Holiday Inn Express Picardy Place Edinburgh

Let’s be honest: booking a hotel can feel like a lottery. You’re never sure if you’ll get a penthouse suite or a room that smells faintly of regret. So when I checked into the Holiday Inn Express Picardy Place in Edinburgh, I had my usual low expectations—and I was pleasantly surprised.

Location, Location, Location (and a Hill)

This place sits right at the top of Leith Walk, which is basically the city’s main artery for everything. You’re a five-minute walk from the buzz of Princes Street and the castle looming overhead like a proud, old uncle.

But here’s the kicker: Edinburgh is built on seven hills, and Picardy Place is perched on one of them. If you’re not used to walking uphill, your calves will file a formal complaint by day two.

Still, that hill means you get a cracking view of the city lights from the hotel’s entrance—free of charge, no gym membership required.

The Room: A Masterclass in “Just Right”

Walking into my room felt like hugging a friend you haven’t seen in years—comfortable, familiar, and not trying too hard. The bed was that perfect middle ground: firm enough to support your back, soft enough to make you forget your bad decisions.

I swear the pillows whispered, “Just five more minutes,” every time my alarm went off. The bathroom was tiny but had an actually decent shower with pressure that could peel a potato—in a good way.

One thing I loved: the plug sockets near the bed. It’s such a small win, but we’ve all stayed at places where you have to contort like a yoga instructor to charge your phone.

Breakfast: The Gospel of Free Food

Now, let’s talk about the Express Start Breakfast. The name sounds like a corporate slogan, but it’s a hot, free breakfast that doesn’t judge you for grabbing three pastries.

There’s a machine that squirts out scrambled eggs that look like yellow clouds—fluffy, slightly deflated, but oddly satisfying. I watched a man in a kilt pour hot tea with the intensity of a surgeon, and I nodded in silent approval.

My pro tip: grab a seat near the window. You can watch tourists get lost on their way to the hotel while you plot your day like a sleepy spy.

The Vibe: Strangers and a Scottish Dad

The lobby feels like a waiting room for an airport that’s also a pub—lots of people in travel gear, some clutching umbrellas, others clutching cups of coffee. The staff are the real heroes here; they greet you with a genuine Scottish warmth that feels like you’ve known them forever.

One morning, the receptionist joked about the rain. “Aye, it’s just Edinburgh’s way of saying ‘welcome’,” she said. I laughed, and then she handed me a free umbrella. That’s the kind of service that makes you want to adopt the whole country.

By the end of my stay, I felt less like a guest and more like a cousin who showed up unannounced—but a cousin everyone’s happy to see.

What to Do vs. What the Wi-Fi Enables

You’re steps from the National Gallery, the Royal Mile, and enough pubs to make a leprechaun jealous. But let’s be real: half the time, I just sat in the lobby, scrolling through my phone on the free Wi-Fi, pretending I was being “productive.”

The Wi-Fi is fast enough to stream a cat video, but slow enough to remind you that you’re on vacation. It’s the perfect balance of digital connection and “maybe I should go outside” guilt.

Final Verdict: The Hotel That Gets You

The Holiday Inn Express Picardy Place isn’t trying to be a fancy boutique hotel with a rooftop bar and a mixologist named “Sebastian.” It’s the reliable friend who picks you up from the airport, doesn’t complain about the traffic, and always has a spare charger.

If you’re looking for a spot that lets you sleep well, eat a warm breakfast, and then explore Edinburgh without breaking the bank, this is it. Just remember: pack comfortable shoes for that hill, and bring a sense of humor for the weather.

Trust me, you’ll leave with sore calves, a full belly, and a new appreciation for free eggs. That’s a win in my book.