Premier Inn Edinburgh Leith Waterfront

This hotel offers a convenient base with a signature waterfront location, providing pleasant views and easy access to public transport, making it ideal for sightseers and business travelers exploring the city. Guests frequently highlight the exceptional staff service, describing it as attentive and welcoming, often exceeding expectations. The comfortable beds are consistently praised, ensuring a restful night's sleep. However, the hotel is currently undergoing refurbishment, which, while leading to modern rooms, also means some areas are dated or affected by ongoing works. This results in mixed feedback on room condition, with some finding them tired or lacking certain amenities. The hotel generally offers good value compared to city center options, appealing to families and couples seeking a comfortable stay. For an enhanced experience, guests are advised to pre-book parking online for a better rate and to consider dining at the numerous local eateries, as the on-site restaurant receives mixed reviews. Bringing an extension cord for bedside charging is also a practical tip.

Facilities & Amenities
The hotel is currently undergoing significant refurbishment, which has a mixed impact on guest experience. While some rooms are newly updated, others remain in a tired and dated condition, with many guests noting a general need for a refresh across the property. A recurring concern is the complete absence of air conditioning, leading to rooms often being uncomfortably warm, even with provided fans that primarily circulate hot air. Guests frequently mention issues with plug sockets, specifically a lack of them near beds and the absence of USB points or shaver sockets, necessitating adapters or extension cords. The hotel does offer free Wi-Fi, which is generally appreciated, and some guests note the presence of ice machines and vending machines for convenience. However, the ongoing works can cause minor disruptions, and some newly refurbished rooms have been criticized for lacking adequate hanging space or drawers for clothing.

Cleanliness & Room Comfort
Guests consistently praise the exceptional comfort of the beds, often describing them as outstanding and ensuring a good night's sleep, with many appreciating the quality of the pillows. While many reviews highlight clean rooms, particularly those that have been recently refurbished, a significant number of guests report issues with overall cleanliness, including dust accumulation, stained mattress protectors, and visible mould in bathrooms. The general condition of many rooms is described as tired and outdated, with observations of worn carpets, broken windows, and grubby skirting boards. Noise can be a concern, with some guests noting thin walls that allow footsteps and door banging from corridors to be heard, potentially disturbing peace. Some rooms also suffer from a persistent damp smell or mustiness. Despite these issues, the showers are generally well-regarded, and some rooms offer a bath, adding to comfort.

Dining & Food Quality
The hotel's dining experience primarily revolves around the adjacent Brewers Fayre restaurant, which serves breakfast and other meals. Feedback on the breakfast is notably mixed; while some guests appreciate the extensive and generous selection, including fruit, cereals, and continental pastries, many express disappointment with the food quality. Common complaints include items being cold, overcooked, or slow to be replenished, with specific mentions of rubbery eggs, dry bacon, and stale bread. The restaurant itself is often described as tired and understaffed, leading to long waits for food and a generally unappealing atmosphere. Many guests recommend exploring the numerous alternative restaurants located nearby, such as Mexican, Indian, or local cafes, for a more satisfying dining experience. Some guests who opted for the meal deal found it to be poor value, preferring to eat out for both breakfast and dinner.

Location & Accessibility
The hotel boasts an excellent waterfront location on the harbour, offering pleasant views and a generally quiet environment, which many guests appreciate as a peaceful retreat from the city center bustle. Its accessibility is a major advantage, with a tram stop just a 5 to 10-minute walk away, providing frequent and efficient connections to Edinburgh city center within 15 to 25 minutes. A bus stop is also conveniently located directly outside or very close to the hotel, offering additional transport options. Guests find the hotel well-situated for visiting local attractions, including the HMY Britannia and Ocean Terminal, both within easy reach. The surrounding area provides a good selection of local amenities, such as supermarkets and various restaurants and pubs. While a large parking facility is available on-site, guests should be aware that a fee is now charged, a change that has been met with some dissatisfaction.

Staff & Service
The staff at the hotel consistently receive high praise from guests, with many describing them as exceptionally friendly and helpful. Their attentive service and willingness to go "above and beyond" to ensure a positive stay are frequently highlighted, often making a significant difference to the overall experience. Guests appreciate the staff's efficiency during check-in, though some instances of delays or issues with card machines have been noted. The team is commended for their responsiveness to requests, such as providing extra towels or addressing room concerns. While the majority of feedback is positive, a few guests have reported less welcoming or dismissive interactions at reception, particularly when raising issues. However, the prevailing sentiment is one of gratitude for the dedicated and professional approach of the hotel's team, contributing significantly to guest satisfaction.

Additional Information
Guests should be aware of several important details that impact their stay. The hotel is undergoing significant refurbishment, which, while aiming to modernize the property, can lead to some disruption, including noise and the smell of paint in certain areas, and some parts of the works area may not be fully cordoned off. A notable change is the introduction of parking charges, which many returning guests find disappointing, as parking was previously free. Furthermore, the hotel has implemented a policy of no daily room cleaning as standard; guests must specifically request this service, a change that some perceive as a cost-cutting measure. There have also been isolated but serious concerns raised regarding security protocols, including instances of guests being given keys to already occupied rooms, prompting questions about room access and safety.