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Old Town charmer
The Witchery ★★★★★
Edinburgh
Baroque-themed suites and a Secret Garden restaurant on the Royal Mile, close to Edinburgh Castle.
Central hotels · Edinburgh · United Kingdom
We reviewed 229 hotels across Edinburgh and selected the 50 most highly rated for this page.
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Old Town charmer
Edinburgh
Baroque-themed suites and a Secret Garden restaurant on the Royal Mile, close to Edinburgh Castle.
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5-star luxury
Edinburgh
A 5-star stay on Princes Street with a renowned spa, elegant rooms, and a Michelin-starred restaurant.
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Old Town 5-star
Edinburgh
A 5-star Old Town stay with a rooftop terrace, valet parking, and a 10-minute walk to Edinburgh Castle.
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Central & spacious
Edinburgh
A 4-star stay right on the Royal Mile with an indoor pool, spa, and parking — ideal for exploring Edinburgh's old town.
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Spa & Castle Views
Edinburgh
A 5-star Edinburgh hotel with a spa, pool, and views of the castle, just a short walk from the Royal Mile.
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City centre with rooftop bar
Edinburgh
A polished five-star base with a rooftop bar, spa, and a location that puts you steps from Edinburgh Castle and the St James Quarter.
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Tech-forward
Edinburgh
A smart, tech-forward stay in the heart of Edinburgh, with a gym and easy access to the city's attractions.
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Classic Luxury
Edinburgh
A grand Princes Street hotel with castle views, a full spa, and an indoor pool.
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Central & popular
Edinburgh
Princes Street location with castle views and a 8.9 guest rating – a solid, well-reviewed city base.
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Central & Convenient
Edinburgh
A well-rated 4-star hotel in central Edinburgh, close to Haymarket station and within easy reach of Princes Street Gardens.
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Central & historic
Edinburgh
A Georgian-style hotel with an indoor pool and spa, steps from Princes Street.
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City Centre
Edinburgh
Central Edinburgh hotel with 24-hour reception, late check-out, and consistently praised staff.
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Boutique central
Edinburgh
A stylish central stay with a buzzing bar and restaurant, just 11 minutes' walk from the Scottish National Gallery.
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Castle views & pool
Edinburgh
A 4-star stay in Edinburgh's Old Town, with views of the castle and a pool to unwind in.
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Central & Convenient
Edinburgh
A central 4-star stay minutes from the train station, with a restaurant and bar for easy evenings.
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Central & Family-Friendly
Edinburgh
Book for the indoor pool and central location near the Grassmarket.
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Apartment-style comfort
Edinburgh
Spacious, apartment-style studios with kitchens and a prime George Street address, close to Charlotte Square and Edinburgh's gardens.
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Prime location
Edinburgh
Steps from the Royal Mile, this 5-star George Street hotel pairs a prime location with a golf course and extensive amenities.
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Central Edinburgh
Edinburgh
A 4-star stay on North Bridge, a short walk from the Royal Mile and Waverley Station, with modern rooms and city views.
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Park views & dining
Edinburgh
A well-reviewed Edinburgh stay with park views and a standout restaurant.
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Central & practical
Edinburgh
Compact rooms with air conditioning and a 24-hour front desk, just steps from Haymarket station.
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West End classic
Edinburgh
A quiet West End townhouse with cooked-to-order breakfast and easy tram access from the airport.
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West End Stay
Edinburgh
A stylish West End base with a restaurant, pet-friendly policy, and a 5-minute walk to Saint Mary's Cathedral.
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Central & Castle Views
Edinburgh
Prime Princes Street location with castle views and a praised breakfast.
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Lively & Central
Edinburgh
A stylish, pet-friendly hotel with a lively bar and a prime spot near Digin Bruntsfield.
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Central & Convenient
Edinburgh
A central Edinburgh base with a standout dining score and castle views from select rooms.
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Central & Comfortable
Edinburgh
A 4-star Edinburgh hotel with a prime location near theatres and the Christmas market, plus an indoor pool and spa.
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Roof Garden
Edinburgh
A five-star Edinburgh stay with a roof garden, spacious rooms, and a location that puts the Playhouse and Royal Mile within easy walking distance.
