Best Area to Stay in Edinburgh Scotland
Edinburgh, one of the most beautiful cities in the UK and selected as the 2018 European Capital of Culture; It conquers hearts with its Gothic churches, magnificent castles and wonderful pubs.
During the day, the city, which is one of the world’s major settlements, attracts visitors who enjoy extreme activities such as ghost hunting and is admired by its guests for its medieval atmosphere and cultural richness. After the sun goes down, the student population is energized by the nightlife, which is always popular with its popular restaurants.
Throughout this article on where to stay in Edinburgh, I will give hotel recommendations for every budget, but for those in a hurry, I will give the following hotel recommendations:
- Relatively economical 3 ★★★ ibis Edinburgh Center Royal Mile in the very center of the city,
- 4 ★★★★ Radisson Blu Hotel, very close to attractions,
- 5 ★★★★★ InterContinental Hotels for those who do not want to compromise on quality.
There are 4 regions ideal for accommodation in Edinburgh. These:
- Old Town & The Royal Mile, where the medieval atmosphere was felt intensely;
- New Town & George Street, which is family-friendly and includes shopping opportunities;
- West End, which stands out with its luxurious facilities and budget-friendly accommodation options;
- Leith is the old port area of the city, which is popular in terms of gastronomy.
Old Town & The Royal Mile
Old Town is considered the tourist heart of the city because it is home to many attractions, restaurants, pubs, and shops. As a result, for those visiting Edinburgh for the first time, this is the best area to stay.
You can be in the action at any time of day if you stay in the hotels around The Royal Mile, which is the most popular part of the Old City, and you can reach many tourist attractions within minutes by walking.
The Royal Mile, the most visited part of the Old Town, runs from the magnificent Edinburgh Castle to the Holyrood Palace, where the royal family once stayed. To have a fun start to your tour, prioritize World of Illusions with Camera Obscura. The Edinburgh Dungeon provides the most accurate information about the city’s dark past, while North Bridge provides an exquisite city view.
You can find an attraction center of historical or cultural value almost every step of the way in the Old Town, where you will have a wonderful accommodation experience under the shadow of the city’s most striking examples of Gothic architecture and the majestic castles of the Middle Ages.
In fact, this is the region’s most significant advantage, as it allows visitors to make the most of their vacation time. On the other hand, this factor contributes to the region becoming overcrowded.
Furthermore, due to the high level of interest, overnight accommodation prices in Old Town hotels are slightly higher than in other parts of the city.
However, by booking ahead of time, you can find affordable lodging and have great lodging experiences within walking distance of the city’s most important landmarks.
Old Town & The Royal Mile Hotels Recommendations
3 ★★★ ibis Edinburgh Center Royal Mile – Hunter Square
Booking.com rating 8.8.
The hotel, which attracts acclaim with its spacious rooms with stylish decoration, is within a 5-minute walk from Princes Street and 10 minutes from Edinburgh Castle. Click for detailed information and reservation.
3 ★★★ Holiday Inn Express Edinburgh – Royal Mile
Booking.com rating 8.7.
The facility, which is only 1 kilometer away from Holyrood House, was awarded the IHG Superior Quality Award thanks to its high standards.
4 ★★★★ Radisson Blu Hotel, Edinburgh City Center
Booking.com rating 9.0.
The hotel is 5 minutes from Waverly Train Station. Moreover, it is very close to Edinburgh Castle, Princes Street and Holyrood Palace.
4 ★★★★ Novotel Edinburgh Center
Booking.com rating 8.6.
The hotel, which is within walking distance of Grassmarket, Royal Lyceum Theater and Royal Mile, offers many opportunities for children to have a pleasant time.
5 ★★★★★ Royal Mile Suites by the Castle
Booking.com rating 8,5.
Military Tattoo, Edinburgh Castle and the Omni Center are among the attractions around the hotel, which is 11 kilometers away from Edinburgh Airport.
New Town & George Street
The modern part of the city center is comprised of the New Town and its heart, George Street. Within the boundaries of the New Town, the 12th century atmosphere that dominates the Old Town gives way to 18th century architecture.
New Town is a popular destination for many visitors because it is home to some of the most successful examples of Georgian architecture. Because the most prestigious stores in the city are located on the main streets of the New City. If you go to Princes Street, you will likely come across a plethora of appealing options. When you want to take a break from shopping and learn about the city’s artistic wealth, you can go to places like the National Gallery of Scotland and the Scottish National Portrait Gallery.
New Town and George Street are also well-known as the best places to stay in Edinburgh for families. The presence of eating and drinking establishments as well as entertainment venues that can attract people of all ages has made the region remember in this way for many years.
If you need a break after all of this, you can visit Carlton Hills, which offers a stunning view of the city, or Princes Street Gardens, one of the city’s most charming escapes.
New Town, Edinburgh’s commercial and shopping district, is an excellent choice for those seeking to avoid the historical atmosphere of the Old Town.
If you stay in one of the George Street hotels, you will have easier access to facilities that appeal to people of all ages. Don’t forget that you’ll need at least an average budget to take advantage of all of these.
New Town & George Street Hotels Recommendations
3 ★★★ ibis Styles Edinburgh Center St Andrew Square
Booking.com rating 9.0.
Featuring rooms with different designs, the hotel is ideal for nature lovers who want to stay close to Arthur’s Seat and Salisbury Rocks.
3 ★★★ Holiday Inn Express Edinburgh City Center
Booking.com rating 8.4.
Welcoming guests in a Georgia-style building, the hotel operates close to vibrant Princes Street and Queens Street Gardens with galleries.
4 ★★★★ Mode Edinburgh
Booking.com rating 9.4.
