Best Hotels in Edinburgh City Centre

Enchanting Edinburgh awaits with a 1,000 year old castle, world-famous arts festival and our pick of its best hotels. Edinburgh’s most famous address is the historic Balmoral Hotel. There’s contemporary luxury within a Georgian townhouse at Kimpton Charlotte Square Hotel.

The best of boutique hotels is The Lane Hotel. Browse our lists for the top hotels for families, with a spa and pool or near Edinburgh Zoo or Edinburgh Playhouse.

Best Area to Stay in Edinburgh Scotland?
First-time visitors to Edinburgh will want to stay in one of the hotels in the city centre, home to all of the city’s best attractions. Both the Old Town, in the Royal Mile area, and the Georgian New Town are desirable locations with a wide choice of hotels in each and the best restaurants, shops and cafes just a short stroll away.

What is the most expensive hotel in Edinburgh Scotland?
The Most Expensive Hotel in the city is The Witchery by the Castle. Gothic style, high romance, dark colours all in a distinctively location concealed in a series of buildings close to the Castle. Just nine highly individual rooms are available, each with its own distinctive style, making this one of the most exclusive of Edinburgh hotels as well as its most expensive.

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What are the Best Hotels in Edinburgh City Centre?

1. The Balmoral Hotel

The Balmoral offers timeless heritage and grandeur in the very heart of Edinburgh Scotland. Its address, No 1 Princes Street, is considered the city’s most prestigious. Luxurious rooms are traditionally furnished in pastel shades with contemporary and distinctly Scottish overtones, designed by Olga Polizzi. The hotel’s Number One restaurant, is Michelin-starred while The Palm Court is the place to be seen for afternoon tea. A fully equipped spa has a 15m heated indoor pool. It’s the best of Edinburgh’s hotels for prestige.

2. Kimpton Charlotte Square Hotel

On a garden square a short walk from Princes Street, Kimpton Charlotte Square Hotel occupies a distinguished Georgian house in Edinburgh’s New Town. Inside, tradition gives way to a highly contemporary ambience with relaxed muted tones and mid-century modern influenced furnishings in guest rooms which aim to be urban retreats. Baba is the hotel’s Middle Eastern/Scottish fusion destination restaurant while a glass roofed terrace is the ideal place to unwind. It’s the best among Edinburgh hotels for intimate New Town luxury.

3. The Glasshouse, Autograph Collection

Adjacent to Calton Hill, The Glasshouse melds the historic facade of Lady Glenorchy’s Church with the ultra-modern glass building that now surrounds it. The hotel’s 77 superior rooms are in bold shades that speak of a commitment to modern design, which extends to sleek furnishings in both communal areas and the guest accommodation. A highlight is a private two acre roof terrace with sweeping views across the city. The top of Edinburgh’s hotels for your very own secret garden.

4. Principal Edinburgh George Street

This historic hotel, set over five linked Georgian townhouses, has been welcoming discerning guests since 1881, with a location just minutes from Princes Street. Oak, marble and leather feature in guest rooms with a colour palette inspired by Scottish landscape paintings in warm yet muted shades. The hotel’s Printing Press Bar And Kitchen offers a contemporary take on Scottish cuisine, with an award-winning cocktail bar. A relaxed coffee bar features the hotel’s own coffee blend. It’s the best for quietly sumptuous luxury.

5. Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh – The Caledonian

From the grandeur of the pillared entrance lobby to the sweeping staircase leading up to guest rooms, the Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh speaks of its long history as an Edinburgh landmark. Deluxe rooms are in neutral shades where the simplicity of real luxury is the key. The hotel’s award-winning spa offers a full range of treatments, a sauna, whirlpool and a heated swimming pool. The hotel’s Pompadour restaurant blends grand Victorian surroundings with contemporary cuisine. It’s one of the better of Edinburgh hotels for sweeping views from many rooms.

6. Motel One Edinburgh-Royal – Affordable / Great Value

Perfectly located a short stroll from Edinburgh’s Waverley Train Station, Motel One Edinburgh-Royal’s sharp and bright interior features Scottish tartan accents and affordable accomodation with contemporary deluxe touches. A cosy lounge and bar area is an up-to-the-minute retreat after a day’s sightseeing and the hotel serves a relaxed breakfast buffet. Views from some of the accomodation is of the city’s atmospheric terraced housing. It’s one of the top rated of Edinburgh hotels for superb value.

