Where to Stay in Edinburgh, Scotland
Are you wondering where to stay in Edinburgh, Scotland?
On my recent first trip to Scotland, I was immediately captivated by Edinburgh. In fact, after spending just a few days there, I can confidently say it’s my favorite city in the UK (sorry, London!)
Edinburgh is a magical city filled with tons of history and beautiful architecture. It’s also very small and walkable, which makes getting around and exploring the city extremely easy.
Things to Do in Edinburgh
Before we get into where to stay, here’s an overview of the best things to do in Edinburgh:
- Visit Edinburgh Castle, the most iconic place in the city
- Check out one of the city’s many free museums — I enjoyed the Scottish National Gallery, the Scottish National Portrait Gallery, and the Writer’s Museum a lot
- Stroll down colorful Victoria Street
- Head to Dean Village, a picture-perfect neighborhood slightly outside the city center, and walk back via the scenic footpath along the Water of Leith
- Visit historic St. Giles’ Cathedral
- Take a leisurely walk down the Royal Mile, the main street in Edinburgh’s Old Town
- If you’re interested in Harry Potter, take a Harry Potter walking tour to see many of the places that inspired J.K. Rowling as she was writing the series
- Or take a ghost tour to learn about Edinburgh’s spooky history
- Walk down Circus Lane, one of the most picturesque streets in Edinburgh
- Climb up to Arthur’s Seat for amazing views over the city
- Or head to Calton Hill, a shorter walk, for more great views of Edinburgh
- Get out of the city and explore Loch Ness and the Scottish Highlands for a day
Best Hotels in Edinburgh, Scotland
When it comes to the best areas to stay in, I highly recommend either Old Town or New Town for your first visit. These are the two most central neighborhoods in Edinburgh close to all the tourist attractions.
Old Town is obviously the oldest part of Edinburgh, but don’t be fooled by the name of New Town — it was built during the 18th and 19th centuries as the city expanded, so it’s still pretty old itself.
Both areas are quite charming, although I do think Old Town is more atmospheric.
Where I Stayed in Edinburgh
I had the chance to stay at two great hotels in Edinburgh. Although my stays at these hotels were comped in exchange for media coverage, you can read my honest opinions on them below.
The first hotel I stayed at was House of Gods. This is a really unique hotel with over-the-top decadent decor and theming. I’d say this is a good hotel for a romantic getaway, although with how compact the rooms are, it’s honestly good for solo travelers too. And the Old Town location is amazing!
The next place I stayed was RÌGH Residences. I loved these serviced apartments conveniently located in the New Town just a short walk from everything Edinburgh has to offer. This would be a better option if you’re looking for more space (all apartments have a kitchen and living area) and a bright, modern design.
Here are my top three picks for where to stay in Edinburgh, Scotland:
- Most luxurious: Gleneagles Townhouse
- Best apartment-style hotel: RÌGH Residences
- Best for couples: House of Gods
And here’s a full breakdown of the best hotels in Edinburgh.
Tip: I use and recommend Booking.com for getting the best deal on hotels. If you book directly through a link on this page, I may earn a small commission at no cost to you. Thank you for supporting Stay to Wander!
The Balmoral Hotel
The Balmoral is one of the most iconic hotels in Edinburgh. This historic five-star hotel has the perfect location in the city, right on the edge of the Old Town and the New Town, so it’s convenient to everything.
Guests will enjoy the tasteful and luxurious rooms at this hotel, as well as numerous amenities such as an indoor swimming pool, a sauna, a spa, and a fitness center to enhance your stay.
View on Booking.com | View on TripAdvisor
Gleneagles Townhouse
Another ultra-luxurious place to stay in Edinburgh is Gleneagles Townhouse. This exclusive hotel is located in Edinburgh’s New Town, just a quick five-minute walk from everything in the Old Town.
Highlights of this hotel, aside from the opulent decor and luxurious rooms, include a rooftop terrace and bar, a spa and fitness center, and a delicious free breakfast included each morning during your stay.
