Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh The Caledonian hotel to leave the brand

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• Jordan D says:

  29 Mar29 March 07:46

  I used to stay here for work in 2007/8, back when it was simply a Hilton branded property. Was somewhat surprised it ever got elevated to a WA one.

• Paul Higham says:

  29 Mar29 March 08:04

  I lived in the Caley during the week when on contract in Edinburgh between 2008 and 2011. I enjoyed my time there, mostly as our project manager had negotiated an astonishingly good rate for us which the hotel honoured at weekends and during Festival August.

  I only had a bad room the once when they put me on the very top floor. They were embarrassed enough to give me a half bottle of hotel branded whisky. I let them
  Know I didn’t want a castle view room, and usually got a decent room or, on occasion, suite with a different aspect.

  I have fond memories of being wished “good night” by Sean Connery, and seeing my wife’s expression as I told her the elderly duffer she’d beaten to the last copy of The Scotsman (an invaluable source of reviews during the Festival) was Michael Gambon.

• aseftel says:

  29 Mar29 March 08:17

  I’m sure they’re selling rooms so good for them but, from a customer point of view, you can generally get a castle view suite at the Sheraton for less than the entry level broom closet at the Caley. It doesn’t command the premium like it should.

• Bagoly says:

  29 Mar29 March 12:08

  “The UK will now be without a Waldorf Astoria hotel until Admiralty Arch in London opens next year.” prompted me to look up the hotel on Aldwych.
  Yes, it is branded “The Waldorf Hilton” rather than “Waldorf Astoria” but on the Hilton brand page I cannot see a brand “Waldorf” distinct from “Waldorf Astoria”.
  According to the Hilton search engine, “The Waldorf Hilton” is part of the “Hilton” brand.

  Is there any other hotel with such a confusing branding?

  • His Holyness says:

    29 Mar29 March 14:19

    It was the Waldorf hotel. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Waldorf_Hilton%2C_London

    At the time of it becoming a Hilton the only brand available was Hilton as Waldorf Astoria was owned by Hilton Hotels Corporation whereas this was Hilton International, part of Ladbrokes.

    • TGLoyalty says:

      29 Mar29 March 16:42

      It’s also not high end enough to be a WA in London

  • TGLoyalty says:

    29 Mar29 March 16:43

    It’s just called The Waldorf, Hilton is the brand.

    Waldorf Astoria is a brand owned by the Hilton group that participates in Hilton Honors loyalty programme.

• Jamie1892 says:

  29 Mar29 March 15:57

  They are not “losing” the Waldorf Astoria brand within Hilton, the new owners have decided to choose an alternative 5 star brand under the Hilton umbrella to allow the Caledonian more flexibility and to enhance its local, national and global identity as the “Caley” something which being restricted under the Waldorf Astoria brand doesn’t really allow. Click bate headline.

  • Rob says:

    29 Mar29 March 16:15

    There is no scenario under which Curio isn’t a downgrade from a Waldorf Astoria although – to be fair – we are generally very impressed by the quality of the Curio estate.

    For the US tourist market though, which is the main one in Edinburgh, the W-A name would have been a major draw. Curio isn’t well established in the US. The bottom line is that if you go to Gleneagles Townhouse, W or Virgin Hotels you have a brand new product which is a million miles ahead of this.

    Remember that LXR is available for luxury 5-star independent hotels which want to join Hilton. The fact that they went for Curio and not LXR is all you need to know.

    PS. The headline is a statement of fact so I’ve no idea what you are on about re clickbait.

    • His Holyness says:

      29 Mar29 March 18:14

      Biltmore and Bodrum LXR are managed, not franchised…

  • His Holyness says:

    29 Mar29 March 18:11

    You can’t have a franchised Waldorf. The rebrand was guaranteed. I bet the numbers are worse than the Carlton but with loads of costs like a silly Rolls that even the Balmoral doesn’t have. All Hilton cares about is a share of the revenue, they couldn’t care less if the owners lose out. I wonder how long the two Met’s will stay managed before they go franchised.

• Matthew says:

  29 Mar29 March 17:03

  Any recommendations for Edinburgh hotels that don’t cost a fortune? Thanks 👍

  • Stu_N says:

    29 Mar29 March 22:52

    Mix of personal experience and work colleages’ recommendations…

    Have a look at Courtyard Marriott on Baxter Place, Chester’s Apartments in West End, Leonardo Haymarket (not the Jeffrey St one) and One Hill Place.

    The Raddison Collection on Royal Mile
    and Kimpton on Charlotte Square both do good corporate rates if you have access to them.

    Personal favourite of all the places I’ve stayed is Glasshouse but falls down on the “don’t cost a fortune” bit.

  • Peggerz says:

    29 Mar29 March 23:36

    Edinburgh prices are high and the city is busy so people are obvs willing to pay.
    Maybe look at the Raeburn Hotel in lovely Stockbridge, the brand new hotel attached to the Tynecastle stadium (Heart of Midlothian FC) to the west of the city or the rooms at Brewdog in central East Market Street (beer tap in the room, beer fridge in the shower I’m told).

    • SunGuy says:

      31 Mar31 March 16:39

      Theres the Delta (Marriott) or Novotel out by the Gyle (Edinburgh park) – which are quite easy to get to by train/tram/bus ….. Holiday Inn by the zoo is also usually quite competitive (other than on Rugby weekends) …..

• ParmP says:

  1 Apr1 April 21:43

  Stayed recently. It looks lovely and the staff are friendly but it was not good. Terrible nights sleep due to traffic, sirens and Saturday night drunkenness and fights outside. Had to change rooms because of a mouse! And to top it off- no apology, and asked to pay the full amount. Like Rob said- poor.

• SomeoneWhoLooks says:

  8 Apr8 April 02:16

  As per the original ’07 planning application, there was always a “phase 2 bedroom extension as proposed” planned, even before it became WA…

  This is the space, where the car park is located, between the Standard building, and Point, where that crazy inland wing is located. Slightly crazy idea, but most likely to happen, with a 17-year delay… See planning application 07/05182/LBC, documents 27, 28

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