Edinburgh’s hotel scene has been a slow burn. Long-standing staples have secured the Scottish capital’s place on the hospitality map, setting a tone that’s both old-world and wonderfully warm. These classic stays have always matched the Scottish capital’s more measured, thoughtful rhythm—grand yet accessible, historic but deeply hospitable. Recently, a new wave of openings has joined them, in step with Scotland’s creative pull. Chefs, makers, and artists have been moving in, opening craft bakeries, destination restaurants, and shop-meets-galleries in fast-rising neighborhoods—and the hotels, well, they’re responding. From colorful long-stay apartments to charming design boltholes and fancy grand dames, it’s easy to find an overnight stay that matches your aspirations.
If you’re in town for the weekend for the Fringe and Hogmanay festivals, or en route to the Highlands, we’ve curated a list of prime spots throughout Edinburgh—from the New Town, Old Town, and even over to waterside Leith—that feel just as charming as the city itself.
Perks: Irene Forte spa, indoor lap pool, three restaurants, concierge
Like Claridge’s is to London, The Balmoral is to Edinburgh. When most people think of where to stay in the city, this Rocco Forte mainstay usually comes to mind first. A landmark with its 190-foot clock tower—famously set three minutes fast, except on New Year’s Eve—it has been part of the Edinburgh skyline since opening as a railway hotel in the early 1900s. After a multi-million-pound restoration by the Rocco Forte group, much of the original charm remains. In true Olga Polizzi style, interiors lean into place: milky creams, Hebridean blues, Balmoral tartan, and heather hues. Guests return for the sprawling bedrooms, marble soaking tubs, and exceptional old-school service (shoe shining, unpacking and proper concierge know-how). Afternoon tea is also wildly popular—even if it skews English—and whiskey tastings and golf recommendations are delivered with pride. From $399 per night.
Perks: Rooftop, close to Waverley train station, wellness studio
Fans of Gleneagles were thrilled when the storied countryside brand brought its rural Perthshire charm to the city in 2022. That same meticulous attention to detail has been carried into this glossy, members-club-meets-hotel in St Andrew’s Square. Don’t be deterred by the exclusive concept—non-members are welcome to stay and dine at the all-day restaurant, The Spence. Rooms are colorful and elegant, wrapped in soft pastels and plush velvets, while shared spaces include Lamplighters, a rooftop bar with knockout views, and a stylish wellness studio offering up fitness classes to an active audience. Like its big sister, service is warm and personal: Expect front desk staff who greet you by name and offer thoughtful local recs. From $805 per night.
Perks: Whole house takeover, private parking, 17th-century merchant’s house, fully equipped kitchen
Leith has quietly become one of Edinburgh’s most desirable neighborhoods—edgy, creative, and increasingly on the radar of out-of-town travelers looking for a longer stay. Tucked just off the Firth of Forth, The Pavilion at Lamb’s House is a rare find: a three-bedroom private home designed by architect couple Nick Groves-Raines and Kristín Hannesdóttir. Inspired by early 18th-century garden pavilions, it sits on the grounds of a restored 17th-century merchant’s house and offers a distinct sense of place. Interiors feel plucked from another time period—freestanding cast iron tubs, brown antique furniture, Victorian brass bed frames—and still manage to be quietly current. The sweet yellow box bedroom is a hit with kids, and grown-ups will appreciate the calm, thoughtful set up. A place to properly settle in and live like a (very lucky) local. From $642 per night for the whole property.
Perks: Georgian-influenced architecture, near Haymarket station, screening room
This property is a Scottish debut for the Hoxton (the hospitality group known for its open-house, community-driven hotels around the world) and was a hotly anticipated opening when it opened its doors this summer. 214 rooms are carefully spread out across 11 Georgian-style townhouses in Edinburgh’s Haymarket. Like its sister properties, punchy decor from Ennismore’s in-house AIME Studios blends the building’s heritage—curled cornicing and sash windows with splashes of color, including deep raspberry red headboards and playful pineapple coat hooks. Downstairs, the restaurant Patatino is set to become a quick hit for its classic Italian trattoria menu with a Scottish twist (including a sourdough pizza topped with ‘nduja, haggis, hot honey, and fior di latte). In theme with the brand, the lobby is also a laptop-toting, coffee-to-cocktails all day scene. Families can also peacefully put their kids to bed in the bunk rooms upstairs before spending an evening with a film in the five-seater screening room. From $203 per night.