View on Booking.com | View on TripAdvisor
RÌGH Residences
As I mentioned above, RÌGH Residences is one of the places I stayed on my trip to Edinburgh and I would highly recommend it! These are serviced apartments so you have all the comforts of home and more space than you would in a hotel room. The property is located in a great location in Edinburgh’s New Town.
You’re close to tons of shopping and restaurants, and just a five-minute walk to the Old Town. Overall I was super happy with my stay here and I think it’s a great place to base yourself in Edinburgh.
View on Booking.com | View on TripAdvisor
Virgin Hotels Edinburgh
If you want to stay in Edinburgh’s Old Town, Virgin Hotels Edinburgh is a great choice. I kept walking past this hotel during my trip to Edinburgh and thinking about what a great location it was in.
This luxury hotel offers stylish, comfortable rooms and is extremely convenient to everything Edinburgh has to offer. Some rooms have private balconies with views of Edinburgh Castle and the Old Town.
View on Booking.com | View on TripAdvisor
Motel One Edinburgh Royal
Motel One Edinburgh Royal is a great place to stay that could not be in a more convenient location if it tried. This chic hotel is right in the heart of the Old Town, steps away from the Royal Mile.
Some of the rooms offer great views of the city and they are all decorated in a cozy, rustic style with plenty of luxurious touches. This is a great luxury hotel that is one of the more affordable options.
View on Booking.com | View on TripAdvisor
Hotel Indigo Princes Street
Hotel Indigo Princes Street is another one of the best hotels in Edinburgh if you want to be centrally located to everything that the city has to offer. This hotel is on bustling Princes Street in the New Town.
The Old Town is literally just across the street, though, so you can easily get anywhere you want to go in the city. It’s a historic hotel filled with original charm but updated with modern, luxurious touches.
View on Booking.com | View on TripAdvisor
InterContinental Edinburgh the George
InterContinental Edinburgh the George is one of the best five-star hotels in Edinburgh. Located in the New Town, this hotel is in a prime location surrounded by lots of shopping and dining options.
You’re also just a short walk from other neighborhoods and areas in Edinburgh, making this a great place to base yourself on your trip. The hotel offers luxurious, comfortable rooms, plus a fitness center.
View on Booking.com | View on TripAdvisor
House of Gods
House of Gods is another hotel I stayed at in Edinburgh. This place is definitely not going to be for everyone. It has a very distinctive and over-the-top style. The theme here is decadence… there’s literally a button in every room you can push to have milk and warm cookies delivered straight to you.
But if you like the vibe and don’t mind the tiny rooms, this is a great place to stay in the Old Town. I’d definitely recommend this for couples looking for a romantic getaway, but it could even work for a solo trip too. One of the best parts of this hotel is the location — it’s just steps away from the Royal Mile.
View on Booking.com | View on TripAdvisor
Market Street Hotel
Market Street Hotel is a great design-focused hotel in Edinburgh’s Old Town. This is the ideal place to stay if you want to be in the heart of the city close to all of Edinburgh’s top sights and attractions.
This hotel offers stylish, thoughtfully-designed rooms with all the comforts you’re looking for at an affordable price. There’s also a rooftop terrace with great views over the city for guests to enjoy.
View on Booking.com | View on TripAdvisor
Cheval The Edinburgh Grand
Finally, Cheval The Edinburgh Grand is one of the best places to stay in Edinburgh. This five-star property offers luxurious apartment-style accommodations, perfect if you want some extra space.
Each apartment is equipped with a kitchen and a separate living area. The hotel is located in the New Town but it’s just a five-minute walk to the Old Town and all that Edinburgh has to offer.
View on Booking.com | View on TripAdvisor
Where to Stay in Edinburgh, Scotland
This guide showed you where to stay in Edinburgh, Scotland.
To recap, my top three picks for where to stay are:
- Most luxurious: Gleneagles Townhouse
- Best apartment-style hotel: RÌGH Residences
- Best for couples: House of Gods
Have a great trip and enjoy your stay in Edinburgh!
Related Guides:
