Plenty of room as Snoozebox cuts prices to fill Festival gap

A COMPANY behind a portable hotel made up of a series of temporary buildings has been forced to slash prices days ahead of the Fringe after failing to sell out.

The operators of Snoozebox had hoped to fill the 120-room venture, which has been located on a gap site off Calton Road, by charging up to £229 a night for rooms capable of housing two adults and a child.

However, despite the site’s proximity to the Royal Mile, there is still widespread availability during the Fringe.

The Scotsman was able to find deals offering a two-night weekend stay at the height of the Fringe and Edinburgh International Festival for £80 a night.

The Snoozebox has already been trialled at major events such as the British Grand Prix, the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and major events at Goodwood race course.

The site will feature a restaurant, bar, 24-hour reception area and built-in room safes.

When plans to bring it to Edinburgh were unveiled last month the company said it was “confident” that the venture would be sold-out.

A spokeswoman confirmed deals were on offer for selected nights, but pointed out the £229 price was still being quoted on the company’s official website.

She added: “We’re receiving a lot of interest and the busiest nights of the festival are filling up fast.

“We are more than 50 per cent full on the majority of nights but on some quieter midweek nights, rooms are available for £80 and we expect these prices to be met with high demand.”