Looking for Edinburgh accommodation or some of the best Airbnbs in Edinburgh, but have no idea where to start?
Totally get it. Been there done that.
I felt the same exact way the first time I visited this enchanting city. I had no idea what neighborhood to stay in or where to find a decent Edinburgh hotel that wouldn’t force me to declare bankruptcy at the ripe old age of….
Yeah, you’re not on a need to know basis when it comes to my age so let’s move on.
But when you’re new to a city, it can be a real challenge to find a centrally located hotel (or hostel) that is still budget friendly.
And that’s where this post comes in.
With no family in Scotland, and an undying love for the magical city of Edinburgh, I have visited three separate times and have stayed in 6 different hotels.
I also don’t have a trust fund so all of the places I stayed in had to be nice, but without sucking my bank account dry.
So if you’re anything like me;
Then read on because this post will definitely help you figure out where to stay in Edinburgh.
Trust me:
This ultimate Edinburgh accommodation list will introduce you to all fo the best hotels (and hostels) in Edinburgh.
Not only will these top Edinburgh hotels be relatively easy on your wallet, but they’re all centrally located, serve epic breakfasts (generally), and will also help you get a great night’s rest with essential amenities like comfortable beds and sound proof rooms.
So continue on and make the process of finding the best hotels in Edinburgh a whole lot easier.
And maybe even mildly amusing. Because yes, I think I’m funny.
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1. Castle View Guest House (Luxury)
With stunning Edinburgh Castle views:
Castle View Guest House is situated on a quiet but centrally located street that is just minutes away from two of the best restaurants in Edinburgh (Castle Terrace Restaurant and the Timberyard).
And while the decor pays homage to the hotel’s historic past, with Victorian style furnishings, vintage books, and fresh cut flowers:
There is nothing remotely archaic about the hotel’s apartments.
Walk inside and you’ll be delighted to find a state of the art kitchen that is fully equipped with a dishwasher, microwave and washer/dryer.
Three cheers for clean clothes!
Move past the kitchen and you’ll be enchanted by a modern tiled bathroom with a high powered shower, and a bedroom that has a cushy king size bed, a velvety soft bathrobe, and Molton Brown toiletries.
Oh la la.
Upon arrival, you’ll also be welcomed to the hotel by the owner, who has a wealth of information about the city and all the unusual things to do in Edinburgh.
Trust me:
Staying here, you’ll be pampered by all the modern conveniences of the 21st century, but amidst the historic charm of the distant, Victorian past.
Address: 30 Castle Street, New Town, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Price: One bedroom apartments start at $150 a night
2. STAY Central Hotel (Mid-Range)
Located in the heart of Cowgate (Edinburgh’s unofficial party district):
The wacky, STAY Central hotel is perfect for anyone who is on a budget but looking to stay at a hotel that is far from typical.
And since this Edinburgh accommodation is only a five-minute walk from Grassmarket and Edinburgh Castle, you’ll have no problem exploring all of Edinburgh’s top attractions while you’re here.
Now:
The hotel’s 37 rooms all have an urban chic aesthetic and are decked out in polished cement, bold graphics, and quirky furniture that make this hotel a go-to for bachelor and bachelorette parties.
So don’t expect to find a lot of peace and solitude here.
Which makes sense since this hotel has every room type imaginable, like doubles, quads, and even a private dorm with its own ping pong table!
Say what?!?
Rooms also include all of the little extras that you’d find in any high-end hotel, like mini-fridges, safes, cable TV, coffee makers, iPod docks, USB charging ports, and more.
So stock up on some Red Bull and prepare to party it up, Edinburgh style.
Address: 139 Cowgate, Old Town
Price: Rooms start at $90 a might
3. High Street Hostel (Budget)
View this post on Instagram
Located in the center of Edinburgh:
High Street Hostel is found within the historic Morton House (former home to the Earl of Morton who was beheaded for his involvement in the murder of Mary Queen of Scots’ husband) and has a lively, backpacker’s atmosphere that makes it easy to meet fellow during weekly pub crawls and trivia nights.
Plus:
This hostel offers guests modern amenities like building wide WIFI, USB power points next to every bed, 24/7 Hot showers, free tea (coffee and hot chocolate too), communal PCs, a 24-hour reception desk, a lounge area with a pool table, and a fully stocked kitchen where you can give Gordon Ramsey a run for his money.
But if you hate cooking like me:
Not to worry because High Street Hostel has a fantastic breakfast buffet that is served until 10:30 am, for the bargain basement price of £1.90.
Added Bonus?
Guests also receive discounts at various pubs, restaurants, and attractions throughout the city, allowing you to save even more money and pretend you’re a big shot for the next five minutes.
There are even towel rentals available for £0.50 and laundry service for £4.00 a bag.
Talk about getting fancy!
Address: 8 Blackfriars Street, Old Town
Price: $25 per night for a bed in a dorm
4. Merchiston Residence (Luxury)
View this post on InstagramThe property is located in a beautiful part of Edinburgh with lots of shops and cafes around the corner! The accommodation is excellent and I would highly recommend it to anyone!’ Follow the link in our bio to book and explore the neighbourhood for yourself.
