The 22 best hotels in Edinburgh

The Balmoral is part of the Rocco Forte chain, so it has plenty to boast about. Inside, it’s got a Michelin-starred restaurant, Number One. There’s also a chic spa centre and a clocktower that makes for an iconic Edinburgh sight. Olga Polizza’s classic, elegantly designed rooms have the kind of amenities you would expect, like free wifi. However, grander suites also have their own concierge services, as well as fancy touches like flowers and fireplaces. Then there’s the in-house Palm Court, which offers an excellent afternoon tea, alongside a brasserie and not one but two bars – one of which specialises in whisky.

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. 

Like the idea of having your own apartment while you stay right in the middle of Edinburgh? Eden Locke offers a range of different units, varying in size and price points. All of them include large TVs, while some have dedicated dining and living areas, alongside kitchens with ovens, microwaves and stoves. Topping it off, there are comfy beds, extremely wifi and a cafe/lounge/bar on-site, so you can grab a freshly brewed coffee (or beer) before heading out to explore.

Found just a three-minute walk from Princes' Street, The Edinburgh Grand is another apartment-style stay but on a much fancier scale. Make the most of a fancy on-site restaurant, bar (with rooftop) and coffee house while enjoying your VIP accommodation. You'll feel like a king with your fully-equipped kitchen, living room and bathroom. Meanwhile, you've got key sights like The Royal Mile, Edinburgh Castle and Calton Hill all nearby. It's well worth splashing the cash on if you want something more independent and upscale. 

The Waldorf Astoria was first a railway hotel at the now-extinct Caledonian station. Then, after an ambitious refurb in 2012, it emerged a very different kind of establishment. Its Edward heritage remains on display, though: the luxury here is a reserved, tasteful one. Rooms come with Nespresso machines and Salvatore Ferragamo toiletries. Wi-fi is... You guessed it, free. For fine dining, head to the in-house Pompadour restaurant, and try Grazing by Mark Greenaway for something more casual. There’s also a bar and a spa with a swimming pool.

Hapimag Resort Edinburgh offers a range of five-star suites, each with its own character, but all with antiques and a range of hotel services attached. Expect to get 24-hour room service here, as well as a microwave and crockery in each suite. And in the drawing room (how fancy?), afternoon tea and drinks are available. In some suites, there are spa baths, while others have views over Edinburgh Castle. All have free wi-fi. And although this hotel is located in New Town, there’s free parking available. Which is always a nice bonus.

In parkland just south of Arthur’s Seat, this hotel is found in a building which dates all the way back to the 17th century. Rooms are filled with historic furnishings like rich velvet bedding, leather upholstered chairs and deep ruby wallpaper – it’s all very old-school glamour. Communal spaces carry this sentiment, with antique items dotted about everywhere. But fear not, you’ll still get modern touches such as mood lighting, 47-inch TVs, 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.

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.

It may be relatively young (it was built in 2009), but The Royal Mile is an exciting five-star Edinburgh hotel. Replete with bright colours and bold fabrics, it’s right in the centre of the city, with over 136 rooms that all have free wi-fi, newspapers, Nespresso machines and bathrooms with rain showers. Each suite has been decorated by a different Scottish designer, which we think is a nice touch. When you’re not exploring Edinburgh’s dining scene, head to the restaurant, Cucina, which serves tasty Italian dishes. There’s also a bar called Epicurean and treatment rooms that offer facials, manicures and massages. Perfect for a post-Fringe wind-down.

New Town’s Tigerlily is the very epitome of the design hotel, with an opulent bar, restaurant and 33 incredibly handsome bedrooms. They’re all kitted out to four-star standard, and come with free wi-fi. The Black Room has a fireplace and a wicker chair suspended from the ceiling (because, why not?), while the Georgian suite has a contemporary four-poster. Lulu nightclub can be found in the basement.

A slick and modern hotel that boasts a particularly upscale spa, the Sheraton is located just south of the city, with Princes Street a five-minute walk away. The spacious, airy rooms here have wooden floors, contemporary décor and free wi-fi. If you’re lucky, you might get one with views of Edinburgh Castle. There’s both an on-site restaurant and bar, but the real jewel is that spa, which has a pool, a hydro pool, a thermal suite, a gym and several treatment rooms. So really, you easily can recover from any rowdy theatre antics the night before and get right back out there.

