Holiday Inn Express Edinburgh – Royal Mile by IHG
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Summary of reviewsHoliday Inn Express Edinburgh – Royal Mile by IHG, excels in its prime location, central to Edinburgh’s key attractions, including Edinburgh Castle and the Royal Mile. Nestled quietly in the old town yet conveniently close to vibrant restaurants, shops and historical sites, it provides an ideal base for exploring the city. Proximity to Waverley Train Station and available parking further enhance its appeal, making it a top choice for both walking tours and travelers with cars.
The breakfast experience is generally favorable, featuring a good variety of hot and cold items, including gluten-free options. While some guests find it basic yet adequate, others appreciate the plentiful and fresh food offerings. The COVID-19 restrictions prompted a shift to grab-and-go breakfast bags, which received mixed reactions but were appreciated by some for their convenience.
Guest feedback on the rooms is varied. Despite their small size, rooms are noted for their cleanliness and comfort, equipped with necessary amenities and effective air conditioning. However, space constraints become apparent when accommodating families or when sofa beds are in use, leading to a cramped environment. Some rooms could benefit from better lighting and updating. Challenges aside, the rooms are generally well-maintained, ensuring a satisfactory stay.
Cleanliness is a consistent highlight with the hotel and its rooms described as very clean. Daily housekeeping ensures a tidy environment and contributes significantly to a positive guest experience.
The staff at Holiday Inn Express Edinburgh – Royal Mile receive high praise for their friendliness and professionalism. Notable mentions of specific staff members underscore the hotel's commitment to guest satisfaction with efficient and courteous service enhancing the overall stay. The availability of early morning to-go breakfasts and help with specific needs further attest to the staff’s attentive care.
Wi-Fi connectivity presents a mixed experience. While many guests find the free Wi-Fi to be fast and reliable, issues with unstable and patchy connections are sometimes reported. This inconsistency suggests room for improvement in the hotel's internet services.
For families, the hotel’s central location and welcoming staff are plus points, though the family rooms can feel somewhat congested. Space limitations are more manageable for brief stays, especially for families with young children. Services like free baby cots add to the hotel’s family-friendly appeal.
The beds evoke mixed feedback with primary beds generally deemed comfortable but supplementary beds, such as sofa beds, often found to be lacking in comfort. Ensuring the right bed type in advance could enhance the sleep quality experience.
As a three-star hotel, Holiday Inn Express Edinburgh – Royal Mile offers excellent value for money with clean, comfortable rooms that are well-maintained except for some areas needing attention like corridor carpets. The breakfast aligns with three-star expectations and the hotel's strategic location enhances its appeal for budget-conscious travelers. Some guests even suggest the hotel exceeds typical three-star standards, potentially earning a higher rating.
For business travelers, the hotel provides adequate basic facilities, making it a suitable option for short stays. However, a few limitations such as the lack of conference rooms and occasional issues with business invoices should be noted.
Overall, the Holiday Inn Express Edinburgh – Royal Mile is a highly recommended option for travelers seeking affordability, cleanliness, excellent service and a central location in Edinburgh. While there are minor areas for improvement, the hotel generally ensures a pleasant and convenient stay.
Categories
The breakfast experience is generally favorable, featuring a good variety of hot and cold items, including gluten-free options. While some guests find it basic yet adequate, others appreciate the plentiful and fresh food offerings. The COVID-19 restrictions prompted a shift to grab-and-go breakfast bags, which received mixed reactions but were appreciated by some for their convenience.
Guest feedback on the rooms is varied. Despite their small size, rooms are noted for their cleanliness and comfort, equipped with necessary amenities and effective air conditioning. However, space constraints become apparent when accommodating families or when sofa beds are in use, leading to a cramped environment. Some rooms could benefit from better lighting and updating. Challenges aside, the rooms are generally well-maintained, ensuring a satisfactory stay.
Cleanliness is a consistent highlight with the hotel and its rooms described as very clean. Daily housekeeping ensures a tidy environment and contributes significantly to a positive guest experience.
