Edinburgh may be compact, but it’s packed with personality—where winding medieval closes meet grand Georgian squares, and every corner has a story to tell. From lavish suites to cosy guesthouses and even a floating hotel in Leith, the best places to stay in Edinburgh reflect its rich sense of place. Whether you're after romance, skyline views, buzzing nightlife or local charm, there’s a perfect base waiting to be booked.

Some of our Edinburgh Collections:

• Best Family Hotels in Edinburgh
• Best Luxury Hotels in Edinburgh
• Best Boutique Hotels in Edinburgh
• Best Edinburgh Hotels with Pools
• Best B&Bs in Edinburgh
• Best Romantic Hotels in Edinburgh
• Edinburgh Hotels with Parking
• Pet Friendly Hotels Edinburgh
• Top Hotels in Central Edinburgh
• Top Spa Hotels in Edinburgh
• Quirky Hotels in Edinburgh
• Top Guest Houses in Edinburgh
• Edinburgh Hotels with Gym Facilities

History buffs can get happily lost between Edinburgh Castle, the Palace of Holyroodhouse and the storybook lanes of the Old Town. Climb Calton Hill or Arthur’s Seat for sweeping views, or head to Dean Village for a quieter stroll along the Water of Leith. Princes Street and George Street serve up everything from high-end brands to indie boutiques, while Stockbridge charms with its Sunday market and bohemian cafés. Leith is your go-to for modern Scottish dining and waterfront cocktails, and some of the city's best hotel bars are found tucked into historic buildings or behind discreet facades in the West End. If food is a focus, Michelin-starred restaurants and stylish bistros are woven through every neighbourhood—many of them housed within hotels that are destinations in their own right. And when the sun dips, Edinburgh’s pub scene hums with live music, literary banter and late-night cocktails. Whether you're here for the Festival or just a long weekend, choosing the right neighbourhood is key—and with our insider guide, you’ll find the hotel that puts you right where you want to be.

The Best Places to Stay in Edinburgh

For a memorable stay

• The Roseate Edinburgh comprises two stately Victorian townhouses, on opposite sides of the road, in a peaceful corner of the West End. Combined they make a 35 room boutique hotel, with individually decorated rooms and suites featuring a luxurious array of original details and modern conveniences, including Nespresso machines and Roberts digital radios, and some with four-poster beds and stand-alone copper baths. There’s a very nice bar and restaurant specialising in local Scottish produce from small suppliers. Stylish and welcoming, they also have family suites.
• The Fingal is a retired lighthouse tender turned luxury, 23 room hotel, and now anchored in the hip area of Leith. Cabins range from classic doubles to decadent suites. The design is luxurious with brass fittings, leather, and rich hues. A glamorous ballroom is ideal for a party and there's a fabulous little restaurant too. She's now part of the Royal Yacht Britannia trust, and is Scotland's first luxury floating hotel.
• The Balmoral is a large, and typically historic Edinburgh hotel, which began life as the railway hotel, sitting right beside Waverley Station, in between the Old and New Towns. Olga Polizzi is responsible for the decor and its understated, but with plenty of variety and sophistication amongst the 168 rooms and suites, and many of them have excellent city views as well. There’s a choice of restaurants, and one of them has a Michelin star, or you could eat out and return for a nightcap in the Palm Court bar, or the whisky bar.

The Best Hotels on The Royal Mile

• You can’t get much closer to the action than The Inn on The Mile, a bar with kitchen, and nine room hotel on the Royal Mile, opposite the Tron Kirk, where the South Bridge meets the High Street, just five minutes stroll from the castle. Sit outside and watch the traffic pass up and down the Mile, or enjoy the live music and food indoors. The rooms are chic, offering complimentary mineral water and chocolate-dipped strawberries, bathrobes, slippers and tea and coffee. The ‘Royal Mile’ rooms are the larger ones with the views.
• House of Gods is pure theatrical escapism just steps from the Royal Mile. Think velvet, mirrors, chandeliers and in-room Prosecco buttons. This bold boutique fantasy is ideal for couples looking for fun and flair in the heart of Old Town.

For the New Town

• Twelve Picardy Place is a ten room hotel converted from a beautiful Georgian townhouse close to Carlton Hill. The decor is cool and contemporary, with wall-sized photo murals and a grey colour palette, and there’s a trendy cocktail bar and award-winning steakhouse.
• Small and stylish, The Rutland is a 12 room hotel on Princes Street opposite the end of the Princes Street Gardens. Each of the rooms are individually decorated, but they’re all large and elegant. Some are more colourful than others, so it’s worth checking out them all. It also has a gourmet steak restaurant and a swanky bar and nightclub.
• With pastel hues and a minimalist Scandi vibe, Eden Locke offers stylish studios and a buzzing café in the heart of George Street. It's a hit with design lovers and remote workers alike. The self-catering suites make it ideal for longer stays.
• A beautifully restored banking hall turned luxury hotel, Cheval The Edinburgh Grand blends grand interiors with high-end serviced apartments. Think herringbone floors, velvet sofas and skyline views. It’s perfect for families or anyone seeking space without sacrificing style.

For a City Break Hotel

• Formerly the headquarters for The Scotsman newspaper, the The Scotsman building is historic and well positioned, with views of Edinburgh Castle. So it’s ideal if you want to be in the thick of things. Inside there are 59 very elegant rooms and suites, decorated in pale neutrals, with pale wood panelling. Plus they have a spa and gym, and family suites.
• Gleneagles Townhouse brings the iconic Scottish hotel’s glamour to St Andrew Square. Expect plush rooms, a private members’ club, and a sleek rooftop bar with views of the New Town. It’s a luxurious, sociable base for exploring the city centre.

