Christmas in Edinburgh was based in The Roxburgh Hotel Charlotte Square which was a great location very close to Princess Street and is an easy 20 minute bus ride in from Edinburgh airport with drop off only a 3 minute walk to hotel. This was a lovely hotel with good standards in the bedrooms and also throughout the public areas that were decorated in an expected festive way

(There were extensive repairs underway with lots of scaffolding evident from the atrium but works seemed to have stopped during our stay)

However the area in the basement designated for our group dinners was not at all festive and for the first couple of days was it was also cold. The meals were of a disappointing standard and the entertainment disorganised and a bit chaotic - I don't think the disco went ahead on the last night - or maybe it did - after I left the room around 10pm...

Christmas Day lunchtime was especially disappointing with turkey that seemed preformed it didn't seem to be the expected traditional carved roast turkey and the service was incredibly slow - apparently everyone in the hotel - all guests were eating at the same time - staff seemed sparse on the ground 

Breakfasts were served in the hotel main restaurant these were of variable quality and standard regards food and service - especially chaotic on the last morning - black charred toast served with raw fried egg and undercooked bacon - several people around sent the food back. Unlike other JY holidays I've been on tables we're set out in x2s and x4s not in the usual expected larger more sociable table groupings 

I didn't experience this myself but another lady in our group informed me at dinner one evening when the waiter asked one of the men in our group that morning if she could join him at breakfast he refused and said he wanted to read his paper. She said she felt upset embarrassed and wondered what was wrong with her that he didn't want her to join him...

I feel this wouldn't have happened to her had there been larger more sociable tables arranged for the group for breakfast 

The better parts of the holiday were meeting some nice people - the visit to Royal Yacht Britannia - very interesting not to be missed - cafe well worth a visit too - it has a great view across the Firth of Forth and serves good coffee - also the excellent (if freezing) city guided walking tour - this was led by a very well informed organised and congenial guide 

Maureen the JY leader was very good - however this holiday due to the various expectations not having being met led to a number of complaints made to her - remedy was not always possible - nevertheless it was clear she was trying her best to sort these - unfortunately it wasn't within her control to achieve this - she also had a few guests who were unwell throughout the holiday - well done Maureen!

Overall this holiday was a disappointing experience and so I would not recommend it 

PS - there were a number of ladies who were repeat customers on this holiday (but they said they too were disappointed about the food service and the basement room for meals etc.)

Best wishes to all on the Forum

ElizabethF