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Hotel · Edinburgh · Edinburgh

Holiday Inn Express Edinburgh - Royal Mile By Ihg

A 3-star hotel on Cowgate, a short walk from the Royal Mile and National Museum of Scotland.

  • 2-minute walk to the Royal Mile
  • Buffet breakfast with hot and cold options
  • 24-hour reception and express check-in/out
8.2 Great 4717 reviews Booking.com 8.2 · 4717 reviews

About

Holiday Inn Express Edinburgh - Royal Mile By Ihg

Holiday Inn Express Edinburgh - Royal Mile sits on Cowgate, roughly 0.6 km from the National Museum of Scotland. The hotel offers practical amenities such as a 24-hour reception, luggage storage, vending machines, and a lift. Rooms come with air conditioning, heating, and tea and coffee facilities.

Guests frequently mention the convenient location, the quality of the buffet breakfast, and the helpfulness of the staff. The hotel has an overall rating of 8.2 from 4,717 reviews, with particular strengths in staff (9.0) and general comfort (7.4).

  • No smoking on site
  • Wi-Fi
  • Parking
  • 24-hour reception
  • Express check-in/ -out
  • Pets allowed

In brief

What works, what to weigh

+

Strengths

4 reasons to book
  • Exceptional location near the Royal Mile — Guests repeatedly praise the hotel's proximity to the Royal Mile and major attractions. In reviews, it's described as a 2-minute walk from the Royal Mile and a 10-minute walk from the castle and city centre.
  • Highly rated staff and service — The staff receive frequent commendation for being friendly, helpful, and hospitable. One guest noted the receptionist provided recommendations and a complimentary hot drink.
  • Generous buffet breakfast — The breakfast is described as having a great choice and variety, with both hot and cold options. Multiple guests specifically call it 'excellent'.
  • Good value for money — Several guests mention getting a good deal for the time of year, with one noting they expected less for the price and were pleasantly surprised.

Worth weighing

3 to weigh
  • Compact rooms — One guest notes the room was 'compact', which may be a consideration for those needing more space. The rating for rooms (8.3) is decent but not highest.
  • General comfort rating below other metrics — The 'Comfort' category scores 7.4, the lowest among the rating categories, suggesting some guests find the overall comfort level not as strong as other aspects.
  • Potential for noise from central location — Given its central position on Cowgate, a busy street, there may be street noise. However, one guest mentioned the hotel was 'quiet' despite being central, so it varies.

01 — Rooms

Rooms & rates

High season: summer dates usually book out a few weeks ahead.

Standard Double Room Hot

  • 1 Double bed
  • Shower
  • Heating
  • Air conditioning

Standard Twin Room Hot

  • 2 Single beds
  • Shower
  • Heating
  • Air conditioning

Standard Double Room Hot Accessible

  • 1 Double bed
  • Shower
  • Heating
  • Air conditioning

Standard Room Hot

  • 2 Single beds
  • Shower
  • Heating
  • Air conditioning

Standard Double Room Single Sofa Bed Hot

  • 1 Double bed
  • Shower
  • Heating
  • 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/ -out
  • Lift
  • Luggage storage
  • Vending machines
  • No smoking on site
  • 24-hour security

Room Amenities

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating
  • Tea and coffee facilities
  • Ironing facilities
  • Free toiletries
  • Electric kettle
  • Flat-screen TV
  • Carpeted floor

Food & Drink

  • Bar/ Lounge area
  • Special diet menus
  • Children's menu
  • Welcome drink

Accessibility

  • Rooms/ Facilities for disabled
  • Wheelchair access
  • Toilet for disabled
  • Bathroom for disabled

Services

  • Housekeeping
  • Fax/Photocopying
  • Leisure/ TV room

03 — Reviews

What guests say

Recent verified reviews from guests who stayed here.

8.2
Great 4717 reviews

Guest-rated 8.2/10 from 4,717 reviews

Booking.com · 8.2 · 4717 reviews
8.2Verified guest

“We loved the comfy beds. The room was compact, and breakfast was warm with plenty of choice.”

8.2Verified guest

“A pleasant two-night stay on the third floor. The place was clean, staff were competent and hospitable, and the view over the gardens was nice. Location was perfect—close to the hill and Edinburgh. Luggage storage and tea/coffee were handy.”

8.2Verified guest

“Excellent location, just 2 minutes' walk from the Royal Mile. The buffet breakfast had great variety.”

8.2Verified guest

“The staff were helpful and friendly, the buffet breakfast was excellent, and the room was clean and comfortable. The location was great for visiting most landmarks.”

8.2Verified guest

“Staff very helpful, breakfast very good.”

8.2Verified guest

“Good location, good price, clean rooms—what more can you say?”

04 — Location

Getting around Edinburgh

The property sits in Edinburgh.

Nearby attractions: The hotel is within walking distance of the Royal Mile and about 0.6 km from the National Museum of Scotland. Guests mention being a 10-minute walk from Edinburgh Castle and the city centre.

Getting around: The central location on Cowgate puts you close to public transport options, though specifics are not provided. Many attractions are reachable on foot.

300 Cowgate, Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH1 1NA, United Kingdom

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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
78 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.

Is parking available at the hotel?

Yes, parking is listed as an amenity, but details on cost or reservation are not provided.

Are pets allowed?

Yes, pets are allowed according to the hotel policies.

Is breakfast included in the stay?

The hotel offers a buffet breakfast with hot and cold options, and many guests mention it as a highlight. Whether it's included in the rate is not specified.

Does the hotel have accessible rooms?

Yes, there are accessible room types (Standard Twin Room Hot Accessible and Standard Double Room Hot Accessible) and facilities for disabled guests, including wheelchair access.

Is there Wi-Fi available?

Yes, Wi-Fi is listed as an amenity, and one guest mentioned free Wi-Fi.

The bottom line

For travellers wanting a central Edinburgh base with dependable breakfast and friendly service, this hotel delivers. The location is the standout feature, and the overall guest rating of 8.2 reflects consistent satisfaction. Just be mindful of the compact rooms and moderate comfort score.

8.2A solid, well-located choice for sightseeing stays.

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