Best Edinburgh hotels from boutique digs to 5-star luxury

Edinburgh has always caused a fuss. Consider the medieval riddle of its subterranean alleys or the sublime drama of its fairytale castle, and it’s little wonder visitors fall under its spell. Arriving into this mind-boggling spectacle is the easy part. Figuring out where to stay is the real puzzle.

I’ve lived on a Georgian crescent in the West End for years – my family is from the city – and I’ve explored dozens of hotels for guidebooks, magazines and newspapers. The right bed and breakfast, or the right top-shelf dram before midnight, can be a highlight of any capital stay; but with the world’s biggest arts festival (nearly) every summer, and festivals bookending the year, competition is fierce.

So how to avoid ending up with a dud? Edinburgh is easily navigable by foot, but it’s still crucial to pick a neighbourhood that’ll suit your personality, so you can map out the perfect itinerary.

Here are my favourite places that combine trendsetting style with enough tartan trim to remind you why you came to Scotland in the first place.

The best hotels in Edinburgh are:

Neighbourhood: City Centre

Graced with ornamental balconies, neo-Renaissance turrets and a landmark clock tower that runs reliably three minutes fast (so locals don’t miss their trains at nearby Waverley Station), The Balmoral is Edinburgh’s most prestigious address, at No 1 Princes Street.

It’s the flagship property in hotelier Sir Rocco Forte’s portfolio, and it shows. There’s Michelin-starred restaurant Number One for house-smoked salmon and a lifetime’s worth of…