Found within an expertly converted Victorian townhouse:
This contemporary apartment/hotel sits just outside of Edinburgh, in the peaceful suburb of Merchiston.
Trust me though:
Getting into the city center will still only take 10 minutes by bus and 15 minutes if you’re walking.
Added bonus of staying here?
There are an assortment of rooms to choose from, like studio, one-bedroom, or family style apartments.; all of which have walk-in showers, heated towel-rails, and Dansana toiletries.
Rooms are also incredibly secure with key code access to the building and a 24-hour concierge that offers patrons fantastic discounts on local tours, restaurants, and shops.
But that’s not even the best part.
All the beds at Merchiston Residence are wicked comfortable and make you never want to leave the room as you glide across uber plush carpets that make you feel like a flippin’ king.
Apartments also include kitchens that are also outfitted with modern appliances like microwaves, ovens, dishwashers, washing machines, and dryers.
Three cheers for clean clothes and home cooked meals!
And while all the essential cookware is provided, the kitchen cabinets are bare and devoid of any substantial food items.
So be sure to make a TESCO run upon arrival.
Address: 4 Merchiston Avenue, Merchiston, Edinburgh
Price: Rooms start at $125 per night
5. The Guest Room Edinburgh (Luxury)
View this post on Instagrama little before & after with the best morning light. Slide it left & then come over for a sleepover!
Just 10 minutes from Edinburgh Bus Station:
The Guest Room Bed and Breakfast is situated in the historic Georgian New Town neighborhood; the perfect neighborhood from which to explore the city.
But you know what really sets this hotel apart?
The rooms, which are all painted in neutral colors. outfitted with antique furnishings, and have a large, comfortable bed that is covered in Egyptian cotton linen.
And just like that, all my dreams have come true.
Rooms here also have modern amenities like a flat screen TV/DVD, radio, hairdryer, tea/coffee maker and free Wifi.
But wait for it…
There is also a charming courtyard of botanical bliss that you can see from your room, giving this hotel a more calm and peaceful feel.
And then there’s the breakfast, my favorite part!
Not only is this meal included in your stay, but it is served to you on a tray that is delivered right to your room and includes such delights as fresh orange juice, muesli, porridge, organic yogurt, berries, homemade bread, croissants, and tea or coffee.
Staying at a hotel like this means I legit might never come home.
#justsayin
Address: 31a Nelson Street, New Town, Edinburgh,
Price: Rooms start at $130 per night
6. St. Christophers’s Edinburgh (Budget)
Centrally located along Market Street and the perfect place to stay if you’re backpacking Edinburgh:
St. Christopher’s Inn sits across the street from Waverley train station and is a 2-minute walk from the airport bus stop.
Did I mention that there is an enormous Mimi’s Bakehouse right down the street?
Yup, the location actually can’t get much better.
And while the rooms here are kind of randomly scattered across five floors, they are clean and well-maintained, even if the decor feels rather blah (a highly technical term).
Plus:
There are an assortment of room types to pick from, like double and deluxe double en-suite rooms; three, four and six-bedded private rooms with en-suite bathrooms; four to 18-bed mixed dormitories (some with en-suite bathrooms, others with separate bathrooms) and four to 10-bed female-only dormitories.
All rooms also come with bed linens, railway sleeper curtains, individual lights, power points, and USB plugs.
Bathrooms are also small, white, clean, and pretty bland. They’re not bad but they’re not anything extra special either (there are also free laundry facilities).
Free city walking tours, pub crawls, and live music/DJ/open mic nights at the hostel bar are also available and are a great way to meet fellow travelers (if you’re not totally anti-social like me).
Downside?
This hostell can get a bit noisy and there is no full kitchen for guests to use. Instead, guests have access to a communal kettle, microwave, and fridge.
So while this isn’t the perfect hostel, it’s a great option if you’re looking for a cheap place to stay with a fantastic location.
***If you book directly from their website, a continental breakfast will be included with your stay. Otherwise, breakfast is £3***
Address: 9-13 Market Street, Edinburgh,
Price: Beds in a dorm start at $20 per night.
7. CODE Hostel (Budget)
CODE Hostel sits just off Rose Street and is only a 10-minute walk to Waverley Train Station and Old-Town Edinburgh.
It is a cut above other hostels and offers guests with comfy and cozy private beds and fantastic bathrooms that are accessible with a personal code (AKA the last four digits of your telephone number).
Rooms (dorms have 4 or 6 beds) here have a Hipster chic vibe with sturdy, pod beds that have nice linens, a thick privacy curtain, power sockets, USB chargers, and LED lighting.
Added bonus?
Not only are all the beds practically soundproof, but all the dorms have a blue night light so that night owls won’t disturb the entire room.
And while there isn’t much in the way of communal space:
Tea and coffee is always available for free, making the common area a great spot for anyone who enjoys a bit of solitude, like this chick right here!
But it gets better!
Breakfast is also included in your stay and consists of delicious options like bread from a local bakery, eggs, cereal, fruit, juice, and waffles.
