Best hotels in Edinburgh 2024, reviewed

Like Jekyll and Hyde, central Edinburgh has two sides. The Georgian New Town is a realm of leafy boulevards, towering townhouses and charming mews streets, while the medieval Old Town hides myriad closes and snickelways where dark deeds were conducted at nightfall. Edinburgh Castle looms above the city on a craggy outcrop and at the other end of the Royal Mile, stately Holyrood Palace sits in the shadow of an extinct volcano.

There’s plenty to explore in the suburbs too. Stockbridge has a village vibe with its buzzing brunch spots and cosy wine bars and once-industrial Leith sees warehouses turned fine-dining restaurants and chi chi coffee shops. But once you’ve had your fill of history, culture and the whine of bagpipes drifting up the Royal Mile, where do you lay your head?

Across the city, hotels play to Edinburgh’s dramatic history. Boutique hotels offer romantic stays amid the spires of the Old Town, historic townhouses turned regal rooms embrace the city’s well-to-do side, and brand new architectural marvels house luxurious modern accommodation. We’ve rounded up the best places to stay across the Scottish capital.

The best hotels in Edinburgh

At a glance

1. The Balmoral

Arguably Edinburgh’s most famous hotel opened as the Great North British Railway Hotel in 1902. Its Baronial-style facade is still one of the first things you’ll see as you step out of Waverly Station and the clocktower is an essential part of the Edinburgh skyline. Uniformed porters man the main door on Princes Street and on special occasions, you might catch a kilted piper welcoming guests. The main restaurant serves a Michelin-quality tasting menu and each resplendent lounge is stocked with a vast collection of single malt whiskies from across Scotland. Classic double rooms are no doubt deluxe and vast suites have accommodated royalty, diplomats and celebrities over the past 120 years.

Address: 1 Princes Street, Edinburgh EH2 2EQ