Ibis Styles Edinburgh Centre St Andrew Square Hotel

Starting in 2015, the Ibis chain decided to up its game considerably, with ambitious plans to bring its basic, aging properties to the forefront of the budget hotel market. One of its initiatives was to create a brand within the chain that focused on design and style -- the Ibis Styles -- and the Ibis Styles Edinburgh Centre St Andrew Square is an excellent example of this upgraded concept. Clean lines, filament bulbs, teal accent walls, and plush velvet benches in raspberry hues create modern, stylish spaces, while handsome herringbone wooden floors, tartan patterns, and black-and-white paintings of Scottish scenes lend the property a strong local character. The vibe is casual and friendly, with young, tablet-holding staff dressed in sneakers and T-shirts, and some pop music in the lobby. 

With just a restaurant, the hotel is basic in terms of services and amenities, but its rates are some of the lowest for a three-pearl hotel in the New Town, and freebies such as continental breakfast and Wi-Fi add value. Those seeking something even cheaper without forgoing the stylish interiors may want to compare rates at sister property Ibis Edinburgh Centre South Bridge, also located in the heart of the action. Couples wanting something with a more romantic vibe may prefer The Bonham, which has beautiful, individually decorated rooms and an excellent restaurant. The Radisson Blu, Edinburgh is an excellent option for guests wanting something more upscale, with a spa and a central location right on the Royal Mile.  

This Ibis Styles is located right on St Andrew Square, a lovely square full of trendy restaurants in the heart of tony New Town. Around the corner from the hotel is George Street, a grand avenue lined with beautiful Georgian buildings, designer boutiques, and classy restaurants, and just a three-minute walk away are both Rose and Princes streets, two of the city’s top shopping destinations. Most of Edinburgh’s major attractions can be reached in 10 to 15 minutes on foot, including the Scottish National Portrait Gallery, Calton Hill, the Royal Mile, and Edinburgh Castle. Waverley Station, the town’s main transportation hub, is an easy five-minute walk away, as are the airport buses and trams. The drive to the airport takes about half an hour. 

Rooms at the Ibis Styles St Andrew Square combine local heritage with fresh, modern design. Tartan carpets, eye-catching wallpaper with Scottish themes, and whiskey barrel bedside tables lend rooms a strong local feel, while clean lines, smoky-gray accent walls, pops of teal, and metal lamps with filament bulbs add style. Details such as slang vocabulary etched on closet doors and printed and framed above the toilet are playful touches. Our ground-floor room was snug but comfortable, with a great bed (not too soft and not too firm), a thick duvet, unbleached cotton sheets, and two pillows. Although our windows were at street level, noise was never an issue for us, but some guests have complained that traffic noise can carry to some units. 

In-room amenities are great for the price, and include quiet, efficient AC/heating units, electric kettles with free tea and coffee, flat-screen TVs, and free, reliable Wi-Fi. USB ports by the bed come in handy to charge electronic devices, while small desks offer easy access to several power sockets. Each room is also outfitted with a small movable desk that can be used to work in bed. Bathrooms are simple but modern and clean, with white subway tiles, walk-in showers stocked with Rituals toiletries, and spacious sink areas with big shelves. 

The Ibis Styles St Andrew Square serves a free continental breakfast of breads, yogurt, hot and cold drinks, meats, cheeses, and pastries every morning in a pleasant room off the lobby. The selection is tasty but limited, with just enough items to get the day started. The restaurant, which doubles as the lobby lounge, offers a decent international menu at reasonable prices for dinner only. Soups, salads, fish, and meats are available daily, and there are generally a couple of seasonal options. Due to the wide array of restaurants available nearby, the hotel restaurant is generally quiet, and reservations are not required. Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks are available at the bar throughout the day, and there is always free tea, coffee, and fruit-infused water available in the lobby. Leftover pastries from breakfast and some fresh fruit are also laid out in a basket in the lobby for guests to snack on in the morning. Room service is available 24/7 for a fee.