Location of Market Street Hotel versus Hotel Fraser in Edinburgh

They both seem pretty close to each other. I think you might get more train noise on the Market Street one as it is very close to Waverley Station. I know I'm not a tourist but staying in that part of town, while central for lots of touristy stuff wouldn't be my personal choice. It's a very busy part of the city and I would think it will be pretty noisy. My own personal choice for a location would be somewhere in the New Town or Stockbridge. You can get to the Old Town easily by local bus service, or you can walk through the New Town, cross Princes Street and walk up the hill to the castle area. There are also some great restaurants in Stockbridge.

Best wishes
Jacqui (Skyegirl)

Hi skygirl, thanks for taking the time to respond. I’m still fairly new to travel and I like the convenience of being near the train station—both for day trips and ease of getting to hotel and dropping off luggage.

Take this with a grain of salt, because I haven't stayed here yet, but I am currently booked at the Destiny Scotland - Q Residence in October. They have many apartments around Edinburgh and all seem very nice and get good reviews. Since you are staying for 8-9 nights, it might be nice to have the extra room, a kitchen and a washing machine.

We stayed at the Fraser Hotel, although it was probably 8 or 9 years ago. It was perfectly quiet and lovely. It is 200 ft. down St Giles St, off the High Street, so pretty insulated from traffic noise. The rooms were great, the bathroom was especially great. If you walk about 25 feet further down St Giles, there is the News Steps that takes you right down to Market St and a 5 minute walk to the Scottish National Gallery and the New Town. We thought it was a terrific location.

Hi Dawn, I appreciate the response. The Q Residence looks like a great location right next to the Queen Street Gardens, but I’m pretty set on staying at a hotel. I think I’ll just be more comfortable at a hotel. Enjoy your stay in Oct.

Hi Kate, My hesitation with the Fraser Hotel is I’m concerned it might be a little dated. I don’t want to put words in his mouth, but Allan just wrote a trip report for his Scotland trip, and I got the sense he was a little disappointed with the hotel. And some of the most recent comments I’ve been reading on-line are along the lines of the hotel needing some work. So, I’ve been rethinking that choice. I need to think on it some more. Thanks for the response, I appreciate it!!

I have no input on particular hotels because I look for different things. I will also be in Edinburgh this summer (3 times - not the best plan but it works for other reasons). Two of my stops are solo. But here is my input, having been before, on your philosophy.

1. If you want a nice hotel, then go for it. I think if you have doubts about a place, you should listen to yourself. You know what you want in a place and you are not THAT new to travel. Plus you are analytical and smart. So trust yourself. Reading reviews from 2 or 3 sources are key.

2. As a solo female traveler myself, though, I look for homey and with no car, a balance of near good transportation and price. And in the U.K., I love finding a bed and breakfast. This gives me a sense of homeyness plus someone on hand if I have a problem - as opposed to an apartment (although I am happy to stay in an apartment when the occasion seems to warrant it.) It also gives me easy access to interesting conversations with other guests at breakfast, which I enjoy (after a cup of coffee).

3. Edinburgh is a great city and any area you are at all likely to find yourself in will be safe and fine. It also has good public transportation - busses and trams are easy & reliable and taxis are (or were) plentiful. Plus I love talking to taxi drivers. So limiting yourself to near the train station may not be doing yourself any favors. But do check bus stops. As Skyegirl said, that will save your legs and your time better than simply trying for close to Waverly. Or give yourself permission to hop in a taxi regularly. Remember that Edinburgh is very hilly.

4. This summer, I am staying a) in an apartment with several friends (for the space); later b) the hub by Premiere Inn Royal Mile (for one night for pure convenience); and later c) a delightful-looking bed & breakfast 1.7 miles from Waverly but a block from the bus that goes in a straight line to there (further away because during Fringe, prices are Skye high. Pun on purpose) :)

But if cost were no object I would be reserving a room at the Balmoral!

Hi TexasTravelmom, I really appreciate the thoughtful response. I am definitely not a bed and breakfast person. I enjoy not having to talk to people. 😊

You’ve given me a lot to think about. I probably need to slow down and do a little more research. I have several trips coming up and want to get certain things checked off my list.

Just for kicks, I checked the price at the Balmoral since you mentioned it. Just a tad on the high side. 😊 I guess that one is out of consideration!

Only adding a comment regarding the Hotel Fraser and possible noise. My husband and I used The News Steps to go up to the Royal Mile and back down to our accommodations (MotelOne-Royal) during our stays in Edinburgh in May and June of this year. The bustle of Lawnmarket/High Street never seemed to spill over into the St. Giles Street block. Ours, of course, was a very limited perspective. From its exterior, however, the Hotel Fraser looked very nice.

Hi AVogan, I appreciate the response.

I worked all morning on this and ended up booking at the Fraser Hotel. I did want to stay in the general area of the train station for convenience, but decided I didn’t need to spend the money for the Market Street Hotel. And hopefully the Fraser will get its elevator up and running again before May. 😊

I just left Motel One-Royal on Market St Edinburgh (stayed 26-28 June '22) No noise from train or city at all. Trains are close, but even on street walking I barely heard the train. Nice hotel close to Princes St, down hill from Royal Mile,

5 nights (3 w/Steves tour) in Edinburgh was too much. Why 8-9? I'd get to St Andrews or Stirling area, even train towards the Highlands for a coupe of days. ab

Hi AlanBush, thanks for the reply. Great to hear there is no noise from the train station. I have a growing list of things to do in Edinburgh and will have several day trips planned. I’m not worried about running out of things to do.

We were just in Edinburgh, and made the mistake of staying at an AirB&B on the Royal Mile. The Scotsman was full volume until 4am, when the trash pickup started. Never needed earplugs before, but we needed them there! I would consider train noise to be far more tolerable than drunks shouting at the top of their lungs.

Hi Carrie; the only downside geographically to the Market Street Hotel is that it is an uphill walk to the Royal Mile. If you do choose that one, your easiest walk will be walking to North Bridge to get to the Mile. Any other way will be steep steps or steep streets. Market Street Hotel will be more convenient with luggage than Fraser Suites.

Hi Allan, I appreciate the response and info. I ended up booking at your hotel as I call it. 😊 The Fraser Suites. Once I saw what the Market Street Hotel price was in USD, I decided I probably shouldn’t spend that much money. I haven’t figured it out yet, but I think my 2 best options from the Edinburgh airport are a taxi or the airport bus. I guess trams leave from that airport but not the trains. I'll see how heavy my suitcase is and then decide. 😊

I may end up at The Fraser Suites next year too. Allan, you should be earning commission!

Carrie, the tram is nice. We didn't take it to the airport but one stop early to pick up our car. If you get off at the Princes Street Station, you are a 7 minute walk to the hotel via Mound Street. It's uphill, but I walked it every night in hopes of seeing the sunset against the castle. I hesitate to tell people it's easy because I don't know their level of fitness, but I'm a reasonably fit 57 year old, as is my wife and it was no big deal.

If you decide this, and follow Google maps, don't let it fool you into taking the path and steps behind the National Gallery. Stay on the road between the park and the gallery. The steps are a thigh burner.

I may end up at The Fraser Suites next year too. Allan, you should be
earning commission!

Everyone on this forum who thinks I gave them a good idea owes me a dollar!

Allan, thanks for the info. on the tram. I am adding it to my notes.