When you consider a mid-week break for a few days away do you think of venturing to the countryside or the city? Are you a fan of greenery and hills or are you more into the hustle and bustle of city life?
We think that Edinburgh has both, with some of the most spectacular countryside and glorious scenery alongside unique, independent shops, and fantastic entertainment and restaurants. Edinburgh is the city that has everything!
Our writer, Rachel McAlley spent a couple of nights at the Holiday Inn, Edinburgh and she enjoyed every second of her stay.
The Holiday Inn, Edinburgh has everything that you could possibly need from a hotel. The rooms are spacious, comfy and offer in room refreshments. You can also request a pillow menu, extra bedding and electrical adapters if you need them.
The ground floor lobby area is large and there are plenty of tables and chairs to relax at. The restaurant, Traders has great views of the rolling hills around the city, and the bar is open plan and is stacked with every drink you can think of. Plus the express café, which can be found at the bar serves Starbucks Coffee!
Restaurant and Bar
You will also find on the ground floor Spirit Health Club, which comprises of swimming pool, gym, Jacuzzi, sauna, and beauty treatment rooms and hairdressing.
Once checked in we booked for dinner, then went straight to the bedroom, unpacked, and headed for the swimming pool. Due to Covid-19 procedures we had to book a specific time slot for the pool, which was fine as this meant that it was quiet at our preferred time. Well looked after changing rooms, clean shower units, and a good-sized pool is all we wanted and this is what we got.
All the staff at the Spirit Health Club reception desk were helpful, friendly, and happy to chat about our plans whilst staying at the hotel. It was really nice, after a long 5-hour drive (with a tween in the car) to unwind in the pool and Jacuzzi.
Dinner was served in Traders, the hotel restaurant. The menu offered everything from sandwiches and pasta, to pizza and steak, with a good selection of starters and desserts to choose from. We opted for Camembert, chicken wings, and houmous to start. Followed by steak, fish & chips, and chicken curry for our mains. The tastiest dish was almost certainly the chicken makhani, which was served with rice, sourdough naan, and mango chutney. I could happily eat this curry on a regular basis!
Dinner
Breakfast was a hot and cold buffet, and included a few Scottish treats such as black pudding and even haggis! It was a really laid back setting, where you helped yourself to hot drinks, juice and cereal. Then at your leisure you could visit the hot plates and pick you favourites from the freshly replenished hot choices.
The Holiday Inn, Edinburgh is next door to Edinburgh Zoo, just a stones throw from the hotel entrance. It took us around 3 minutes to walk from the hotel front door to the zoo front door! And, Edinburgh city centre is only a 10-minute taxi ride away. So, whether you want to stay close to the hotel for a day out or go further afield, this Holiday Inn is perfectly situated as your base.
If you’re looking for culture and history then Edinburgh Castle, the Museum of Scotland, and the Royal Mile are just a short drive away. If you’re more into shopping then Princes Street and Waverley Mall might be for you. Slightly further out of the city is Midlothian Snowsports Centre and the Fourth Road and Rail Bridges.
Hotel Info
We loved spending a couple of nights at the Holiday Inn, and we would almost certainly return to this hotel in the future.
Prices start at around £195 for a 1-night stay for a double room. Check-in from 2pm and checkout by 2pm. Onsite parking available free of charge for guests, and if the car park is full guests can also park in the zoo car park (parking charges apply). Kids stay free (age 17 and under) with a parent in the same room, and kids eat free any time of day (age 12 and under) when dining with an adult.
Visit Holiday Inn Edinburgh, an IHG Hotel to book a room
Word by Rachel McAlley