It is 10 kilometers from Edinburgh Airport and a few minutes’ walk from Edinburgh Castle, Military Tattoo and the Royal Mile.
4 ★★★★ Hotel Indigo Princes Street
Booking.com rating 8.7.
Providing service on Princes Street, the hotel is located opposite Waverly Train Station. 300 meters away is St James Shopping Center.
5 ★★★★★ InterContinental Hotels
Booking.com rating 8.9.
The luxury hotel, which attracts great attention thanks to its location close to Edinburgh Castle, Princes Street Gardens and Holyrood Palace, draws attention with its architectural details.
West End
The West End neighborhood, as the name suggests, is located west of the city center. The city’s wealthy residents live in the residential area, which draws attention due to its pleasant atmosphere.
There must be many possibilities that can be considered luxury in this part of the city because some of the population consists of the city’s prominent people. However, the West End is also known for having the most affordable lodging options in the city.
Naturally, travelers looking for low-cost lodging prefer to stay here.
The West End, which is popular among families looking for a boutique hotel and backpackers looking for a hostel, sheds light on the city’s cultural structure in all of its facets.
Those interested in gastronomy can learn all about gin production and history by visiting Edinburgh Gin Distillery while in the area. The Edinburgh Farmer’s Market is a great place to find local delicacies.
The elegant Lyceum Theater is a great place to spend an evening watching magnificent performances. St. Mary’s Cathedral is one of the most impressive examples of local architecture, but Suntrap Garden is a great place to relax.
If you want to experience the local cuisine, architecture, and artistic side of the city while traveling in a peaceful environment, you can choose your hotel accordingly.
West End Hotels Recommendations
3 ★★★ Hampton By Hilton Edinburgh West End:
Booking.com rating 8.7.
Only 5 minutes from the International Congress Center, you can reach the Royal Mile in a short time on foot.
Staycity Aparthotels West End:
Booking.com rating 8.7.
Offering fully equipped apartments to its guests, the distance between the property and Princes Street, which is full of shopping and entertainment opportunities, is only 1.6 kilometers.
4 ★★★★ Leonardo Royal Edinburgh Haymarket:
Booking.com rating 8.2.
Located 500 meters from Haymarket Train Station, the hotel includes family-friendly accommodation units with high levels of comfort.
5 ★★★★★ The Dunstane Houses:
Booking.com rating is 9.2.
It takes only 15 minutes by car to get to Edinburgh Airport from the stylish hotel built in 1582 and managed to preserve many architectural details in its original form.
Leith
All popular accommodation areas in the city, particularly the West End, provide ample opportunities to become acquainted with the local cuisine. However, Leith, the final region I recommend researching where to stay in Edinburgh, excels at this.
Because this area, which was once the center of port activity, is now regarded as Edinburgh’s gastronomic center, with Michelin-starred restaurants, cute cafes, and stylish bars.
Apart from exploring the city-specific flavors in the bazaar set up every Saturday or in the food and beverage venues surrounding the region, you can focus on many different activities while staying at Leith hotels.
If you want, you can go to The Custom House and look at contemporary art. While wandering around the historical harbor, you may come across the Royal Yacht Britannia.
During your tour in the region where boutique-style breweries are common, you can also have the opportunity to shop at Georgian Antiques, Scotland’s largest antique shop. Of course, when it comes to shopping, McNaughtan’s Bookshop is a must-see for music and book lovers alike.
When you choose one of the Leith hotels, you can rest assured that you will spend your vacation in a pleasant environment. Because this region, which reflects the city’s bohemian spirit, attracts travelers who are primarily interested in art, gastronomy, and a small sea view.
Leith Hotels Recommendations
3 ★★★ Holiday Inn Express Leith Waterfront
Booking.com rating 8.7.
Providing service next to the Ocean Terminal Shopping Center and Royal Yacht Britannia, the hotel is located 4 kilometers from the city center.
4 ★★★★ Malmaison Edinburgh
Booking.com rating 8.3.
If you like to stay in stunning, luxuriously equipped rooms, you can choose to stay in this stylish hotel overlooking the harbor.
Ocean Apartments
Booking.com rating 8.9.
It takes only 15 minutes to reach the city center by car from the hotel, where you can enjoy accommodation in rooms with Firth of Forth view.
Final Word: Where to Stay in Edinburgh?
If you are visiting Edinburgh for the first time, you can choose your hotel within the boundaries of the Old Town, which is worthy of the moniker “Athens of the North” due to its cultural richness and historical texture.
The facilities around The Royal Mile, in particular, make it easy for guests to visit popular attractions.
New Town, the city center’s more modern section, offers appealing shopping opportunities. If you plan to conduct research in this area, where families are drawn in by the variety of entertainment options, you should prioritize hotels near George Street during the selection process.
The West End, with its reasonable hotel prices, appeals to visitors who want to stay close to the city center.
Leith, on the other hand, reflects the city’s bohemian spirit and is known as the city’s gastronomic center, attracting attention with its culturally rich content.
Edinburgh Hotels Recommendations:
Travelers who are mindful of their accommodation budget but also want to stay in the center can choose from 3 ★ ibis Edinburgh Center Royal Mile, ibis Styles St Andrew Square and Hampton By Hilton Edinburgh West End.
4 ★ Novotel Edinburgh Center, Mode Edinburgh and Leonardo Royal Haymarket stand out as above average options in terms of both price and service variety.
In the search for where to stay in Edinburgh, those who only focus on luxury hotels turn to high-end facilities such as 5 ★ Royal Mile Suites by the Castle, InterContinental Hotels and The Dunstane Houses.