a reasonable deal.
|
Originally Posted by flarmip
(Post 36506199)
Your suggestion of a Hilton hotel for 40k points intrigued me. Managed to book the DoubleTree at EDI airport for that on Saturday night, which seems a reasonable deal.
|
Clearly not getting fed in the lounge, it was time to head to dinner. I already knew where I was going, having spotted it on the way to the Hilton.
If you look closely at the previous exterior shot you will see Bread Meats Bread on the far left. BMB is far and away my favourite burger chain, predominantly, maybe solely, found in Scotland. https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...e8dc34516.jpeg https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...1b3a39268.jpeg https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...cc1500ba5.jpeg I’ve gone for a caramel and Jack Daniels milkshake to kick off the festivities and then the Luther Burger that is made from two glazed ring donuts! For a side I chose the poutine. I guarantee I’ll not finish it, even the small side is a lot of heavy food but hopefully it is as delicious as I remember it. https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...dd8a84bd4.jpeg I got slightly sidetracked during the fifty or so steps from hotel to BMB. :D https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...3f4bc4066.jpeg |
|
Chatting to reception on the way back in and apparently all of the renovations are expected to take another six months. The bar, restaurant, and lounge are all moving again which explains the state of them. The bar is moving to the ground floor, opposite an expanded reception. The restaurant is moving to -1, and I forgot to ask where the lounge was heading.
Full of very, very tasty burger, it’s back to the lounge for a nightcap and then an early night. Whilst I’m enjoying the beer I think I’ll look for a walking tour for tomorrow morning, might as well see a bit more of the city. |
And I thought I eat a lot. Man, I feel stuffed to the point of bursting just looking at that "burger and fries" you got.
re. the Hilton, I am guessing the lower redemption rate is tied to the renovations? (The way I expect it, lounge is heading to the oblivion) re. walking tours, I've just been thinking of you in Heidelberg the other day, I need to get it into my mind to look them up. I missed one in Cluj (to be mentioned in an upcoming TR) and then looking at several busloads of presumably Korean (going by signage) tourists, I perhaps should have gotten one in Germany. Or two, if there was a late one in Stuttgart. And the stupid thing is, I know, from experience, they are great ways to see a city. I've taken a fair few. I just rarely remember to book one. |
Originally Posted by JapesUK
(Post 36506299)
Dinner is served
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...7dfcdea52.jpeg https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...673421a87.jpeg |
Ah....Friday again. And so another Japes saga commences. Looking forward to the rest of the weekend's read. Must say that burger looks most unappealing - any guess to the calorie and fat content?? :D
|
Originally Posted by simoflyer
(Post 36506597)
Wow a donut burger...Did you manage to finish it ?
|
Originally Posted by dwugson
(Post 36506675)
Ah....Friday again. And so another Japes saga commences. Looking forward to the rest of the weekend's read. Must say that burger looks most unappealing - any guess to the calorie and fat content?? :D
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...3888fe107.jpeg |
Hoping the Hilton lounge in Reno is a bit better!
|
Oh my, I just blocked two of my four bypasses just looking at that delicious burger and shake :)
|
The lounge is inexplicable, it’s more like a cafe. There is nowhere comfortable to actually lounge, and nowhere to work??? All in all it’s a pretty unappealing space. Honestly none of the three spaces are that appealing but this one least of all.[/QUOTE]
If you think this one is bad, try the lounge in the Geneva airport Hilton.... That's another weekend trip for you. |
Good morning from a thoroughly miserable Edinburgh. I don’t have a word to describe the weather, it is on that transition point between mist and rain where the water is not quite hanging in the air. Hopefully it’ll burn off as the day goes on.
My body clock did its thing and woke me around quarter past five, and I’ve spent the last couple of hours lounging around and catching up with the world. According to reception when I checked in, breakfast is served in the restaurant. The restaurant for breakfast looks suspiciously like the executive lounge :D That does explain the cafe layout and lack of any real ‘lounge’ space. https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...a8bf8a5b2.jpeg https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...9b762b330.jpeg https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...bcced00b9.jpeg https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...45653afde.jpeg https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...9c0c54c0a.jpeg https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...8eb067da4.jpeg https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...e9e48b6cc.jpeg https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...2d913531d.jpeg Starting the day in proper fashion, it is time to fuel up for the day ahead https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...6ed077477.jpeg |
I spent many days during my training for ATC in the tower waiting for the Haar to disperse! I’m sure your familiar as a Newcastle resident, there seemed to be no real reason why or when it disappeared! It could be gone in 5 minutes or 5 days😳
|
Time to tour! A cluster of yellow umbrellas in the distance denotes the starting point
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...ec1e728d6.jpeg On another note , breakfast this morning was this simple omelette, and it is NOT sitting well… hopefully the walk helps settle my stomach https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...65c7485bd.jpeg |
Originally Posted by JapesUK
(Post 36507497)
Good morning from a thoroughly miserable Edinburgh. I don’t have a word to describe the weather, it is on that transition point between mist and rain where the water is not quite hanging in the air. Hopefully it’ll burn off as the day goes on.
|
The walking tour was arranged by City Explorers and our guide for the morning was a young lady named Emma who was from upper New York! Armed with a degree in Scottish History, she had relocated to Edinburgh and has been here long enough to have a soft Scottish burr.
