Where to stay in Edinburgh: hotels by district
A neighbourhood guide to the best areas to stay in Edinburgh, as chosen by our resident expert, including the best hotels near The Royal Mile and George Street, and in New Town, The Grassmarket, Leith and Stockbridge.
The Royal Mile
The essential starting point for any visitor, an exploration of the Mile from Edinburgh Castle to the Scottish Parliament takes in a cathedral, a palace, museums and medieval closes, not to mention souvenir shops, cafés, bars and buskers. Take tea at the Signet Library, ride in a plastic whisky barrel at the Scotch Whisky Experience, experience life in a 17th-century tenement or brave a ghost tour. It’s always fascinating, occasionally tacky and at Festival time, merry mayhem.
Where to stay
G&V Royal Mile Hotel
Edinburgh, Scotland
8Telegraph expert rating
An occasional whisper of Missoni branding still lingers at the G&V, but this stylish hotel has developed its own uniquely modern Scottish identity, losing nothing in translation. The opposite of stuffy, despite its Old Town location; it’s Edinburgh’s version of an Absolutely Fabulous hotel. Read expert review From £123per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
The Witchery by the Castle
Edinburgh, Scotland
9Telegraph expert rating
This extraordinary collection of fantasy suites near Edinburgh Castle is the ultimate romantic hideaway: sumptuous, indulgent, and slightly (delightfully) mad. Expect four-poster beds and generous breakfast hampers. Read expert review From £235per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
The Inn on the Mile
Edinburgh, Scotland
8Telegraph expert rating
This former Royal Mile bank — a scaled-down layer cake of classical stone with colonnade and pediment — has been successfully converted into a lively pub with unexpectedly serene hotel rooms above. There are nine bright, crisply contemporary bedrooms in high-ceilinged rooms and a smart bar serving decent food. Read expert review From £72per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
• The best hotels in Edinburgh
New Town
The strikingly lovely Georgian architecture of the New Town radiates gracefully from George Street, focus for the best shopping in the city. From big hitters like Harvey Nichols in St Andrew Square to independent designer boutiques in Thistle Street, it’s concentrated fashion catnip. The chicest cocktail bars are here too, for showing off new purchases. The National Portrait Gallery on Queen Street is a Victorian blot on the classical landscape, but the antidote is not far – the National Trust Georgian House in Charlotte Square.
Where to stay
Principal Edinburgh George Street
Edinburgh, Scotland
8Telegraph expert rating
There’s nothing stuffy about Edinburgh’s oldest hotel; it does classy/contemporary on a grand scale throughout. With a hip(ish) coffee shop, bar and brasserie-style restaurant and impressively up-to-date bedrooms and suites, most of what has been lost in old-fashioned character is gained in style. Read expert review From £91per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
Tigerlily
Edinburgh, Scotland
8Telegraph expert rating
Tigerlily is all about cocktails and shoes and shopping and partying. A full-on girlie designer dream, it’s not a place for the shy and retiring. Rooms are bold and busy but well-equipped havens of sheer, spoiling indulgence. Go for one of the Georgian mini-suites if you fancy lighting any fires… Read expert review From £100per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
• The best hotels in Edinburgh city centre
The Grassmarket
They used to hang people in the Grassmarket, but it’s a friendlier place now. Tables spilling onto pavements outside the many bars and restaurants give a continental feel to streets lined with quirky shops selling everything from fossils to cashmere. At night the clubs in the Cowgate come to life and the whole area positively throbs. Stroll up picturesque Victoria Street, or Candlemaker’s Row to Greyfriars Kirk – faithful Bobby waits nearby.
Where to stay
The Grassmarket Hotel
Edinburgh, Scotland
7Telegraph expert rating
There is nothing subtle about this recently-refurbished hotel, which has cleverly reinvented itself as fun-central — shrinking violets need not apply. Read expert review From £50per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
Hotel Du Vin & Bistro Edinburgh
Edinburgh, Scotland
8Telegraph expert rating
This hotel has all the hallmarks that make the Hotel du Vin brand so popular, with a big emphasis on wine and bistro dining, while still giving a sense of place with touches of tartan and exposed brick. The railway station, major tourist attractions and festival venues are all within convenient reach. Read expert review From £104per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
Apex Grassmarket Hotel
Edinburgh, Scotland
7Telegraph expert rating
Not to be confused with the nearby Apex Edinburgh City hotel, this sibling has a gym, swimming pool and slightly better views. It has a great location, a clean contemporary look and chef Tony Singh’s endearingly mad restaurant serves a collision of cuisines. Good breakfast, too. Read expert review From £72per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
• The best boutique hotels in Edinburgh
Leith
Edgy Leith is now a top hipster hangout with two Michelin-starred restaurants, as well as newcomers like Norn offering Scandi-style fine dining without the frippery and frills. Organic cafés manned by bean-obsessed baristas sit alongside traditional purveyors of square sausage and chip butties, while concept bars are overtaking traditional pubs where a cocktail is a dash of Irn Bru with your whisky. The Royal Yacht Britannia is the big visitor attraction and there are lots of small galleries, not to mention some great graffiti and a fantastic antiques warehouse.
Where to stay
Malmaison Edinburgh
Edinburgh, Scotland
8Telegraph expert rating
As the Malmaison chain prototype, this Victorian former Seamen's Mission in Leith works hard at promoting a sexy image, but is fun and comfortable too, with good-sized rooms, decent food and drink, friendly staff and even some token tartan to remind guests where they are. Read expert review From £85per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
Wallace's Arthouse Scotland
Edinburgh, Scotland
8Telegraph expert rating
In a predictable world of chain hotels and tick-box design, this bright white B&B at the top of the A-listed old Assembly Rooms in Leith feels fresh, fun and original. Quirky, distinctive and unlike anywhere else you will ever stay, this is a place you will talk about when you go home Read expert review From £120per night
• The best five-star hotels in Edinburgh
Stockbridge
This affluent city village is a scaled down, gently bohemian version of the neighbouring New Town with attractive streets and squares and an impressive range of independent shops. You’ll find bicycle, cheese and charity shops; delicatessens, vintage fashion and even a shop selling chandeliers. There’s an excellent farmers’ market every Sunday, the Royal Botanic Garden is close by, and pretty Dean Village and the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art are a pleasant 15-minute stroll along the Water of Leith.
Where to stay
Nira Caledonia
Edinburgh, Scotland
8Telegraph expert rating
If a hotel can be the soul of discretion, this quietly confident hotel is it — this place is for those who want luxury that whispers, rather than shouts. Service is efficient, there are suites with hot tubs, and the delicious steak restaurant is rigorously committed to locally-sourced produce. Read expert review From £94per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
The Raeburn
Edinburgh, Scotland
7Telegraph expert rating
No expense has been spared transforming a derelict small hotel into this smart restaurant with immaculate rooms in a great neighbourhood. Expect a moody-modern-meets-heritage look, fabulous cocktails, and expensive extras in the rooms, from GHD straighteners to snazzy espresso machines. Read expert review From £105per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
