Channings Classic Hotel

, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
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Channings Classic Hotel

, Edinburgh
4 star

Rooms: 46

12 South Learmonth Gardens - Edinburgh - Scotland - EH4 1EZ - United Kingdom Hotel Website | | (131) 315 2226
390 Traveller

Reviews - Channings Classic Hotel

8/10
Good breakfast, decent service, decent value
Submitted by: Bruno in 06/12/06
  • Age Group: 31 - 40
  • From: United Kingdom
  • Traveller type: Business Traveller
I stayed here with my wife for one night in a "junior" suite. I was on business but my wife was on shopping duty! We arrived very late. There was an initial cock up; we were told the kitchens were going to amke us something (at 10pm) but they closed. It meant we didn't have dinner but they gave us a complimentary BLT toastie which was appreciated (and rather tasty). Staff were polite and well mannered for the duration of our stay. Parking outside was ok but I could imagine it might be a problem on a busier day. Mini suite was good size and reasonably decorated, but I expected to have a mini bar which was a little disappointing. Only ate breakfast there (apart from toastie on first night), which was really good on both mornings. Fresh fruit then full Scottish all very well done. I was a little surprised it was so good! The location is a little out of town but that didn't bother us too much. All round I thought this was a really good value alternative to the City centre big hotels. I will defintiely consider staying again. Well done!
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Historical Traveller Reviews of Channings Classic Hotel

Great Hotel

from A TripAdvisor Member
We had such a nice stay at the Channings Hotel. We were greeted by a welcoming staff and although our room was not ready until two, they were great about keeping our luggage so that we could go explore the city. The gave us great recommendations on what to see and do.
The room was beautiful and spacious. We didn't have the best view but the bed was great and the bathroom was huge with a separate shower and then a claw foot tub. Good shower pressure which is always nice.
The breakfast in the morning was fantastic. It had a great selection of anything from Eggs down to cereal and pastries.
I would definately stay here again.

Disappointed visitors

from A TripAdvisor Member
Recently stayed overnight at the Channings. After a full day exploring the fantastic sights of Edinburgh was looking forward to staying at the place voted the Best Hotel in Edinburgh 2004. Reading previous reviews, if you don't want to be disappointed with your room pay that bit extra. We were located on the top floor (attic room 61).
The bed should have been a double, but was 2 twins pushed together with twin quilts and covers. Not a good idea for someone who fidgets in the night.

You had to be below 5ft to avoid the sloping roof when getting out of bed (hence hubby bumped his head a couple of times). The shower was held together with yellow sticky tape. Really was disappointed as I had heard/read so many rave reviews about this hotel. The only plus side to the room was the view from the 2 windows.

Unlike others when we return to Edinburgh we won't be enquiring at the Channings. Mainly as our high expectations of such a hotel were let down, which consequently left us with a bitter taste especially after such a great day in Edinburgh.

The breakfast was excellent, everything you wanted. The "fry-up" was just enough, but you had ample of pastries, fruit, cereals to fill up on.

Most of the staff were very pleasant and helpful, especially when we checked in on 6 November (am).

Edinburgh is excellent, take plenty of money and some very reliable walking shoes

golden oldie!

from LCFC
Stayed here for 3 nights from 27th October and it was a pleasure.Communication before we even arrived was great(we wanted directions from the airport to the hotel via buses!)
We arrived very early (10a.m) due to our plane times and they happily looked after our bags until our room was made so we ventured out again.
We found EVERYONE at the hotel very very friendly BUT my only gripe is that reception is TOO small!
The room we had (46) was nice but it was small and slightly cramped BUT it was clean tidy and the bathroom was lovely.
Its a 3-4 minute ride to the bus stop which can take you to Princes St and the Royal mile and hence the location is not a problem.
The Breakfasts were LOVELY!!! LOvely cooked Vegetarian breakfasts and cereal,croissants,danishes cheeses etc.....
Overall the Channings is a lovely friendly hotel,more like a family run hotel than a "BIG UN" and value for money.Altough the room was small,we would definetely stay there again!

A delightful retreat

from monkeychops
A delightful retreat near to all the main attractions. The hotel is approximately 10 minute walk away from Princess St but is situated on a beautifully quiet street which for our stay was the best of both worlds. After reading previous reviews I was hopeful and to be honest the Channings didn't dissapoint. We arranged a last minute break via the internet and was offered a reasonable price for a standard room on the second floor. The standard room to be fair was small but the fantastic oversized bed made our stay so very relaxing. The room was well equiped (TV, tea & coffee facilities, internet en-suite with large bath) and clean. The 24 hour room service was also a welcomed facility. We found the staff both accomodating and friendly. To summerise, this was a beautiful hotel situated in a lovely location which resulted in a hassle free stay.

A Lovely Hotel

from A TripAdvisor Member
A lovely hotel, good accommodations, very good food --- BUT overall the front desk staff could use an Edinburgh tutorial as well as serious customer service training. For a small hotel there were an amazing number of different people at the front desk, making for limited continuity in service, and much less personal service that would be expected -- it also made follow-up on questions difficult. No one ever did get back to me about car hire, other options for getting to Roslin, or which museums the complimentary pass covered. But the worst example was at departure -- after a five night stay the "concierge" who did check-out didn't even bother inquire as to overall satisfaction with the trip and hotel. An awful oversight in my book!