The staff at Holiday Inn Express Edinburgh – Royal Mile receive high praise for their friendliness and professionalism. Notable mentions of specific staff members underscore the hotel's commitment to guest satisfaction with efficient and courteous service enhancing the overall stay. The availability of early morning to-go breakfasts and help with specific needs further attest to the staff’s attentive care.
Wi-Fi connectivity presents a mixed experience. While many guests find the free Wi-Fi to be fast and reliable, issues with unstable and patchy connections are sometimes reported. This inconsistency suggests room for improvement in the hotel's internet services.
For families, the hotel’s central location and welcoming staff are plus points, though the family rooms can feel somewhat congested. Space limitations are more manageable for brief stays, especially for families with young children. Services like free baby cots add to the hotel’s family-friendly appeal.
The beds evoke mixed feedback with primary beds generally deemed comfortable but supplementary beds, such as sofa beds, often found to be lacking in comfort. Ensuring the right bed type in advance could enhance the sleep quality experience.
As a three-star hotel, Holiday Inn Express Edinburgh – Royal Mile offers excellent value for money with clean, comfortable rooms that are well-maintained except for some areas needing attention like corridor carpets. The breakfast aligns with three-star expectations and the hotel's strategic location enhances its appeal for budget-conscious travelers. Some guests even suggest the hotel exceeds typical three-star standards, potentially earning a higher rating.
For business travelers, the hotel provides adequate basic facilities, making it a suitable option for short stays. However, a few limitations such as the lack of conference rooms and occasional issues with business invoices should be noted.
Overall, the Holiday Inn Express Edinburgh – Royal Mile is a highly recommended option for travelers seeking affordability, cleanliness, excellent service and a central location in Edinburgh. While there are minor areas for improvement, the hotel generally ensures a pleasant and convenient stay.
Dog Friendly Hotel
This hotel is pet-friendly.
Hotel near Nightlife Spots
Situated on Cowgate, this hotel is in a prime location for experiencing Edinburgh's vibrant club scene.
Hotel near Golf Courses
Hotel Taking Steps Towards Sustainability
Family Friendly Hotel
Business Hotel
Accessible Hotel
3-Star Hotel
Guest Reviews
Holiday Inn Express Edinburgh – Royal Mile by IHG, boasts a prime location in the heart of Edinburgh. Nestled just off the Royal Mile, the hotel offers easy access to the city's major attractions, including Edinburgh Castle, Holyrood Palace and Dynamic Earth. Many guests highlight its proximity to Waverley Train Station, making it convenient for travelers arriving by rail.
Situated in the old town, the hotel is surrounded by a plethora of restaurants, shops and tourist sites, providing an ideal base for exploring the city. Despite being close to the bustling Royal Mile, the hotel's location is praised for being relatively quiet, offering a peaceful retreat after a day of sightseeing.
Visitors find the central position of the hotel excellent for walking tours around Edinburgh with landmarks, bars and eateries just a short stroll away. The convenience of nearby parking also adds to the hotel's appeal, especially for those driving into the city.
Overall, the hotel's location is consistently described as perfect, brilliant and superb, offering both accessibility and a central vantage point from which to explore Edinburgh's historic and cultural offerings.
The breakfast experience at the Holiday Inn Express Edinburgh – Royal Mile by IHG, has received a wide range of feedback from guests. Many praise the breakfast for being excellent, plentiful and having a good selection of hot and cold items. Some guests appreciate the variety provided, especially the gluten-free options and find the breakfast to be a great value for money.
However, there are mixed opinions with some guests finding the breakfast to be basic but adequate, simple but efficient and correctly presented. The consistency and quality of food have been highlighted positively with several guests noting the breakfast was fresh, well-stocked and sufficient to start the day.
