Edinburgh - hotel recommendation?

I'll be interested to see what answers you get!

I"m going for the first time since before Covid and have tentatively booked into the Premier Inn on York Place as well as the more expensive Ibis St Andrew's Square. I'm contemplating how much I will have to spend on this part of the trip based on well, the current status of my retirement account. (insert eye roll!) I'm going the end of June and the prices for both of those facilities are above what you are thinking about right now but I don't know the exact dates you'll be there?

I will be there 3 nights, so 2 full days and honestly, I've got so much I want to see excluding the castle, lol, that I think I've made a mistake on how many days I have allotted here!!

Well, I stayed at the Premiere Inn on York Place that Pam is talking about, and I found it perfectly fine. It’s definitely lower in cost than most of the places in Edinburgh, but keep in mind that usually with Premier Inns, the earlier you book, the cheaper it will be. So I’m not sure what price will be coming up for you. Regardless, I really liked the location of this hotel, as it’s in a more residential area (New Town) and quieter, but still within walking distance of all the major sites and the train station.

But I’ve stayed at a number of Premier Inns and they’ve always been consistently clean and comfortable. Their beds are very comfortable, and the service is good. They do serve breakfast at an additional cost, although I think the cost is fairly reasonable. If you’re just there for a couple of nights, and want to save some money, I would definitely choose a PI.

FWIW, my friend in Liverpool told me that she always stays at this Premier Inn when she comes to Edinburgh.

We liked Motel One Princes (not a motel but a hotel) on Princes Street. The price may vary based on the time of year you are visiting. Expect high prices during the Fringe Festival, for example. There is a sister hotel Motel One Royal at the corner of Market and Cockburn Street. I cannot vouch for that one as I have not stayed there. Both hotels are in great locations.

I’m not sure what month that will be. If it’s during August and the Fringe, that budget will be blown out of the window - I paid that for a basic university room last August (btw remember we use £ not €).

Otherwise, in addition to Premier Inn and Motel One, there’s a couple of Ibis Hotels - one on South Bridge and one just off the Royal Mile in Hunter Square. Both of these would put you right at the heart of the action.

I have no personal B&B recs, but on the bus into the city from the airport I noticed that Corstophine and Murrayfield areas looked like fertile hunting ground for that kind of thing. It really depends how close to the centre of the city you want to be.

But it would help to know what month. Most of August is absolutely crazy in Edinburgh, for example.

If you’re interested in a university room (single bed, quite rudimentary but clean and a good location) try Pollock Halls - but not all rooms have private bathrooms: https://www.online-reservations.com/?hotelid=177665&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAAD-Rb7V7u1N5j6CUQfMLJAbRXw8lT&gclid=Cj0KCQjwytS-BhCKARIsAMGJyzqU9Q3x98hERBSORYh31UWJKQYO4f7xN_vxf7IL2dflD-7IPgiWxsgaAqbLEALw_wcB

I’m sorry guys - it would be either first or 2nd week in June.

I’ll reply to the individual posts, but this looks pretty good

I’d really want to see Holyrood Palace, National Museum of Scotland and the Britannia. Other than that, just walking …if that makes a difference regarding location

https://www.twohillsidecrescent.com/

The Glass House. It is a lovely hotel within walking distance to the train station, Castle, etc. The rooms are very spacious and the bed and pillows are superb. If you start your day with a good breakfast, the hotel offers a great breakfast buffet or a la carte and the coffee is terrific. The staff is very nice and helpful. Safe travels.

Pam, I really loved what I heard about the Ibis St Andrew’s, but holy cow - it’s expensive! Whew!

I’m going to check out the Premier Inn on York - it will probably suit me, even though I prefer to not stay in chains like this.

Where else are you going? Scotland is breathtaking …

m going for the first time since before Covid and have tentatively booked into the Premier Inn on York Place as well as the more expensive Ibis St Andrew's Square. I'm contemplating how much I will have to spend on this part of the trip based on well, the current status of my retirement account. (insert eye roll!) I'm going the end of June and the prices for both of those facilities are above what you are thinking about right now but I don't know the exact dates you'll be there?
I will be there 3 nights, so 2 full days and honestly, I've got so much I want to see excluding the castle, lol, that I think I've made a mistake on how many days I have allotted here!!
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Mardee, it’s looking good - functional, perfectly fine, has everything I need ….

