I Stay In A Holiday Inn Express! - I Was Shocked! 

Hello Tim, I’d like to kindly thank you on behalf of the team here at Holiday Inn Express Edinburgh City Centre for reviewing our hotel! It was an absolute pleasure to have you stay with us and we are happy to see that you enjoyed your visit! Kindest regards, Adam Rochowiak 0:43 Senior Guest Services Manager

Wow. I stayed in this exact hotel last year and instantly recognised it. I cant think of a single thing that was wrong. Perfect location, nice room. Breakfast. I would happily stay again

I stay in them all the time for business travel. All the newly renovated ones are amazing. Clean, airy, and bright.

Like travelodge, the quality of a Holiday Inn Express can vary on the location. I once stayed one in Strartford, London, which i was surprised how high quality it was for an affordable hotel, then a couple years later I stayed at a roadside one in Tamworth, which felt more like a budget motel

That orange chair is something Blofeld from SPECTRE would sit in petting his cat while he thought up another evil plan to thwart Bond. LOL

We stayed in that exact holiday inn express in Edinburgh. It was a great location. Our room was a little bigger as we had a sofa bed. I think that the walls are angled because it is an old building.

I recently stayed in an Holiday Inn Express in Stockport and my room looked exactly like yours! The bed was really comfy and I had a really good sleep. The breakfast was really good too and my kettle was clean!

Chains like HI express and Hampton Inn include their breakfast at all properties worldwide and it's a part of their deal. They tend to be priced slightly above prem inns (dependent on availability) but they have the added extra of loyalty cards. If you're a regular traveller points can get you discounted rates and access to executive lounges etc. All down to what works for you. Btw....it was a sign for meeting rooms rather than a kids room

I actually lived in a brand new Holiday Inn Express in Germany for 7 months (long story) and honestly, was extremely comfortable the entire time. I had some of the best sleeps of my life in the bed, and the bathroom was really nice. The only downside was no cooking facilities for guests, but most usually don't need it. I found the different options for lighting the room quite cozy as well, especially when relaxing and watching the TV. The room looked pretty similar to yours. It had excellent free internet too, especially for Germany. All that said, I'd happily stay in a Holiday Inn Express again.🤗

I've stayed at quite a few HIE in the US when travelling for work. They usually fall under the travel budget for my company, tend to be fairly clean, tend to be fairly nice and updated inside, and it's super nice to have the breakfast available in the hotel when you have to be up for work in the mornings. Obviously nothing fancy, but I rarely want to get up early enough to go to a sit down restaurant before work. A lot of them also have a pancake machine, which is pretty novel. They do vary some from location to location, but they seem to be improving. Nice when you're going to a lot of different places and haven't really had a chance to evaluate the local hotel quality.

The building may have maintenance problems (elevator, ceiling damage), but the public spaces and room looked great. They also had a decent breakfast.

Good to see a better hotel room, looked comfortable Tim, thanks for sharing

Always wondered what the difference was between the standard Holiday Inns and Holiday Inn Expess. Great video Tim!

This is my go-to place to stay on my annual visit to Edinburgh. Each and every year, the hotel is perfect. Great location with Calton Hill opposite for a good morning walk after staying in nearby late bars the night before. Handy for the station, too.!

The main difference between Holiday Inn and HIE is that HIE is "select service" so therefore offers fewer services than a Holiday Inn, most notably a restaurant offering lunch and dinner. Select service in the hospitality trade is the term used for more budget accomodation, but we don't like to use the term budget. I worked for Hyatt Hotels UK for nearly 9 years, our select service Hyatt Place hotels were in direct competition with HIE but we had far fewer properties than HIE. You will find a full restaurant service at Holiday Inns worldwide and all meals are chargeable unless you choose a meal inclusive rate. Select service properties can also mean fewer amenities in the room compared to full service properties (ie no minibar). It can also mean there might not be a dedicated Concierge or fitness room on site. Thanks for the interesting review.

I used to travel for 2 different jobs, both in Canada and the USA. I purposely used Holiday Inn Express because they were business focused, the other occupants were keeping business hours. Always a desk to work at, and they were great. Now 20yrs later they are less business focused and everyone uses them. The big holiday inns are vanishing.

