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10 of the Best Hotels in Edinburgh
By Natalie LaBarbera,
1 day ago
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The magical city of Edinburgh has long been at the top of my travel bucket list . From exploring Edinburgh Castle to visiting spots that inspired Harry Potter , there’s tons of fun, historical and unique activities to keep you occupied. But the first thing on my mind when planning a trip is always where to stay, so I’ve vetted tons of hotels, digging through pages of TripAdvisor and Expedia listings, to find 10 of the best options available for booking, which, yes, includes the gorgeous Balmoral Hotel where J.K. Rowling penned the final pages of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (along with some more affordable finds for those of us who aren't billionaires.)
The Balmoral Hotel is constantly popping up on my For You page and Instagram feed (the algorithm knows what it’s doing), and since I’ve been swooning for years over its luxurious design, it’s definitely top of my list for Edinburgh stays. Not only is it stunning inside and out and situated in a perfectly central location that allows for less than 15 minute walks to both the Royal Mile and Edinburgh Castle, but it has tons of luxe amenities, too. We’re talking Michelin star dining at Number One (which is just one of the many options for eating and drinking at the hotel), a full service spa, indoor pool and more. The only downside is that the hotel is unsurprisingly pretty pricey, but if you’re looking to celebrate a special occasion or really treat yourself, this is your pick.
A room at Eden Locke comes fully equipped with kitchen supplies like a dishwasher, stove, refrigerator and more, and even an in-unit washer and dryer (can my landlord take notes?!). Besides these great in-room amenities, the hotel has a spacious coworking area and coffee shop in the common area in case you need to squeeze in a little work while you’re there. And not to worry, when hunger hits, there’s plenty of restaurants and bars, plus shopping, to be found within walking distance according to reviewers who raved over their stays—so much so that it’s earned a TripAdvisor Traveler’s Choice award.
For a fun and truly unique experience, book your Edinburg stay at the BrewDog DogHouse. This boutique-style hotel boasts just 20 rooms designed with playful touches like neon signs, shower beer fridges, draft beer taps, record players and more. Not to mention, true to its name, the BrewDog DogHouse is totally dog-friendly, as in the hotel not only allows dogs, but offers dog beds and treats for your furry friends. There’s also a bar, restaurant and rooftop terrace on-site, so if any cravings hit after a long day of sightseeing, you have plenty of options at your fingertips.
On-site restaurants, fitness classes, a luxe spa and an indoor pool, the Kimpton Charlotte Square will keep everyone busy—even during a torrential Scottish downpour. It makes this list as a top family-friendly pick since children 2-years and under stay free, plus there are laundry services, various room arrangements and cribs/infant beds available upon request. Another fun perk is that this Kimpton hotel is one of their properties included in a partnership with Anthropologie that allows guests to borrow chic accessories like sunglasses and handbags if you forgot them at home (like I do on nearly every single trip). Plus, it’s pet-friendly, so the whole fam can come.
To totally treat yourself on your trip to Edinburgh, consider this 5-star W hotel. Besides the sprawling suites and stellar amenities like the on-site spa that offers everything from hydrafacials to seaweed body treatments and indulgent massages, you can’t miss the views from the rooftop terrace. You’ll be treated to 360-degree views and can grab a cocktail and a bite to soak it all in. This stay doesn’t come cheap, but if you’re looking for a little luxury for a special occasion, it should be on your radar.
If you’re spending more than a night or two in Edinburgh and want a little extra space, you’re going to want to check out Wilde Aparthotels. This hotel features apartment-style rooms outfitted with kitchenettes that have everything from a microwave to eclectic kettle, stovetop and toaster. So when you’ve exhausted yourself from exploring the unique shops or taking a witchy walking tour , you can hang back for a night in with everything you need. You can also opt for rooms that have castle views—sign me up.
On the flip side, if you’re only planning for a night or two, why not treat yourself to a room at 100 Princes Street? It’s adorned with Scottish-inspired designs and rooms with castle views are available, so you can really make the most of your stay. Plus the amenities are truly top notch. This hotel’s thought of everything from heated bathroom floors to pet-sitting services, a pillow menu that allows you to choose your most comfortable fit and both a bar and restaurant on-site. Basically, it’s equipped with everything to make your trip truly unforgettable.
Choosing a boutique hotel for your trip means you won’t be surrounded by an overwhelming amount of other travelers thanks to the more intimate design, so if you’re looking for a little R&R while you’re away, The Roseate Edinburgh could be a perfect fit. The Victorian stone building is situated in the Haymarket neighborhood of Edinburgh, which is just an 18 minute walk from Princes Street or seven minute drive from Edinburgh castle, per Expedia, so it’ll be a bit quieter while still being close enough to experience everything the city has to offer. It also has a beautiful outdoor garden space, where I could definitely see myself sipping coffee in the morning or sipping a cocktail after a day trip to the Highlands .
Whether you’re taking a solo trip and are just looking for a standard space or you’re planning to share with family or friends, The Royal Scots Club has a room for you. Reviewers call it a “perfect location,” too, since it’s situated close to everything you’ll want to explore in the city but not in the midst of tons of tourists, and they appreciated the historical references throughout the hotel. It has a restaurant and bar, too, so you’ll never be left waiting on your reservation time to grab a bite, plus some extra adds like a library that’s ideal for kicking back in before you head up for the night.
If you really want to feel at home while you’re away, consider one of the apartment-style rooms at the Cheval Old Town Chambers hotel. It’s perfectly close to attractions like the Royal Mile, Princes Street and Edinburgh Castle, and offers super spacious rooms ranging from studio size up to three bedrooms. It’s pet-friendly, too, and if your pup’s anything like mine (who is truly the most spoiled), they’ll love the extra space. It’s designed with an in-room kitchen, too, with nice-to-haves like an oven, dishwasher, electric kettle, espresso maker and more. All that said, I have a feeling this is one of those stays I’d never want to leave.
PureWow's editors and writers have spent more than a decade shopping online, digging through sales and putting our home goods, beauty finds, wellness picks and more through the wringer—all to help you determine which are actually worth your hard-earned cash. From our PureWow100 series (where we rank items on a 100-point scale) to our painstakingly curated lists of fashion, beauty, cooking, home and family picks, you can trust that our recommendations have been thoroughly vetted for function, aesthetics and innovation. Whether you're looking for travel-size hair dryers you can take on-the-go or women’s walking shoes that won’t hurt your feet, we’ve got you covered.
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