Advantages: NONE
Disadvantages: WASTE OF £39

...I found out about fitness first when I was searching the Internet for fitness clubs in my area. The club sounded really good, as well as the gym they ran fitness classes including Pilates and Yoga, had a Spa area and a members only video club. They were offering a free day to one of their fitness clubs, so I thought 'why not' and registered my details. A few days later I was called by the Edinburgh Club and asked if I would like to make an appointment to have a tour of the gym and use the facilities. Upon arrival the place was crowded and 'Simon' whom I had an appointment with was already with a client. After waiting 10 minutes a girl from reception showed me around the maze like layout of the place. The Jacuzzi was tiny, there was no pool and the whole place smelt damp and looked shabby. At the end of my tour she... Read review

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Advantages: A world famous landmark & you learn about Scottish history
Disadvantages: Expensive & not that much to see once inside

..., a fancy tourist title for the three streets that lead west to the Palace of Holyrood House. If finding the Castle is not problematic, reaching it may well be. Being situated on an extinct volcano there is something of a climb to get there! Taken from the High Street (Royal Mile) the ascent is a reasonably gentle slope, but to reach the castle from the north (New Town) or south will involve quite a few steps. Anyone able bodied and reasonably fit will not find the climb to the Castle very challenging but for disabled visitors car parking is available on the Esplanade right outside the Castle (except during the Edinburgh Military Tattoo from June to October) for a cost of £3 per car. We made our way to the Castle from Princes Street in the New Town and across The Mound from where excellent views of the Old Town are provided. Once... Read review

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Advantages: Location, Location, Location!
Disadvantages: Can be expensive due to popularity

...floor and provides a buffet breakfast 7-days a week, along with lunch, TDH and a la carte dinner menus. Fitness & Relaxation - The hotel has a health club located on the lower ground floor. It provides a small-medium sized swimming pool, fully equipped gym, and sauna, along with massage facilities. Of course, I only viewed the facilities as I was far too hung-over to be doing any sort of exercise, other than the associated glass lifting synonymous with the phrase "hair of the dog". Having stayed in one or two other hotels in Edinburgh, including the 5-star Hilton Caledonian, which has it's own charm and character; I would definitely frequent the Radisson SAS hotel again. Such a reliable chain of hotels. Late Homecomings - Security operates a policy of locking the hotel doors after midnight / 1pm, so please ensure you knock... Read review

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Advantages: Theres something for all.
Disadvantages: I didnt spend enough time there

...at her home and bussed it everywhere (something l haven’t done in years!!) it cost £1.50 for a day saver so we could hop on and off buses as we pleased. Our first stop (and only stop!) was Princess Street in the New Town, what a fabulous shopping street! With all the high street shops on one side of the road and the amazing Princess Street gardens on the other and of course the magnificence Edinburgh Castle towering above us. We worked our way from shop to shop for most of the afternoon culminating the day with a trip around Jenners - the oldest department store in the world I’ll have you know! Unfortunately Friday night was a right off - the travelling and shopping had left us fit for only one thing - bed plus we had another hectic day of shopping and sightseeing ahead of us! Up bright and breezy on Saturday morning... Read review

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Advantages: VERY Tourist friendly, Good Hotels and restaurants, So much to offer
Disadvantages: Can be expensive (especially if you are a tourist!)

...Someone once said that Edinburgh is everything that Paris ought to be and as a lifetime citizen of this wonderful city I would, of course, agree. Edinburgh would certainly fit into the classic European sterotype of fine dining and vibrant culture, it has plently to offer as a city and its investment in the tourist industry has insured its popularity as a first class touist destination. There are a number of key tourist attractions which are simply a must for anyone wishing to visit the city, below I have listed some of the favourites: 1). Edinburgh Castle - A must for any tourist, entry can be a little expensive (Adult: £10.30/16 Euros/$20; Child: £4.50/7 Euros/$10). But it is important to remember that the castle can be scene (from the outside) from various vantage point throughout the city. 2). City Bus Tours... Read review

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Advantages: Inexpensive, central, only takes half an hour
Disadvantages: Very very high, not easy if you are fat and unfit (like me)