7. Radisson Blu Hotel, Edinburgh City Centre – Good Value

The exterior of this centrally-located hotel resembles a Scottish castle. Step in and you’re in a world of highly contemporary bold design. The hotel’s 238 sleek guest rooms in greys and whites offer far-reaching views over Edinburgh. The hotel’s Itchycoo Bar And Kitchen serves locally sourced ingredients in a fresh take on traditional Scottish cooking. Breakfast is served in The Restaurant, a casual dining option. An extensive health club features an indoor heated pool. One of Edinburgh’s leading hotels for efficient luxury.

8. Apex Waterloo Place Hotel

In 1819, the Waterloo Place Hotel was a pioneer in becoming the first purpose built hotel in Edinburgh. Today’s guests are offered cutting edge contemporary design behind the elegance of the Georgian exterior, a ten minute walk from Princes Street. Bold of-the-moment shades contrast with muted tones in the unique guest rooms, while Elliott’s is the hotel’s modern restaurant with Scottish fusion cuisine. A well-equipped spa feautures a pool and gym. A supreme Edinburgh property for history melded with contemporary style.

What are the 5 Best Boutique Hotels in Edinburgh?

1. Prestonfield House

Over 23 luxurious rooms and suites, Prestonfield House transports guests to a life in a grand Edinburgh house, once the residence of the Lord Provost of the city. Art, antiques and rich fabrics furnish every sumptuous room in a distinguished location over-looking gardens, parkland and the heights of Arthur’s Seat. From Princess Grace of Monaco to Elton John, Prestonfield House has been the choice of stars over several decades. In a word: indulgent.

2. The Witchery by the Castle

Hidden away close to Edinburgh Castle, The Witchery by the Castle offers just nine gothic-inspired suites, tucked into a collection of buildings with one of Edinburgh’s finest restaurants directly attached. Breakfast is served by candlelight in the Original Witchery Dining Room. The Secret Garden is a second restaurant with its own terrace and a stunning painted ceiling indoors. Acclaimed as one of the seven wonders of the world of hotels – and with good reason.

3. The Dunstane Houses

The Dunstane Houses is set over two historic buildings across the road from each other and lays justifiable claim to be one of Edinburgh’s most romantic hotels. Decor takes its inspiration from the northern Scottish island of Orkney with luxurious fabrics a distinctive features of the quietly deluxe 35 guest rooms. The Ba’ Bar, an all-day restaurant and lounge has one of the best collections of vintage whiskies in Edinburgh’s hotels and serves a contemporary take on traditional Scottish cuisine.

4. The Lane Hotel – Good Value

A pair of elegant Victorian villas some two miles from the city centre houses 11 guest rooms furnished in classic boutique hotel deluxe style, with muted shades and luxurious fabrics in blues and greens. The Canny Man’s, directly adjacent to the hotel is The Lane Hotel’s quirky pub and restaurant, much loved by local residents and run by the same family who own and nurture the hotel. The location is in one of Edinburgh’s most exclusive areas, with a wealth of cafes and restaurants.

5. The Raeburn – Good Value

An elegant Georgian residence, dating back to 1832, is your home from home at The Raeburn, winner of several awards. This is among the most intimate of Edinburgh’s hotels, with just ten rooms in distinct contemporary style in a quiet location that’s just a fifteen minute walk from the city centre. The Raeburn has its own library, private bar and outdoor terraces. The hotel’s Garden Room and Club Room offer distinctive Scottish cuisine throughout the day.

What’s the Best Hotel with Spa & Pool?

1. Sheraton Grand Hotel & Spa

Set in modern architecture on Festival Square, the Sheraton Grand Hotel and Spa is an urban resort in the heart of Edinburgh Scotland. The hotel’s One Spa features a unique rooftop hydropool and a full range of treatments in its dedicated thermal suite. There’s also a heated indoor swimming pool with adjacent sauna for guests’ use. Accommodation in highly contemporary rooms and superior suites features, from some rooms and suites, views over Edinburgh castle, all within walking distance of the city’s attractions.

What are the Best Family Hotels in Edinburgh?

1. The Chester Residence – Aparthotel

These deluxe five star apartments, situated over Georgian townhouses in Edinburgh’s New Town, comprise one of the most luxurious family hotels in Edinburgh Scotland. Two-bedroomed Mews apartments are available, with their own private entrances and landscaped garden areas. Each has a fully equipped kitchen and is furnished in a highly contemporary deluxe style. Family accommodation with no compromise.

2. Hilton Edinburgh Carlton

A perfect location on the Royal Mile in a historic building dating from the 1900s is just part of the appeal of the Hilton Edinburgh Carlton. The hotel’s King Junior Suites have both a kingsize bed and a sofa bed, with decor in an international deluxe style. Steaks are a speciality at the hotel’s Marco Pierre White Steakhouse and Grill while the relaxed Nineteen Hundred Bar and Lounge has a wide selection of dishes. A fully equipped gym completes an enticing picture.

3. Cityroomz Edinburgh – Affordable

The nine dedicated family rooms at Cityroomz Edinburgh offer a combination of double beds and bunks with cheerful decor featuring primary colours, all in a location that’s at the heart of the city centre, making Cityroomz Edinburgh one of the city’s best value hotels for families travelling to Scotland’s capital. A dedicated breakfast room offers meals to start the day, while a wide variety of restaurants and cafes are within easy walking distance.

What’s the Best Cheap or Affordable Hotel in Edinburgh?

1. Motel One Edinburgh-Princes

Situated directly on Princes Street, and so at the very epicentre of Edinburgh’s prestige shopping area within easy walking distance of all the city’s main attractions, Motel One Princes makes no compromise when it comes to the best of affordable Edinburgh hotels. A breakfast buffet is offered to start the day. Guest rooms are stripped back, contemporary and with boutique-style decor flourishes. A stylish lounge area is the ideal way to swap the city’s stories.

Best Value Hotels in Edinburgh City Centre near Castle

The heart of Edinburgh Scotland is in both the ancient Old Town, along the historic Royal Mile, and the New Town, the Georgian part of the city dating back to the late 18th century. The Old Town contains many of the city’s attractions, prime among them Edinburgh Castle, a royal fortress continuously occupied for 1,000 years and now open to visitors. A world famous annual highlight is the Military Tattoo, throughout the Fringe Festival in August each year. The New Town is home to famous Princes Street where visitors will find many of the city’s best hotels and stores.

Top Hotels near Edinburgh Castle

Leonardo Royal Hotel Edinburgh Haymarket – Great Value
Motel One Edinburgh-Royal – Great Value
Holiday Inn Express Edinburgh – Royal Mile – Affordable
Cityroomz Edinburgh – Affordable

What are the Top Hotels near Edinburgh Zoo?

Housed on a park-like 82 acre site with far-reaching views, Edinburgh Zoo is justly one of the city’s bestloved attractions. Whatever your choice of hotels, Edinburgh Zoo is a must-see, not least because it was the first zoo in the world to breed penguins and it’s the only zoo in Britain to breed giant pandas and koalas.

Finest Hotels near Zoo

Holiday Inn Edinburgh Zoo – next to Zoo
The Torfin – Great Value
The White Lady Wetherspoon – Affordable

Waverley Train Station neighbourhood

Waverley Station is for many the gateway to Edinburgh, a historic and busy 19th century railway station situated between the Old Town and New Town and so within easy reach of most of the best of Edinburgh’s city centre hotels. Trains arrive here from London, including a popular sleeper service, with connections throughout Scotland.

Outstanding Hotels near Waverley Train Station in Edinburgh

The Balmoral Hotel – Top Luxury
The Scotsman Hotel – Deluxe
Motel One Edinburgh-Princes – Affordable

What are the Top Hotels near Edinburgh Playhouse?

One of the best-loved theatres in Scotland, the Edinburgh Playhouse is an atmospheric 3,000 seater theatre that’s a key and sought after venue in the Fringe Festival which takes over the city in August each year. Within easy reach of all of the city’s finest luxury hotels, the Playhouse frequently plays host to visiting stars.

Top Rated Accommodation near Edinburgh Playhouse

Courtyard by Marriott Edinburgh – Good Value / Luxury
The Glasshouse, Autograph Collection – Top Luxury
Holiday Inn Express Edinburgh City Centre – Affordable