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Central & Well-Rated
Edinburgh
A central 4-star stay with a breakfast worth waking up for and a short walk to Edinburgh Castle.
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Old Town Suites
Edinburgh Aparthotel
Centrally located on St Giles Street, these stylish suites put the Royal Mile and Edinburgh Castle within a short walk.
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City center
Edinburgh
A 5-star stay on Princes Street with castle views, a hearty breakfast, and warm service.
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Central & Comfortable
Edinburgh
A reliable central stay with comfortable rooms, a solid breakfast, and easy access to Edinburgh's main attractions.
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Central & chic
Edinburgh
Right on Princes Street with castle views, a praised restaurant, and a 9/10 location score.
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Central & Design-led
Edinburgh
A design-led stay on Princes Street, steps from Waverley Station, with clean, compact rooms and a strong city-centre location.
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Central & pet-friendly
Edinburgh
A central Ibis with a solid location score, a restaurant on site, and pet-friendly rooms.
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City Classic
Edinburgh
A stylish 5-star townhouse with a celebrated rooftop bar and spa in the heart of Edinburgh.
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Adults-only near castle
Edinburgh Hostel
Stay steps from Edinburgh Castle in an adults-only hostel with high guest ratings, free Wi-Fi, and a lively social scene.
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Central & spotless
Edinburgh
A central 4-star with a strong 8.8 guest rating, praised for its spotless rooms and hearty breakfast.
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Rooftop bar
Edinburgh
Rooftop bar with skyline views, complimentary mini-bar, and breakfast with cooked options — all a short walk from Waverley station.
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Central Old Town
Edinburgh
Castle views, a central Old Town address, and free Wi-Fi make this a solid base for exploring Edinburgh.
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Central & Simple
Edinburgh
A well-priced, central stay on Queen Street, minutes from Princes Street and the main attractions.
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Central budget stay
Edinburgh
Stay in the center of Edinburgh, steps from Princes Street Gardens, with modern rooms and a 24-hour reception.
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Central & sociable
Edinburgh
A central hostel with dorms and private rooms, a 5-minute walk from the Royal Mile and National Museum.
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Adults-only stay
Edinburgh
Bold, adults-only design hotel steps from Edinburgh Castle and the Royal Mile’s nightlife.
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Central New Town
Edinburgh
A 4-star hotel with an 8.6 guest rating, right on St Andrew Square in Edinburgh's New Town – a solid choice for exploring on foot.
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Central classic
Edinburgh
A classic Princes Street address with Waverley Station three minutes on foot and Castle views from some rooms.
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Modern & well-rated
Edinburgh
A clean, modern hotel with a high guest rating and convenient West End location.
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Quiet & Central
Edinburgh
A peaceful base on a leafy terrace, with a garden, gym, and easy walk to the city centre.
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Royal Mile stay
Edinburgh Aparthotel
Apartment-style luxury on the Royal Mile with kitchenettes and city views.
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Central & spacious
Edinburgh Aparthotel
Aparthotel with kitchenettes, city views, and a central Edinburgh location near the train station.
Map & live prices by our partner
For travellers used to Premier Inn or Travelodge, Edinburgh's city centre has a strong range of reliable, well-located options. Premier Inn Edinburgh Princes Street is the standout, with a 8.9 rating and a central location with castle views. Hub by Premier Inn Edinburgh City Centre - Haymarket offers a more compact, practical stay near Haymarket station, starting at 186 GBP per night, while other central choices like Yotel Edinburgh provide a tech-forward take on the budget-friendly concept.
Staying in Edinburgh's city centre means you're within easy walking distance of the Royal Mile, Edinburgh Castle, and Waverley Station. You'll find a wide variety of options, from the elegant five-star Balmoral Hotel on Princes Street to the more affordable Leonardo Royal Hotel Edinburgh, which offers rooms from just 87 GBP. The area around Haymarket also provides excellent value, with the Leonardo Hotel Edinburgh Haymarket and Hub by Premier Inn offering comfortable bases near the station.