9:51 I have to cover up stuff like that - the green and blue and red equipment lights. Some rooms have as many as 6 of them - horrors. For healthiest sleep, room should be dark / unlit. 😎

Love the fact that you get breakfast included with your stay, looks very nice indeed above what you would get at some other chains for sure. Always try and stay in a HI Express where I an the beds are so comfy and the staff have always been great not to mention their rewards programme with points that do not expire

Hi Those pegs on the wall are for hanging handbags etc😄

I stayed in a HI Express in Hammersmith in January and really liked it, the staff were brilliant and couldn't do enough for us. There was a mistake when we checked in (granted we checked in 2 hours early!) in that we booked a room with the sofa bed made up for our daughter and it wasn't done. I told the receptionist and it was sorted within 30 minutes. What was even better I booked it using some points I had left over and it only cost us £115 for two nights so was an absolute steal. Hammersmith is a little away from things but it's well connected on the tube and you can be in most places in about 15-20 minutes so well worth it

We had 2 stays in a Holiday Inn Express the last time we were in the UK and we really liked them. One of the best things was the staff on reception. they were exceptionally helpful, on one occasion we were fresh off a longhaul flight, and the second time we had been let down by another accommodation provider and were a bit upset. Each time, the staff went out of their way to ensure that we could sort out the things that we needed to do. We love the breakfast, those little sausages are super tasty. The West Ealing one was very well placed for shops etc and public transport, and the Leeds one had a good restaurant for our evening meal as well. We would be quite happy to stay there again for a night or two if the occasion arose. One has recently opened in our home city of Auckland, New Zealand and I would recommend it for people who needed that sort of brief stay.

Hi Tim, this one looks lovely, very clean and neat. Breakfast looked good with a great selection of everything you would want to start the day. Price seems to reflect this to .

I have traveled quite frequently throughout my 25 years of living. In all my travels, I never went wrong with a Holiday Inn or Holiday Inn Express.

Their choice of breakfast is like a main course for dinner. 😁

Water pressure, that why the shower was weak. The water pressure was too low, could be the city.

Anything in Edinburgh seems magic to me :)

That drywall bubble on the ceiling would have had me calling the front desk. 😱

hey tim, love your videos!! i find them so therapeutic, im going on holiday next month and i’m definitely going to be analysing the hotel room now hahah

I have always enjoyed my stay at Holiday Inn Express when visiting family out of town

Think if you was to buy a very large 3 course breakfast outside with unlimited beverages, in any major city it would be hard to find anything below £15 and the fact if you are on a budget you would not need any lunch also HIE is a room rate and not a person rate so it would include 2 breakfast’s and 2 lunches that would not need to be bought although the walk in room rate was excessive as is with most hotels..

Stayed at th HI Express Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco several times. Always enjoyed my stay.

Perfect timing for this review for me Tim I'll be stopping in the one in Newcastle next week nice to see what I'll be looking forward to breakfast looks nice pretty extortionate prices when I'm going probably cos it'll be weekend and it's city centre

Never stayed at a Holiday Inn Express in the UK. They always been more expensive than Premier Inns for my trips. I have stayed at Holiday Inn Express hotels in Hong Kong and Shanghai, back in the Before Times. Both stays were very good. The free breakfast at the Shanghai property (bacon, eggs, fried rice, noodles, pork buns etc.) was pretty spectacular. Compared to Premier Inns, these hotels should be more suitable for longer stays (e.g. typically offering laundry and dry cleaning).

Like most hotels, I find Sunday's are usually far cheaper, and with IHG (the loyalty programme for Holiday Inn Express) if you book more than 3 days early, it'll be cheaper again

I stayed in this very hotel back in.....2006 I think, just as I was starting a very lovely year living and working in Edinburgh. Brings back some memories! Decent hotel and a good location too, walking distance to Princes Street, Omni Centre just across the roundabout, St James centre round the corner and Leith Walk too.

One of my favourite people to watch on RU-vid!

I worked at Holiday Inn Express for almost 4 years - I can say first of all this is one of the nicer ones, my location was nowhere near as updated as this one! The 'free' breakfast is most definitely factored into the price and yes they really push their loyalty scheme (they actually have targets to meet in terms of signing people up)/ Overall for the price i'd say it is always worth staying at a Premier Inn instead but HI Express is still a decent option.

Really love these hotel vlogs

I`ve stayed in Holiday Inn Express a few time in the USA and Germany (one in USA several times) and found them to be comfortable, clean and with helpful friendly staff. I joined their loyaity scheme which was free and I always get a good rate. I won`t hesitate to stay at a HIE again.

I’ve never been disappointed at HIE in Canada and USA. I’ve stayed many many nights too. It’s my go to.

