On a recent jaunt to Edinburgh I stayed at the Malmaison by Leith docks.

First off, it’s about 15 years since I’ve been round Leith, what a change.
Back in the day it was a bit of a no-go area but it’s now been ‘regenerated’- lots of nice bars and restaurants and half a million quid apartments etc.

A couple of things made my stay worth remarking upon.

All Malmaison hotels offer free, gratis broadband in the rooms. So what? I hear you say. Well try getting free web access in any other hotel chain. Unlikely.

In the bathroom theres a wee sign beside all the toiletries - posh body wash, moisturising pads, breath freshner, the lot - saying ‘please take these away with you’.
Everyone nabs the bits from the bathroom in hotels anyway, but a nice touch to say ‘go ahead’. Power showers too. Theres nothing worse than the dribbly weak showers you often encounter in hotels.

I ordered dinner in my room - posh burger and chips - the chips come in a tall cup thing wrapped in Malmaison greaseproof paper. A little design touch that tickled me.

I also loved the milk jugs at breakfast, it’s a tall vase shaped white jug with ‘cow’ spots printed on it.

I could have stayed at the Holiday Inn across the road and it would have been perfectly acceptable, but i would not have mentioned it to anyone after.
It’s the micro-touches that make an experience worth talking about.

Having stayed in quite a few Edinburgh hotels in a short space of time I would definitely say that this was one of my favourites. The staff could not have been more friendly or helpful. The room was comfortable with funky decor and the best toiletries in any hotel I’ve been too (very girly I know!). The hotel itself is impressive and beautiful to look at, very reasonably priced for what you get and with a cool and sumptuous feeling. It’s not in the city centre but is a short taxi or bus ride away and is in the fashionable Shore area of Edinburgh with plenty of bars and restaurants nearby. I would highly recommend this hotel.

We stayed at this hotel for a one-night stop while attending a family engagement party. We chose the hotel for its 300m distance from Manchester Picadilly rail station and the “supposed good name” of the Malmaison chain.

What a huge disappointment. Arrived at 2pm on a Saturday to be told that there were “absolutely no rooms ready…..” and to leave our bags with the reception staff. This wasnt convenient since we needed to change, so we were sent to the “Petit” Spa (read “small”, period.) changing rooms where there was not room to swing a cat, let alone the ability to open a suitcase on the floor.

Returning to reception, I noticed other guests (including a party of American tourists) were being given room keys and whisked upstairs. When I enquired about this, I was told the same surly receptionist that these lucky people (who had all arrived separately but at the same time) had telephoned in the morning or received “pre-assigned rooms”. When I complained about this, much shuffling and mouse-clicking followed, but no rooms. When however I sat down at reception in the sofa facing them, they kinda realised that they had played me for a schmuck for too long and “voila…..” mysteriously a room became available for me.

Since I paid full rack rate for a room, I fail to see what characteristics I displayed in order to be treated so badly - however this was not the end of the issues at the BadHouse (translates from the french).

Firstly decor. I can best describe the decor as “early Virgin Atlantic” - black walls and a red seat cushions (or vice versa) in a pdesperate attempt to be cool and chic. At night (for example around 7pm in Manchester on a rainy day), this does have an immediate “wow” appeal backed up by a few red candles dotted around. However, during the cold bright light of morning it is rather like checking in to a rather dodgy old brothel.

Really nice hotel. Offers nice rooms and 4 star service. Great price as we paid £99 for Dinner, bed and breakfast for 2 people. Restaurant food is good and the hotel is better than the malmaison in Newcastle. Its not in the town centre but ideal for a quieter weekend close to restaurants the the atlantic terminal shopping centre. Highly recommend the Britannia boat tour

This is a great modern hotel, just outside of the city center, only a short walk from Ocean Terminal. The hotel, which is now about ten years old, is the first in the Mal chain, but shows no sign of wear and tear. In fact, the lobby is inviting and spectacular, and the rooms (well, at least the one I stayed in) follow suit. I loved the red, black and white decor; the bathroom was fabulous; it had all modern conveniences! I couldn't have asked for anything more. To top it all off, the price was GREAT! Oh...and did I mention that there's a restaurant and terrace??? Added bonuses galore! I think it's fairly obvious that I would HIGHLY recommend this hotel. It's a bit off the beaten path, but a short taxi ride gets you onto Princes Street or the Royal Mile and a VERY short walk gets you to the Ocean Terminal Shopping Center where there are TONS of shops and a movie theatre. GO! LOVE IT! EMBRACE THE MAL WAY OF LIFE! I have!

P.S. Shout outs to the very FRIENDLY and eager-to-please staff!