Edinburgh hotels

For decades, this imposing sandstone building was home to the national newspaper, whose name is embossed in gold on the ornate sandstone exterior. From here, you can survey the city for your own stories, with Waverley Station and the National Galleries nearby, and the Royal Mile just above.
It’s an enduring landmark and one for traditionalists, who will love original details such as the green-and-white marble staircase and stained glass windows. Where the clatter of typewriters once rung out is now all peace and quiet, with offices transformed into wood-paneled bedrooms in dairy whites and grays.
Eating here can be a real event, with the Grand Café set among the soaring columns of the 1905 original, though items such as garlic and chervil gnocchi would doubtless confuse those Edwardian reporters. The Hide, with its leather banquettes and chandeliers, is more intimate, for snacks and cocktails and adds to the Scotsman overall historic charm.

A playful addition to the city’s landscape, this is a unique hotel in Edinburgh with a sense of fun – as you’d expect from Sir Richard Branson. It’s set within the Victorian-era India Buildings in the Old Town, with a beautifully preserved glass cupola and a library lounge that has an interesting collection of quirky books and artworks.
Design-wise, there’s the obligatory Virgin red, of course, but also lots of blonde wood and Moroccan rugs, while the bedrooms are mostly individually designed. To pick a couple of favorites, Edward’s Suite has steps from lounge to bedroom and views over Cowgate, while another is inspired by Branson’s Marrakech riad, with thick fabrics and metal lanterns.
The restaurant and bar, meanwhile, are destinations in themselves, for cocktails such as Breakfast in the Highlands (whisky, sherry, and honey) and plates such as lobster thermidor, Jerusalem artichoke and summer truffle, and pineapple and Madagascan pepper.

Sign up for a walking tour of Edinburgh’s historic sights and The Balmoral will be one of the places pointed out. Locals have been checking their watches against the time on the 190ft clocktower for decades; it’s an edifice almost as famous as some of the hotel guests over the years.
But despite its history, it’s always moved with the times, with bedrooms refurbished using colors inspired by Scotland’s heather-strewn countryside, and additions such as a dedicated whisky bar that are great for a rainy day. There’s a fine-dining restaurant in the basement for artful, jus-drizzled plates, but I prefer the lighter brasserie upstairs with its French-Scots menu (roast duck with beetroot, tartiflette, ice-cream profiteroles).
As for bedrooms, it’s worth spending more for one with views of the castle or Old Town – after all, this is a hotel for a special occasion. Meet you in the palm court for tea.

Formerly known as The Dunstane Houses, this is a characterful hit of updated Victorian and one of the best hotels in Edinburgh’s West End – and it feels like a secret find, too. Beneath the original cornice of the 1850s building are soft velvets, tweed cushions, peacock wallpaper, and Persian carpets. Larger bedrooms, furnished in oranges and deep grays, have four-posters and copper bathtubs – it’s worth spending the extra as this is a hotel to stretch out in.
Despite the city center’s vibrant food scene, I’d recommend staying in for dinner here. You will get surprised by the creative menu. Try the signature features venison with sweet potato and rhubarb, and for dessert do not miss the plum and ginger cheesecake (the “zing” of the ginger pairs perfectly with the plum and rich cream), while “wee bites” include veggie haggis bonbons and tattie scones with smoked salmon.
Pull up a stool at the bar afterward, and the bartender will provide an illuminating tour of the country’s rarer whiskies.

Known to locals simply as The George, this is one of the top-rated hotels in Edinburgh. It was in danger of becoming very fusty, but a recent renovation removed the tartan – though not from the concierge’s kilts – and updated the interiors.
The bedrooms are furnished in hazy, creamy colors and velvets – those in the original 18th-century townhouses have high ceilings of the original 18th-century townhouses (and I still prefer them to the ones with the view).
You can splurge of course and book a city view room. The vistas are going to make it worth as you can see George Street or even the Forth river estuary. This is a lively part of New Town with late-night bars and restaurants, but The George more than holds its own with Burr & Co for quick-fix snacks and an outpost of hyped Le Petit Beefbar with croque ribeye sando on the menu.

Which hotel has the best views in Edinburgh? It’s hotly contested, but this apart-hotel in a former bank on St Andrew Square has a good claim on the title. While the interiors are eye-catching enough – the black-and-white marble floor in the Art Deco lobby, original 1940s bank vaults, and hand-etched windows – the views from the apartments are the real draw, looking out along George Street, with the Balmoral clock tower in clear sight.
They come in all varieties, from small studios to the penthouse, which sleeps six, making this an appealing choice for families. And while this isn’t a traditional hotel, there’s a concierge to hand for assistance and a social hub in the form of The Register Club, which serves breakfast and cocktails (I recommend The Kick, a punch mix of rum, stout, and espresso). And if self-catering for dinner gets stale, there’s a Hawksmoor on the ground floor: The best of both worlds.

Compared to some of Edinburgh’s more heavyweight hotels, the Market Street Hotel has a nicely stripped-back feeling and a lightness of touch, with a Scandi-style woodiness that never really goes out of fashion. It opened in 2019 in an enviable position between the Royal Mile and Waverley Station, with addresses such as the Fruitmarket Gallery, Writers’ Museum, and Edinburgh Dungeon close by.
The contemporary design takes in carefully thought-out details such as sliding oak shutters rather than curtains, mid-century furniture, and tartan-print parquet, with black marble basins in the bathrooms. And after a day out exploring the city, there’s nothing better than returning and zooming up to the Champagne lounge for canapés and a glass of fizz with rooftop views.

There are an increasing number of flexible alternatives to old-school, tartan-clad hotels in Edinburgh, as this switched-on apart-hotel proves. While its New Town exterior is pure Georgian sandstone, step inside and you’ll find a light-filled lobby space in mauve, green, and pink, with wicker chairs and splashes of green foliage.
It’s a super-organized, easygoing place to stay that doubles as a co-working hub, although families and even grandparents will feel just at home. The ground-floor Hyde & Son, inspired by the famous RL Stephenson story, transforms from a coffee shop by day into a happening cocktail bar by night.
The 72 apartments, meanwhile, have a similar aesthetic, mixing white walls with pops of color, such as the floor lamps, and are fully equipped with kitchens, dining tables, and sofas – some have a sofa bed for children. The National Galleries and castle are just moments away.

Carved out of red sandstone, this has been a formidable presence on Princes Street since 1903. It’s a fancy hotel in Edinburgh on a grand scale, with sweeping staircases, acres of marble, and over 200 bedrooms of all shapes and sizes.
It would be easy to spend the entire day here, exploring the various lounges and restaurants, which range from the palm-court-style Peacock Alley for breakfast and afternoon tea – a big hit with locals out for a special occasion – to Grazing by Mark Greenway, who has just created a 100 Mile tasting menu to champion local produce.
It also has my favourite spa in Edinburgh: an accomplished wellness center with a reputation for skincare and body rituals, along with an indoor pool that’s the only place in town where you can see the castle while doing the breaststroke.

Looks can be a little deceiving, but this is one of the best hotels to stay in Edinburgh. Inside is a warm, glowing space that offers genuine hotel escapism. The interior design is inspired by classic aviation and New York loft living, with leather-lined lifts taking you up to the bedrooms, which have exposed brickwork, vintage photographs, and deeply comforting beds.
The restaurant and bar are defined by the grill and cocktail menu: It’s just the place for a well-seared steak and cold martini, but the seafood is also recommended, along with crispy goat’s cheese and roast courgette.
As for the location, this isn’t a place for those keen to tick off all the sights – or for families – but is close to the Forth Bridge and Dalmeny House, and is very convenient for the airport.