WE have stayed at the same Hotel many times when visiting family,we have been very pleased with the comfort of the rooms and staff were very helpful, and even though the breakfast is included there are no restrictions on how much you can have many times rather overload the plate and waste food I have smaller portions but get more if I'm still hungry

i stayed at this hotel very recently, i was in room 103 and i have to say your room is so much nicer than the room i had although me and my friends did have a ver enjoyable stay there

Nice, neat comfy looking room,usual yummy looking breakfast😊

Holiday Inn Express is always a safe bet in the U.S. I'm glad to see it's the same way in the UK, seeing as I just booked a room at one near Heathrow.

A lot of difference with USA rooms - lots of room, two Queen or one king bed, chair w/footstool, large dresser and TV, microwave and fridge w/coffee pot. Bath has tub, lots of counter space.

IHG reward scheme is excellant as the points dont expire, i usually always try and stay in a holiday in or Crowne plaza when traveling for work, well worth it if you save your points and want to go to Vegas (the Venetian) or Florida (resorts) and get a good discount/free nights

Stayed in one in Wembley in London, and the outside looked a bit run down but the rooms and cleaniness were fine and the staff were friendly

Another great video.Appreciate your detailed honesty.Also the coat you wear is very smart and attractive.Quite professional and done so well . Your devoted fan from America

Thanks Tim for the view as always look forward to the next Yvonne 😊

I didn't see the trademarked cinnamon rolls that Holiday Inn Express is known for, but UK breakfast differs from USA/Canada breakfast. But those cinnamon rolls are pretty amazing and way too easy to eat! And on the flip side, beans are certainly not offered in the USA/Canada.

Have stayed there and loved it.

Definitely worth signing up with IHG as it includes loads of other hotels as well as Holiday Inn. Edinburgh isn't cheap, but it looks like you found a bargain there.

That Holiday inn Express looks nearly identical to the one I stayed in very recently in Istanbul close to the airport.

Looks identical to the one i stayed in in London pre-covid. It was quite comfortable and at the time well priced.

The Holiday Inn's use to have solon style shampoos in foil packs (like Paul Mitchell) back in the early 2000's and monogram towels, remember? Now they have these Dove soap and shampoos that are the size of 50 cent pieces here in the states and want $60 more for the room.

In Edinburgh the old buildings are listed buildings ,so that's why a lot of the walls aren't straight and hence the curves ,you can't just chip away and make them straight ❤I'm was born and raised in Edinburgh 😊

Alright holiday Inn express room looks good part from the view thanks for visiting edinburgh

For £95 should inc breakfast. I stay in the Hilton for around that price and some don’t inc breakfast but £95 is a lot for a room

These videos are getting better and better, your camera work here is topnotch and the comentary is also spot on, and informative. Was that chair Red? It looked Orange to me.

When I'm in Edinburgh I stay at HIE in Leith. Same rooms. The chair is quite nice to have and everything else you need is right there. Very clean overall. The included breakfast is not bad at all. Staff are always nice. The location is also very convenient.

I do like a powerful shower so that was a shame but fair play, the silver pipework was nicely polished which always gives a hotel a nice vibe. Great design feature with that 'false' curved wall.

my apartment has those exact heaters through every room and hall, they're everywhere

Thank you for another great video Tim. All the best from Sydney Australia 🇦🇺

I've always liked Holiday Inn Express. We will be staying at one in Toronto out by the airport in three days. They are usually newer, pillows are amazing (soft, form, etc), you can request additional pillows and room location (high floor, away from elevators, etc.). The breakfasts are pretty good and the hotels have a very pleasing scent (odd comment I know, but they really do smell great).

I either use Holiday Inn Express or Premier Inn at Aberdeen airport the night before I travel offshore on an early morning helicopter flight. Despite Premier Inn being cheaper but doesn’t include breakfast it ends up being more expensive than Holiday Inn Express which includes the breakfast. Also as I regularly use Holiday Inn Express at Aberdeen Airport I get membership points which you can add up to get cheaper stays. So generally for me personally Holiday Inn Express cheaper over the course of a year compared to Premier Inn.

Not too much experience with this chain, but I had to stay at the one in Leicester East several times. It had a similar feel and was one of the best designed, most comfortable rooms at that price level I’ve seen.

Have stayed in the Bradford one many times since 2008 when it was quite new, and Middlesbrough twice. Used to sometimes be able to get Bradford for £39, but usually somewhere in the Fifties. Middlesbrough is more expensive. I like them. Bradford used to have reliability issues with the lifts, but after a major overhaul a few years ago that seems to have been fixed.

Looked very good, I thought the breakfast selection looked very good but you were the one eating it. The chrome in the bathroom was very shiny.