On the other hand, some reviews indicate areas for improvement. Complaints include limited choices, lack of variety and the monotony of having the same options daily. Specific criticisms point to the absence of certain items like cheese, ham, vegetarian alternatives and issues like undercooked sausages and bland scrambled eggs.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, some guests experienced breakfast delivered in bags to their rooms, which received mixed feedback. While some appreciated the convenience and the variety in the grab-and-go breakfast bags, others missed the traditional buffet experience and found the quality lacking.
Overall, the breakfast at the hotel is generally deemed satisfactory with good options, though there is room for enhancements, particularly in terms of variety and catering to different dietary needs.
The rooms at the Holiday Inn Express Edinburgh – Royal Mile present a mixed experience according to guests. While widely recognized for their cleanliness and comfort, the rooms are notably small, posing a challenge especially for families. The compactness of the rooms often leads to congestion, particularly when a sofa bed is in use. Although some rooms are described as spacious and well-sized, the majority lean towards being cramped.
Despite the small size, many guests found the rooms functional and equipped with necessary amenities, including efficient air conditioning. Some rooms boast good-sized windows, adding a touch of brightness to the overall dim ambiance, a common critique across reviews due to inadequate lighting setups that leave rooms feeling dark.
The rooms are consistently cleaned to a high standard and daily housekeeping ensures they stay fresh and tidy. However, a few reviews mentioned outdated decor and the need for a facelift in some areas. Additionally, the presence of connecting doors in some rooms can allow noise to travel easily, which detracts from the overall quietness other guests appreciated.
While the hotel staff and service received positive feedback, recommending overall cleanliness and the comfort of the beds, issues like noisy conditions from traffic, poor water pressure in disabled rooms and occasional rushed housekeeping were highlighted. The lack of storage space, wardrobes and even overhead storage adds to the functional constraints.
In summary, the Holiday Inn Express Edinburgh – Royal Mile offers rooms that are clean and comfortable but quite small with some needing better lighting and updating. Despite these limitations, the hotel still provides a satisfactory stay for many guests, ensuring a pleasant experience with good service and effective cleanliness.
The beds at the Holiday Inn Express Edinburgh – Royal Mile by IHG, received mixed reviews from guests with a significant emphasis on the comfort of primary beds but noted dissatisfaction with extra and sofa beds. Positive feedback highlights that many guests found the beds to be comfortable, cozy and featuring soft pillows, contributing to a good night's rest. Some guests specifically praised the large and extremely comfortable queen-size beds.
However, several reviews mentioned that the double beds felt small and at times, the mattresses were too firm or too soft. A concerning number of guests reported issues with the sofa beds, describing them as narrow, uncomfortable and not suitable for a good night's sleep. In many cases, sofa beds were cramped and created a crowded space within the rooms. Some guests also experienced discomfort from hard or sagging mattresses and pillows that were either too hard or too thick.
Despite these inconsistencies, the primary beds often met guests’ expectations with mentions of good quality bedding and the overall positive impression of bed comfort. For those planning a stay, it could be advisable to confirm bed preferences with the hotel in advance to ensure a more comfortable experience.
The Holiday Inn Express Edinburgh – Royal Mile by IHG, consistently receives high praise for its cleanliness. Guests frequently describe the hotel as very clean with common areas, rooms and bathrooms maintained to a spotless standard. Many visitors highlight the comfort and welcoming atmosphere of the clean environment, noting that both the hotel and the rooms are kept tidy and pleasant.
Staff consistently receive recognition for their friendly demeanor and efforts to maintain cleanliness with daily housekeeping ensuring that rooms are neat and well-kept. Clean and comfortable accommodations are a common theme and guests often experience an overall positive stay thanks to the immaculate conditions.
However, there are occasional reports of less satisfactory cleaning details, such as dusty surfaces in corners and dirty hallways. Some guests mention issues such as unclean towels and supplies not being replenished promptly. Despite these isolated incidents, the overall impression remains highly favorable, emphasizing the hotel's commitment to cleanliness and guest comfort.
The Holiday Inn Express Edinburgh – Royal Mile boasts a consistently praised team of staff who stand out for their friendliness, helpfulness and professionalism. Guests frequently highlight the exceptional level of service provided with many noting that staff members, including those at the front desk and in the breakfast area, are both welcoming and efficient. Individual staff members, such as Kirsty and Priya, receive special mentions for their courteous and attentive service, which includes offering dining recommendations and assisting with luggage.
The availability of early morning "to-go" breakfasts and accommodating support for travelers with specific needs, such as those with young children, further underscores the hotel’s commitment to guest satisfaction. The staff's ability to handle requests and issues promptly and with a positive attitude leaves a lasting impression. Overall, guests repeatedly commend the hotel's staff for creating a warm and inviting environment, making their stay comfortable and pleasant.
The Holiday Inn Express Edinburgh – Royal Mile offers a mixed experience when it comes to Wi-Fi connectivity. On the positive side, the hotel provides ample sockets and USB plugs for charging gadgets and many guests have found the Wi-Fi to be fast, stable and accessible both in rooms and public areas. The Wi-Fi is free and in several instances, it has been described as strong, reliable and superb.
However, several guests have also reported issues, stating that the Wi-Fi can be slow, uneven and at times, non-existent in certain areas of the hotel. Some have noted that the connection is often unstable and patchy, causing inconvenience. In addition, the open network has raised concerns about security. Despite these drawbacks, the staff appears to be helpful and with some improvements, the hotel's connectivity could better match the otherwise positive aspects highlighted by guests.
The Holiday Inn Express Edinburgh – Royal Mile by IHG aims to accommodate families with various needs. Many guests found the central location convenient for family stays and highlighted the friendly staff who contributed to a comfortable visit. The offering of luggage storage before check-in was particularly appreciated.
However, while the hotel provides family amenities including family rooms and suites, some reviews noted space limitations. Multiple comments pointed out that the family rooms, although functional and suitable for brief stays, tended to be cramped and minimally outfitted for larger groups. Specifically, families with young children managed best, though space was tight and larger families often found the accommodations somewhat congested.
Despite these spatial challenges, guests reported that the hotel was overall family-friendly with an array of services like free baby cots enhancing the stay. The rooms, while small, were considered adequate for short-term visits. The hotel environment was generally deemed suitable for families, making it a balanced choice for those needing a central, practical base in Edinburgh.
Located near the heart of Edinburgh, the Holiday Inn Express Edinburgh – Royal Mile provides good value for money, making it a solid choice for budget-conscious travelers. As a standard three-star hotel, it offers clean and comfortable rooms, ensuring a pleasant stay for guests. The rooms come equipped with basic amenities, maintaining the typical three-star experience. Visitors will appreciate the cleanliness of both the rooms and bathrooms with the overall hotel being well-maintained except for some worn corridor carpets.
The staff are consistently described as friendly and helpful, contributing positively to the guest experience. The breakfast provided is decent with a selection that aligns with three-star expectations, although some found it to be somewhat basic. Despite this, many guests felt that the range of food offered good value as a complimentary meal.
The hotel’s central location is a significant advantage, providing easy access to city attractions. Its proximity to the city center is particularly convenient, enhancing its appeal without compromising affordability. Ensuring a safe and easy-to-find environment adds to the hotel's merits.
While some reviews suggest that the hotel is budget-friendly yet functions similar to an older style Premier Inn, others believe that it exceeds the typical three-star standards with some even suggesting it merits a four-star rating. The value for money is repeatedly highlighted, making it a strong contender for anyone seeking budget accommodation with satisfactory facilities. For travelers prioritizing affordability and location over luxury, Holiday Inn Express Edinburgh – Royal Mile emerges as a highly recommended option.
Holiday Inn Express Edinburgh – Royal Mile by IHG, offers a budget-friendly option ideal for business trips. Located in central Edinburgh, it provides a convenient base for business travelers. The hotel's basic business facilities are adequate for tasks such as Zoom calls and working at the desk. However, it lacks larger amenities, such as conference rooms and a business center and has only small meeting rooms available. For the price, it serves as a good choice for an overnight stay. It's important to note that some guests have reported not receiving business invoices as promised.
The Holiday Inn Express Edinburgh – Royal Mile, an IHG Hotel, appears to be a highly accessible option for guests with disabilities, based on multiple positive reviews. The hotel offers several amenities tailored to ease of access, such as wheelchair accessible rooms and a convenient entrance. Room 101, in particular, is noted to be suitable for wheelchair users. The family section and family rooms are also mentioned as being easily accessible and convenient. Guests consistently remarked on how accessible the reception area and hotel floors were, contributing to a hassle-free stay.
The hotel's location is another major positive highlighted in the reviews. Situated near the Royal Mile, it provides easy access to the city center and top tourist destinations, making it a convenient choice for sightseeing and exploring the city. However, it is worth noting that there were mentions of a lack of specific accessibility information provided. Despite this, the overall sentiment points to strong accessibility throughout the hotel, making it a commendable choice for travelers with mobility issues.
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Location
Situated in the old town, the hotel is surrounded by a plethora of restaurants, shops and tourist sites, providing an ideal base for exploring the city. Despite being close to the bustling Royal Mile, the hotel's location is praised for being relatively quiet, offering a peaceful retreat after a day of sightseeing.
Visitors find the central position of the hotel excellent for walking tours around Edinburgh with landmarks, bars and eateries just a short stroll away. The convenience of nearby parking also adds to the hotel's appeal, especially for those driving into the city.
Overall, the hotel's location is consistently described as perfect, brilliant and superb, offering both accessibility and a central vantage point from which to explore Edinburgh's historic and cultural offerings.
Breakfast
However, there are mixed opinions with some guests finding the breakfast to be basic but adequate, simple but efficient and correctly presented. The consistency and quality of food have been highlighted positively with several guests noting the breakfast was fresh, well-stocked and sufficient to start the day.
On the other hand, some reviews indicate areas for improvement. Complaints include limited choices, lack of variety and the monotony of having the same options daily. Specific criticisms point to the absence of certain items like cheese, ham, vegetarian alternatives and issues like undercooked sausages and bland scrambled eggs.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, some guests experienced breakfast delivered in bags to their rooms, which received mixed feedback. While some appreciated the convenience and the variety in the grab-and-go breakfast bags, others missed the traditional buffet experience and found the quality lacking.
Overall, the breakfast at the hotel is generally deemed satisfactory with good options, though there is room for enhancements, particularly in terms of variety and catering to different dietary needs.
Rooms
Despite the small size, many guests found the rooms functional and equipped with necessary amenities, including efficient air conditioning. Some rooms boast good-sized windows, adding a touch of brightness to the overall dim ambiance, a common critique across reviews due to inadequate lighting setups that leave rooms feeling dark.
The rooms are consistently cleaned to a high standard and daily housekeeping ensures they stay fresh and tidy. However, a few reviews mentioned outdated decor and the need for a facelift in some areas. Additionally, the presence of connecting doors in some rooms can allow noise to travel easily, which detracts from the overall quietness other guests appreciated.
While the hotel staff and service received positive feedback, recommending overall cleanliness and the comfort of the beds, issues like noisy conditions from traffic, poor water pressure in disabled rooms and occasional rushed housekeeping were highlighted. The lack of storage space, wardrobes and even overhead storage adds to the functional constraints.
In summary, the Holiday Inn Express Edinburgh – Royal Mile offers rooms that are clean and comfortable but quite small with some needing better lighting and updating. Despite these limitations, the hotel still provides a satisfactory stay for many guests, ensuring a pleasant experience with good service and effective cleanliness.
Beds
However, several reviews mentioned that the double beds felt small and at times, the mattresses were too firm or too soft. A concerning number of guests reported issues with the sofa beds, describing them as narrow, uncomfortable and not suitable for a good night's sleep. In many cases, sofa beds were cramped and created a crowded space within the rooms. Some guests also experienced discomfort from hard or sagging mattresses and pillows that were either too hard or too thick.