...Sir Walter Scott sits (or his statue anyway), often with a parking cone on his head, in Princes Street Gardens under the most outrageous Victorian Gothic edifice I have ever had the pleasure of casting my eye over. I've spent most of my 42 years living in Edinburgh, and like most residents of Scotland's capital city, take a particular delight in avoiding anything remotely 'touristy'. Having being banished from the house while lady 'muffplaster' (her Ciao member name) and daughter number 1 cleared out her bedroom, I found myself in the city centre with daughter number 2, a couple of hours to spare - we'd taken the bus up Broughton Street and subsequently exhausted the delights of the National Museum of Scotland in Chambers Street, followed by a trip down Cockburn Street (all of which I intend to review in the near future) and were... Read review

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Advantages: Quiet, friendly, superb hospitality
Disadvantages: Can't think of any

...Arriving in Edinburgh, full of enthusiasm for the sporting job ahead, we were focused on supporting New Zealand All Blacks in an effort to beat Scotland in the 2007 Rugby World Cup. I'd booked the accommodation months in advance and told anyone who would listen that I was incredulous at the price we had to pay on match- night to stay in Edinburgh after the game. Channings Hotel changed our ''rugby'' weekend focus the minute we walked in the door. First impressions are of truly upmarket accommodation. The reception is tidily tucked to one side with the comfortable sofas as the main feature in this ever so important welcoming area to any hotel. We arrived after staying several nights in hostels and I have to say we felt like we had arrived at Buckingham Palace. Parched from travelling we asked for a cup of coffee as we were too... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Many centres, atrractive setup
Disadvantages: Shoddy after sales, workmanship not always upto standard, maybe dishonest

...Kwik fit with their signs and glorious advertising 'you can't get better than a Kwik fit fitter'- you'd think well, I must give them a try, because one of the beauties of Kwik Fit is that they are literally everywhere, yes literally everywhere. Last count there were at least 600 of them around the country. An attractive proposition if your looking for a garage. Or is it? Kwit Fit, founded by Tom Farmer, and its first centre opened in Edinburgh in 1971. In 1999 it was bought by the Ford Motor Company for a cool £1bn only to be sold in 2002 to CVC Capital Partners and again in 2005 to the French company PAI Partners. Kwik Fit prides itself on customer service, you notice this on their flyers which reads 'customer satisfaction' but with satisfaction struck through and replaced by 'delight' above. Question is, how far is this true... Read review

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Advantages: NONE I hate the company
Disadvantages: Expensive, slave labour

...When I left school at the age of 15 I walked straight into a modern apprenticeship with Kwik-Fit which I started in August 2003. I had always wanted to keep cars on the road and doing a modern apprenticeship with a company like this seemed a good way to get into the business. I got positioned in the Whitley Bay branch which was just round the corner from my house. To start with I went on a training course in Edinburgh with 5 other apprentices and I was one of only 2 of them who actually knew how to wire a plug! We spent 4 days in Edinburgh but only spent 4 hours learning how to fit tyres!! Yet when we started in our centres we were given the responsibility of fitting tyres and fitting punctures, which if not done properly is life threatening. My pay rate was dyerbolical, I was getting paid £94.50 a week to work 8am till 5pm tuesday... Read review

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Advantages: It's massive, luxurious, and easy to get to.
Disadvantages: Costs £59 a month!!!

...as the competition for your business hots up. Holmes Place is an established chain, and their brand spanking new Edinburgh club is the biggest gym in all Scotland!! I was lucky/ gullible enough (delete as per your opinion!) to sign up for this place before it opened, at the bargain joining fee of £20. Bear in mind it’s £59 a month membership after that though! It isn’t a cheap option in anybody’s language but as a regular gym bunny I know I will get my money’s worth. I’ll talk you through the Holmes Place experience as if you were at my side, coming to the gym with me. Ok, so after a very convenient bus journey we arrive at the Omni Centre at the top of Leith Walk. The smell of popcorn from the cinema above grabs our imagination but you must fight the urge to go to the movies! We’re here to get fit, not slob out. After passing through... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful