Review of the Radisson Blu Edinburgh Royal Mile Hotel
In the spring of 2015, before Club Carlson increased the eliminated the last award night free benefit for co-branded credit cardholders and increased the price of top tier properties from 50,000 to 70,000 points per night, I crossed my fingers that the dates would work and booked a couple of nights for summer of 2016 at the Radisson Blu Edinburgh. I was able to book two nights for 50,000 total Club Carlson points when that would now cost 70,000 Club Carlson points per night.
I made a few speculative Club Carlson reservations before the big devaluation, and they didn't all work out, but this one did. When August 2016 rolled around and the four of us + Grandma enjoyed a few days in London and then took the train four hours north to from London to Edinburgh for our first trip to Scotland. I really picked the dates mostly at random for our Edinburgh visit, but it turned out that we were there during the time of year of the Fringe Festival with tons of shows, plays, and performances happening all around us on the Royal Mile. We were also just a 10 minute walk from the Edinburgh Castle where the must-see annual Edinburgh Military Tattoo was happening.
In other words, the Radisson Blu Edinburgh Royal Mile is an insanely well located hotel if you want to be in the middle of the Edinburgh action. The hotel has 238 rooms and suites, an onsite spa, two onsite restaurants, an indoor pool, and more. If you associate Club Carlson hotels with kinda run down spots in the US, you haven't been to several of their very solid properties in Europe.
As I often do when traveling as a family, I emailed the hotel directly to see if we could pay a cash co-pay to go from a standard room to a suite. Fortunately they were very accommodating with this request and for an additional £95 per night we secured a classic suite with a true living room and bedroom at around 60 meters. This was 100% worth it for us traveling with the baby who we were able to put in the living room in her crib at night.
Speaking of the crib, I was thrilled that it was an actual crib and not a pack and play. It also had a mobile on it - a first for me in my hotel crib adventures. Many babies sleep much better in actual cribs than pack and plays, and my little one is no exception!
The bedroom itself was a "king bed" comprised of two twin beds put together, which is pretty common in Europe, though not my favorite arrangement. Otherwise, it was great and they have a flyer offering all sorts of different blankets and pillows if you desire.
As we were there during a serious festival time, it was a bit loud some nights on the street. You also hear the nightly fireworks from the Tattoo performance around 10:30PM at night. It didn't bother me, but plan accordingly if street noise disrupts you. We used a white noise app on the iPad near the baby's crib to help her drown out the noise.
My mom stayed a night at this hotel in a standard room just down the hall from us, it and too was stylish and comfortable as shown below.
The classic suite we had really was perfect for us and very comfortable to be in both at night for sleeping and for hanging out some during the day...which is absolutely going to happen when you have a napping baby along for the journey.
The staff at the Radisson Blu Edinburgh was also extremely professional and helpful even though they were very busy the nights we were there. They had run out of rollaway beds, so you will want to make that request well in advance if you need one during busy weeks.
The suites included free mini bar access which was restocked each day with a few waters, juices, soft drinks, and beer. There was some confusion over whether the suites included breakfast. We were first told no at check-in because of how we booked the suite, then they came back and said yes it was included for the suite, and then at check-out they tried to charge us for breakfast until I explained we were told it was included and they removed the charge. So, I really have no idea what the breakfast rules here really were. I will say that the breakfast buffet was very good and certainly a convenient way to start the morning if it happens to be included in your room rate or room type.
We did not make use of the spa or indoor pool on this trip, but it was nice having those amenities available without leaving the building. As you can see below, this hotel was selling standard rooms for £414 per night on our dates, so even at the current 70,000 Club Carlson points per night price, it can be a tremendous award deal during peak times. On non-peak dates, cash prices or cash and points awards may make more sense. When searching for a room for my mom, we found that the senior citizen rate actually saved a good amount off the next lowest rate we could find, so keep that in mind if it applies to you.
Our stay at the Radisson Blu Edinburgh actually reminded me how much I do enjoy having access to some Club Carlson points, and also how quickly they can add up on paid stays. I would not hesitate to return here in the future...in fact, I hope to return here in the future as it was the perfect starting off point for our adventures in Edinburgh.
Here are some other posts from our recent family UK trip…
Flying British Airways Business Class With Children
Hyatt Regency Churchill Executive Suite
Hyatt Regency Churchill Regency Club
Three Fun Activities for Families in London
Taking the Train from London to Edinburgh
An Edinburgh Must Do: The Military Tattoo
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.