Situated in Edinburgh’s city centre at the foot of the iconic Calton Hill is the impressive four-star hotel, Courtyard By Marriot. Its prominent position makes it extremely accessible and acts an excellent base to explore everything this beautiful city has to offer. The exterior of the hotel exudes the typical Georgian style that Edinburgh is renowned for. The facade emits the style of an elegant townhouse with sash windows, symmetrical details and doors adorned with traditional fanlights. The energy and buzz of the nearby street are somewhat hectic but quickly disappears as you enter the hotel’s expansive lobby. Due to Covid restrictions, a one way system was in place, but with several reception desks located at the foot of the lobby and numerous friendly staff, check-in was a fairly quick.
Exterior 
Exterior 
Reception
There are many different room categories such as; King Guest, Superior King, Queen Guest, Family Guest, Twin Guest, Accessible Guest and Superior King with Balcony. I was kindly offered the Superior King with Balcony which was a godsend considering Edinburgh was experiencing a very rare hot summers day. This outdoor space alone is a rare find in Edinburgh, so this made it one of the main highlights of the room. Situated towards the back of the hotel, the balcony overlooked some residential buildings as well a carpet of green foliage that cascaded down from the peak of Calton Hill. I enjoyed sitting outside with a glass of cold Prosecco and listening to the relaxing call of nature in the nearby trees, it almost didn’t feel as if you were in the city centre at all.
The room was generous in size and exuded a typical contemporary corporate feel that would cater to most tastes. The hue of soft grey walls gave the space a bright and airy ambience, accented by a pop of teal from the soft furnishings. A large comfortable bed dressed in crisp white linen was backed with a wooden panelled headboard with attached soft lighting. At the foot of the bed, another wooden panelled wall included a dressing table with a stool, spacious cupboard and wall-mounted television. A great addition to the room was a large glass desk and comfortable leather chair backed by artwork, a useful area if you are visiting on business.
The attached bathroom was again another sizeable room and included a large sink area and walk-in shower along with a range of Nirvae Botanicals toiletries. A pre-warning though, if you have a bashful disposition, the bathroom door is a full panel of frosted glass. It’s certainly not something that concerned me, however I can imagine that some people may find it a tad awkward.
The lengthy lobby emanates a contemporary stylish vibe and is a great place to unwind or enjoy a delicious drink from the bar. Again, the space echoes materials used within the rooms, accented with brightly coloured furniture, modern lighting and accessories. I sat here to enjoy a relaxing cocktail from the bar, however if you aren’t a fan of pre-mixed cocktails then there is a satisfactory range of beers, spirits and wines to choose from.
The hotel’s attached restaurant is The Lantern Room which is located either inside, adjacent to the lobby, or you can opt to dine al fresco on the terrace. Luckily foe me, the weather was beautiful and therefore I sat outside and enjoyed the energetic vibe of the city. After a refreshing drink, we opted to try the stone-baked pizza and Moo-less plant-based burger, both were extremely filling and of a good standard.
I must admit, I often find it difficult to drift asleep in hotel rooms but due to the location of the room at the rear of the property, the silence along with the comfortable bed left me suitably rested and ready for breakfast the next day. Breakfast was located on the lower ground floor of the hotel and operated a service combining self-service and waiter service. A range of cereals, yoghurts, fruit, pastries and hot drinks can be obtained from a very well organised self-service area and a choice of warm food is available to order. We opted for a vegetarian breakfast along with poached eggs and it was certainly a tasty and satisfying option.
If you can prise yourself away from the hotel, you have the city of Edinburgh on your doorstep. The hotel is sandwiched between a myriad of shops, restaurants and bars as well as the famous Playhouse Theatre. Edinburgh’s newest premier shopping destination, The St James Quarter is only a stone’s throw away, so you are never too far from all the action. With some excellent transport links right outside the hotel, you are also able to navigate around the city quite easily and explore several historical sites such as Edinburgh Castle and its neighbouring Royal Mile. If you are feeling energetic you can take a walk up nearby Calton Hill and capture some beautiful cityscape views.
Calton Hill 
View of Edinburgh 
The Courtyard by Marriott is a fantastic choice for both business and pleasure due to its excellent location and transport links. Its friendly welcoming staff, well-appointed rooms and range of amenities provide guests with everything they need for the perfect stay in the beautiful city of Edinburgh. Although The Courtyard by Marriott wasn’t previously on my radar, after staying I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it in the future. For an affordable room with a good standard of accommodation, it ticks many Blu Blazer Guy boxes.
Blu Blazer Guy Rating:
Location – 5/5
Customer Service – 4/5
Accommodation – 4/5
Cleanliness – 5/5
Food and Drink – 3.5/5
BLU BLAZER GUY 