You’re standing on a cobblestone street in the Old Town. The air smells like damp stone and roasting coffee. If you’ve ever tried to book a room in Scotland’s capital during August or December, you know the panic. Prices skyrocket. Options vanish. Usually, you’re stuck between a luxury hotel that costs a month's rent or a hostel where the walls are paper-thin. That is exactly why the Holiday Inn Express Edinburgh Royal Mile hotel is always fully booked. It sits in that weird, rare middle ground. It’s consistent. It’s clean. Most importantly, it’s about a three-minute walk from the actual Royal Mile.
But honestly? Not every room is a winner, and the "Express" label confuses people who expect a full-service resort.
Location: The Real Reason You’re Looking at This Place
Let’s be real for a second. You aren’t booking this place for the decor. You’re booking it because Cowgate and the Royal Mile are right there. The hotel is tucked away on Cowgate, which is a bit of a legendary street in Edinburgh history. It used to be where they herded cattle into the city. Now, it’s where you find some of the best nightlife and weirdest underground bars in the UK.
If you walk out the front door and turn left, you’re staring at the back of St Giles' Cathedral within minutes. It’s perfect for the Fringe Festival. You can catch a show, grab a pint at The Pear Tree, and be back in your bed before your feet start to really throb. But there’s a catch. Cowgate is loud. It’s a valley. Sound bounces off those high stone walls. If you’re a light sleeper, you absolutely have to ask for a room on a higher floor or one facing away from the main street. Otherwise, you’ll hear the 2 AM revelry of students and tourists alike.
The walk from Waverley Station is about ten minutes, but it's uphill. Edinburgh doesn't do "flat." If you have heavy suitcases, just take a cab. Your knees will thank you.
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What’s Actually Inside the Holiday Inn Express Edinburgh Royal Mile Hotel?
Standardization is a double-edged sword. You know exactly what the bed feels like. It’s that firm-but-not-too-firm mattress that IHG puts in every Express property from London to Lisbon. The rooms are compact. Don't expect a sprawling suite. You get a bed, a desk, a kettle, and a bathroom that feels a bit like a high-end ship cabin.
The shower is the highlight. It actually has pressure. In many of the older boutique hotels in the Old Town, you’re lucky to get a lukewarm trickle because the plumbing is 200 years old. Here, it’s modern. It works.
The Breakfast Situation
They call it "Express Start." It’s included in the price, which is a massive win because Edinburgh is expensive. Is it a gourmet feast? No. It’s sausages, scrambled eggs, beans, and those little pastries. The coffee comes from a machine. It’s fine. It’s fuel. If you want a real Scottish breakfast with haggis and tattie scones, you’ll have to go to a local cafe like Southern Cross or Loudons nearby. But for a quick bite before you go hike Arthur’s Seat? It’s perfect.
The Weird Quirks of Cowgate
Staying at the Holiday Inn Express Edinburgh Royal Mile hotel means dealing with the architecture of a medieval city. The hotel itself is modern, but the surroundings are ancient. This leads to some funny logistics. For instance, the entrance can feel a bit tucked away if you’re arriving at night.
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Also, the parking situation is... well, it’s non-existent. Like most hotels in the historic center, they don’t have a giant lot. They usually partner with an NCP car park nearby, but you’ll pay a premium. If you’re driving into Edinburgh, rethink that choice. The city is designed for walking and buses. A car in the Old Town is a liability, not an asset.
Is It Good for Business Travelers?
Surprisingly, yes. Even though it’s surrounded by tourist traps, the Wi-Fi is snappy. There’s a small bar area in the lobby that stays relatively quiet during the day. It’s a decent spot to hammer out some emails before a meeting. The staff are used to the "in and out" crowd, so check-in is usually faster than at the big luxury spots on Princes Street.
Why People Get This Hotel Wrong
A lot of travelers confuse this property with the other Holiday Inns in the city. There’s one at Picardy Place and another at the Zoo. If you want to be in the heart of the history, you want the one on Cowgate. Don't let a taxi driver take you to the wrong one.
The biggest misconception is that "Express" means "Cheap." In Edinburgh, "Cheap" is relative. During the peak of the festival, even this place can hit £300 a night. It’s all about supply and demand. Compared to the Balmoral or the Waldorf Astoria, it’s a bargain. Compared to a Travelodge in a smaller town, it’s pricey.
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Hidden Gems Within Five Minutes
Don’t just stay in the hotel.
- The World’s End: A pub just up the hill. Great for a pie and a pint.
- The Museum of Childhood: It sounds like it's just for kids, but it’s actually a fascinating, slightly creepy look at history.
- Victoria Street: The street that allegedly inspired Diagon Alley. It’s a two-minute walk away.
Actionable Advice for Your Stay
If you are planning to book the Holiday Inn Express Edinburgh Royal Mile hotel, do these three things to make sure you don't regret it.
First, join the IHG One Rewards program before you book. Even the base tier sometimes gets you a late checkout or a slightly better room assignment. It’s free, so there’s no reason not to.
Second, pack earplugs. I cannot stress this enough. Even with double glazing, the Old Town is a living, breathing, shouting entity.
Third, skip the hotel breakfast at least once. Walk five minutes to Victoria Street and find a local bakery. The hotel food is consistent, but the local food is memorable.
Check your booking confirmation for the "Cowgate" address specifically. If you find yourself lost, look for the South Bridge vaults; you're basically right underneath them. It’s a solid, dependable base for a city that is otherwise unpredictable and chaotic.