Raging tourists pay £160-a-night for 4-star hotel with 'view of building site'

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A tourist slammed the Leonardo Royal Hotel in Edinburgh after finding a building site outside their window (Image: TripAdvisor/379kevant)
A tourist slammed the Leonardo Royal Hotel in Edinburgh after finding a building site outside their window (Image: TripAdvisor/379kevant)

A tourist has hit out at a hotel in Edinburgh after they were given a room overlooking a building site.

The visitor - from England - left a review on Friday after staying in the Scottish capital's Leonardo Royal Hotel, claiming construction work started as early as 6.45am and was just metres from their window.

The hotel's prices begin at £160 a night this month, with some days costs as much as £302. The raging customer also slammed the hotel for closing their bar at 11pm, after they hoped to end their day at the Fringe with a nightcap. Taking to TripAdvisor, they said: "Let’s start with the positives.

"Front of desk very welcoming and receptive first impressions were very good. A four-star “big” hotel. We were offered a glass of Prosecco on arrival which was great. Staff all very helpful. First impressions of room was very positive, very large. Could do with a couple of easy chairs, there was plenty of space but nowhere to sit and read or have a coffee other than the bed."

Things took a turn after the couple looked out their window, and noticed what was happening right outside, reports EdinburghLive. They added: "Not just overlooking a building site, but an active participant in the building programme. The crane in the photo started work at 6.45am, less than 10 metres from our window. To be honest, my main gripe was that returning to the hotel at just past 11pm, having passed all the pubs full of festival goers, we thought we would have a nightcap in the hotel bar to be informed that the bar had closed at 11pm.

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"This claims to be a four-star hotel with four-star service. I could get a nightcap at the Premier Inn around the corner until 1am. Ok, there is building work, but we should've been told - but a serious four-star hotel without a bar?" Responding almost immediately, the hotel said: "It's wonderful to hear that you had a positive encounter with our front desk team, finding their welcoming attitude and the offer of a glass of Prosecco upon arrival to be a nice touch.

"Our staff's helpfulness and attentiveness are key priorities for us, and we're glad to hear that they left a positive impression on you. We're also pleased that your initial impression of the room was positive, with its perceived spaciousness. We'll certainly take note of your suggestion regarding adding a couple of easy chairs to the room, as guest comfort is very important to us.

"I am, however, truly sorry to hear that certain aspects of your stay did not meet your expectations. Please accept my sincerest apologies for any inconveniences or discomfort you experienced during your time with us. Rest assured, your concerns will be conveyed to our management team. They will thoroughly assess the issues you've raised and explore avenues for improvements." The Leonardo Royal Hotel has an average "very good" rating, with 3.5 stars. With 5947 reviews so far, only 388 branded the spot "terrible".

A review made yesterday said the hotel was "simply amazing", adding: "The whole experience was perfect, staff are friendly, rooms are excellent and clean, housekeeping staff are amazing, location is just perfect with an alleyway leading onto the Royal Mile, and Waverley Station just down the road." Another posted earlier this month reads: "They customer experience was second to none, from start to finish. The staff were extremely accommodating. The rooms we’re comfortable appointed. We had a group of 10, and were easily attended to throughout the experience."

Lee Dalgetty

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