Owners access | Hotel information and booking website unofficial
Holiday Inn Express Edinburgh - Leith Waterfront By Ihg, Edinburgh
89US$
Book on our site
Up to 10% cheaper
than Booking.com
Key details
About the Hotel
Britannia Way, Ocean Drive,
Edinburgh,
United Kingdom,
EH6 6JJ,
Edinburgh
Holiday Inn Express Edinburgh - Leith Waterfront is situated on the outskirts of Edinburgh, a short distance from the historic city center. This modern hotel features a blend of Bohemian and historical architecture, appealing to both business and leisure travelers. It is conveniently located near key attractions such as the Royal Yacht Britannia and Ocean Terminal. Guests can easily access the city's vibrant culture and stunning landmarks via public transportation.
Location
Holiday Inn Express Edinburgh is located approximately 3 km from Edinburgh City Centre. Public buses run from outside the hotel, providing convenient access to Edinburgh's key attractions, including Edinburgh Castle and the National Museum of Scotland. On-site parking is available for a daily fee, and trams to the city center are easily accessible.
Rooms
The hotel offers 169 modern and bright rooms designed for comfort. Each room includes amenities like bedside USB ports, free Wi-Fi, and blackout curtains to enhance the guest experience. Families can opt for rooms with pull-out sofa beds to accommodate children. Thoughtful touches such as a pillow menu and movable laptop desks provide flexibility for guests during their stay.
Eat & Drink
Guests can enjoy an inclusive Express Start breakfast featuring hot and continental items, perfect for fueling a day of exploration. Light bites, including pizzas and nachos, are available for order throughout the day. The hotel's stylish bar serves a variety of beverages, and grab & go bags are offered for those in a hurry.
Leisure & Business
The hotel provides free Wi-Fi and handy workspaces to cater to business travelers. Although there is no on-site gym, guests can relax in the lounge or enjoy casual dining options. Accessible facilities and friendly staff are available to assist guests with specific needs.
View all
Select your room type
The hotel offers a variety of rooms including double rooms, family rooms, and suites with breakfast, free cancelations, and special deals
The hotel offers amenities for your comfortable stay and unforgettable experiences
Delicious Breakfast!
“The breakfast selection was very satisfying, offering plenty of choices, and I loved the option to enjoy it in the comfort of my room.” view full review
Cozy & Clean Rooms
“I found the room to be spacious and meticulously clean, with excellent shower pressure that made my stay enjoyable.” view full review
Luxurious Amenities
“The bathroom products provided were from Dove, which added a touch of luxury to my experience and left my skin feeling great.” view full review
Welcoming Facilities
“The overall setup of the hotel felt accommodating and welcoming, ensuring that everyone could enjoy a comfortable stay.” view full review
General
No smoking on site
Wi-Fi
Parking
Safe deposit box
24-hour reception
Express check-in/ -out
Pets allowed
Rooms/ Facilities for disabled
24-hour security
Luggage storage
Lift
Vending machines
Smoke detectors
Fire extinguishers
Key card access
Guest Parking
Electric kettle
Services
Housekeeping
Welcome drink
Dining
Restaurant
Bar/ Lounge area
Special diet menus
Children
Cots
Room features
Air conditioning
Heating
Tea and coffee facilities
Ironing facilities
Bathroom
Free toiletries
Sink
Self-catering
Electric kettle
Media
Flat-screen TV
Room decor
Carpeted floor
Show more
Location
Britannia Way, Ocean Drive,
Edinburgh,
United Kingdom,
EH6 6JJ,
Edinburgh
Map view
street view
Britannia Way, Ocean Drive,
Edinburgh,
United Kingdom,
EH6 6JJ,
Edinburgh
City landmarks
Museum
Edinburgh Castle
3.6
km
Botanical Garden
Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
2.4
km
Palace
Palace of Holyroodhouse
3.0
km
Gallery
Scottish National Gallery
3.3
km
Royal Mile
Royal Mile
3.4
km
Church
South Leith Parish Church
880 m
St. Andrews House 2 Regent Road
Calton Hill
2.7
km
High Street 2 Warriston's Close
The Real Mary King's Close
3.3
km
Queen's Drive Holyrood Park
Arthur's Seat hike
4.0
km
Church
Trinity House Of Leith
1.0
km
Museum
National Museum of Scotland
3.6
km
Park
Princes Street Gardens
3.5
km
Maritime Museum 99 Kirkgate
Trinity House Maritime Museum
870 m
Museum
Camera Obscura and World of Illusions
3.5
km
Newhaven Pl
Newhaven Harbour
1.1
km
32 Calton Hill
Nelson Monument
2.8
km
St. Andrew Place Leith
Edinburgh Hindu Mandir and Cultural Centre
1.4
km
Market
Newhaven
1.0
km
Store
Scotmid Co-operative
610 m
Church
St Giles' Cathedral
3.4
km
Store
Asda Leith Superstore
700 m
Monument
Scott Monument
3.1
km
Picardy Place
Sherlock Holmes Statue
2.5
km
Nearby
Ocean Drive Ocean Terminal
Royal Yacht Britannia
400 m
Mall
Ocean Terminal
430 m
Edinburgh EH6Scotland
Leith
180 m
West Princess Garden Street Near Saint John's
Sir James Young Simpson Monument
240 m
Dock St
Leith Citadel railway
460 m
West Princess Garden Street Near Saint John's
Dean Ramsey Memorial
240 m
67 Commercial Street Leith
Custom House
340 m
Restaurants
Mr Nicks
290 m
Ocean Drive Ocean Terminal Shopping Centre
Costa Coffee
290 m
98 Ocean Drive Ground Floor
Wrapchic
370 m
Ocean Terminal Ocean Drive
Fit Food Bistro
440 m
41 Commercial Street
Tiso Summit Cafe
450 m
41 Commercial Street
The Haven Cafe
640 m
9 Anchorfield Newhaven
Belly Buster
530 m
36 Ferry Road
North Fort Cafe
560 m
19 North Fort Street
Malt & Hops
840 m
45 Shore EH6 6QU
Reviews and Ratings
Feedback from previous guests about their experience.
72%
liked the hotel and would stay again
Helpful staff
Convenient location
Limited amenities
Chaotic dining experience
7.2/10
Very good
Rooms
7.7
Location
8.1
Service
7.8
Dining
6.5
Guest reviews
7.2/10
based on 18 reviews
8.2
8.2/10 based on 6433 reviews
Anna
United Kingdom,
May
2024
7.4/10
The hotel room was a bit small for us with two kids but considering the price, it was comfy, quiet, and wheelchair accessible. The adjacent boiler was a minor inconvenience.
Rooms
7.0
The room was comfy and quiet, and despite being small due to having two beds for the kids, I can't complain given the price. It was also an accessible room, which was a plus. The only downside was the boiler noise from the next door.
Service
9.0
The service was absolutely brilliant. The staff were all so friendly and welcoming. They even helped us with recommendations for places to visit in downtown and nearby, which was really thoughtful.
Location
8.0
The location was excellent for visiting The Botanical Garden, Britania, and being within easy walking distance of the Ocean Terminal and Royal Yacht Britannia. You could easily hop on a bus to spend a full day in Edinburgh or take a short walk across the Leith waterfront. However, some noise was going on, but that's no one's fault.
Dining
6.0
The dining experience was a mixed bag. While the food was always hot with plenty of choices to kickstart your day of sightseeing, the breakfast area felt like a free for all, very busy with lots of people around the buffet. On the upside, the tasty salads were a highlight.
Facilities
7.0
The hotel facilities were good overall, but the dining area felt like a nightmare during busy breakfast times. However, the tasty salads were a redeeming quality.
Bob
United States,
May
2024
6.6/10
The hotel had clean and comfortable rooms, but lacked space for families and some amenities. The service was helpful but struggled to keep up at times. The location was convenient for transit and local dining options, but lacked atmosphere. The dining experience was chaotic and limited. Overall, a decent stay with some room for improvement.
Rooms
7.0
The room was clean and the bed very comfortable, but lacked space for families with no wardrobe or sitting area. The bathroom was small and cleanliness could be improved.
Service
6.0
The staff was super helpful, especially with printing important documents. However, they struggled to keep up with demand at times, and unexpected charges like the pet fee were a downside.
Location
8.0
The hotel is conveniently located for transit and local dining spots, making it a good choice for exploring the area. However, the atmosphere was lacking.
Dining
5.0
The dining experience was chaotic at times with shortages of utensils and food items.
Facilities
The facilities were average, with some areas needing improvement and limited services available. The lack of a proper dining experience affected the overall stay.
Helpful staff
Limited amenities
Tim
United Kingdom,
April
2024
7.2/10
The hotel had very nice rooms close to amenities and local transport, but it was cold and couldn't get it to heat up. It was clean and suitable for a family stay, with some minor drawbacks like service interruption.
Rooms
8.0
The rooms were very nice and clean, close to amenities and local transport. However, it was a bit cold and challenging to adjust the temperature.
Service
7.0
The service was overall good with attentive staff, but there was a privacy issue where they entered the room without knocking at an inconvenient time.
Location
8.0
The location was perfect for our stay and for attending the Leith Jazz and Blues Festival. However, it was disappointing that nearby establishments closed early without prior notice.
Dining
6.0
The dining options were a bit of a mixed bag with some fantastic meals but also some chaotic experiences.
Facilities
7.0
James
United States,
March
2024
7.2/10
My stay at the hotel was truly enjoyable. The rooms were excellent, with all the necessary facilities, comfy beds, and a clean bathroom. I was placed on a quiet floor away from the elevator as I requested. The service was top-notch, especially from Barbara at breakfast and Jamie and Nicola in the café/bar. The location was ideal for my trip, with easy access to public transport. However, the ongoing redevelopment nearby was a bit of a downside for the aesthetics. Despite that, the hotel offers free parking and convenient access to the city center. Overall, a great value for money.
Rooms
9.0
My room was excellent, fully equipped with everything I needed, including comfy beds and a clean bathroom.
Service
8.0
Location
7.0
The location was great, especially for visiting the royal yacht Britannia and getting to Edinburgh easily via public transport.
Dining
5.0
Facilities
7.0
The hotel offers free parking and is located near a bus stop for easy access to the city.
Chris
United Kingdom,
March
2024
8.2/10
The hotel was lovely and clean, and breakfast was lovely. We always enjoy staying there and will be back next year. The rooms could do with a bath, but they were lovely and clean and very comfy, all at the correct agreed price.
Rooms
9.0
The rooms were lovely and clean and very comfy.
Service
9.0
The service were excellent and very courteous and friendly.
Location
8.0
Dining
8.0
The dining was good with a wide choice of food. However, despite the evening menu being limited, something for every taste.
Facilities
7.0
The hotel had somewhere to print documents in a city we don't know.
clean
limited menu
Edgar
United States,
February
2024
9.0/10
I had a fantastic stay at this hotel. The rooms were great for my disability, spacious, and clean, complete with everything I needed. The staff was friendly and attentive. However, the sight of cigarette butts in an old drink bottle outside was quite off-putting after breakfast.
Rooms
9.0
The rooms were spacious, clean, and comfortable for our two-night stay.
Service
9.0
The service was brilliant, with very attentive and friendly staff throughout my stay.
Location
10.0
The location was extremely clean, modern, and conveniently situated for exploring Leith and the surrounding area.
Dining
8.0
The dining experience was good, with a decent array of options and attentive staff.
Facilities
9.0
The facilities were well-maintained and offered everything I needed for a comfortable stay.
Clean
Cigarette butts
Ben
United Kingdom,
February
2024
7.8/10
The hotel rooms were cozy, although not very spacious for a family of four and pet. The back view overlooking fields was lovely, but I wished there were more dining options nearby rather than just in the shopping center. The breakfast selection was good, but some items were lukewarm instead of hot.
Rooms
7.0
The rooms were cozy but not very spacious for a family of four and pet.
Service
9.0
The service was fantastic; the staff were very friendly and always helpful.
Location
8.0
The location was convenient, just a bus ride away from the city center with cheap and frequent bus services. I enjoyed being within walking distance of accessible public transport to the town center.
Dining
8.0
The dining experience was great; there was a variety of options for breakfast, although some items were lukewarm instead of hot. I appreciated the pre-made hot and cold choices to take back to the room.
Facilities
7.0
The facilities were good, but I wished there were more dining options close by.
George
United Kingdom,
February
2024
7.0/10
I found the hotel to be a mixed bag. The rooms are spacious and well-equipped, making it convenient to reach nearby shops and restaurants. However, the room was not large enough to accommodate my entire family. The service was a letdown when staff complained about noise from children early in the morning, but redeemed themselves with good recommendations during check-in and departure. The location, while not ideal for tourists, was convenient for accessing Edinburgh attractions and avoiding the city center hustle. The dining options were hit or miss, with a disaster on some mornings but generally decent selection available. Facilities were standard without standout features.
Rooms
8.0
The room was spacious and had everything you needed available.
Service
7.0
Despite initial issues, staff were helpful during check-in and offered useful recommendations.
Location
7.0
The location was good for accessing Edinburgh attractions and offered a peaceful night's sleep away from the city center.
Dining
6.0
The dining experience had its ups and downs, with limited options and inconsistent quality.
Facilities
7.0
Facilities were standard without any standout features.
William
United States,
February
2024
7.4/10
I had a mixed experience at this hotel. The rooms were well decorated and the refurbishment added to the ambiance, but they were small. Breakfast was good but inconsistent. The service was lovely and helpful, although it seemed to struggle under some circumstances. The location was great with easy access to restaurants in Leith but the breakfast wait times were a drawback. The dining experience, although not outstanding, was decent. The hotel facilities were satisfactory.
Rooms
7.0
The rooms were well decorated and the refurbishment added to the ambiance, but they were relatively small.
Service
8.0
I found the service to be lovely and helpful, but it seemed to struggle under some circumstances.
Location
8.0
The location was great with easy access to the majority of restaurants in Leith, but the wait for breakfast items was a bit of a hassle.
Dining
7.0
The dining experience was not outstanding but hit the mark with a very nice breakfast area.
Facilities
7.0
The hotel facilities were satisfactory.
Jim
United Kingdom,
December
2023
8.4/10
My stay at the hotel was just perfect. The rooms were lovely with everything you need, comfy, and clean. Checking in was a breeze, and everything was spot on. The service was excellent, very efficient, and accommodating. The location was ideal for exploring Edinburgh, with good bus service options. The dining options were good, with a wide choice of continental food, although it could have been more varied. The overall value for money was great, considering the facilities provided.
Rooms
9.0
The rooms were very comfortable and had everything I needed.
Service
8.0
The staff was nice and very efficient in assisting us.
Location
10.0
The location was perfect in a lovely and vibrant area of Edinburgh, ideal for exploring various attractions with easy access to transportation.
Dining
7.0
The dining experience was good with a wide choice, but it could have been more varied.
Facilities
8.0
Facilities were good, but could use some improvement in dining variety.
Thomas
United States,
November
2023
6.0/10
My stay at the hotel was quite mixed. The rooms were very nice - clean, comfortable, and equipped with air conditioning and good hot water. However, I was disturbed by noise coming through the connecting door from the neighboring room. The hotel provided pleasant washing facilities, but the service left much to be desired. Despite the staff being considerate in bringing breakfast to our room, I was shocked to be woken up at seven in the morning to complaints about noise made by kids. On top of that, the sight of cigarette butts in an old fizzy drink bottle was not very appealing. The location, although convenient for the bus commute and proximity to shopping areas, was not ideal for being far from the city center and the Edinburgh station. As a vegetarian, dining options left me feeling neglected, as the variety was limited, and the breakfast was cold and insufficient for the number of guests.
