The Best Hotels in Edinburgh’s Old Town

Edinburgh’s Old Town is a place where the past feels close—you can hear it in the echo of footsteps down narrow closes, see it in the crooked skyline of spires and chimneys, and feel it in the stone beneath your feet. The Royal Mile runs like a spine through it all, linking the Castle to Holyrood Palace, with vaults, galleries, and whisky shops tucked in between. By day, it's full of life—bagpipes, buskers, and bustling cafés. By night, it shifts mood: candlelit bars, hidden cocktail spots, and the hum of stories being told.

Staying here means waking up in the heart of it all. Some hotels lean into the drama with plush interiors and a sense of romance, others offer a sleek, design-led take on tradition, while a few feel more like stepping into your own Edinburgh apartment. Whether you want atmosphere, independence, or just to be a short stroll from everything, it's all here in the best hotels in Edinburgh’s Old Town.

For a hotel on the Royal Mile

• The Scotsman is right in the thick of things. An imposing building suggests luxury from the outset. Interiors effortlessly blends old and new, and there are great facilities, including a top-notch spa, a 3AA Rosette standard brasserie, and a cinema.
• You can’t get closer to the action than The Inn on The Mile, a nine-room hotel and inn on the Royal Mile just a five-minute stroll from the castle. With chic design and an attractive price tag, this is an easy choice.

For couples

• For complete over-the-top decadence, the Witchery by the Castle fits the bill. Expect gilded ceilings, dark hues, panelling, and swathes of jewel-coloured velvet. The most romantic rooms have free-standing bathtubs and four-posters. A location unto itself.
• Prestonfield feels more like a country house hotel than a city-centred one, but here you’re just five minutes from the Royal Mile, despite being surrounded by 20 acres of spectacular parkland. The dining is fine, the bedrooms divine, and nothing is too much trouble.
• House of Gods is an eclectic and atmospheric adult-only cocktail bar with boutique rooms. Decor inspired by the Orient Express and the palace of Versailles, combined with contemporary on-trend touches, packs a punch. Small yet sexy rooms have a cosy cabin-like feel. Designed for seduction. 

For self-catering

• Lord Lyons Chambers offers smart self-catering apartments featuring light-filled interiors, elegant parquet floors, and stylish yet homely contemporary furniture. A discerning choice for sophisticated travellers.

For style

• Market Street Hotel is a hip, modern enclave just a block from the Royal Mile. Rooms are a heady mix of chic Scandi-style with charming Scottish touches. Offering a champagne bar and easy city access, this is a bit of a no-brainer!

Still not sure?

• Browse through our list of all the best places to stay in Edinburgh.
• Consider our Guru’s recommendations for the 10 Best Hotels in Edinburgh’s New Town or the 6 Best Hotels in Edinburgh's West End?
• Alternatively, contact one of our friendly Gurus for personalised advice.