Holiday Inn Express - Edinburgh City Centre by IHG

Theatre-goers will find this a great choice, right opposite the Playhouse theatre and close to Waverly train station. Check-in was quick and efficient, and the staff are friendly. Rooms are a decent size, with tea and coffee facilities, an iron and ironing board, a smart TV, and free WiFi with a good signal. There are no drawers or safe in the rooms, as it's an express Holiday Inn, so bear that in mind if you have valuables or anything you'd rather keep out of sight. I'd recommend the hotel, especially if you're going to the theatre across the road.

The staff were friendly and professional, and check-in was easy. The location is excellent for walking to either the old or new parts of Edinburgh. Breakfast was a welcome bonus that saved us money and made mornings quicker. A good rate or a tighter budget in this expensive city would make this a fine place to stay. The room cleanliness disappointed me. There were no bugs or strange stains, but we found what looked like cereal on the floor when we entered, which made us wonder how thoroughly the room had been cleaned. The building feels old, as do many in Edinburgh, and parts of it are cramped and weathered. The room looked as if it hadn't been remodeled for at least a decade. The structure is good, but the place is showing its age. If you're used to Holiday Inn Express in the USA or Canada, expect a bit of sticker shock and a familiar hotel fitted into an older city building. At that price, people wanting something more upscale, romantic, or chic may need to spend more or stay farther from the centre.

The free hot drinks available to guests around the clock were a nice touch, and breakfast was included. We were comfortable during our stay, and I especially liked the superfood skincare shampoo and bath soap among the bathroom amenities. Most of the popular sights are a pleasant, easy 15-20 minute walk away. It was a good stay, and I'd be happy to recommend the hotel.

The excellent location made it easy for us to explore Edinburgh and join local tours. We had a wonderful stay at Holiday Inn Express, with friendly, professional staff who were ready to help throughout. They arranged our Highland bus tour with Timberbush, which made the trip much smoother. A special thanks to Adam, who went above and beyond. He was incredibly friendly, welcoming, and understanding. When we had an internal issue during the stay, he handled it quickly and professionally, and the team resolved everything easily. They made us feel genuinely cared for. We'd highly recommend this hotel to anyone visiting Edinburgh.