I think it’s between that and 2 Hillside Crescent so far, which is actually less expensive

It’s hard to go wrong, I think

Thanks!

Well, I stayed at the Premiere Inn on York Place that Pam is talking about, and I found it perfectly fine. It’s definitely lower in cost than most of the places in Edinburgh, but keep in mind that usually with Premier Inns, the earlier you book, the cheaper it will be. So I’m not sure what price will be coming up for you. Regardless, I really liked the location of this hotel, as it’s in a more residential area (New Town) and quieter, but still within walking distance of all the major sites and the train station.
But I’ve stayed at a number of Premier Inns and they’ve always been consistently clean and comfortable. Their beds are very comfortable, and the service is good. They do serve breakfast at an additional cost, although I think the cost is fairly reasonable. If you’re just there for a couple of nights, and want to save some money, I would definitely choose a PI.
FWIW, my friend in Liverpool told me that she always stays at this Premier Inn when she comes to Edinburgh
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Mary,

I took a quick look - very nice. I’m going to loo into

Thanks!

We liked Motel One Princes (not a motel but a hotel) on Princes Street. The price may vary based on the time of year you are visiting. Expect high prices during the Fringe Festival, for example. There is a sister hotel Motel One Royal at the corner of Market and Cockburn Street. I cannot vouch for that one as I have not stayed there. Both hotels are in great locations.
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I've also stayed at the Premier Inn on York Place. It was perfectly fine and I'll be there again in May. Key fact: I'll have a friend with me, splitting the cost. Edinburgh is expensive.

When I was traveling alone I stayed at the Destiny Student Milano lodging off Albert Street. I had a small room with en-suite bath. Each 5 or 6 rooms shared a kitchen; I don't remember how it was equipped beyond having at least one full-size refrigerator. This is a simpler place than a hotel, but it was also a great deal cheaper. Note that it isn't air conditioned, which shouldn't be an issue, but no guarantees. Edinburgh got a bit warm while I was there, and I had to open the window to cool off. That was a bit noisy, because my room faced the front of the building, and young folks tended to gather outside the front door. But the savings were massive; I'd happily stay there again if traveling alone. I don't know when the college year ends and rooms become available to the public. The location is something of a walk from central Edinburgh, but there are buses running up and down Leith Walk just 2 blocks away. Destiny Student Milano is between central Edinburgh and Leith, where the Brittania is docked.

I don't know what's in the current edition of the guidebook, but Rick used to recommend some B&Bs south of the center, along Dalkeith Rd. There's good bus service from there up to central Edinburgh, but it would be pretty far to walk on a regular basis. I also see a lot of B&Bs on Newington Rd.

Golden Girl - sorry! It will be either 1st or 2nd week in June

The reason I want to be pretty close is because I stayed in a great B&B in the West Emd last time, and it was just a bit too far. With only 2 nights (I’m so glad days are long in June, so that helps(, I need to maximize my time

I’m going to look into those other Ibis’ now

Thank you!!!

Otherwise, in addition to Premier Inn and Motel One, there’s a couple of Ibis Hotels - one on South Bridge and one just off the Royal Mile in Hunter Square. Both of these would put you right at the heart of the action.
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5Normans, sounds good. …I’ll check it out

Thanks!

Betsy, I'm spending 3 nights/2 full days in Edinburgh before I return to Orkney on my own for 4 nights, then an 8 night tour on Orkney with my small group guy, then 3 nights in between and another 8 night tour of Shetland. I'll come back to Edinburgh for 2 nights/1 full day before flying home.

The flights from Mainland Scotland to/from Orkney/Shetland can be a little unreliable due to weather issues so I wanted to give myself some flex time on either end in case of travel delays!

I, too, am going to do Holyrood Palace, the National Museum of Scotland (to see the artifacts from Scottish archeological digs), the National Gallery of Scotland, the King's Gallery (at the entrance to Holyrood Palace) and on my 2nd pass thru Edinburgh the Botanic Gardens if it's good weather.

Mardee had suggested Dean Village and the Walk of Leith. I found some directions on a Trip Advisor forum post which includes those on the way to the Botanic Garden so I think I have the one day at the end sorted.

I forgot to mention that when I come back for the 2 nights I'm staying at Parliament House Hotel to try something different.

It sure is!

