Upon arrival at The Inn on the Mile, the building and architecture set your expectations for an awesome stay in a building so full of Scottish History. Sadly, that's pretty much where it ends.
Entering the building to check in, the lovely and quaint pub area entices further, the expectation of historical Edinburgh. You can almost feel the walls echoing the stories of centuries past.
Checking in was near flawless, and we were told we could enjoy our 'welcome drink' right then, or anytime during our stay, which sounded great as we were all a wee bit tired from a 4+hour train ride. Keep this part in mind; it only adds to my reason for being a little harsh.
The nice check in attendant promptly showed us to our room. Now we were truly anticipating a true old Scotland experience! Up the stairs, through some doors, just knowing if the walls could speak we'd know we were living the history of so many that had gone before us!
Well, open the door to our room, and that's where the historical feeling ENDS. Welcome to IKEA.
While I do like IKEA, what I was hoping to see was a room filled with historic memories and a feeling of Old Edinburgh, and not a 'new world, every other European 3 star hotel' feel.
Please don't misunderstand; it's wonderful if that's what you've set your expectations to see in a hotel/inn. My/our expectations were just seeking something more unique.
Yes, there was noise from music and partying into the wee hours, but we knew that was going to be, after all, Scotland IS the WHISKEY capitol of the world. We would have been down there dancing and drinking the night away [well, kinda drinking] but for we enjoyed a late dinner and exhaustion caught us.
The bed was comfy, the room was clean, well appointed to the point of feeling near sterile, as mentioned, just a little to IKEA-ish.
Now, the sad part. Since we did not enjoy our complimentary 'welcome drink' and were invited to enjoy it anytime during our stay, we popped in our second day at the Inn pub in the late afternoon to partake. We mentioned we were coming for our 'welcome drink' and the bartender acknowledged it. The beer my hubby requested was not available, one that is more or less one of the pub specialty craft brews, so he chose an alternate. We were served, enjoyed our beverages and before we finished, the bartender told us he would NOT honor our 'welcome drink' and NOW we would have to purchase the drinks. We explained he originally said YES, as well as the front desk weekend manager, but now changes it to NO? At this point, there was just not going to be any change to the situation, so we added it to our room tab, provided a overly generous tip [even in light of the bartender's lack of customer service skills] and left. It was NOT a cost issue, it was a customer service issue.
My son and daughter in law had to change rooms on this same day, so their drinks were counted as 'welcome drinks' and complimentary. Where is the sense in all of this? There isn't any sense to be made of it!
Upon checking out, the 'real' manager of The Inn, was there to cash us out. We politely mentioned the situation with the 'welcome drink' and all that transpired. He was QUICK to rectify, apologize and said he would speak to the bartender. I then explained that I have been in customer service 38 years and in my business, the customer is ALWAYS right, even when they are not. I went on to explain that a 3 pound glass of wine and a 4 pound pint would NEVER be worth losing a customer. I believe the 'real' manager felt the same way.
Sadly, once the damage is done, anything less than a sincere apology from the offending bartender will not do. That said, I will NOT return to The Inn on the Mile, and will NOT RECOMMEND this hotel to anyone.
Vacation is a time to kick-back, relax, enjoy and make. memories. The memory I have of this place all but ruined what could have been perfect. read more