Premier Inn Edinburgh City Centre (Waverley) hotel

The hotel's excellent central location is its defining feature, placing guests within easy reach of Edinburgh's most iconic landmarks and transport hubs. This makes it an ideal choice for sightseers, tourists, and business travelers seeking convenience and easy access to the city's vibrant atmosphere. Guests frequently highlight the comfortable beds, the generally quiet rooms despite the bustling surroundings, and the friendly staff as key positives that contribute to a pleasant stay. While the breakfast receives mixed reviews, its value and variety are often appreciated by many. For families, the hotel offers a practical and accessible base for city exploration. To enhance your stay, consider requesting a room on a higher floor or away from the street if you are particularly sensitive to potential noise, and be aware that daily room servicing must be specifically requested at reception per hotel policy.

Facilities & Amenities
Most guests find the hotel's facilities to be functional, though some aspects receive mixed feedback. The Wi-Fi is available, but the free option is often reported as slow or unreliable, with some guests noting it was "next to useless" for anything beyond basic emails, though faster options may be available for a fee. A significant recurring issue is the air conditioning, which is centrally controlled and frequently described as ineffective or prone to turning off, leading to uncomfortably hot rooms, especially in warmer weather, as windows do not open. Guests access reception via lifts or stairs, as it is located on the first floor. The hotel offers secure luggage storage, which is highly valued by guests for convenience on arrival and departure days. However, frequent problems with key cards deactivating are a common frustration, requiring multiple trips to reception for reprogramming. Some guests also noted the absence of an in-room phone and a mini-fridge.

Cleanliness & Room Comfort
Feedback on cleanliness and room comfort is notably mixed. Many guests praise their rooms as spotless, clean, and fresh, ensuring a pleasant environment. The comfortable beds and quality linens are frequently highlighted, contributing to a good night's sleep. Despite the hotel's central location, rooms are generally quiet due to effective sound insulation, though some guests reported noise from slamming doors or street disturbances, and issues with noisy air conditioning. However, a significant number of reviews detail concerning cleanliness issues, including dirty rooms, hairs on bathroom walls, dusty surfaces, and mould in bathrooms. Room features like windows that don't open can lead to stuffy or humid air, and poor bathroom ventilation is a common complaint, contributing to mould and unpleasant smells. Some rooms also had faulty lights or stiff taps. A critical safety concern for some guests is the absence of deadbolts or additional safety latches on doors.

Dining & Food Quality
The hotel's dining options, particularly breakfast, receive mixed but generally positive feedback. Most guests find the breakfast to be of good value and plentiful, offering a wide variety of options including cooked items, cereals, fruit, pastries, and pancakes. However, recurring complaints include cold hot food, slow replenishment of items, and occasional staffing shortages leading to long waits or missing items like milk or cups. Some guests noted a lack of hot chocolate or specific gluten-free options beyond bread. The restaurant is available for dinner, and the meal deal is often considered good value, though some guests reported issues with booking availability despite visible empty tables, limited menu choices, and concerns about food hygiene or cross-contamination during preparation. The bar area is also available for drinks and light fare.

Location & Accessibility
The hotel's central location is overwhelmingly its most praised attribute, making it exceptionally walkable to Edinburgh's key attractions. Guests appreciate its close proximity to Waverley train station, tram stops (providing direct airport access), and bus stations, ensuring convenient transport links. It is ideally situated near Princes Street, the Royal Mile, Edinburgh Castle, the Old Town, and numerous shopping centres, restaurants, bars, and cafes. While the location is highly convenient, parking is a significant consideration for those arriving by car, as there is no on-site parking. Guests typically rely on expensive off-site options like the NCP at St James Centre or the rail station car park, which can be challenging to navigate. Despite the bustling surroundings, rooms are generally quiet due to effective insulation, allowing for a peaceful stay amidst the city's vibrancy.

Staff & Service
The staff at the hotel consistently receive high praise for their friendliness, helpfulness, and attentiveness. Many guests highlight their professionalism and willingness to go above and beyond to assist with requests and resolve issues, contributing significantly to a positive experience. The check-in process is generally smooth, with options for quick self-check-in, though some guests experienced delays or issues with automated systems. A notable point of feedback is the housekeeping policy, which requires guests to request room servicing daily before a specific time; this was unexpected for many and occasionally led to minimal cleaning or missed requests. While staff are generally responsive, some guests felt their concerns were not taken seriously or that resolutions were inadequate, particularly regarding significant cleanliness or safety issues. The luggage storage service and staff assistance with printing boarding passes are frequently appreciated.

Additional Information
Several important details, not covered elsewhere, frequently emerge from guest reviews. A key policy is that room servicing must be requested daily before a specific time, which can be an unexpected requirement for many travelers. Guests often experience issues with key cards deactivating, necessitating multiple trips to reception for reprogramming. The centrally controlled air conditioning is a significant and recurring concern, frequently described as ineffective or prone to turning off, leading to uncomfortably hot rooms and poor air quality, especially since windows do not open. The absence of phones in rooms was noted by some as a safety concern, and several guests mentioned the lack of a fridge in their accommodations. An additional fee is typically charged for early check-in, which some guests found surprising. Furthermore, the free Wi-Fi is often reported as slow or unreliable, with options to upgrade for better speed.