The 15 best hotels in Edinburgh to upgrade your Fringe getaway

The stature, the detail, the glorious clock tower and its proud, Scottish flag, waving in the wind. The Balmoral Hotel has ruled Edinburgh's skyline and centre for 124 years, since its opening in 1902, and it makes for the most euphoric stay. Rooms feature calming greens and blues, wallpapers that mimic nature and the country's famous tartan adorning puffy pillows. Service is just what you'd expect from this five-star stay, too. Doors are opened for you, warm smiles are at reception, and the concierge is ready to help at any moment. As for the food, it's fantastic. From its Michelin-starred restaurant, Number One, to afternoon tea at the Palm Court, each sip and bite will make this spenny stay worth every pence.

Address: 1 Princes Street, EH2 2EQ, Edinburgh

What's nearby? The entirety of Edinburgh is at your feet. You're on Princes Street, right between the Old and New Town, and steps away from Waverly station, the Scot Monument, National Galleries and more. 

Price: Starting from £715 per night.

Closest transport: Edinburgh Waverly Station is a two-minute walk.

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Neighbourhood: New Town

The Kimpton Charlotte Square makes it really damn hard to leave your hotel when visiting Edinburgh. Housing two of the capital’s best restaurants and boasting a seriously chic spa and swimming pool offering, it’s easy to forget there’s anything outside the Georgian walls of the West End hotel. The Kimpton’s whopping 199 rooms pay homage to its Scottish setting, with kitsch drawings of local wildlife adorning the muted plaid walls, with tartan soft furnishings aplenty. But before you think this all sounds a bit stuffy – you’re wrong. Expect leafy green plants, tweed covered record players and radios, bright red telephones, hidden coffee machines and velvet touches – oh and, you know, huge TV screens perfectly watched from big, fluffy beds made up of handmade mattresses (best enjoyed with a room service cocktail in hand). Their staff, meanwhile, somehow manage to do it all – being chatty while professional, funny while serious about top service and every member comes armed with an endless list of Edinburgh recommendations. 

Time Out tip: Head to one of Ghillie Dhu’s ceilidhs, a traditional Scottish gathering with dancing that takes place Friday evenings, to feel some proper Scottish hospitality. 

Address: 38 Charlotte Square, EH2 4HQ, Edinburgh 

What’s nearby? Right in the heart of Edinburgh’s West End – a moment’s walk from the bustling shopping area of Princes Street, and some ridiculously good views of the castle.

Price: From £220 per night.

Closest transport: The Princes Street bus (PZ) stop is a three-minute walk.  

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Neighbourhood: New Town

Set in the heart of Edinburgh, the Gleneagles Townhouse is the go-to five-star hotel for luxury treatment in the Scottish capital. Opulent facilities include a 24-hour front desk, room service, superb Wi-Fi throughout and an on-site restaurant. In addition, you can enjoy an á la carte breakfast at the hotel – if you fancy staying in. Other amenities include a fitness centre, sauna and a bar for those late-night whiskies after a day exploring the city. 

Time Out tip: For those in need of a real digital detox, the Townhouse has a range of holistic fitness classes for you to try, from yoga to spin.

Address: 39 St Andrew Square, EH2 2AD, Edinburgh 

What’s nearby? Popular attractions close to the townhouse include Royal Mile and Edinburgh Playhouse. For those in want of an immersive thrill, there's The Camera Obscura with over 100 interactive installations. 

Price: From £441 per night. 

Closest transport: The St Andrew Square tram stop is just across the street. 

Neighbourhood: Old Town / Cowgate 

If gothic splendour is your thing, you’re going to absolutely love this place. And if it’s not? Well… you might have the opposite reaction. It’s located on the Royal Mile (best if you’re not a light sleeper) and specialises in sumptuous décor to please Dracula. Think red, red velvet, black-and-white marbled bathrooms and uncanny accessories used throughout. We love the freestanding bath tubs (perfect to drink a whiskey in) and the totally uncompromising aesthetic. Embrace it and go.

Address: 233 Cowgate, Old Town, EH1 1JQ, Edinburgh 

What's nearby? There's a hefty handful of bars and music venues, tasty eats like Slow Progress Records & Coffee, and Salt Horse Beer & Burgers, and the famous Royal Mile is a block away. 

Price: From £135 per night.

Closest transport: Edinburgh Waverly Station is around a 10-minute walk. 

Neighbourhood: Old Town

At the top of the Royal Mile, you’ll find two buildings that contain nine sumptuous goth suites. Each of The Witchery’s rooms is extravagantly furnished with antiques, leather and velvet, as well as tapestries and four posters that nicely complement the atmosphere at the associated Witchery restaurant on the same premises. Champers, newspapers and wi-fi are included in the room rate.

Time Out tip: All the rooms are a dream but, we highly recommend picking one with a view of the Royal Mile. 

