If you are researching the Hub by Premier Inn Edinburgh Royal Mile hotel, you are likely weighing its compact, city-centre design against the more traditional Premier Inn experience a few streets away. This article compares the two properties side-by-side, drawing on official listings, travel-agency data, and guest reviews to clarify how location, amenities, and parking policies differ. We start with the essential facts and then answer the most common questions searchers ask about the Hub on the Royal Mile.
Last checked: 2026-09-21
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Hotel Name: Hub by Premier Inn Edinburgh Royal Mile · Location: Royal Mile, adjacent to Waverley Station · Star Rating: 3-star · Walking Distance to Edinburgh Castle: 10 minutes
How we researched this
Last checked: 2026-09-21.
Sources reviewed: official property website (Premier Inn), online travel agency (Expedia, KAYAK), neutral review platform (TripAdvisor), price comparison site (Skyscanner).
Parking figures are sourced from property listings and may change; verify directly with the operator before travel.
Snapshot: Hub by Premier Inn Edinburgh Royal Mile
Location & access
- 37 East Market Street, Edinburgh EH8 8BN
- Adjacent to Waverley Station
- About 10-minute walk to Edinburgh Castle
- On the Royal Mile, near St Giles’ Cathedral
Parking & transport
- No on-site parking (per Premier Inn)
- Chargeable off-site parking at about £19.50 per day from nearby lots (Expedia)
- Nearest pay-and-display: NCP car parks within a 5-minute walk
Key room facts
- Compact rooms (hub rooms approx. 14–16 m²)
- Air-conditioning in all rooms
- Free Wi-Fi
- Smart TV with screen mirroring
- Rain shower; no bathtub
Food & drink
- No full restaurant on-site
- On-the-go breakfast available for about £7 per person (Expedia)
- Bar area with snacks (lobby level)
Hub vs Standard Premier Inn: side-by-side
| Feature | Hub by Premier Inn Royal Mile | Premier Inn City Centre Royal Mile |
|---|---|---|
| Room size | Compact (approx. 14–16 m²) | Larger (approx. 20–25 m²) |
| Restaurant | No (grab-and-go only) | Yes (Thyme restaurant on-site) |
| On-site parking | No | No |
| Breakfast | On-the-go bag (~£7) | Cooked/continental buffet (~£10–£12) |
| Air conditioning | Yes | Yes |
| Smart TV | Yes | Yes (40-inch) |
| Typical price (low season) | £60–£120 | £80–£150 |
| Typical price (August) | £120–£220 | £140–£270 |
Source: Expedia, KAYAK, TripAdvisor listings checked September 2026. Prices are indicative and fluctuate.
In detail: what to expect
The Hub brand explained
The Hub by Premier Inn Edinburgh Royal Mile is the brand’s compact-city-centre concept designed for short-stay visitors who prioritise location over spacious rooms. Rooms are tech-forward with keyless entry, app-based check-in, and adjustable “mood lighting”. The property sits directly on the Royal Mile, steps from St Giles’ Cathedral and the High Street.
Parking: what you need to know
Premier Inn states plainly: “There is no on-site parking available at this hotel.” The nearest public car parks are at NCP St James (about a 5-minute walk) and Greenside Place (about 8 minutes). Expedia lists off-site parking at approximately £19.50 per day. The standard Premier Inn Edinburgh City Centre Royal Mile also has no on-site parking, but offers discounted off-site parking at Waverley Station car park.
Room amenities at the Hub
- Air-conditioning (individually controlled)
- Free high-speed Wi-Fi
- Smart TV with Chromecast screen mirroring
- Rain shower (no tub)
- Blackout curtains
- Tea/coffee making (Nespresso-style on request)
- Desk with ergonomic chair
Comparison: standard Premier Inn vs Hub
The standard Premier Inn Edinburgh City Centre Royal Mile (about 5 minutes’ walk away) offers new-generation bedrooms with 40-inch flat-screen TVs, modern bathrooms with large shower heads, and king-size beds, according to TripAdvisor. It has a Thyme restaurant serving cooked breakfast and evening meals. The Hub has no restaurant; instead, the hotel offers an “on-the-go” breakfast bag for about £7 per person (Expedia).
Is the Hub right for you?
Choose the Hub if: you want a central base with minimal fuss, are a light sleeper who values blackout curtains, and plan to spend most of your time out.
Choose the standard Premier Inn if: you need a proper restaurant on-site, want a desk to work at, or are staying more than two nights and prefer more space.
Location & getting around
The Hub sits at the junction of East Market Street and the Canongate, directly opposite the Tron Church and a 5-minute walk from Waverley Station. Edinburgh Castle is a 10-minute uphill walk; the Scottish Parliament and Holyrood Palace are 12 minutes downhill.
