Where to Stay

Edinburgh is such a popular city, the first piece of advice about accommodation is this — book in advance! This is particularly important around New Year (Hogmanay) and the Festival in August, when the city gets very crowded. The bulk of the hotels are in the New Town, but there are many other places to stay in the Old Town and on the outskirts of the city.

The main axis of New Town is Princes Street and unsurprisingly, there are many deluxe hotels here. At opposite ends of the street, the Balmoral and the Caledonian are both beautifully placed for the shops and the city centre. Fractionally lower down the price scale is Jarvis Mount Royal, also on Princes Street.

On George Street, set back from the bustle of Princes Street, George Inter-Continental Edinburgh offers deluxe accommodation in a slightly quieter location. Best Western Roxburghe has Charlotte Square as its prestigious address.

Moving out of the centre of New Town, accommodation is a mix of the deluxe and the inexpensive. To the north, the smart Albany Hotel enjoys a large business clientele, whilst Drummond House caters for the traveller on a budget. Towards the east, King James is a luxury location. Princes Street is still easily accessible from this area.

The West End is a smart and convenient location with a class of hotel to match. Bonham and Channings are two of the most popular.

The North/South bridge that links New Town and Old Town is the site of two excellent hotels: the Carlton Highland and the Bank Hotel. Although a relatively busy road, this area is very central, with both New Town and Old Town within walking distance. Waverley station is just around the corner from North Bridge.

The Cowgate, in Old Town, is a great place for backpackers to stay. Conveniently situated just below the bridges and the Royal Mile, it is a central location with a youth-culture flavour. Edinburgh Backpackers Hostel and Edinburgh Central Youth Hostel can both be found in this pub paradise.

The outskirts of Edinburgh can be an appealing choice for travellers who want to escape the noise of the city and stay near the airport. Barnton Thistle and Swallow Royal Scot are very comfortable options.

Leith is the perfect place for visitors who want shops and restaurants on their doorstep, but would rather not stay in Edinburgh itself. The city is about twenty minutes walk away and there are plenty of buses. Malmaison and Bar Java offer reasonably priced, comfortable accommodation here.