This branch of Malmaison in a former seamen’s mission is where it actually all began for the boutique chain. It’s an auspicious building, located at the meeting point between the city’s docks and the Water of Leith – we suggest you ask for a harbour view when you book. Inside, you’ll find a bar, brasserie, gym and 100 jauntily decorated rooms (all with kettles, desks and mini-bars). Parking and wi-fi are both free. How very chic.

The Waverly is found in a prime location. Fittingly, Waverley Station is all but on its doorstep, but you’ve also got suites watching over the Old Town skyline, Princes Street Gardens, the Scott Monument and the Castle. Inside, the rooms err more on the functional and classic styling rather than fashion, but you do have extras like an interactive entertainment system and 24-hour room service. Given the general price, it’s not as expensive as other places around the city, especially if you’re coming for the Fringe festival.

At the top of the Old Town’s 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.

Hotel du Vin’s chain is recognisable to most. There’s a dependable comfort and style that comes with each, and this 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.

The former headquarters of The Scotsman newspaper, this building has been enjoying life as a luxury hotel since 2001. Some of the rooms and suites have astonishing views, while the décor and general feel befits, well, what it is: a boutique hotel in an Edwardian-era newspaper building with baronial characteristics. It has charm and a top location. North Bridge Brasserie is the main dining option, while the hotel also offers a gym, spa and a curiously futuristic swimming pool.

A themed designer hotel that arrived not long before the financial crisis, Le Monde has only 18 rooms and junior suites, but all have individual characters and all reflect the city that gives them their name. The New York, for example, smacks of chic, Manhattan loft living; the Atlantis (not a real city, fact fans) has a large piece of arty aquamarine glass on one wall for that subsea feel. It boasts a central location by the George Street shops; lots of fun if you’re up for it.

This international chain has establishments far and wide, from Bahrain to Wuki in China. The Edinburgh outpost, just off the Royal Mile, opened back in 2009. You might call it a hotel lite: its boutique-style rooms and suites all have some form of self-catering facilities. Choices range from a basic room with a microwave and fridge, to a suite with a full kitchen and striking views from its balcony. Cracking for a couple of drinks before heading to Fringe shows.

One of 45 properties the Macdonald chain lays claim to across the UK, this Holyrood Road spot is handy if you want to visit the various sights dotted throughout the Old Town. It’s in what’s admittedly a rather prosaic modern building, with an expansive, corporate feel – but that does mean weddings and conferences are handled well here. Rocca, the restaurant, is a nice dining spot, and there’s a spa, too. 

The Bonham started its life as three Victorian townhouses fulfilling various roles, before being stuck together and reborn as a boutique hotel in 1998. Since then, it’s quietly earned its spot as one of Edinburgh’s best places to stay. So if you want something a little under the radar for the Fringe, read on. Inside, the rooms are attractive, with stylish furnishings and great views over the city. You’ve also got a decent bar and restaurant downstairs. But if you want to go out, the hotel’s just a 10-minute walk from the west end of Princes Street.

Hilton Edinburgh Carlton is a hefty hotel on North Bridge – actually a road in the city centre – with some rooms that have truly fantastic views. We recommend asking for one that looks towards Holyrood Park if you want something really special. The décor is functional, erring on the corporate side. But that's ok. Facilities include a fitness suite and pool if you need to unwind a little. Best to go out for lunch and dinner, though: there’s no shortage of choice in the surrounding streets.

Apex Grassmarket Hotel is a small chain that started almost 20 years ago in, you guessed it, the Grassmarket. While it doesn’t have much rustic charm or quirky character, it does have all you need for a successful stay in Edinburgh. That includes facilities like a sauna, a pool, a gym, an award-winning restaurant, and free wifi. The rooms themselves have modern interiors and castle views from some of the better rooms. Plus, you’ve got Princes Street and Edinburgh Castle just a short walk away.