Address: 352 Castlehill, EH1 2NF, Edinburgh 

What’s nearby? It's incredibly central, with superb access to The Scottish National Gallery, Princes Street Gardens and, as the name suggests, Edinburgh Castle  

Price: From £600 per night.

Closest transport: Victoria Street bus stop is three-minute walk. 

Neighbourhood: New Town / St James Quarter

The slick, modern design of the W Edinburgh feels a little more spaceship than Scotland. However, there’s a careful attention to detail here that ties everything together elegantly, without stuffing the fact you’re in Edinburgh down your throat. There are luxe suites, top-class facilities, vast glass windows and private terraces with dramatic views of the city which you won’t get anywhere else. This is a destination hotel boasting style and maximum comfort. 

Time Out tip: Book yourself into the on-site speakeasy Joao’s Place for a night-cap with views before resting your head on those plump, plump pillows. 

Address: 1 Saint James Square, EH1 3AX, Edinburgh 

What’s nearby? You’re in the city centre, a short tram ride away from Leith and a quick walk to the Old Town. Head to Tonic for vibey cocktails or the Scottish National Portrait Gallery for a dose of culture. 

Price: From £250 per night.

Closest transport: Edinburgh bus station is three-minute walk. 

Neighbourhood: New Town

There are a couple of Motel Ones in Edinburgh, but we particularly like this one, right on Princes Street and  opposite Waverley Station. The brand does a great job of designing chic, teal-coloured properties that won’t break your bank balance, yet still feel elite. This one has some great shared spaces with elegantly mismatched furniture and fun wallpapers. The breakfast buffet is ample, and the margaritas are strong, both which will set you up nicely for a brisk walk around the city.

Address: 10-15 Princes Street, EH2 2AN, Edinburgh 

What’s nearby? You’re on Princes Street – everything is nearby.

Price: From £92 per night. 

Closest transport: Waverly Station is quite literally across the street. 

Neighbourhood: Old Town

Hotel du Vin’s chain is recognisable to most. There’s a dependable comfort and style that comes with each, and the Edinburgh location is no exception. Styled out to be somewhere between a Scottish gentlemen’s club and a contemporary hotel, it has lots of chic old interiors and nice touches – like roll-top baths. The in-house French Bistro serves produce from the Lothian region and the building itself hardly be closer to the National Museum of Scotland, Greyfriars Kirkyard and various Fringe goings-on in August.

Time Out tip: There's no on-site parking at this location, but the hotel offers discounted parking at the Q-Park Quartermile, about a five-minute walk from the hotel. We'd recommend using public transport if you can help it. 

Address: 11 Bristo Place, EH1 1EZ, Edinburgh 

What’s nearby? You're only a short walk to Princes Street for all the shops, and Edinburgh Castle's a little further down. 

Price: From £240 per night. 

Closest transport: Bistro Place bus stop is just across the street. 

Neighbourhood: Prestonfield

Just south of Arthur’s Seat, this hotel is found in a building that dates back to the 17th century. Rooms are filled with historic furnishings like velvet bedding, leather-upholstered chairs and deep ruby wallpaper – very old-school glamour. Communal spaces carry this sentiment, with antique items dotted about everywhere. But fear not, you’ll still get modern touches like 47-inch TVs, moody lighting, minibars and free Wi-Fi. When you aren’t spotting cattle and peacocks on the grounds, you can indulge in the fine Scottish cuisine served at Rhubarb. Oh, and the city centre is just a couple of miles away if you need some Fringe action.

Time Out tip: If you can afford to splash out, we highly recommend the Estate Room. It's every bit as decent as it is comfy. The in-room dining adds to the pleasure. 

Address: Priestfield Road, EH16 5UT, Edinburgh 

What’s nearby? Surrounded by lush greenery, you'll be close to the likes of Waverly Park and Prestonfield Park.

Price: From £314 per night. 

Closest transport: Prestonfiled Park bus stop is a 10-minute walk. 

Neighbourhood: New Town

The Glasshouse is a modern five-star hotel that sits behind the 19th-century façade of Lady Glenorchy Church. The interior has a clean, contemporary design; its 77 rooms have floor-to-ceiling windows with views across Edinburgh, along with Nespresso machines and newspapers. The most desirable rooms either give access to the two-acre roof garden (which has views of Calton Hill) or have balconies. Win-win, then. The on-site brasserie serves Scottish cuisine.

Time Out tip: Taking a family holiday? Grab some electric bikes and ride along the surrounding 300 acres, or put the kids' survival skills to the test with Mud & Guts' Bush Craft Camps. 

Address: 2 Greenside Place, EH1 3AA, Edinburgh 

What’s nearby? Edinburgh Castle is just one mile away, while you can reach Princes Street in just five minutes. 

Price: From £168 per night.

Closest transport: The Picardy Place tram stop is a two-minute walk away.