5 Best Hotels In Edinburgh

If you are planning on visiting Scotland, you have probably decided to spend some time in the capital city of Edinburgh.

Edinburgh truly is one of the most beautiful cities in the United Kingdom, and its hybrid of old and new means that there is something for everyone in this majestic city. 

There are lots of reasons why you might have decided to visit Edinburgh. You could be visiting for a sports event, the renowned Edinburgh tattoo, or simply to do some sightseeing.

But regardless of the reason why you are visiting, you are going to need somewhere nice to stay while you’re in the city. 

In this guide, we’re taking a look at the 5 best hotels in Edinburgh that you should consider visiting during your time in the city. Read on to find out more! 

Best Hotels In Edinburgh

Below we have gathered together 5 of the best hotels in Edinburgh. These hotels have incredible official ratings, outstanding reviews, and lots of excellent selling points that make them so great.

So, if you want to stay in a great hotel during your stay in Edinburgh, check out the hotels below. 

The Balmoral

If you have any prior knowledge of Edinburgh, then you have likely heard of The Balmoral Hotel. This hotel is located in the centre of the city, and it is the most famous hotel in the capital. Mainly because it is where celebrities stay when they are in town. 

The Balmoral is the most luxurious hotel in the city, and it is the perfect place to visit if you want to treat yourself. Located on the historic Princes Street, The Balmoral is a focal point of the city, and its 5-star rating only demonstrates just how incredible this hotel is.

This hotel is on the pricier side, but this historic hotel is totally worth the high price point. If you can afford it, then staying in The Balmoral is a real experience. 

Pros 

• 5-star hotel
• Excellent city-centre location
• A hot spot for celebrities and high-profile guests

Cons

• Very expensive

The Scotsman Hotel

Another majestic and historic hotel that you should consider in the heart of Edinburgh is The Scotsman Hotel. The Scotsman Hotel is located on North Bridge and it is the old Scotsman Newspaper building (hence the name). 

This hotel is a great place to stay for anyone interested in Scottish history. It is located in a historic building, surrounded by the rich history of Edinburgh.

In terms of attractions, it is just a stone’s throw away from the Edinburgh Dungeons, and it has great transport links with a train station just 2 minutes walk away. 

If you want to be within walking distance of Edinburgh Castle, this is a great hotel to stay in. Its luxurious feel and excellent amenities really are just a bonus. 

Pros 

• 4-star hotel with lots of amenities
• Historic building surrounded by the history of Edinburgh
• Brilliant transport links

Cons

• Comes with a high price point

Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh – The Caledonian

Alternatively, if you are somebody who feels safer staying in a hotel that is owned by a chain, you should check out Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh – The Caledonian. This hotel is owned by Hilton, so you know that you are going to get good service.

This is another hotel set in a historic building. The Caledonian used to be a Victorian Railway Station, but it is now a far distance away from its history. This hotel is luxurious to its core, and that explains why it was awarded a 5-star rating. 

This hotel perfectly balances luxury and location. Each room is decorated to the nines, with a flat-screen TV, Nespresso machine, and room service on offer.

But, this hotel is also located really close to the sights of Edinburgh, with Edinburgh Castle just a 10-minute walk away. So, if you want a hotel that can do both, this is a great choice. 

Pros 

• 5-star hotel
• Excellent amenities
• Central location for sightseeing and transport

Cons

• Feels like a chain hotel 

Cheval The Edinburgh Grand

Another beautiful hotel in Edinburgh that is part of a collection of hotels is Cheval The Edinburgh Grand. Just like many hotels we have looked at, this hotel is set in a former bank so it is a brilliant historic location. 

Despite its historic location, this hotel is very advanced. It has an incredibly upscale vibe, and it is decorated incredibly stylishly. It perfectly balances the historic building with modern furnishings to create a hotel that feels fancy to stay in.

This hotel in particular is interesting as it is made up of apartments, rather than rooms. So it is perfect for anyone travelling in large groups. 

Located just a kilometre from Edinburgh Castle with excellent transport links to get around the city, it is easy to see why this is one of the best hotels in Edinburgh!

Pros 

• Historic building with an upscale interior
• 5-star hotel
• Apartments with lots of room and amenities

Cons

• Modern furnishings rather than traditional 

The Glasshouse, Autograph Collection

Finally, we couldn’t complete this guide without including The Glasshouse which is part of Marriott’s Autograph Collection. This hotel is one of the fanciest in the Autograph Collection, and its location only makes it even better.

This hotel is located in a former church, but it has been modernised to create a high-class, luxury hotel that boasts dreamy views over the city of Edinburgh.

With a mixture of glass and gothic stone facades, this hotel is the perfect mixture of old and new, just like the city of Edinburgh. 

With floor-to-ceiling windows in every room, this hotel is the perfect place to stay if you want to admire the beauty of Edinburgh. The fact that it is a 5-star hotel with excellent amenities is just an added bonus! 

Pros 

• Breathtaking views from every room
• 5-star hotel
• The perfect balance of old and new

Cons

• Part of a hotel chain

Buyer’s Guide

When you are looking for the perfect hotel to visit in Edinburgh, there are some things that you need to bear in mind. Below we have taken you through some of the most important features to consider before booking a hotel for your stay. 

Official Rating And Reviews

Both the official rating of the hotel and the customer reviews will be very important in deciding if the hotel is the right place for you. 

If you want to treat yourself to a stay in a “fancy” hotel, then the official star rating of the hotel is super important. Stars are given to hotels depending on several different factors, including service, amenities, decor, etc.

The higher the star rating, the better the hotel. So, if you want to stay somewhere fancy, you should be looking for a 4 or 5 star hotel. 

Customer reviews are also critical as these will give you a true reflection of what the hotel is like. Reviews are written by customers like yourself, so they can give you an accurate idea of the pros and cons of each hotel.

Amenities

Depending on where you are staying, amenities might be more or less important. Generally, if you plan on spending a lot of time in the hotel, then amenities are more important to you. 

There are lots of different amenities that hotels may offer. They include things such as swimming pools, roof terraces, and free airport transfers.

Before you book a hotel, we would advise taking a look at the amenities to get a good idea of what you are paying for. 

Location

Finally, in a large city like Edinburgh, the location of the hotel is really important. If you are flying to Edinburgh, and you don’t want to spend a large amount of money on taxis or wait around for public transport, then you want to stay in the centre. 

All the hotels we have looked at in this guide are located in the centre of Edinburgh, so they are really close to attractions and sights around the city.

If you want to be within a short walk of Edinburgh Castle, Greyfriars Bobby, and Princes Street, we would recommend staying in the middle of Edinburgh. 

Frequently Asked Questions