True holiday cottages are rare in the heart of Edinburgh, but for self-catering travellers, apartment-style hotels are the perfect compromise. Eden Locke on George Street offers spacious, apartment-style studios with kitchens, ideal for a longer stay or a family wanting more independence. Similarly, serviced apartments in the city centre are a growing option, giving you the flexibility of cooking your own meals while remaining close to the action.
If you're arriving by train, staying near Waverley Station is a smart move. The Balmoral Hotel sits right above the station, offering five-star luxury with immediate access. The Hilton Edinburgh Carlton is a four-star option on North Bridge, just a short walk away, while The Scotsman Hotel offers a charming stay in a converted listed building, all within easy reach of the station and the Royal Mile.
The Royal Mile is the historic spine of the Old Town, connecting the castle to the Palace of Holyroodhouse. While there isn't a Premier Inn directly on the Royal Mile, the Premier Inn Edinburgh Princes Street is just a short walk away and offers a well-reviewed base. For a stay right on the Mile itself, the Radisson Blu Hotel, Edinburgh City Centre provides a four-star experience with an indoor pool and spa, while The Witchery offers an unforgettable five-star suite experience.
Serviced apartments in Edinburgh city centre offer more space and home comforts than a standard hotel room. Eden Locke is a prime example, with apartment-style studios equipped with kitchens on George Street. The Hoxton, Edinburgh also provides a stylish, apartment-like atmosphere in the West End. These options are particularly good for families or anyone planning a longer stay, giving you the freedom to prepare your own meals and spread out after a day of sightseeing.
The Broughton area sits just to the north of the city centre, offering a slightly quieter stay while still being within easy reach of Princes Street and the New Town. Hotels in this area, and the adjacent New Town, provide a more residential Edinburgh experience. While our central selection includes options like the Kimpton Charlotte Square Hotel on the edge of the New Town, the Broughton area itself is just a short walk from the main attractions, making it a practical base for exploring the city on foot.
The average price for a central hotel on this page is around 215 GBP per night. You can find budget options starting from 87 GBP at the Leonardo Royal Hotel Edinburgh, while a luxury stay at The Witchery will cost around 1020 GBP.
For a first visit, the Old Town or the area around Princes Street is ideal. The Old Town puts you steps from the Royal Mile and Edinburgh Castle, with options like the Radisson Blu and The Witchery. Princes Street offers easy access to both the Old and New Towns, with the Balmoral Hotel and Premier Inn Edinburgh Princes Street being popular choices.
Edinburgh Airport has a tram service that runs directly to the city centre, stopping at Haymarket and Princes Street. The journey takes about 30 minutes. Many hotels, such as The Bonham, are conveniently located near tram stops, making it an easy connection.
Yes, booking in advance is recommended, especially if you are visiting during the Edinburgh Festival in August or around Christmas when demand is very high. Central hotels like the Balmoral and the Radisson Blu can fill up quickly, and early booking often secures better rates.
Edinburgh's centre is a city of two halves: the medieval Old Town, threaded by the Royal Mile and guarded by the castle, and the Georgian New Town, with Princes Street's gardens and the boutiques of George Street. Our selection of central hotels puts you within walking distance of the city's landmarks, from Waverley Station to the Grassmarket, and spans everything from budget-friendly Princes Street stays to five-star icons like The Balmoral and The Caledonian.
At the lower end of the price range, you can find a well-rated trio from around 144 GBP at Premier Inn Edinburgh Princes Street, while the top of the market reaches 1020 GBP a night at The Witchery. The average nightly rate across this central set is 215 GBP, with a typical rating of 8.6. Most hotels here are four-star, but there are also 12 five-star and 11 three-star options, so the choice is about location and atmosphere as much as price.
This set of central hotels suits travellers who want to be in the very heart of Edinburgh, within walking distance of the castle, the Royal Mile, and Princes Street. If you are looking for something more family-focused with pools and kid-friendly amenities, you might prefer the pages for family-friendly hotels. For a tighter budget, check the cheap and budget hotels in Edinburgh, and if you're arriving by car, the hotels with parking page will help you find a convenient base. Those seeking a more independent stay could explore guest houses, while romantic breaks are covered on the romantic hotels page.