IBIS EDINBURGH CENTRE SOUTH BRIDGE - ROYAL MILE, Edinburgh

The hotel sits on South Bridge, just off the Royal Mile, placing most major attractions within a short walk: the National Museum of Scotland and the Festival Theatre are minutes away, while Holyrood Park and the Palace of Holyroodhouse are about 15 minutes' walk. A bus stop is directly outside, and the nearest tram stop at St. Andrew Square is a 10-15 minute walk. A supermarket, a coffee shop and several restaurants are in the immediate area. For drivers, there is no on-site parking, but a discounted NCP car park is a 5-10 minute walk from the hotel.

Bedrooms are basic and compact, with some described as having a 'student dorm' feel. Windows cannot be opened, which can make the room feel stuffy; the air conditioning is functional but some find the rooms can feel warm. The bathroom is a prefabricated pod unit that is clean but very small - it does not have a fan or towel rail, so humidity can linger after a shower. Storage is limited: there is a hanging rack but no full wardrobe, and only one power socket near the bed (an extension cord is provided). Twin rooms have narrow single beds. A limited number of rooms can accommodate an extra bed for a child up to 12 years old, but interconnecting rooms are not available. Accessible rooms with walk-in showers and grab rails are available upon request.

Breakfast is a full Scottish and continental buffet with hot options (bacon, eggs, haggis, beans, mushrooms), cold meats, cheese, yoghurt, fruit, pastries and cereal. Gluten-free and vegan options are available. Breakfast is served from 06:00 to 10:00 (07:00 to 10:00 on weekends) and costs £13.50 per person if not included in the rate. Some find the breakfast good value, while others criticise the quality and limited variety. For a lighter or cheaper option, a supermarket and a Costa coffee shop are in the same building. The restaurant closes at 21:00 and there is no room service.

Leisure facilities are limited to what the bar offers: live music performances (free) and live sport events (free) are broadcast in the bar area. Guests looking for a more active stay can reach Holyrood Park and Arthur's Seat within a 15-minute walk, and a hop-on-hop-off bus stop is 5 minutes away.

Secure luggage storage is free both before check-in and after check-out, but overnight storage is not available. There is a laundry service with a fee (price list available at reception). A bike storage room is available. Pets are allowed for an additional charge of £10 per pet per night, with pet bowls and pet baskets provided. The hotel has accessible rooms with wheelchair-accessible showers and toilet grab rails, and a lift serves all floors. Express check-in and check-out are available at no extra cost. Safety features include CCTV in common areas, fire extinguishers, smoke alarms and key card access. No meeting rooms or conference facilities are available.