Best Hotels in Edinburgh

The Old Town puts you steps from major attractions but can be noisy, especially during festival season, with hotels from £60-180/night. The New Town offers Georgian elegance and quieter streets with similar price ranges. Budget travellers find hostels around £15-25/night, while luxury hotels in Grassmarket or George Street command £200+/night.

We reviewed 8 hotels across Edinburgh's key neighbourhoods to help you pick.

Old Town - best for history buffs, first-time visitors (mid-range)

New Town - best for architecture enthusiasts, shoppers (mid-range)

Grassmarket - best for nightlife seekers, young travellers (budget)

Stockbridge - best for locals seeking authenticity, creative types (mid-range)

Leith - best for food enthusiasts, budget travellers (budget)

Daily budget guide: Budget £45-65, Mid-range £85-130, Luxury £200+.

Budget

Travelodge Edinburgh Central (Old Town) - £45-85/night. Basic chain hotel with central location near Royal Mile offering good value for money.

High Street Hostel (Royal Mile) - £18-35/night. Backpacker hostel on Royal Mile with shared and private rooms, popular with young travellers.

Mid-Range

The Scotsman Hotel (Royal Mile) - £180-280/night. Former newspaper headquarters converted into boutique hotel on the Royal Mile with original period features.

Hotel du Vin Edinburgh (New Town) - £120-200/night. Converted Victorian asylum with modern boutique rooms and extensive wine collection in Leith.

The Witchery by the Castle (Royal Mile) - £300-450/night. Gothic-themed luxury suites in 16th-century building next to Edinburgh Castle with theatrical decor.

The Principal Edinburgh (New Town) - £160-240/night. Victorian railway hotel opposite Waverley Station with contemporary interiors and rooftop terrace.

Premier Inn Edinburgh City Centre (Grassmarket) - £65-110/night. Reliable chain hotel near Grassmarket with family rooms and consistent service standards.

Luxury

The Balmoral (Princes Street) - £350-500/night. Historic grand hotel with clock tower overlooking Princes Street Gardens, next to Waverley Station.

Book early for May to September for warmest weather and longest days, though August brings festival crowds and higher prices. June offers the best balance of good weather and manageable tourist numbers. - this is peak season and prices rise.

Getting around: Lothian Buses day ticket £4.50, covers all city routes.

Common mistake: Not booking restaurant reservations during festival season (August) when the city doubles in size