Piries Hotel

Occupying three lovely buildings on a quiet street off Haymarket Terrace, the Piries caters to couples and families on a budget. Everything is more functional than stylish here, with generic wooden furniture both in common spaces and rooms, and wall-to-wall carpets throughout. Though fully renovated in 2009, many of the original architectural elements of the buildings -- including the ornate wall and ceiling moldings, and a pretty wrought-iron staircase -- were incorporated into the new design, adding some charm to the otherwise straightforward interiors. There is no lobby here, and the front desk is just an extension of the bar, complete with some armchairs by the window and a few brochures. The lobby bar doubles as the breakfast room, and is generally quiet, as the food and drinks available are limited.The Piries is an older property a little away from the center, and rates reflect this, making it a decent option for guests on a tight budget. However, those wanting something more contemporary may want to compare rates at the Apex Haymarket Hotel, located just down the street and featuring a solid restaurant and comfortable (if small) rooms. Travelers in town for a longer period may prefer the similarly priced Canon Court Apartments, though its location between Leith and the city center isn’t as convenient as that of Piries. The more modern Ibis Edinburgh Centre South Bridge is an excellent alternative for those seeking to stay within walking distance of all major attractions.  

Piries Hotel is located on a quiet block on the western edge of the lovely Haymarket neighborhood. Though there aren’t many major attractions in the immediate area, the stunning St Mary’s Cathedral is less than a 10-minute walk from the hotel, and there are lots of cute cafes and small local shops within a couple of blocks. The property is not within walking distance of Edinburgh’s top attractions -- such as the Castle, Royal Mile, and National Museum of Scotland -- but it is well-connected via public transport to the Old and New Towns (about 10-minute train rides). Haymarket train and tram station is just down the street, and several buses stop within two blocks of the hotel, including the airport lines. Princes Street and Murrayfield Stadium can each be reached in about 15 minutes on foot. The Piries is a 25-minute drive from the Edinburgh Airport. 

The hotel’s 32 rooms are spread over three adjoining former homes, which means each room is a different size -- some can be quite small -- even within the same category. Some rooms have elegant details such as ornate ceiling moldings and wood paneling, but the decor style is simple in all. Striped navy carpets and dark-wood furniture give rooms a generic feel, while accent walls in blue and lilac add some style. Some higher-tier rooms have small chandeliers instead of basic ceiling lights. All rooms, except those in the basement, have big windows overlooking either the street or a small yard (closed to guests when we visited), and although traffic noise can be heard during the day in street-facing units, the area is generally quiet in the evening. There have been some complaints of old, uncomfortable mattresses and some maintenance issues, but our bed was restful, and everything in our room seemed to work fine.  Rooms are outfitted with electric kettles and flat-screen TVs with a few channels, and heating can be regulated individually. Only Junior Suites have mini-fridges, however. Wi-Fi is free, fast, and reliable. Executive Rooms and Junior Suites feature at least one sofa bed, depending on the size of the room. Extra beds can only be added in some rooms, and are always an extra charge. Bathrooms are basic but clean, with powerful showers, hairdryers, and a few toiletries. Note that there is no elevator on-site, but ground-floor rooms are available. 

A small continental breakfast is served every morning for a fee at the bar off the lobby. The spread is basic and a tad bland, with just some ham, cheese, porridge, breads, cold pancakes, and pastries, and some guests find it a tad overpriced, especially given the many cafes available in the area. The bar also offers a small selection of alcoholic drinks, but we saw few guests there during our stay. In addition to free property-wide Wi-Fi, the hotel has a computer in a small space off a landing that guests can use free of charge.