For a Lively City Break

• Le Monde is a playful boutique hotel just off Princes Street, themed around world cities with bold rooms and a party vibe. With bars, a restaurant and a nightclub on-site, it’s ideal for sociable weekends or celebratory stays in the city centre.

Edinburgh's Most Romantic Hotels

• Small and intimate, 21212 is a Michelin-starred restaurant with just four elegant guest rooms. It’s close to Holyrood, and Carlton Hill, but still only ten or 15 minutes walk from the castle. Aside from the food, we love the small size of this place, even the restaurant is on the small side, so one feels very cocooned, like a guest at a luxurious house party with a short invitation list.
• In a prime position at the top end of the Royal Mile close to Edinburgh Castle, and offering a combination of intimacy and Gothic decadence, it’s hard to find somewhere more memorable to stay in Edinburgh than the Witchery by the Castle. The nine rooms that now occupy this 16th century building are theatrically opulent, with gilded ceilings over four-poster beds, oil paintings over wood panelling, candlelight and swathes of jewel-coloured velvet. The restaurant is known for its Scottish cuisine and for its atmosphere.
• Surrounded by 20 acres of private parkland, Prestonfield feels more like a country house hotel than a city central one, but this opulent manor house conversion is just five minutes from the Holyrood Palace end of the Royal Mile. Inside are 23 rooms and suites, many of which are among the most romantic in Edinburgh, with their canopied beds, heavy drapes, rich fabrics, antiques and roaring fires. There’s a fine dining restaurant too. And nothing is too much trouble for the concierge at Prestonfield, balloon flights over the area included.
• Close to the Palace of Holyrood end of the Royal Mile, about 15 minutes from the castle, Six Brunton Place is a superb, 22 room hotel in a carefully converted Edwardian mansion. The rooms and suites are all unique, decorated with style and simplicity, showcasing artworks and the various rooms' original features.
• In the villagey enclave of Stockbridge, The Raeburn mixes period architecture with plush interiors and a buzzy brasserie. Rooms feature roll-top baths, bold wallpaper and sash windows. It’s elegant, intimate, and away from the tourist crush.

Some of Edinburgh's Best B&Bs

• 23 Mayfield is an elegant, five star B&B in a beautiful Victorian building. There are only seven rooms, some with four poster beds, and all with wood panelling, fireplaces and big bathtubs. They serve an excellent breakfast and there’s a lovely garden. The location isn’t super central, but it’s a really charming place to stay.
• The Hedges is a five room B&B in a charming Edwardian townhouse just a short stroll from Carlton Hill and Holyrood. It’s simple, affordable and the owners are also the managers, so you’ll get plenty of local recommendations if you need them.

For Great value

• B+B Edinburgh is a roomy, 27 room B&B in the West End, which has the feel of a private club or boutique hotel. It’s awash with Victorian details, and luxurious touches, but it’s still really affordable, especially when you consider that breakfast is included and the location is so central.
• Nira Caledonia is a 28 room boutique hotel within a magnificent row of Georgian townhouses in Stockbridge, which is close to the botanic gardens and the Stockbridge Farmers Market. The rooms vary in size and style, but they’re all chic and comfortable, with spacious ensuite bathrooms. There’s also a superb restaurant

For a Stylish Local Stay

• Set in residential Morningside, The Lane is a chic boutique hideaway with smart rooms and warm service. Interiors feel modern yet cosy, and there’s a popular neighbourhood café downstairs. A great choice for those wanting to stay where locals live.
• West End elegance oozes from The Bonham, a dignified townhouse hotel with traditional decor, high ceilings and period charm. It’s peaceful, grown-up and well placed for museums, boutiques and the Dean Village. A refined base just outside the fray.

For Luxury with a View

• Overlooking the castle and Princes Street Gardens, 100 Princes Street delivers discreet, high-touch luxury with top-notch service. The decor is rich and layered, with curated art and heritage nods. It’s ideal for those seeking a boutique feel with five-star finesse.

Prefer a self-catering Apartment?

• If you’d prefer to stay in a city centre apartment, we recommend you visit our online partner, booking.com.

Travel Information

• Edinburgh International Airport has links to over 130 destinations and is about an hour’s flight from London. However Scot Rail’s Caledonian Sleeper is probably the most romantic way to arrive. You get into Waverley Station, which is also well connected to other UK wide destinations. Obviously alternative trains are also a good option.
• If you want to hire a car - which we strongly advise if you’re staying in Edinburgh and you want to see the surrounding area - we recommend you visit our online partner, Rentalcars.
• Edinburgh is busy over August for the Festival and the Fringe, and over Christmas and New year for Hogmanay, but the space in between is quiet and still pleasant weatherise. Alternatively June and July are also popular. Of course if you’re here for the events then book well ahead!

Still not sure which to book?

• You could refine your search to the 6 Best Hotels in Edinburgh's West End?
• Or the 10 Best Hotels in Edinburgh's New Town? or the 5 Best Hotels in Edinburgh's Old Town? or the 5 Best Hotels on the Royal Mile?
• Or perhaps you'll find find something in our Ultimate Guide to the best hotels in Scotland?
• Or you could contact one of our friendly Gurus for personalised advice.