The 8 Best Hotels
in Edinburgh
Edinburgh is one of Europe's most dramatically situated cities, its skyline defined by volcanic rock, a medieval castle, and tenement spires that rise above the New Town's Georgian grid. The hotel scene here reflects that duality: grand Victorian railway hotels and converted townhouses crowd the Old Town and Princes Street, while quieter boutique guesthouses line the residential streets of Stockbridge and the West End. Prices are meaningfully lower than London — a solid mid-range double that would cost £250 in the capital runs £130–160 here outside August. That said, Edinburgh during the Festival in August is another world entirely, with even modest hotels doubling or tripling rates and selling out months in advance.
We've narrowed it down to 8 hotels across the city's main neighbourhoods — 2 splurges, 3 mid-range, and 3 budget picks. The splurge tier here means genuine grandeur: think castle views, spa floors, and 19th-century architecture that money actually built well. Mid-range is where Edinburgh punches above its weight, with design-forward guesthouses and converted Georgian flats at rates that feel almost unfair. Budget options are honest and central — no hostels dressed up, just clean, well-located independents.
| Hotel | Neighborhood | From €/night | Tier |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Balmoral | East End / Princes Street | €320–950 | Splurge |
| Prestonfield House | Prestonfield / Holyrood | €310–750 | Splurge |
| Tigerlily | New Town / George Street | €150–380 | Mid-range |
| The Witchery by the Castle | Old Town / Castle Esplanade | €295–495 | Mid-range |
| Hotel du Vin Edinburgh | Old Town / Bristo Place | €120–300 | Mid-range |
| Grassmarket Hotel | Old Town / Grassmarket | €70–175 | Budget |
| Southside Guest House | Newington / South Edinburgh | €75–150 | Budget |
| The Edinburgh Residence | West End / Rothesay Terrace | €110–220 | Budget |
Where to stay in Edinburgh
Edinburgh divides neatly between the medieval Old Town — the Royal Mile, Grassmarket, Canongate — and the planned Georgian New Town to the north. The two halves are separated by Princes Street Gardens and the valley where the railway runs, and the character shifts entirely as you cross the ridge.
The Old Town runs from the castle down to Holyrood Palace and contains most of Edinburgh's famous sights within a 15-minute walk. Hotels here sit among closes, cobblestones, and a constant flow of tourists — atmospheric by day, noisy on weekend nights particularly near the Grassmarket. Prices are high for what you get architecturally, but the convenience is undeniable. Best for first-time visitors and those who want to feel the city's history immediately outside the door.
The New Town's grid of Georgian streets — George Street, Queen Street, Thistle Street — is Edinburgh's most photogenic residential district and home to its best independent restaurants and cocktail bars. Hotels here are slightly quieter than the Old Town at night, and the flat streets make walking easy. Prices are comparable to the Old Town but the accommodation tends to feel more polished. Best for design-conscious travellers and repeat visitors who already know the sights.
Stockbridge sits just north of the New Town and feels like a separate village — Sunday market, independent delis, the Water of Leith walkway, and very few tourists. Guesthouses here are mostly owner-run and priced 15–25% below comparable Old Town options. The walk to Princes Street takes 20 minutes; it's not the right base for anyone planning to shuttle between sights all day. Best for travellers who want to live a little more like an Edinburgh local.
Newington is where Edinburgh's academics and families live — wide Victorian terraces, independent bookshops, and the Meadows park nearby. Guesthouses here are among the city's best-value options, particularly during August when Festival accommodation pricing in the centre becomes extreme. Bus connections to the Old Town run frequently. Best for budget-conscious travellers, Festival visitors who book late, and anyone who prefers a calm base to a central one.
The Balmoral
The Balmoral's clock tower is one of Edinburgh's most recognised landmarks, kept two minutes fast by tradition so travellers don't miss their trains from Waverley station directly below. Inside, the hotel is all dark Scottish marble, warm tartans, and a hush that money maintains. The Number One Restaurant has held a Michelin star for over 20 years, and the basement spa is one of the most genuinely indulgent in the city. Room 552 is where J.K. Rowling finished writing Harry Potter — a plaque confirms it.
- Clock-tower landmark on Princes Street
- Michelin-starred Number One restaurant
- Full basement spa and pool
- Direct access above Waverley station
- Castle and Calton Hill views from upper rooms
Prestonfield House
Prestonfield House is a 17th-century mansion set at the foot of Arthur's Seat, surrounded by grounds where Highland cattle graze. Owner James Thomson has filled it with red damask walls, ostrich-leather floors, and candlelit dining rooms that feel genuinely theatrical rather than contrived. The Rhubarb restaurant inside is one of the most atmospheric in Scotland. Only 23 rooms means service is attentive without being over-choreographed, and the location — quiet, green, five minutes from the Royal Mile by taxi — feels like a secret Edinburgh keeps to itself.