Despite these inconsistencies, the primary beds often met guests’ expectations with mentions of good quality bedding and the overall positive impression of bed comfort. For those planning a stay, it could be advisable to confirm bed preferences with the hotel in advance to ensure a more comfortable experience.
Cleanliness
Staff consistently receive recognition for their friendly demeanor and efforts to maintain cleanliness with daily housekeeping ensuring that rooms are neat and well-kept. Clean and comfortable accommodations are a common theme and guests often experience an overall positive stay thanks to the immaculate conditions.
However, there are occasional reports of less satisfactory cleaning details, such as dusty surfaces in corners and dirty hallways. Some guests mention issues such as unclean towels and supplies not being replenished promptly. Despite these isolated incidents, the overall impression remains highly favorable, emphasizing the hotel's commitment to cleanliness and guest comfort.
Staff
The availability of early morning "to-go" breakfasts and accommodating support for travelers with specific needs, such as those with young children, further underscores the hotel’s commitment to guest satisfaction. The staff's ability to handle requests and issues promptly and with a positive attitude leaves a lasting impression. Overall, guests repeatedly commend the hotel's staff for creating a warm and inviting environment, making their stay comfortable and pleasant.
Wi-Fi
However, several guests have also reported issues, stating that the Wi-Fi can be slow, uneven and at times, non-existent in certain areas of the hotel. Some have noted that the connection is often unstable and patchy, causing inconvenience. In addition, the open network has raised concerns about security. Despite these drawbacks, the staff appears to be helpful and with some improvements, the hotel's connectivity could better match the otherwise positive aspects highlighted by guests.
Family
However, while the hotel provides family amenities including family rooms and suites, some reviews noted space limitations. Multiple comments pointed out that the family rooms, although functional and suitable for brief stays, tended to be cramped and minimally outfitted for larger groups. Specifically, families with young children managed best, though space was tight and larger families often found the accommodations somewhat congested.
Despite these spatial challenges, guests reported that the hotel was overall family-friendly with an array of services like free baby cots enhancing the stay. The rooms, while small, were considered adequate for short-term visits. The hotel environment was generally deemed suitable for families, making it a balanced choice for those needing a central, practical base in Edinburgh.
3 Star
The staff are consistently described as friendly and helpful, contributing positively to the guest experience. The breakfast provided is decent with a selection that aligns with three-star expectations, although some found it to be somewhat basic. Despite this, many guests felt that the range of food offered good value as a complimentary meal.
The hotel’s central location is a significant advantage, providing easy access to city attractions. Its proximity to the city center is particularly convenient, enhancing its appeal without compromising affordability. Ensuring a safe and easy-to-find environment adds to the hotel's merits.
While some reviews suggest that the hotel is budget-friendly yet functions similar to an older style Premier Inn, others believe that it exceeds the typical three-star standards with some even suggesting it merits a four-star rating. The value for money is repeatedly highlighted, making it a strong contender for anyone seeking budget accommodation with satisfactory facilities. For travelers prioritizing affordability and location over luxury, Holiday Inn Express Edinburgh – Royal Mile emerges as a highly recommended option.
Business
Accessible
The hotel's location is another major positive highlighted in the reviews. Situated near the Royal Mile, it provides easy access to the city center and top tourist destinations, making it a convenient choice for sightseeing and exploring the city. However, it is worth noting that there were mentions of a lack of specific accessibility information provided. Despite this, the overall sentiment points to strong accessibility throughout the hotel, making it a commendable choice for travelers with mobility issues.
No, Holiday Inn Express Edinburgh – Royal Mile by IHG doesn't have any pool.
No, a spa isn't available at Holiday Inn Express Edinburgh – Royal Mile by IHG.
Yes, Holiday Inn Express Edinburgh – Royal Mile by IHG welcomes dogs.
No, parking facilities aren't available at Holiday Inn Express Edinburgh – Royal Mile by IHG.
No, Holiday Inn Express Edinburgh – Royal Mile by IHG doesn't have a gym.
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