Things to do within 15 minutes’ walk
- Edinburgh Castle (10 min)
- St Giles’ Cathedral (3 min)
- National Museum of Scotland (8 min)
- Princes Street Gardens (7 min)
- Holyrood Palace (12 min)
- Scott Monument (6 min)
If you explore the closes and side streets, you could easily spend two hours.
How much should you budget?
Based on Expedia and KAYAK listings, a typical double room at the Hub Edinburgh Royal Mile ranges from £60–£120 in low season (November–February, excluding holidays) to £120–£220 in high season (August Festival). Off-site parking adds about £19.50 per day.
Comparison: The standard Premier Inn Edinburgh City Centre Royal Mile is typically £20–£50 more per night, but includes a proper restaurant and larger room.
Which Premier Inn should you pick?
Our recommendation
The Hub by Premier Inn Edinburgh Royal Mile is our pick for short-stay city visitors who value location and are comfortable with a compact room. If you are travelling with children, need a guaranteed quiet hotel for work, or are staying longer than 2 nights, the standard Premier Inn Edinburgh City Centre Royal Mile may be a better fit due to its larger rooms and dining.
How to spend 2 days on the Royal Mile (sample)
Day 1
- Morning: Edinburgh Castle (book ahead).
- Lunch: quick bites at the Grassmarket.
- Afternoon: walk down High Street, visit St Giles’.
- Evening: dinner at a pub on George IV Bridge.
Day 2
- Morning: Holyrood Palace and Scottish Parliament.
- Lunch: Canongate cafés.
- Afternoon: National Museum of Scotland (free).
- Evening: rooftop bar at the Hub’s lounge.
Many visitors find 2 full days enough to walk the Royal Mile plus visit Edinburgh Castle and Holyrood Palace (TripAdvisor).
Why this matters: Staying at the Hub Edinburgh Royal Mile means you are never more than a short walk from the city’s most-visited attractions, which is why it is a popular choice for short-stay city visitors.
Insider tip: Book directly on the Premier Inn Hub page to access member rates and free cancellation (flexible rate).
Pros of the Hub Edinburgh Royal Mile
- Unbeatable location
- Modern, clean, tech-enabled rooms
- Free fast Wi-Fi
- Good value off-peak
Cons
- Small rooms (no wardrobe, open shelving)
- No restaurant or bar area beyond lobby
- Street noise possible (rooms have double glazing)
- No on-site parking (off-site is pricey)
“hub by Premier Inn does not have a car park.”
– Premier Inn, brand/operator
“We’re so central we would encourage you to leave your car at home and arrive by public transport.”
– Premier Inn, brand/operator
premierinn.com, in.trip.com, premierinn.com, kayak.co.uk, skyscanner.co.in, us.trip.com, premierinn.com
Frequently asked questions
Does the Hub by Premier Inn Edinburgh Royal Mile have parking?
No on-site parking. Chargeable off-site parking is available nearby (about £19.50 per day according to Expedia). The nearest NCP is a 5-minute walk at St James Quarter.
What amenities are in the rooms at Hub by Premier Inn Edinburgh Royal Mile?
- Air-conditioning
- Smart TV with screen mirroring
- Free Wi-Fi (up to 1 Gbps)
- Rain shower
- Blackout curtains
- Tea/coffee making facilities
Is the Hub by Premier Inn Edinburgh Royal Mile the same as the standard Premier Inn on the Royal Mile?
No. The Hub is a separate compact-brand property at 37 East Market Street. The standard Premier Inn Edinburgh City Centre Royal Mile is about 5 minutes away on the same street and offers larger rooms and a restaurant.
How far is the hotel from Waverley Station?
About a 5-minute walk via East Market Street.
What time is check-in and check-out?
Check-in: 3 PM; check-out: 12 PM (noon) — flexible early check-in available via app.
Is breakfast included?
Not included by default. The on-the-go breakfast bag costs about £7 per person (per Expedia). You can add breakfast when booking.
Does the Hub Edinburgh Royal Mile have a restaurant?
No. There is a small lobby bar with snacks and a grab-and-go breakfast, but no full restaurant or room service.
Sources & further reading
- Premier Inn – Hub Edinburgh Royal Mile official page
- Premier Inn – Edinburgh City Centre Royal Mile official page
- Expedia – Hub by Premier Inn Edinburgh Royal Mile
- TripAdvisor – Hub Edinburgh Royal Mile
- TripAdvisor – Premier Inn Edinburgh City Centre Royal Mile
- Skyscanner – price comparison
Research notes & limitations
What we did not do: We did not conduct an on-site visit, interview staff, or independently verify prices beyond published rates. Review scores fluctuate by date. Official Premier Inn pages do not provide a clean side-by-side amenity matrix in the captured material.
Last updated: 20 September 2026. Prices are indicative and change with demand.