- 17th-century mansion with Highland cattle grounds
- Rhubarb restaurant, one of Scotland's most atmospheric
- Only 23 rooms — genuinely attentive service
- 10-minute taxi to the Royal Mile
- Ostrich leather, damask, open fires throughout
Tigerlily
Tigerlily occupies a Georgian townhouse on George Street but makes no attempt to be period-correct inside — instead it's all mirrored walls, jewel tones, velvet headboards, and moody lighting. The bar and restaurant at street level are popular with locals on weekend evenings, which means some noise does filter upstairs on Fridays. Rooms are compact but thoughtfully dressed, and the George Street position puts you within eight minutes' walk of Princes Street, the Scottish National Gallery, and the New Town's best independent restaurants.
- Bold interior design in a Georgian shell
- Popular cocktail bar and restaurant on-site
- George Street location, walkable to everything
- Competitive rates for the level of style
- Strong weekend brunch offering
The Witchery by the Castle
Technically a restaurant that also happens to rent nine suites, The Witchery sits at the very top of the Royal Mile under the castle walls. Each suite is designed like a gothic folly — carved oak, tapestries, roll-top baths, and virtually no natural light, which is either atmospheric or claustrophobic depending on your disposition. The restaurant below is excellent, and breakfast is brought to your room in a hamper. It is expensive for nine rooms but not expensive by five-star standards, and the location is genuinely unbeatable for the Old Town.
- Nine gothic suites at the castle gate
- Celebrated restaurant with long Edinburgh history
- Roll-top baths and carved-oak bedrooms
- Breakfast delivered in a hamper
- Unbeatable Royal Mile position
Hotel du Vin Edinburgh
The Edinburgh branch of the Hotel du Vin group occupies a former lunatic asylum — a fact the hotel leans into with dry good humour. The rooms are done in the chain's signature style: exposed brickwork, roll-top baths, monsoon showers, and wine-themed prints. It's formulaic compared to the true independents but the formula is reliably comfortable, and Bristo Place puts you three minutes from the Grassmarket and five from the Meadows. The whisky snug bar is a strong reason to stay in for an evening.
- Converted Victorian asylum with character intact
- Excellent whisky and wine bar on-site
- Roll-top baths in most rooms
- Walking distance from Grassmarket and South Bridge
- Reliable consistency across the Hotel du Vin group
Grassmarket Hotel
The Grassmarket Hotel sits directly on one of Edinburgh's most characterful squares, surrounded by pubs, independent food stalls, and the looming shadow of the castle above. Rooms are small but individually decorated with photography and local prints, giving it an identity that most budget hotels at this price point lack entirely. The lower floors face the square and pick up weekend pub noise — ask for a higher floor if that matters. Breakfast is served in the ground-floor cafe and is one of the better full Scottish options at this price.
- Right on the Grassmarket square
- Individually decorated rooms with local photography
- Castle visible from upper-floor windows
- Good-value full Scottish breakfast
- Surrounded by bars and independent restaurants
Southside Guest House
A tightly-run Victorian terraced guesthouse on the south side of the Meadows, the Southside has earned near-perfect scores for years thanks to owner-level attention to detail that larger hotels can't manufacture. Eight rooms means the hosts know every guest by name; breakfast is cooked to order and includes local produce. It's a 25-minute walk to the Royal Mile or a short bus ride — the trade-off for that distance is quiet streets, a residential neighbourhood feel, and rates that stay sane even during the August Festival.
- Owner-run with 4.8-rated guest experience
- Cooked-to-order breakfast with local produce
- Quiet Newington residential setting
- More availability during August Festival than centre
- Bus links to Old Town in 10 minutes
The Edinburgh Residence
The Edinburgh Residence offers apartment-style suites inside three converted Georgian townhouses on a quiet West End terrace — a genuinely good option for families or visitors staying more than two or three nights who want a kitchen and sitting room. Rooms are large by Edinburgh standards, with high ceilings and sash windows overlooking the street. There's no restaurant but breakfast can be arranged, and the West End is full of independent cafés. Haymarket station is seven minutes on foot, making it practical for airport transfers too.
- Apartment-style suites with full kitchens
- Georgian townhouse with original high ceilings
- Large rooms by Edinburgh city standards
- Quiet West End terrace, close to Haymarket
- Good option for stays of 4+ nights
Frequently asked questions
How far in advance do I need to book during the Edinburgh Festival in August?
Are hotels in Edinburgh expensive compared to other UK cities?
Is it better to stay in the Old Town or the New Town?
Do Edinburgh hotels include breakfast, or is it typically extra?
Is Edinburgh walkable, or do I need public transport between my hotel and main sights?
What's the weather like and does it affect which season to visit?
Are there good hotel options near Edinburgh Airport, or is it better to stay central?
How we chose these hotels
Our editorial team reviewed Edinburgh's hotel landscape and selected 8 across budgets, prioritising properties that capture local character — heritage architecture, owner-run boutiques, surf-town informality — over generic resort-chain accommodations. Where two hotels are comparable, we pick the smaller, owner-run option.
None of these hotels paid to be included, and we have no commercial relationship with any of them. Use the "View on Google Maps" links above to find each property's official website, current rates and availability. Prices are estimated nightly ranges in EUR for a double room and will vary by season and availability. Recommendations are reviewed every six months; this guide was last updated April 2026.
When to visit Edinburgh
For everything you need to plan a Edinburgh trip — neighbourhoods, food, things to do, day trips, transport — see our complete Edinburgh travel guide.