A place where you know what to expect and it been Edinburgh, a good prepaid price. Thanks for sharing 😊

The rooms look s nice

I love Holiday Inn Express. Have stayed at many all over the country. If you look for the offers, or book last minute online, the price is drastically reduced. I've never paid more than £60. I know you said the breakfast was average, but you get a massive choice of food and drinks, and best of all, you can eat as much as you like!!

Always get a good nights sleep, if head boards are screwed to the wall.

Holiday Inn has always had comfy beds. They are a bit higher than other travel lodges, but are pretty clean/comfy. Most travel lodges offer free hot breakfast in the states. My favorite travel lodge is Hampton Inn. They actually wash their comforters, unlike most hotels. And their free hot breakfast is great! Use to be at the Hampton Inn if you had a bad night sleep or maybe didn't like something - your stay was free. Not sure if that still works :)

That is same cost as here in the US for that hotel. I have used them often at different locations.

This looks amazing and right where you need to be. Great show.

It's been some time since I have been to a Holiday Inn. 1:45 most probably because you are on the top floor 3:55. Nice hotel and well looked after. Thank you Tim and invisible camera person.

9:22, the signs mean, toilets, reception, children’s area, stairs and lift

Yes, these hotels are generally marketed in the US for people who are on the road. For me a good hotel also needs to have a business center where I can print or fax/scan documents.

I thought I'd come and check I hadn't missed something or check if you were live! 🎉 Thanks for the upload Tim 👍

I have stayed in a lot of Holiday Inn Express hotels in German. For a family of four these have always been a great bargain. Usually charging less than 75 euros a night and including the breakfast.

I went to the one in Excell in London, it was similar to this one. The breakfast was fine, and you had Wifi inside the room too and around the bar and breakfast area. The only thing was that you couldn't open the windows to let some fresh air inside the room. You can have a few drinks at the bar downstairs as well. I remember I got locked out during the night as I went outside for a smoke in the car park, the doors let me out but they wouldn't let me back in. I did have a room key or card with me, but couldn't use it. I had to give the desk a buzz and the lady who was at the desk let me back inside. I actually found a sitting area at the back of the car park which was used by the staff on lunch breaks or smoking breaks. 🙂

I was surprised how small the room is. I've stayed in the Hotel chain b4, different location and I have always enjoyed it...

I have had a kettle smaller than that - they are designed for one person.

Stayed in a Holiday Express Inn a good few years ago in France. Couldn't fault it.

I always carry a pad of sticky notes in my luggage. It is very easy to stick one over a bright light to help darken the room.

Welcome to Scotland my friend. Not a bad price for Edinburgh at all. Great vlog as always.

Your room was in a small extension to the hotel (the planning application was in 2009, the original hotel applied for planning permission in 2003). The hotel opened as a Holiday Inn Express so it has not been converted from another brand. The kettle is likely to be old- Edinburgh tap water is soft so there will not be any limescale buildup.

I last stayed here in 2014 during the Ryder cup golf event in gleneagles 2 nights (nearest available hotel). Room & breakfast were good inc first class train cross country travel here 👍🏻

Great review Tim, definitely a hotel I would choose next time I visit the gorgeous city of Edinburgh and even £95 per night won't break the bank!

If a Holiday Inn Express is available where I am traveling, I will stay there. Never had a bad experiences so far. I have stayed in one near Dublin airport and was very pleased. Customer service was extremely good.

Absolutely love your videos Tim! Ive been a subscriber for a while but never really commented. Im addicted to watching your videos. It would be nice to see more of the Holiday Inns on your channel.

I was about to make a reservation on a Holiday Inn in Glasgow (near the airport) but reading reviews the majority were saying that better stay in the Holiday Inn Express a few blocks from the main hotel. I'll check it out in a few months but I think you confirm this theory. :)

Originally the difference in the U.S. was supposed to be Holiday Inn was a full-service hotel, with all-day restaurant, while Holiday Inn Express didn't have a restaurant for lunch or dinner. Or bellmen. Though it did have free breakfast, in a little breakfast room.

For a contrast to this Holiday Inn Express, check out the the Holiday Inn Express in Crewe. Air con not working staff wearing coats at reception but some rooms did have a balcony.

Good information. Thanks ❤ Hello from Northwest Georgia 🇺🇸. Planning a trip to Europe

Love me some budget hotel reviews! Nice comprehensive review with all the little details🤩

I really like the design of the room too TIm!

Hi Noted your points and agree. Not even a slice of haggus for breakfast. Poor bread rolls😊

Completely forgot that there is HEI and Holiday Inn😂 That bed has got to be the most comfortable bed I ve seen in a hotel..definitely in your videos. Very informative. Thanks

Both holiday inn and holiday express are my love!