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Edinburgh Live
Edinburgh Live
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edinburghlive Administrator

Edinburgh hotel apologises as waitress 'marches over to table and makes demand'

A hotel in Edinburgh has apologised after a waitress allegedly 'marched over to a table' and demanded that two customers moved from the restaurant.

Two holiday-makers hit out on Tripadvisor after a night stay at Hilton Queensferry. During the trip, they decided to go for a romantic meal but were told how they were asked to vacate the dining area by a member of staff who didn't believe they were waiting to order a meal.

Before trying to explain they were guests enjoying a drink before ordering a meal they were reportedly told "if you want to drink you should go to the bar area."

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The fuming holiday-maker said: "The hotel is in a great location, with fantastic views of the bridges, and there are masses of room for parking. My room was well-proportioned, clean, and modern. The reception staff are brilliant and very attentive.

"Since this was a special weekend for my wife and I, we decided to eat in the restaurant. We selected a table overlooking the bridges and settled down for a romantic meal.

"Whilst pondering over what to eat, I decided to have an alcoholic beverage.

"My wife had water and we could have only been sitting talking for about 20 minutes when a waitress marched over to our table and demanded that we moved because the table was for restaurant users, and if we wanted to drink we should go to the bar area.

"Shocked, dismayed, embarrassed, is honestly how I felt. I tried to explain that we were guests and we were about to order a meal but the dictator was having none of it."

They continued: "Still in shock, my wife and I did what we were told. We sat in the bar for about an hour and a half watching to see how busy the restaurant got. To add insult to injury, our table was not used until we were leaving.

"My wife and I ordered dinner in the bar, underwhelming would be a nice way of putting it. Not once did the restaurant manager come to speak to my wife or me.

"If it wasn't for the professionalism of the reception staff, we would have packed our bags and left. We were originally booked for two nights, but cancelled the second night, I refuse to stay in a place that makes you feel so unwelcome."

In response to the complaint, the manager said: "We are very sorry that on this occasion we fell short in meeting your expectations and for the disappointment this has caused you.

"Please rest assured this is certainly not the experience we would wish for any of our guests nor the lasting impression we wish to leave you with of our hotel."

They continued: "We are reviewing your comments with our team as every opportunity for improvement will be the subject of a careful review.

"Thank you for choosing to stay with us here at the DoubleTree by Hilton Edinburgh-Queensferry Crossing and we do hope you will consider staying with us again in the future."

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Hilton Queensferry is a four-and-a-half-star hotel with panoramic views of the Firth of Forth.

One customer said: "As a Hilton should be. Lovely room and everything you would expect from a Hilton hotel. No problems at all during the seven-night stay.

"Parking, food, polite staff, good food and drink. Large room with everything you would need to be supplied."

Another said: "We very much enjoyed our trip, the food was delicious, there was a wide selection of drinks at the bar, all of the staff were very friendly and helpful, the room was amazing and our view was just amazing."

While another added: "Our favourite hotel in Scotland. The staff are wonderful, great location. Superb restaurant with views of the Firth of Forth, there is a good menu and wine list and great value. The rooms are very comfortable with panoramic views and it has well-maintained gardens."

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