YOUR FIRST VISIT
Edinburgh Hotel Holyrood
Your guide to arriving, getting ready and enjoying your first lesson.
BEFORE YOUR FIRST SPLASH
A familiar place.
Before you arrive.
Take a look around Edinburgh Hotel Holyrood with our venue welcome video.
3 minutes 10 seconds · Play when you’re ready
Read the arrival guide ↓Arrival, changing and poolside guidance is also set out below.
01 · GETTING HERE
Arriving at your pool.
- There is no on-site parking. Parking is available nearby.
- Lift access down to the pool is via the hotel entrance. Accessibility is limited and there is no pool hoist.
- Report to leisure reception to sign in. Collect a fob for the changing rooms and your allocated locker key.
02 · GETTING READY
Changing & getting poolside.
- Parents should put on blue shoe covers before going through the changing rooms.
- Male and female changing rooms and showers are available. Swimmers should shower before entering the pool.
- Children under 8 should accompany their parent into the changing room appropriate to the parent: fathers use the male changing room and mothers use the female changing room, regardless of the child’s gender.
- Children aged 8 and over must use the changing room appropriate to them. Speak to our team at the pool if you need help with these arrangements.
03 · CHEER THEM ON
Where to watch.
- One parent may spectate per child. Use the poolside chairs or the chairs in the main leisure area.
- To reach the leisure reception spectator area, go through the changing rooms. Do not use the poolside door.
- Please keep noise levels low.
04 · SAFETY, QUALITY, FUN
A few poolside essentials.
- Arrive on poolside no more than 5 minutes before the lesson starts.
- Children must not enter the water or sit on the pool edge before their lesson. Wait for the teacher to welcome them.
- Photography and video recording of lessons are not permitted unless agreed in advance with your child’s swimming instructor.
- Please do not eat in reception, on poolside or in the changing rooms.
- Put all litter in the bins provided.
A LITTLE REASSURANCE
First-lesson questions.
Can we catch up if we miss a lesson?
Yes. Catch-up lessons are available across all our venues, subject to space. Mark your swimmer absent in the parent portal to receive a catch-up credit, up to five per swimmer per year. Absences can be logged up to seven days ahead. Redeem credits from seven days before to seven days after the absence, with at least 24 hours’ notice to book. Read the full catch-up rules or open your parent portal.
How long does a lesson last?
Swimming lessons last 30 minutes. Your booking confirmation and parent portal show your individual lesson time.
How many swimmers are in a class?
For private lessons, check your booking confirmation for the format you have chosen.
Do I need to bring floats or armbands?
No. We provide the swimming equipment needed for lessons, including floats and armbands.
What if my child or I have never been in the water?
Tell us about any nerves or support needs before the first lesson. Our teachers adapt their approach to each swimmer and help them build confidence at their own pace.
Are teachers in the water?
Our teachers provide in-water teaching and support, adapting their approach to the swimmer and lesson.
Can I go in the pool with my child?
Parents normally watch from the spectator area during lessons. If your child needs you in the water, discuss this with our team in advance so we can agree a suitable arrangement.
How long will learning to swim take?
Every swimmer progresses at their own pace. Age, confidence, experience and individual learning needs all make a difference.
How can I follow my swimmer’s progress?
Sign in to the parent portal to follow your swimmer’s progress.
YOUR VENUE
Your pool at a glance.
A 14 × 5 metre indoor pool at Edinburgh Marriott Hotel Holyrood, offering premium group and private swimming lessons. Spectating, showers and a coffee shop are available.
- Pool size
- 14 × 5 m
- Pool depth
- 1.2 m
PLAN YOUR VISIT
Pool facilities
- Changing
- Male & female changing
- Accessibility
- Limited accessibility
- Pool access
- Lift via the hotel entrance
- Pool hoist
- No pool hoist
- Showers
- Shower facilities
- Spectating
- Spectating available
- Parking
- Nearby parking only
- Refreshments
- Coffee shop
- Water temperature
- 29–32°C
Getting to the pool: Lift access down to the pool is via the hotel entrance. Accessibility is limited and there is no pool hoist.
Parking: There is no on-site parking. Parking is available nearby.