I’m going to look at all the other options, but right now I like either he PI or 2 Hillside Crescent. The latter is slightly cheaper, but also, I remember that I was going to stay there one time - until I ended up rebooking for the Fingal hotel (actually a ship, in Leith). So, I kind of favor it (I canceled due to Covid)

I DID stay in a B&B the one time I was in Edinburgh - it was in the West End. I loved it, but it was a bit out of the way

Thank you!

I've also stayed at the Premier Inn on York Place. It was perfectly fine and I'll be there again in May. Key fact: I'll have a friend with me, splitting the cost. Edinburgh is expensive.
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Wow, that sounds like an incredible trip! Have a great time!

What tour are you going on to Orkney? I hope one day to go there myself

Looks like the King’s Gallery has an exhibit on Royal portraiture through September. I might do that - looks interesting

I think I need to visit the Botanic Gardens - in June they must be spectacular !

I, too, am going to do Holyrood Palace, the National Museum of Scotland (to see the artifacts from Scottish archeological digs), the National Gallery of Scotland, the King's Gallery (at the entrance to Holyrood Palace) and on my 2nd pass thru Edinburgh the Botanic Gardens if it's good weather.
Mardee had suggested Dean Village and the Walk of Leith. I found some directions on a Trip Advisor forum post which includes those on the way to the Botanic Garden so I think I have the one day at the end sorted.`
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We stayed at the Wilde Aparthotel in Grassmarket. Great location and included a robust breakfast. Also, had laundry facilities.

BJ, it looks lovely, but at almost $800 for two nights, it’s just way too expensive

Thank you, though!

We stayed at the Wilde Aparthotel in Grassmarket. Great location and included a robust breakfast. Also, had laundry facilities.
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2nd on Motel One. We stayed not the one on Princes, but the Royal. Excellent location, right on Cockburn. Other advantage staying at this location is that it’s a 5 min walk to airport buses and train station. We were in town for Fringe Fest so it was pricey (all hotels tbh). Breakfast could be a little steep, but there are several cafes in the area.

I would stay here again.

"What tour are you going on to Orkney? I hope one day to go there myself"

My current tour company of choice is Seymour Travels. Mark is a former RS guide. His wife, Toni, and 2 of his business partners or guides are both current RS guides, lol.

In 2023 he had Orkney and Shetland combined so I did them. This year he's separated them into 2 individual tours. I was so blown away by both I am doing each one this summer. I need to do Orkney before I am too old to crawl into a chambered cairn!

https://www.seymourtravels.co.uk/orkney2026

Bea, it sounds lovely!

I ended up going with 2 Hill Crescent, which is near Calton Hill. As I researched it, I realized I had intended to stay there a few years ago, before I canceled for Covid.

Thank you!!

2nd on Motel One. We stayed not the one on Princes, but the Royal. Excellent location, right on Cockburn. Other advantage staying at this location is that it’s a 5 min walk to airport buses and train station. We were in town for Fringe Fest so it was pricey (all hotels tbh). Breakfast could be a little steep, but there are several cafes in the area.
I would stay here again.enter code here

Pam, lol - that’s awesome!

I did a 5 day tour of the Highlands with Best Scottish Tours - fabulous! I always joke that Scotland might not let me back I the country since, while I was there, I

• got locked in a castle
• accidentally broke off a piece of Stirling Castle
• Set the table in my Edinburgh restaurant on fire

Other than that, nothing much happened, lol

My current tour company of choice is Seymour Travels. Mark is a former RS guide. His wife, Toni, and 2 of his business partners or guides are both current RS guides, lol.
In 2023 he had Orkney and Shetland combined so I did them. This year he's separated them into 2 individual tours. I was so blown away by both I am doing each one this summer. I need to do Orkney before I am too old to crawl into a chambered cairn!
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If you’re still interested in a B&B recommendation, we stayed at the Kingsway guesthouse. It is recommended in the Rick Steves book. We had an excellent stay a with a delicious cook to order breakfast. And easy transportation on the bus line. https://edinburgh-guesthouse.com/

Renee, I’ve already booked - but Kingsway sounds really wonderful

Thanks!

If you’re still interested in a B&B recommendation, we stayed at the Kingsway guesthouse. It is recommended in the Rick Steves book. We had an excellent stay a with a delicious cook to order breakfast. And easy transportation on the bus line. https://edinburgh-guesthouse.com/
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