Picolo recommends · Hotel in Edinburgh, Scotland
The Caledonian
Red sandstone at the west end of Princes Street, and from the right room, the castle rock filling the window across the gardens.
Look out of a castle-facing window and the fortress sits on its rock straight ahead, across Princes Street Gardens. The Caledonian was built as a grand railway hotel, and its red sandstone bulk still marks the western end of Princes Street.
The West End is the calmer end of the centre, with Georgian streets, theatres and restaurants close by. The Old Town and the Royal Mile are an uphill walk away, and the New Town spreads out behind you.
Picolo’s verdict
Why we chose The Caledonian
We like The Caledonian for its view and its place in the city. It is one of the few hotels where the castle is the main event from the bedroom, and the West End gives you a slightly quieter base than the busy east end around Waverley.
This is a large, traditional hotel, and the experience depends heavily on the room you get: those facing the castle are worth paying for, others are far less special. Travellers who want a small, personal place should look elsewhere.
What you get
- Rooms with castle views
- Historic railway hotel building
- Classic grand hotel service
- Restaurant and bar on site
- At the west end of Princes Street
A day at The Caledonian
- Morning
- A walk through Princes Street Gardens below the castle.
- Midday
- Up through the Grassmarket to the Royal Mile.
- Afternoon
- A wander along the Water of Leith to Dean Village.
- Evening
- Dinner in the West End, then the floodlit castle from your window.
Location
Princes Street, West End, Edinburgh, Scotland
Open in MapsQuestions about The Caledonian
Does The Caledonian have views of Edinburgh Castle?
Yes. Rooms on the castle side look across Princes Street Gardens to the castle on its rock. Ask for one when you book, since not all rooms face that way.
Where is The Caledonian in Edinburgh?
At the west end of Princes Street, in the West End. The New Town is on your doorstep, and the Old Town is an uphill walk away.
Was The Caledonian a railway hotel?
Yes. It was built as a grand railway hotel, and the red sandstone building is still one of the landmarks at the western end of Princes Street.
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Updated 6 Nov 2026All articles
How Picolo chooses
Our editors pick every hotel themselves, and most of them we have stayed at. No hotel can pay to be included or ranked higher. When you book through our links, Hotels.com pays Picolo a small commission. It never changes the price you pay, and it never decides what we write.
