Pollock Halls

“Near bus stop and includes breakfast buffet!”

Tip #1- whatever dorm you're assigned to, from the Commonwealth Pool bus stop find and follow the signs for Pollack halls. Then go to the reception center from which you will be directed to your respective room. It's in a convenient location near a bus stop which is serviced by multiple buses tha… more

Tip #1- whatever dorm you're assigned to, from the Commonwealth Pool bus stop find and follow the signs for Pollack halls. Then go to the reception center from which you will be directed to your respective room. It's in a convenient location near a bus stop which is serviced by multiple buses that run to the South Bridge (near Royal Mile) or Princes Street main tourist stops. You could also stop near Waverly Bridge or the Scott Monument to catch the bus to/from the airport. I loved that all you can eat breakfast was included and that they had a lot of healthy options as well as Scottish breakfast options to include vegan haggis and sausages! The room included an electric kettle, supplies for coffee or tea, and a television. Although not advertised at reception, the key card worked to get into the common pantry in case you need to use a refrigerator. There were also signs for laundry rooms, but I did not try using them. I'm glad there was an elevator! The only downside was the reception/welcome center was quite busy at check-in. There were multiple students working, but there did not seem to be any orderly line. People cut each other which was annoying.

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“”

Staff super helpful! Typical dorm room with minimal storage. Breakfast buffet was legendary! Hallways got quite noisy at night.

“A return to student accommodation after 60 years and it is marginally better but a tad too expensive for what it is.”

Back to Pollock Halls, the main student residencies campus of the University of Edinburgh, some 60+ years since I arrived there in 1964 as a first year medical student for three years. It has changed not least more buildings but also wonderful gardens, a treat to walk through and sit in when it isn… more

Back to Pollock Halls, the main student residencies campus of the University of Edinburgh, some 60+ years since I arrived there in 1964 as a first year medical student for three years. It has changed not least more buildings but also wonderful gardens, a treat to walk through and sit in when it isn't raining. The other big change is the cost (1964 student term time rates were £5.10/- per week for half board M-F and full board at weekends in a room sans sink and certainly no en-suite facilities) as it was a hefty £184.50 or £184.10/- in old money per night including the new 5% city tax of £7.32 for two, B&B in Chancellor's Court. Perhaps not high for Edinburgh in August but.........and it is just under what I pay in my club in London! At least now the room we had came with a small en suite. So, what was it like? Check-in is at the main reception from which it is a short walk to Chancellor's Court though I suspect HRH The Princess Royal, the current Chancellor, will never stay there. The room is clearly designed as a single but came with an extra, second single bed. No bed light but a desk light that was broken almost into two pieces and looked dangerous. The en-suite is small, a good shower marred by mould. Lots of towels and even a heated towel rail that did nothing to heat the en-suite. An electric wall socket in the bedroom area was loose. Breakfast is in Arthur's restaurant and bar, another short walk. It is a huge canteen and actually self-serves up a very good and generous breakfast with far more choice and far better quality than I remember from 60 years ago. You just have to do a recce first to find out what is on offer. I enjoyed it. And all the staff we encountered were pleasant and helpful. Would I go back? I would try not to. This time we chose it as we had to be very close by. So, lots of nostalgia but for a wee bit more, I think we could do better.

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