Mostly great...

from dbwMidwest
Much of what's been written before is excellent and accurate - hotel location, etc. Gripes are minor but do exist: 1) Front Desk person was pleasant but not wildly helpful - we asked about a handful of items ranging from tickets to the theatre to the closing of Holyrood due to the Queen's coming to open the new Parliament building. Given how small the staff up front seems to be (front desk + all-purpose guy), one expects that the quasi-concierge function will be accommodated by the front desk. 2) The room we had (#14) was downstairs and tucked away from most everything but we discovered on night 1 (out of 5) that the bed's headboard shared a wall with a back hallway that the staff must use - woken up at 3AM the first night, 1AM the 2nd, 11P+ the 3rd, used earplugs the 4th and it was quiet the 5th! 3) We mentioned to the front desk after our first night that the TV in the bedroom didn't work and there was a blinking light in the bath. Neither were ever fixed despite a written note being taken while we were speaking with them. 4) Despite the touting of free via-the-TV internet access, there were no directions to figure out how to use it and by this time we weren't much interested in asking for help at the front desk!

Yes, these are minor items but when paying over $240 US a night for a hotel room, they were expectations that we felt were reasonable. On the plus side, the breakfasts were lovely and the staff in the restaurant - one gentleman in particular - were just delightful. Also the bellman was terrific, friendly and helpful. He produced a floor fan that went some distance to mitigating the noise we had at night.

Overall would recommend it but would make sure that any concerns re' sleeping/quiet are addressed in advance.

Wonderful hotel!

from DirtyBird
We had a terrific 3 day stay at the Channings. The staff was warm and helpful. Our room was cosy and quiet. They have a terrific bar downstairs - just what we needed after a long day walking around Edinburgh. The hotel is located about a 10-15 minute walk away from the heart of Edinburgh, which was very convenient. We'd definitely return and recommend it to others.

Great

from A TripAdvisor Member
Spent thre nights and could have stayed more. although we booked at last minute and got a cheap deal it represented superb value and dinner in the cheaper restaurant was as good as any we had in Edinburgh. Certainly one to go back to and to recommend to friends.
If your looking for faults then these minor gripes are for you. Receptionist didn't know about buses into the centre - answer any one of many that pass 50 yds away, and they could have been quicker clearing breakfast plates. But really folks these are so petty - do not be put off!
Staff are friendly and welcome and the hotel deserves its award as small Edi hotel of the year.
Go and enjoy!!

Perfect!

from LovedayCoAntrim
We just came home yesterday evening after spending 2 nights in Channings Hotel, Edinburgh. We had a glorious stay.

Our room was more than we could have hoped for (worth treating yourself to a superior room). The bathroom was spacious and spotless with a lovely old fashioned bath 'on feet' with plenty of hot water and lovely fluffy towels and towelling robes. The bed was sumptuous. We used room service one evening and it was beautiful. Breakfasts were great. Staff were extremely friendly and helpful. Location of the hotel was a very pleasant 10 minute stroll from Princes Street.

All in all, couldn't fault a thing - apart from the fact that our stay was too short. If you're looking for a special treat - stay here!

Small stylish hotel but a couple of flaws

from A TripAdvisor Member
My mum and I only got back from Edinburgh on the 11th September and we stayed at Channings for a week. The hotel is in a very quiet area only about 15 minutes walk from the shopping area of Princes Street. It is a lovely hotel and they have worked hard at giving it some style. The staff are very friendly and the food at breakfast is plentiful. Dinner in their Ochre Vita restaurant (and the white chocolate cheesecake) is highly recommended as is their room service which was quick. A few quibbles though. I'm not sure if it's because we booked through an online discount travel service but the room we were given (room 63 on the top floor) really should have been for one person. Half of the ceiling in the bedroom and bathroom sloped down, giving you less room. The floorboards creaked every time you walked and while sitting on the toilet, you could have touched the bathroom door, sink and bath without hardly stretching. Also, even though we put the Do Not Disturb sign on the door before we left to go shopping, this was ignored and the twin beds were quite small. I guess they thought women don't reach the height of 5'7" and 5'8"!! I'd recommend the hotel though for its food and service but make sure you get a decent sized room. By the way, Edinburgh is a very fine city. Bring lots of money to go shopping!!

Top Local Tips for Edinburgh

Whisky Heritage Centre Don't bother with the standard tour unless you really want the free glass. You pay £9.25 to get a shot of whisky, watch 3 videos and sit in a car shaped like a barrel. More for kids. The bar, however, is very good for tastings.

Go to George Street not Princes street If your in Edinburgh and want to shop go to George Street; Princes Street is an anywhere in the UK place and poorly looked after with down market shops. You should aldso find OloRosso on Castle Street - it really is a nice restaurant and bar on the top of an office block - with great views.

Take the bus! Buses run regularly and to all parts of the city. You can buy an all-day pass for about 2.50 British Pounds. The schedules are at each stop, and the buses run fairly well into the evening.

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Other names for Channings Classic Hotel

  • channings hotel edinburgh
  • Address: 12 South Learmonth Gardens - Edinburgh - Scotland - EH4 1EZ - United Kingdom
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