Old Town / Cowgate

Holiday Inn Express Edinburgh Royal Mile

★★★★★

Holiday Inn Express Edinburgh Royal Mile puts you in the Old Town for a budget price, with breakfast thrown in. Despite the name, it is not on the Royal Mile itself but on the Cowgate, the historic lower street that runs parallel to it beneath the South Bridge and George IV Bridge, about half a kilometre from the Royal Mile by the hotel's own reckoning and a short climb up one of the closes. The Cowgate has a split personality: by day it is a quiet old street of stone walls and arches, by night, especially at weekends, it is one of the city's nightlife strips, with clubs and bars, so the area can be lively late. The hotel is a straightforward Express: modern, clean rooms with comfortable beds, a good shower and free Wi-Fi, and no restaurant. Instead, breakfast is included in every stay, served in the morning with hot and cold options, and the bar and Great Room lounge offer a light-bite menu of pizzas and toasties around the clock. For small families, some rooms have sofa beds, recommended for up to two adults and two children under twelve. Parking is not on site, but guests get a discount at the NCP car park on Holyrood Road, a short walk away; confirm the current terms with the hotel. Pets are welcome for a fee per stay, with a limit per room and pre-booking required, which makes this one of the easier central options for travellers with a dog. Check-in is from mid-afternoon and the minimum check-in age is eighteen.

Who is it for? Budget travellers who want to be in the Old Town and like having breakfast sorted, couples on short breaks, small families with younger children who can share a sofa-bed room, and dog owners. It is less suited to light sleepers on weekend nights, given the Cowgate's late bars, and to anyone wanting a hotel restaurant for dinner; you will eat out, which in this part of town is no hardship.

Location in practice: from the Cowgate you can walk up to the Royal Mile in a few minutes, then to St Giles' Cathedral, the Real Mary King's Close and the Scotch Whisky Experience further up the hill. The castle is a longer walk, around twenty to twenty-five minutes. The Grassmarket, Greyfriars, the National Museum of Scotland and Holyrood are all within easy reach, and Waverley Station is about ten to fifteen minutes on foot, uphill in parts. Dynamic Earth and the Arthur's Seat paths are close by to the east.

Value: rates are firmly budget to mid-range, and the included breakfast saves a meaningful amount over a few days, particularly for families. Prices rise steeply in August and at Hogmanay. Edinburgh's visitor levy, five per cent of the room price before VAT for the first five nights, applies to stays from 24 July 2026. Cancellation terms depend on the rate, so read them before booking a non-refundable saver. For a central, breakfast-included base close to the Royal Mile, it is a practical choice.