Rooms
8.0
The rooms were clean and comfortable with modern amenities like air conditioning and good hot water.
Service
5.0
While the staff brought breakfast to our room, the experience was marred by early morning complaints about noise and the sight of cigarette butts in makeshift receptacles.
Location
6.0
The location, while not ideal in terms of distance from the city center, was convenient for bus travels with shopping areas nearby.
Dining
5.0
The dining experience was disappointing, especially for a vegetarian, with limited choices and inadequate breakfast offerings.
Facilities
7.0
Amanda
United Kingdom,
October
2023
7.4/10
The hotel is ideally located, close to major attractions and easy to reach. The rooms offer a cozy and modern atmosphere, although some noise disturbance could occur due to external factors. The service is warm and attentive, although challenges during peak times were noticeable. The dining options vary but may lack some variety at times. Overall, a convenient choice with good value for money.
Rooms
8.0
The rooms were nicely decorated and had a pleasant ambiance, with convenient tea/coffee making facilities.
Service
7.0
The staff was super helpful and friendly, but faced some challenges during busy periods.
Location
9.0
The location is excellent, with easy access to the city center and other points of interest, suitable for both leisure and work trips.
Dining
6.0
The dining experience offers a decent variety, although some items may not be consistently available during the service.
Facilities
7.0
The facilities meet the basic requirements for a comfortable stay, with no major complaints.
Arthur
United Kingdom,
October
2023
7.6/10
My stay at the hotel was pleasant overall. The rooms were decent and clean, but they could use a makeover. The service was excellent, with very helpful and welcoming staff. The location was convenient for my needs, but it would be better after an upgrade. The dining experience was satisfactory, although there were some disappointments. The facilities were satisfactory as well.
Rooms
7.0
The rooms were clean and decent, but they could do with a facelift as the carpet and walls showed signs of wear.
Service
9.0
The staff was incredibly helpful and welcoming, making my stay pleasant.
Location
8.0
The location was great for my purposes, with good access to nearby restaurants and supermarkets.
Dining
7.0
The dining options were nice overall, but as a vegetarian, I felt a bit left out with limited breakfast choices.
Facilities
7.0
The facilities were satisfactory, but there is room for improvement to enhance the overall guest experience.
helpful staff
dated rooms
John
United Kingdom,
October
2023
7.6/10
The hotel is conveniently located for shops and buses, although it could benefit from room refurbishments. The service was warm and welcoming, with attentive staff. The location, despite being a bit far from the city center, is ideal for exploring nearby attractions like Ocean Terminal and the Royal Yacht Britannia. The dining experience offered a good variety, although some dietary options were limited. The facilities are still very clean but may require updates in the rooms.
Rooms
7.0
The rooms are still very clean but could do with refurbishments.
Service
8.0
The service was warm and welcoming, with attentive staff.
Location
9.0
The location is nearby Ocean Terminal, convenient for buses to the city center.
Dining
7.0
The dining had a good variety, but some dietary options were limited.
Facilities
7.0
The facilities are very clean but may require updates in the rooms.
John
United Kingdom,
September
2023
7.0/10
The hotel rooms are a bit small and located next to the elevator shaft, making it hard to sleep at night. Despite this, the service is excellent with friendly and polite staff. The location is good for sea travel and dining options, although the breakfast could have more variety. The facilities are satisfactory but could use some improvements.
Rooms
5.0
The rooms are smaller than expected, especially with an extra bed for kids, making it a tight squeeze to access the restrooms at night.
Service
9.0
The service was excellent, and I appreciated that there was no extra charge for our dog. The staff were courteous and kept an eye on guests handling things.
Location
8.0
The location is good for those interested in sea travel and visiting attractions like the Queen's royal yacht. It's also convenient to reach a variety of bars and restaurants.
Dining
7.0
The dining experience was decent, with good options, but I wished there were more vegetable choices. However, the food was in bags for in-room consumption.
Facilities
6.0
The facilities met basic needs but have room for improvement.