Standard Room Hot
- 1 Double bed
- Shower
- Air conditioning
Hotel · Edinburgh · Edinburgh
Holiday Inn Express Edinburgh City Centre By Ihg
A well-liked 3-star base on Picardy Place, close to the city centre's key sights and transport links.
- 8.1 guest rating from 6,692 reviews
- Check-in from 15:00 and 24-hour reception
- Pets allowed on request
8.1
Great
6692 reviews
Booking.com 8.1 · 6692 reviews
About
Holiday Inn Express Edinburgh City Centre By Ihg
Holiday Inn Express Edinburgh City Centre is a 3-star hotel on Picardy Place, a short walk from Princes Street and George Street. Guest scores are strongest for location (9) and room cleanliness (8), with the hotel earning an overall rating of 8.1 from 6,692 reviews. Guests commonly mention the easy reach of Waverley Station, the tram terminus, and the city’s main attractions.
Rooms are standard Express-style doubles, twins, and accessible options, all with air conditioning and a shower. Public areas include a coffee shop, bar/lounge, and a breakfast area where hot and cold options are served. The hotel operates a 24-hour reception, offers express check-in/out, and allows pets, which is helpful for some travellers.
- No smoking on site
- Wi-Fi
- Safe deposit box
- 24-hour reception
- Express check-in/ -out
- Pets allowed
In brief
What works, what to weigh
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Strengths
4 reasons to book- Location stands out — Guests consistently rate the hotel’s position highly, with several mentioning a 5–10 minute walk to Princes Street and George Street, and Waverley Station reachable on foot in about 10 minutes.
- Helpful, friendly staff — Across reviews, staff are described as friendly, efficient, and knowledgeable, from the night shift to day-time assistance.
- Clean and comfortable rooms — Rooms are repeatedly described as clean, spacious, and well-equipped, with comfortable beds, good showers, and soundproofing noted.
- Solid breakfast with variety — Guests appreciate the hot and cold breakfast options, including freshly prepared coffee, tea, and cheese, as well as the convenience of the included meal.
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Worth weighing
4 to weigh- Breakfast and dining score lower — Dining earns a 6/10, the lowest category. While several guests praised the breakfast, some may find the food options limited or the attached restaurant basic.
- No on-site parking — No parking is listed, so guests arriving by car will need to find public parking nearby, which can be a challenge in the city centre.
- Basic rooms for the price — One guest called the accommodation 'quite basic but all you need for a weekend away', suggesting simple furnishings that may not justify the nightly rate for all travellers.
- Price for the class — Starting from £441 per night, this 3-star hotel’s rates are high for its category, though guests often mention value for money given the location.
01 — Rooms
Rooms & rates
High season: summer dates usually book out a few weeks ahead.
Standard Double Room Hot
- 1 Double bed
- Shower
- Air conditioning
Standard Double Room Hot Accessible
- 1 Double bed
- Shower
- Air conditioning
Standard Twin Room Hot
- 2 Single beds
- Shower
- Air conditioning
Standard Double Room Sofa Bed Hot
- 1 Double bed
- Shower
- Air conditioning
02 — Amenities
Services & amenities
Everything included at this stay — the facilities and essentials, at a glance.
General
- 24-hour reception
- Express check-in / check-out
- Luggage storage
- Lift
- No smoking on site
- Pets allowed
- Rooms / facilities for disabled
- Safe deposit box
- Security
Food & Drink
- Bar / Lounge area
- Coffee shop
- Special diet menus
- Welcome drink
Room Amenities
- Air conditioning
- Electric kettle
- Flat-screen TV
- Free toiletries
- Heating
- Ironing facilities
- Tea and coffee facilities
Services
- Dry cleaning
- Fax / photocopying
- Housekeeping
- Laundry
Photos
Gallery
03 — Reviews
What guests say
Recent verified reviews from guests who stayed here.
Guest-rated 8.1/10 from 6,692 reviews
Booking.com · 8.1 · 6692 reviews
8.1Verified guest“Great hotel with excellent Wi-Fi and helpful luggage storage. The 24-hour reception came in handy, and staff pointed me to places with good exchange rates on my first stay.”
8.1Verified guest“The hotel is well-sized, clean, and superbly located near the bus station, a restored theatre, and many restaurants and bars — convenient for the Tattoo fireworks finale. Breakfast had freshly prepared coffee, tea, and cheese. The double room was lovely, with storage, tea/coffee, and soundproof windows. Staff were friendly and incredibly helpful; everything felt modern.”
8.1Verified guest“It’s in an ideal central spot.”
8.1Verified guest“Clean room and friendly staff. Breakfast had plenty of variety, including hot and cold options, and the nearby tram stop made airport trips easy.”
8.1Verified guest“Everything was clean, beds were comfortable, breakfast was satisfying, and staff were polite.”
8.1Verified guest“A tasteful hotel with accommodating night-shift staff. The queen room was airy with a comfortable bed, an excellent shower, and tea-making facilities. The attached restaurant serves warm food. Enjoy your Edinburgh Christmas here.”
04 — Location
Getting around Edinburgh
The property sits in Edinburgh.
Getting around: The hotel is on the edge of the city centre, with the tram terminus and bus station close by. Waverley Station is about a 10-minute walk.
Shopping and sights: Princes Street and George Street are a 5–10 minute stroll away, putting you in the middle of Edinburgh’s shopping and main attractions.
Picardy Place, Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH1 3JT, United Kingdom
05 — Good to know
Policies & conditions
Hotel details are shown for reference. Final rate terms are confirmed on the partner’s site at booking.
- Check-in
- From 15:00-23:59
- Check-out
- By 11:00
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation on many rates — terms on booking page
- Payment
- Pay-at-hotel available on many rates; final terms at booking
- Pets
- Allowed
- Property
- 188 rooms
06 — Questions
Frequently asked
What are the check-in and check-out times?
Check-in is from 15:00 until 23:59, and check-out is by 11:00.
Are pets allowed at the hotel?
Yes, pets are allowed on site.
Is breakfast included?
Breakfast is available and guests often mention it in reviews. The hotel serves hot and cold options in the morning, with details on inclusion best confirmed at booking.
Does the hotel have parking?
No on-site parking is listed at this property, so you’ll need to use nearby public parking options.
How far is the hotel from the city centre?
It’s on the edge of the city centre, with Princes Street and George Street a 5–10 minute walk away, and Waverley Station about 10 minutes on foot.
The bottom line
For travellers who value a central location, clean rooms, and a dependable breakfast, the Holiday Inn Express Edinburgh City Centre delivers. It’s a pragmatic choice for sightseeing, with occasional trade-offs on dining and price.
8.1Based on 6,692 guest reviews and our own editorial reading
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