So, you’re looking at the edinburgh hub by premier inn and wondering if you can actually live in a room that looks like a high-tech cabin from a sci-fi movie. It’s a fair question. Edinburgh is one of those cities where hotel prices go absolutely mental during the Fringe or Hogmanay, and suddenly, the idea of a "compact" room doesn't just seem like a budget choice—it looks like a survival strategy.
But here is the thing.
These hotels aren't just cheaper versions of the purple-branded Premier Inns you see on every UK motorway. They are fundamentally different. I’ve stayed in a few of these now, from the Rose Street spot to the one at Haymarket, and the vibe is much more "Tokyo pod" than "British guesthouse." If you’re a light traveler who values a power shower and 400Mbps Wi-Fi over a trouser press and a bulky mahogany desk, you're going to get this. If you need a bathtub and room to do yoga, you're going to hate it.
Honestly, it’s all about managing expectations.
The weirdly smart design of edinburgh hub by premier inn
Let’s talk about the rooms. They are small. We’re talking roughly 11 square meters for a standard Room. That is tiny compared to a traditional hotel room which usually sits around 20 or 25. But here’s the trick: they use every single inch.
The bed is usually tucked against the wall or into a corner, and the storage is all under-bed drawers. You won't find a wardrobe. Instead, you get a few high-quality hangers on a rail. It feels efficient. Everything—the lights, the temperature, even the "Do Not Disturb" sign—is controlled via a touch panel by the bed or through an app on your phone. It’s basically a smart home in a box.
The edinburgh hub by premier inn locations, specifically Rose Street and Leith Walk, are designed for people who spend 90% of their time out in the city. You’re there to sleep, shower, and charge your devices.
The bathrooms are surprisingly great. Usually, when a room shrinks, the shower becomes a plastic coffin where you hit your elbows on the walls. Not here. They prioritized the shower over floor space, so you get a powerful, walk-in rainfall head that feels genuinely luxury. It’s a weird contrast—a room the size of a walk-in closet but a shower that feels like a spa.
Rose Street vs. Haymarket vs. Leith Walk
Not all hubs are created equal.
If you want to be in the middle of the chaos, hub by Premier Inn Edinburgh City Centre (Rose Street) is the one. You step out the door and you are basically on top of the Scott Monument. It is loud outside, sure, but the soundproofing is surprisingly solid. You’ve got the Dome and the fancy shops on George Street a three-minute walk away.
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Then there’s the Edinburgh City Centre (Haymarket) location. This one is better if you’re coming in by train or need to get to the airport quickly via the tram. It’s slightly further from the Royal Mile, but Edinburgh is a walkable city anyway. It’s often a bit cheaper than Rose Street, too.
Then you have Edinburgh City Centre (Leith Walk). This is the newer kid on the block. Leith is arguably the coolest part of Edinburgh right now—lots of independent coffee shops, bars that don't charge "tourist tax" prices, and a generally more local feel.
Is it actually a budget hotel?
Well, sort of. "Budget" is a relative term in Scotland's capital.
During the off-season, you can snag a room at an edinburgh hub by premier inn for maybe £50 or £60. That is an absolute steal. During the Fringe Festival in August? That same tiny room might go for £250.
That’s where people get annoyed. They pay £250 and expect a suite. They get a room where they can touch both walls at the same time. But the reality is that the "normal" hotels next door are charging £500. It’s a value play, not a "cheap" play.
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- The Deli + Bar: Don't expect a full sit-down carvery. The "Lounge" serves decent coffee and things like avocado toast or sourdough sandwiches. It's more like a Starbucks vibe than a traditional hotel restaurant.
- The App: Download the Premier Inn app before you arrive. Being able to check in and control your room lights from your phone is actually useful, not just a gimmick.
- Storage: If you have three massive suitcases, don't stay here. You will be climbing over your luggage just to get to the bathroom. This is "carry-on only" territory.
What most people get wrong about the "Bigger Room"
When you book an edinburgh hub by premier inn, you’ll see an option for a "Bigger Room."
Is it worth it?
Most of the time, yes. It gives you a little bit of breathing room around the bed and usually a small desk area. If you’re a couple, the standard room can feel a bit like a submarine after two days. The Bigger Room makes it feel like a normal, albeit cozy, hotel room.
One thing to watch out for: some rooms are windowless. They call them "interior" rooms. Some people find this incredibly creepy, like sleeping in a bunker. Others love it because it is pitch black and silent, which is perfect for curing jet lag. Make sure you check the room description carefully if you need natural light to function.
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Realities of the Edinburgh market
Edinburgh's hotel market is currently under massive pressure. Between the short-term let regulations and the sheer volume of tourists, finding a place that isn't a total dump or a mortgage-payment-level expense is getting harder.
This is why the edinburgh hub by premier inn model works.
By stripping away the fluff—the gyms you never use, the bellhops, the massive lobbies—they keep the price point lower than the Kimptons or the Balmorals of the world while maintaining a level of cleanliness that's way higher than your average independent B&B. You know exactly what you’re getting. There are no floral carpets or dusty curtains here. It’s all laminate, glass, and high-thread-count white sheets.
Actionable steps for your stay
If you're planning to book, keep these specific points in mind to make sure you don't end up frustrated.
- Book directly on the Premier Inn website. They have a "lowest price guarantee" and their cancellation policy (Flex) is much easier to manage through their own portal than through a third-party site.
- Request a high floor. Especially at Rose Street. Even with good windows, the street noise from the bars below can be a bit much on the first or second floors during the weekend.
- Use the free tea and coffee. Unlike the main Premier Inns where you get a kettle and some instant sachets in your room, Hubs usually have a 24/7 station in the lounge where you can get actually decent Costa coffee for free or a very small fee.
- Check the tram route. If you’re staying at the Haymarket or Leith Walk Hubs, the tram from the airport is your best friend. It’s cheaper than a taxi and drops you almost at the door.
- Limit your luggage. I cannot stress this enough. If you are on a two-week tour of the UK with giant bags, the Hub will feel cramped. If you're on a weekend break with a backpack, it's perfect.
The edinburgh hub by premier inn isn't trying to be a five-star luxury experience. It's trying to be a high-quality, tech-forward basecamp for people who want to spend their money on Scotch whisky and Michelin-starred dinners rather than a room they only see when their eyes are closed. It’s a smart choice for the modern traveler, provided you know exactly what you’re signing up for.