An ideal Ibis to stay in for the Edinburgh Festival

The multi-level Ibis on Edinburgh’s Bridge Street is one of the jewels in the crown of this renowned hotel chain. Nestling just off the Royal Mile, this is the ideal jumping-off point for a weekend or longer in the Scottish capital.

The location is certainly unbeatable. A short walk from the world famous castle, and also just a short walk across the magnificent bridge over Waverley Gardens onto Prince’s Street, and the smart addresses along George Street and the lively bar scene on pedestrianized Rose Street. Heading away from the centre you can find Holyrood Palace – her majesty’s Edinburgh residence – and across the road, the seat of Scottish political power, the purpose built parliament buildings.

These are year-round attractions, but during the excitement of the Edinburgh festival in the month of August, this particular Ibis become the true centre for festival activity. Venues are on the doorstep, plus the Royal Mile is thronged with performers and their poster posting and flyer foisting promotion teams all banging the drum for the next big star. Just up the road is the Gilded Ballon complex which offers multiple chances to sample the best of the Fringe. A special draw is the Udderbelly Tent. The Bridge Street Ibis is positioned on a direct line to these two key sites of festival fun.

But, of course, a hotel cannot just rely on the good fortune of its post code. The offering here is a particularly successful match of simplicity and smart. The first things you notice are the snappy red Converse trainers which set off the dark smart casual staff uniforms.

For those with a busy day ahead, the requirements for a hearty breakfast are well met.
The roomy breakfast space leads into the comfortable bar area which allows you to take a window seat and relax over this important meal of the day planning a day of sightseeing.

From the bar area and breakfast room you have a view onto the back of the hotel, which opens onto the lower streets of this historic area. From the main entrance you are adjacent to the grandeur of Edinburgh University’s Old College buildings which reflect the status of this global city. You can easily imagine a Robert Louis Stephenson or Arthur Conan Doyle pacing the splendid quadrangle.

Further up the street is the Festival Theatre which is a grand theatre of the old school with a newly created facade, which allows a grand staircase entry to the auditorium. It is here that the Edinburgh International Film Festival hosts the first night. This year it unveiled the directorial debut of Full Monty star Robert Carlyle.

So, to be at the heart of historic Edinburgh and on the doorstep of festival offerings, there is not a safer bet than the Bridge Street Ibis.

One last thing for the really keen: there is breakfast offered from 4am so even the Kennedy festival goer cannot be beaten by an earlier bird… and, for those recovering, breakfast can be taken until noon. This flexibility makes this a true bonus for the busy traveller, especially one with a taste for the 24 hour Edinburgh festival art scene.

Find more details at www.ibis.com.