Plans for Edinburgh Airport to get new Premier Inn '10-minute walk' from terminal

A 200-bed budget hotel may be built at Edinburgh Airport after plans by Premier Inn's parent company were announced.

Whitbread PLC, the parent company of Premier Inn, has agreed terms with Riverstone Hotels Ltd for a new guesthouse at the popular airport.

If approved, airport customers could walk from the four-storey hotel to the terminal in just ten minutes.

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Plans for the ground plus four-storey hotel are being consulted on by Whitbread and its development partner as it works to submit a planning application to Edinburgh Council in the New Year.

Guests of the hotel will enjoy Premier Inn’s latest integrated restaurant and restaurant space – “The Social” – located on the ground floor of the proposed hotel.

The proposed hotel which Premier Inn will occupy on a leasehold basis will offer a mixture of Premier Inn’s latest style bedrooms, including its popular Premier Plus rooms, and the brand’s welcoming ‘The Social’ space on the ground floor.

An L-shaped hotel building is proposed on Eastfield Road, the main vehicle access route to the airport, with 100 on-site car parking spaces for Premier Inn guests.

Jill Anderson, Acquisitions Manager for Whitbread, said: “The investment case for expanding Premier Inn at Edinburgh Airport is compelling. Close to 14.5 million passengers chose to travel from the airport in 2023, an increase of almost 30 per cent on the year before, and aircraft movements are increasing especially to international destinations.

“As the airport continues to succeed and grow, so are we. We have recognised an opportunity to expand our network in the catchment and bring the popular Premier Inn brand to within walking distance of the airport terminal building.

"It’s another exciting location for our guests and a further example of Whitbread’s strategy of investing in strategic locations where we see a bright future.”

John Rumsey, Development Director at Riverstone Developments, said: “Whitbread’s strong reputation and track record made this partnership an easy choice. The Premier Inn brand is instantly recognisable to travellers, and Whitbread’s long track record and consistently strong financial performance reassured us to commit to a leasehold development with them.

"As a team, we have everything in place to progress to start building the new hotel next year should we get planning and I know Whitbread is keen to press on and bring the hugely popular Premier Inn brand closer to the airport as soon as they can.”

Public consultation events on plans for the third Premier Inn at Edinburgh Airport have been arranged for November 19 and December 17 at 1pm - 6pm at The Pavilion, Royal Highland Centre, EH28 8NB.