There’s a laundry service (£5) and free luggage store for before check-in and after check-out. Towels for rent are £2 and free earplugs are available
Nom, nom, nom (minus the waffles which were mediocre at best).
Annoyingly though:
The front desk is only open until 8 pm so if you’re arriving late, arrange a late check in with the staff, who are always super helpful.
***The best room in the well-designed, top-floor, private double (pictured above) with television, kitchenette, and private, rooftop terrace.***
***Laundry service is £5, there is free luggage storage, and towels cost for £2 to rent.***
Address: 50 Rose Street North Lane, New Town, Edinburgh,
Price: Beds in a dorm start at $30 a night.
8. St. Valery Guest House (Mid-Range)
Words literally CANNOT express how much I love this Edinburgh hotel!
I mean, there was a button on my bathroom mirror that turned the lights on and off!
Super cool and fancy! EEK!
Yeah, I was a bit overly excited about this detail but it’s the little things that enchant me.
But:
That’s just one of the many reasons why St. Valery Guest House is one of my favorite hotels in all of Edinburgh!
Not only are the rooms super comfortable and outfitted with every modern convenience you could possibly want (like in-room coffee makers and flat screen tvs), but the staff are incredibly friendly and helpful!
See, when I arrived:
It was around breakfast time and way too early to check into my room.
Well:
Not only did the staff hold my luggage and place it in my room for me, but they also offered me breakfast free of charge, even though I wasn’t supposed to check in until that night!
So sweet right?
And yes, breakfast is included with you’re stay.
Plus:
It’s not just some half stale bread and slop that they threw on a plate.
Oh heck no!
Guests here are treated to a sumptuous breakfast buffet that includes fresh fruit, cereal, yogurt, bread, pastries, and a variety of hot breakfast items that are delicious and made to order.
I tried the vegetarian, full Scottish breakfast and basically licked my plate clean since the eggs, toast, beans, and mushrooms were all cooked to perfection.
But it gets better!
This amazing guest house is also conveniently located in Haymarket, making it super easy to get into and out of the city.
Just hop on the tram to get to Old Town or walk across the street and take the express bus to the airport!
It’s that simple!
Now if only I could say the same about my taxes.
Address: 36 Coates Gardens, Haymarket, Edinburgh
Price: Rooms start at $50 a night
9. Hilton Edinburgh Carlton (Mid-Range)
By: Bernadette Jackson of A Packed Life
Next door to Waverley Station on North Bridge:
The Carlton is brilliantly accessible and just a short walk away from many of Edinburgh’s top attractions.
Whether you want to stroll along the Royal Mile, do some shopping on Princes Street, or enjoy scenic views atop Calton Hill, this hotel is the perfect home base for you.
Plus, it’s beautiful too!
Full of architectural splendor and wonderfully comfortable rooms with complimentary WiFi, 40-inch HDTV, work desk, and AC, you’ll definitely have no problem recharging and preparing for a day’s exploration of Edinburgh (or if you’re catching the sleeper train to the Scottish Highlands).
Honestly:
It’s difficult to find anything negative about this Edinburgh accommodation.
I mean:
When I was ill on the day we were due to leave, the staff were only too happy to extend our departure time without charge.
Sometimes it’s those little human touches that make even a big hotel feel extra warm and welcoming.
Address: 19 North Bridge Edinburgh, EH1 1SD, United Kingdom
Price: Rooms start at $95 per night.
10. Holiday Inn Express – The Royal Mile (Mid-range)
By: Elizabeth of The Fearless Foreigner
If Edinburgh is a stop along your one week in Scotland itinerary, then consider staying at the Holiday Inn Express.
Just a three-minute walk from the Royal Mile, this hotel truly is the perfect place to stay in Edinburgh.
Located along a charming and quiet side street:
You can enjoy peace and quiet while remaining only minutes away from numerous restaurants and Edinburgh points of interest (even Edinburgh Waverley train station is a mere 7 minutes away).
In addition to the fabulous location:
This hotel also offers guests many different amenities, like a full breakfast buffet with hot and cold food items as well as hotel rooms that are clean, modern, and contain everything you need for a pleasant night’s stay.
In the evening:
It was nice to stop by the reception area/ bar for a drink and for a chance to socialize with other guests from around the world.
However:
What really stood out to me was the staffs’ enormous kindness.
They were always available to help me with directions and to provide me with personal recommendations.
And when my bulky adapter didn’t fit into the outlets in my room, the staff happily charged my phone behind the desk every day.
One employee even went out of his way to find another pair of gloves of for me to wear when I lost mine, free of charge!
So if you’re looking for one of the best hotels in Edinburgh, then definitely consider a stay at the Holiday Inn Express.
Address:300 Cowgate, Edinburgh EH1 1NA, UK
Price: Rooms start at $65 per night
So if you’re wondering where to stay in Edinburgh, then hopefully this list of the 10 best places to stay in Edinburgh has answered all your questions.
Because, whether you’re looking for the best hostels in Edinburgh, or are yearning to experience some of the best luxury hotels in Edinburgh, this list has you covered.
And if this list has you mad inspired and dying to plan a trip to Edinburgh, then pin this now and read it again later!