She was very good, with a great line of patter, an engaging delivery, and the usual collection of anti-English lines :D Unfortunately for me, after 40 minutes my stomach was feeling increasingly unsettled and in an excess of caution I made my apologies to Emma and headed back to the hotel. We didn’t get far in the tour in terms of distance as the first twenty minutes had been patter and scene setting, but we did get to the statue of Sylvester Stallone :D https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...7b06c29ef.jpeg https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...e11d0b8e2.jpeg https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...e0be1f3f6.jpeg |
Once I returned to my room I fell immediately asleep and have only just awoken, two hours later. Feeling improved, but far from 100%.
I’ve popped down to the executive lounge and the offering is identical to yesterday, the same curly sandwiches, sweets, and cake on the buffet, and coffee in a thermos. All I want right now is coffee and we’ll see how it goes. There’s a couple of hours until the Johnny Walker experience…. kill or cure? :D |
Originally Posted by JapesUK
(Post 36507873)
Once I returned to my room I fell immediately asleep and have only just awoken, two hours later. Feeling improved, but far from 100%.
I’ve popped down to the executive lounge and the offering is identical to yesterday, the same curly sandwiches, sweets, and cake on the buffet, and coffee in a thermos. All I want right now is coffee and we’ll see how it goes. There’s a couple of hours until the Johnny Walker experience…. kill or cure? :D |
Originally Posted by SKT-DK
(Post 36507914)
Cure, of course - remember the good old Homer Simpson quote :D Hope you will feel better!
|
Originally Posted by JapesUK
(Post 36507969)
Not one coming to mind, you’re going to have to educate me on that one :)
|
Wise words indeed :D
|
After a good twenty minute hustle along princes street we’ve made it with minutes to spare
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...11362a786.jpeg https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...d514c3087.jpeg https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...c7a388641.jpeg |
Fetch me a bottle of King George when noones looking, will you?
|
Started with a great fun narrated multimedia presentation
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...3fe00869b.jpeg https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...68fea3d5d.jpeg https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...49adc08da.jpeg https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...35bb8d19c.jpeg |
The second stop was a make it yourself highball room. Before arrival you were asked to complete a flavour survey which determined your wristband colour and, in this room, your highball constituents.
I ended up with JW red and a bay leaf… I must have lied on the quiz :D https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...50cc19146.jpeg https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...a59e3c1e5.jpeg https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...37574365e.jpeg https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...975bc8a2b.jpeg https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...a8f01b061.jpeg https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...0b441e7d2.jpeg |
The third stop is expanding on the various flavour notes in whisky and again multimedia is in use along the walls, with four whisky’s and their flavours profiles on display in the centre of the room
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...73f8190e8.jpeg https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...f61dfa90b.jpeg https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...43f345a30.jpeg https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...d4d4a137d.jpeg https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...2bfaf928b.jpeg |
Next stop was predominantly around flavour profiles with brief descriptions from three master blenders. The information was interesting but I found the presentation a bit cheesy
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...ca2cafcdc.jpeg https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...3311ba120.jpeg |
Originally Posted by JapesUK
(Post 36507497)
Good morning from a thoroughly miserable Edinburgh. I don’t have a word to describe the weather
dreich plowerty oorlich etc It's like eskimos and snow... |
And so to the bar for two wee drams. Excuse the photos, the whole room is flooded with blue light
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...0296be8d2.jpeg https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...0c323594e.jpeg https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...ab9d8c74b.jpeg https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...f7016b5bd.jpeg https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...0181f15d1.jpeg |
|
I am envious of you all getting together up there, but I have to say that I am not envious of the Johnny Walker experience.
It appears to be a triumph of failed millenial style over substance. Normally my flat cap and dour expression would stop anyone attempting to put 'mood lights' in a bar, but the chirpy hosts there would be having none of it I think. It looks like it is aimed at an age range of 18 to 18.5, or possibly just aiming to convince rich Japanese and Chinese punters that what they are drinking is desirable in some way. |
| All times are GMT -6. The time now is 8:30 pm. |
This site is owned, operated, and maintained by MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. Copyright © 2026 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Designated trademarks are the property of their respective owners.