Hotels
Best hotels in Edinburgh: 7 places to stay, from Princes Street to Arthur’s Seat
A whisky bar beneath the clock tower, a glasshouse full of plants and a 17th-century house with peacocks in the grounds. These are the hotels in Edinburgh we would choose, whether you come for the Christmas market, Hogmanay or the festival.
Edinburgh is a city you walk. The cobbles of the Old Town lead you up towards the castle, the broad streets of the New Town carry you down to Princes Street, and suddenly you are standing on a bridge looking down on a whole district of stone beneath you. It is a city of layers, and your hotel decides which one you wake up in.
The city has two great seasons: the festival month of August and the long winter celebration from the Christmas market in Princes Street Gardens to Hogmanay, one of the world’s best-known New Year parties. We have gathered seven hotels in Edinburgh, from the classic grand hotels to a 17th-century house at the foot of Arthur’s Seat.
The links to the hotels are partner links. If you book through them, Picolo may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. You choose your own dates and room on the hotel page.
Where to stay in Edinburgh
The Old Town, with the Royal Mile and the castle, is medieval and atmospheric. The New Town is Georgian and elegant, with Princes Street, St Andrew Square and George Street. The two sit side by side, so you can walk between them. See our Edinburgh restaurant guide too.
Classic and central: Princes Street
Elegant and calm: the New Town around Charlotte Square and St Andrew Square
Medieval and atmospheric: the Old Town and the Royal Mile
Country-house luxury in the city: Prestonfield by Arthur’s Seat
Princes Street and the New Town
The Balmoral
The whisky bar is lined with bottles from floor to ceiling.
The Balmoral: beneath the clock tower
The Balmoral stands where Princes Street meets Waverley station, and its clock tower has been a city landmark for more than a century. J.K. Rowling is said to have finished the final Harry Potter book here.
There are three restaurants and two bars, and guests are especially happy with the food. The whisky bar is the place to settle in on a rainy evening.
Book your stay: See rooms at The Balmoral
Gleneagles Townhouse: a rooftop on St Andrew Square
Gleneagles Townhouse is the city sibling of the famous golf hotel, set in a former bank on St Andrew Square. The rooftop terrace looks out over the New Town, and breakfast is included.
There are two bars, and every room has a deep bathtub. The Royal Mile is a few minutes’ walk away.
Book your stay: See rooms at Gleneagles Townhouse
Kimpton Charlotte Square
The glasshouse is one of the brightest places in the city on a winter’s day.
Kimpton Charlotte Square: Georgian townhouses and a glasshouse
Kimpton Charlotte Square fills a row of Georgian townhouses on Charlotte Square, at the western end of the New Town. Princes Street Gardens is a few minutes away, and guests love the location.
There are two restaurants and two bars, and the bright glasshouse at the heart of the building is a lovely spot for breakfast.
Book your stay: See rooms at Kimpton Charlotte Square
The Caledonian
The bar at The Caledonian, at the western end of Princes Street.
The Caledonian: the castle in your window
The Caledonian sits at the western end of Princes Street, a red sandstone former railway hotel. From the castle-facing rooms you look straight up at the fortress.
There are three restaurants and a spa, and guests are especially happy with the location.
Book your stay: See rooms at The Caledonian
The Old Town and the Royal Mile
Virgin Hotels Edinburgh: in the heart of the Old Town
Virgin Hotels Edinburgh is in the Old Town, a few minutes from the Royal Mile and the Grassmarket. It occupies a historic building, and guests rave about the breakfast.
There are two restaurants and a fitness centre, and you are right among the narrow streets and bars of the old city.
Book your stay: See rooms at Virgin Hotels Edinburgh
Radisson Collection Royal Mile: central and contemporary
The Radisson Collection Hotel is right by the Royal Mile, a short walk from both the castle and Holyrood. There is a restaurant and a fitness centre, and the rooms are modern and bright.
A practical choice if you want the Old Town on your doorstep without giving up on comfort.
Book your stay: See rooms at Radisson Collection Royal Mile
By Arthur’s Seat
Prestonfield House
Dark colours, candlelight and rich fabrics.
Prestonfield House: a country house in the city
Prestonfield House is a 17th-century mansion in its own parkland at the foot of Arthur’s Seat, a little way from the centre. The interiors are opulent, with dark colours, wallpaper and candlelight, and peacocks roam the grounds.
Breakfast, wifi and parking are included, and guests praise the helpful staff. This is the place for a romantic winter weekend.
Book your stay: See rooms at Prestonfield House
When is the best time to visit Edinburgh?
Edinburgh has two peak seasons. In August the festivals fill the city, and in December the Christmas market lights up Princes Street Gardens before Hogmanay ends the year with fireworks over the castle. Spring and autumn are quieter, and often a good time for a weekend break.
When should you book a hotel in Edinburgh?
During the August festivals and around Hogmanay, hotels are fully booked well in advance and prices rise sharply. Book six months ahead if you want to visit then. The rest of the year you can usually find rooms at shorter notice.
Book early for August and New Year
Stay central, the city is best on foot
Bring good shoes for the Old Town cobbles
Celebrating New Year here? See also our Christmas breaks: 21 festive hotels, which includes The Balmoral.
Frequently asked questions about hotels in Edinburgh
Where is the best area to stay in Edinburgh?
Most visitors are best off in the New Town or the Old Town, which sit right next to each other. The New Town has elegant streets and hotels around Princes Street and St Andrew Square, while the Old Town has the Royal Mile and the castle. From either you can walk almost everywhere.
What is the most famous hotel in Edinburgh?
The Balmoral on Princes Street is probably the most famous hotel in Edinburgh, its clock tower a landmark in the city. The Caledonian at the western end of Princes Street is another classic, with views of the castle.
When is Hogmanay in Edinburgh?
Hogmanay is Scotland’s New Year celebration, centred on 31 December, with a street party and fireworks over the castle. The festivities often run over several days. Hotels fill up early, so book well in advance.
How many days do you need in Edinburgh?
Three days is a good starting point. That gives you time for the castle, the Royal Mile, the New Town, a walk up Arthur’s Seat and some good dinners. With more time, take a day trip into the Highlands.
Is Edinburgh expensive for hotels?
Prices vary a lot with the season. Hotels are most expensive during the August festivals and around New Year. Outside peak season, especially in January, February and November, rates are often much lower.