Motel One are rapidly expanding into the UK hotel market with their “luxury budget” concept, rivalling the current offering from brands such as Premier Inn and Travelodge. Motel One Edinburgh-Royal was the first for the brand in the UK and is set within a building which dates back to the 1800’s. The architecture has created some interesting room layouts which adds to the overall charm of the brand.The positioning of the hotel is almost ideal for those visiting the capital city. Some rooms overlook Waverley Train Station, Princes Street Gardens, an Edinburgh bus tour stand and the Scott Monument which makes an impressive view should you be willing to pay an extra £10 for these rooms with a view. Within a short walk to the Royal Mile for a variety of food and drink offerings, the Motel One Edinburgh-Royal definitely fulfils the brand’s criteria for a centrally located property.
From the main entrance, reception isn’t immediately obvious as you enter straight into the bar/lounge area. Intimate seating areas in the bar area provide a cosy spot for informal drinks. Sheepskin throws are draped over window seating, upholstered in turquoise tartan, for that “Scottish” feel. Reception is located towards the back of the main dining area in a mezzanine level.
The predominant colour used throughout the interior design is turquoise and the tartan used to upholster many of the chairs was specially designed for the Scottish properties. With another Motel One set to open in Glasgow in a couple of years – the largest hotel by number of rooms in Scotland – we can expect to see more of this tartan infused with historical references to the hotel’s location as with the Royal.
A separate entrance for those who require step-free access is available at the side of the property with a lift for wheelchair users at the side of the stairs leading up to the reception desk area. There is plenty of space for wheelchairs users in reception but only one lift up to the rooms from this area which, I can only speculate, would be a problem for large groups.
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