A new hotel near the Royal Highland Show has been proposed

The hotel is set to be built on ‘Plot B,’ a prime location adjacent to the existing Moxy Hotel, near the Royal Highland Showground.

The proposed five-storey, L-shaped building will be strategically positioned along Eastfield Road, the main access route to Edinburgh Airport, offering convenient access for visitors attending both the airport and the Royal Highland Centre.

With 100 on-site parking spaces, the hotel will feature a mixture of Premier Plus and standard bedrooms, catering to various guest needs. The design also includes a licensed restaurant and bar for guests to enjoy.

Premier Inn, operated by Whitbread, sees this development as a strategic opportunity to expand its presence in the area, capitalising on the location’s proximity to the airport and major event spaces, including the Royal Highland Show.

The project is expected to provide a much-needed boost in accommodation availability, particularly during high-demand periods such as the Royal Highland Show. The addition of the hotel will hopefully help ease rising room rates during peak times for exhibitors and visitors.

Mark Currie, director of venue operations at RHASS, expressed excitement about the development’s potential impact.

“This is an exciting development for RHASS, not only from a financial perspective but also operationally,” he said. “Having another hotel on-site will help bring down the cost of accommodation, which has long been a concern for both exhibitors and trade stands at the Royal Highland Show.”

The new hotel would host 200 rooms and provide RHS goers with another option for accomodation Ref: RH230125247 Rob Haining / The Scottish Farmer... The site, once part of a golf driving range and used for overspill car parking during major events, was acquired by Whitbread in November, with pre-application public consultation events held before Christmas. If approved, the hotel will be within walking distance of Edinburgh Airport’s terminal, just a 10-minute stroll away.

Whitbread, the parent company of Premier Inn, has expressed optimism that the plans will receive swift approval from the city council, enabling the project to proceed quickly.

"We have recognised a need to expand our network in this area and are excited to bring forward these plans for a new Premier Inn within walking distance of both Edinburgh Airport and the Royal Highland Centre," said a spokesperson for Whitbread.

RHASS sees the hotel proposal as an integral part of its long-term strategy.

"Once approved, we’ll be able to break ground as soon as possible," Mr Currie added. "This new hotel is not only an opportunity to increase accommodation options for the Royal Highland Show but also to boost the overall experience for visitors throughout the year."

The proposed hotel will be a welcome addition to the area, offering enhanced accommodation choices for the thousands of visitors who flock to the Royal Highland Show and other major events held at the Royal Highland Centre.