Holiday Inn Express - Edinburgh City Centre

The Royal Mile and Prince's Street are nearby, and there’s a tram stop right outside, so getting here from the airport is easy. The hotel also stores cases very well. Rooms are basic but clean and comfortable, breakfast is decent and included in the price, and the staff are very helpful. If you’re on a budget, I’d recommend it: the no-frills feel is more than made up for by the affordable price and excellent location.

My room on the sixth floor was cozy and had good facilities, fluffy white towels, and a great view over the water towards Calton Hill and its monuments. Breakfast was included, tasty, and had lots to choose from: breads, cakes, pastries, bacon, eggs, yogurt, fruit, cheese, and more. I asked for gluten-free toast each day. It was delicious, prepared in a separate area, and brought to my table. The staff were lovely. The location is handy, about a 10-minute walk from Edinburgh Waverley station, opposite the Playhouse, just down from the huge St James Quarter shopping centre, and beside tram, bus, and road routes. Leith is about a 35-minute walk, with lots of cuisines just yards from the door. The signage is surprisingly hard to see by day, though it lights up at night. My only problem was the last day, when the room got incredibly noisy. I assumed it was building work, but a staff member told me wind blowing from a certain direction caused it. It went on all night. There are plenty of other hotels in the area, but I’d definitely stay here again.

The breakfast was the highlight for me, especially after some pretty pathetic breakfasts at US Holiday Inn Express hotels. This one was on a par with much more expensive places, and it’s free. There are coffee machines available 24/7, juice, a hot counter with lots of choices, breads, pastries, and yogurts. The reception area has seating and a small but decent bar, staffed by receptionists until 1:00 am depending on demand. Still, with amazing historic pubs all around, why bother? The hotel is close to Waverley Train Station, with an airport tram stop just outside. It’s opposite a boutique shopping mall with a supermarket, and near Princes Street, pubs, and restaurants. Rooms are comfortable and well maintained, with plenty of power points and USB ports. Most look onto walls; only the front has windows overlooking Picardy Place. There are steps from the street up to Reception, then down to the elevators, and on at least the fourth floor there are more steps up to the rooms. Keep that in mind if you’re carrying heavy luggage. Elevators in the modern wing are level with the floor.

Luggage storage was a real plus on departure day, as it let us enjoy the town one last time. Breakfast was generous, with lots of choices. The location is incredible, in Edinburgh’s new town and just five minutes from the north bridge towards royal mile. The room was good, though it was dim, with just one small window looking straight at a wall and low lighting. The bedding was good, but we’d asked for towels and linen not to be changed every day by following the « greener stay » instructions, and would’ve appreciated that request being respected.