Perks: Private, in the Grassmarket neighbourhood, architecturally striking
Minimalist but deeply considered, Porteous’ Studio is a single-room architectural hideaway tucked down a quiet street near Edinburgh’s Grassmarket. Designed by Jack Arundell and Eilidh Izat, the duo behind architecture studio Izat Arundell, the former blacksmith’s workshop is now a warm, monastic space defined by clay-plastered walls, limed oak, and hand-crafted joinery—all sourced and made locally. A full-height pivot door opens onto a private courtyard, while skylights filter soft Scottish light across polished limestone floors. The atmosphere is slow, deliberate, and tactile— more art piece than rental for two. With just one space available to book, this is a rare kind of privacy in the middle of the city, perfect for design obsessives looking to disconnect and tap in and out of Edinburgh just outside. From $298 per night.
Perks: Steps from Waverly Station, top floor bar, central location
There’s a balanced mix of Scandi and Scottish style at this sleek stay just across from Waverley Station, Edinburgh’s main transport hub. The central location is a win for rail travelers who can wheel their luggage straight from the platform to check-in, and as Design Hotels’ first Scottish property, there’s real aesthetic appeal. Ditching the traditional lobby, arrival happens on the seventh floor, where panoramic views set the scene and a warm team offers tips on where to head next. Rooms are simple and contemporary, with nods to old-school Scotland via tartan touches, wooden floors, and a façade of locally sourced stone. The rooftop bar is a draw in its own right, with a far-reaching backdrop across to The Balmoral’s clock tower and the shifting lines of Edinburgh’s Old and New Towns. From $217 per night.
Perks: Self-catered studio apartments with individual kitchens, all-day café, coworking space
Located in a prized zip code and precious space on the New Town’s George Street, Eden Locke was the first of its studio-rental kind in Edinburgh when it opened in 2017. The six-story aparthotel, spread across four elegant Georgian townhouses, quickly found its niche with solo travelers, remote workers, and those after more space, privacy, and their own kitchen. Inside, New York architects Grzywinski+Pons worked with a palette of monochrome and sorbet pastels—sunshine yellow doors, signature mint green sofas—to create a calm but expressive space. Downstairs, Mayvn plays double duty: a third-wave coffee bar by day, and a lively wine and cocktail bar by night, popular with guests and locals equally. You’re just moments from Princes Street Gardens and right in the shadow of Edinburgh Castle. From $175 per night.
Perks: Views of Edinburgh Castle, near the centre of town, three restaurants
Taking over the historic India Buildings on Victoria Street, Virgin Hotels Edinburgh has brought a fresh, self-assured energy to the Old Town since its opening in 2022. The design walks a clever line between old and new—original stonework and ornate plaster ceilings are set off by bold color, rich textures, and a few playful surprises. Rooms, dubbed “chambers,” are smartly divided into dressing and sleeping zones with sliding doors, well-stocked SMEG fridges, and sharp detailing that feels considered and comforting. At its heart, this is a social hotel: The Commons Club is busy from brunch through to late-night cocktails, while Eve leans into the brand’s signature after-dark spirit. It’s a confident, well-executed arrival that feels right at home in Edinburgh. From $407 per night.
Perks: Cocktail bars, 24-hour service, 10-minute walk from Edinburgh Castle
A dimly lit, maximalist’s hideout near the Royal Mile, House of Gods offers a bold counterpoint to Edinburgh’s heritage-heavy hospitality scene. Behind a black façade on the Royal Mile, the 22-room hotel leans fully into dark glamour with velvet headboards, marble finishes, mirrored ceilings, and a palette of deep reds and golds. Despite the compact room sizes (the smallest were inspired by the cabins on the Orient Express), the experience is moody and more immersive, from in-room cocktail kits to optional add-ons that include late-night fizz deliveries and in-room buttons for summoning milk and cookies or the butler. The late-night cocktail bar continues the drama with rock’n roll-themed decor, neon lights, and an enormous disco. It’s a sexy stay designed less for sleep and more for a hedonistically good time. From $134 per night.
Craving an escape? From colorful carry-ons to cleverly designed packing cubes (how did we ever travel without them?), shop everything you need to make the journey in style—and as streamlined and stress-free as possible.
