# Best place to stay in Edinburgh **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 24, 2013, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-place-to-stay-in-edinburgh/648179 "2013-01-24T03:22:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![ShadowFacts](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shadowfacts/32/2934_2.png) [@ShadowFacts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShadowFacts)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2013, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-place-to-stay-in-edinburgh/648179/1 "2013-01-24T03:22:39Z")
My wife and I will be taking a trip to Scotland in April and will be staying in Edinburgh for a few days. I’d like to hear from Dopers on what you all think is the best place to stay in the city center. Some criteria: [ul] [li]We want to be in walking distance of the good stuff. We won’t be driving around the city and don’t want to have to take a bus downtown every day.[/li][li]We’re not interested in the cheapest place. This is a bit of a splurge. That said, anything over $400/night is probably out of reach.[/li][li]Charming and romantic is good. Soulless and corporate is not.[/li][li]We won’t be getting mani pedis or swimming laps, so spas and gyms and whatnot are not of interest.[/li][/ul] Ok, hope that provides enough data. (Feel free to ask questions if not). I appeal to you - where is the place for us? ---
**Author:** ![Brynda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e79b87/32.png) [@Brynda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brynda)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2013, 4:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-place-to-stay-in-edinburgh/648179/2 "2013-01-24T04:13:26Z")
Try [smoothound.co.uk](http://smoothound.co.uk) for a B & B. I bet for that kind of money you can find a beautiful one. ---
**Author:** ![Floater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/dc4da7/32.png) [@Floater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Floater)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2013, 7:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-place-to-stay-in-edinburgh/648179/3 "2013-01-24T07:30:07Z")
I have stayed at the [Old Waverly](http://www.theedinburghcollection.com/oldwaverley/default-en.html) on Prince’s Street and you can’t get more central than that. ---
**Author:** ![Busy\_Scissors](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/d78d45/32.png) [@Busy\_Scissors](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Busy_Scissors)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2013, 1:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-place-to-stay-in-edinburgh/648179/4 "2013-01-24T13:09:47Z")
The Balmoral hotel is opposite the Old Waverly that Floater mentions and would be the place to stay if you want to splash out on somewhere nice - big, luxury place with a michelin-starred restaurant underneath: [http://www.thebalmoralhotel.com/](http://www.thebalmoralhotel.com/) Prices are on the site and don’t seem that crazy. Another suggestion for a good location is the Apex International on the grassmarket which basically faces the castle and is very central. Grassmarket gets quite lively at night so factor this in. > **[Hotel Group In The UK | 4-Star Luxury | Apex Hotels](https://www.apexhotels.co.uk/Default.aspx)** > > Four-Star luxury hotel group based in the UK. Apex Hotels operate nine luxury hotels in the UK, across some of the most popular cities including London, Bath, Edinburgh, Dundee & Glasgow. Some hotels are home to calming leisure facilities and fully... ---
**Author:** ![Meurglys](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/258eb7/32.png) [@Meurglys](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Meurglys)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2013, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-place-to-stay-in-edinburgh/648179/5 "2013-01-24T13:22:44Z")
You could try [Hotel Missoni](http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_Review-g186525-d1438701-Reviews-Hotel_Missoni_Edinburgh-Edinburgh_Scotland.html), [a few yards from the Royal Mile](https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=missoni+hotel+edinburgh&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-GB:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&hl=en&sa=N&tab=wl) in the Old Town. It’s almost impossible to get more central if you’re visiting the Castle, High Street, St. Giles, etc. I’ve not been there, but what I’ve heard has been very positive. It’s part of a small, upmarket chain, and the outside doesn’t look nearly as horrible as the Trip Advisor photo! ---
**Author:** ![SanVito](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sanvito/32/2805_2.png) [@SanVito](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanVito)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2013, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-place-to-stay-in-edinburgh/648179/6 "2013-01-24T13:50:27Z")
Location isn’t a major issue in Edinburgh as it’s a very compact city– most hotels are going to be walking distance of most sights. Aside from that, what flavour of place are you looking for? Traditional, opulent, hip and trendy, large and grand (like the Balmoral) or small and boutique? The Balmoral is the grandaddy – large, opulent, very very central. Otherwise, you might want to check out [Mr and Mrs Smith](http://www.mrandmrssmith.com/hotel-search-results), an online resource for very hip, often boutique, hotels. ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2013, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-place-to-stay-in-edinburgh/648179/7 "2013-01-24T14:18:39Z")
We stayed at the Apex City Hotel. It was decent enough, but a little “souless and corporate”. Sort of like a Scottish Courtyard Marriott. Good location though. ---
**Author:** ![ShadowFacts](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shadowfacts/32/2934_2.png) [@ShadowFacts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShadowFacts)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2013, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-place-to-stay-in-edinburgh/648179/8 "2013-01-24T17:15:29Z")
> [@SanVito](#): > > Location isn’t a major issue in Edinburgh as it’s a very compact city– most hotels are going to be walking distance of most sights. > > Aside from that, what flavour of place are you looking for? Traditional, opulent, hip and trendy, large and grand (like the Balmoral) or small and boutique? > > The Balmoral is the grandaddy – large, opulent, very very central. > > Otherwise, you might want to check out [Mr and Mrs Smith](http://www.mrandmrssmith.com/hotel-search-results), an online resource for very hip, often boutique, hotels. Small and boutique is more our style, and we’re not opposed to a B&B if it’s not a closet. Hip and trendy would work, too. I think the Balmoral, while amazing, is a little too opulent and huge for our tastes/means. Thank you for the rec on Mr and Mrs Smith - I will check that out. ---
**Author:** ![ShadowFacts](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shadowfacts/32/2934_2.png) [@ShadowFacts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShadowFacts)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2013, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-place-to-stay-in-edinburgh/648179/9 "2013-01-24T17:51:22Z")
> [@Floater](#): > > I have stayed at the [Old Waverly](http://www.theedinburghcollection.com/oldwaverley/default-en.html) on Prince’s Street and you can’t get more central than that. Did you like it? The rooms look a little stale and bland on the website… ---
**Author:** ![Scougs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scougs/32/3158_2.png) [@Scougs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scougs)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2013, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-place-to-stay-in-edinburgh/648179/10 "2013-01-24T20:00:04Z")
Here’s a few that might suit: [The Glasshouse](http://www.theglasshousehotel.co.uk/) at the east end of Princes Street [Tiger Lily](http://www.tigerlilyedinburgh.co.uk/) at the west end of George Street [The Chester Residence](http://www.chester-residence.com/) luxury serviced apartments near the west end [Hotel Du Vin](http://www.hotelduvin.com/locations/edinburgh/) in the Old Town [20 Albany Street](http://www.20albanystreet.co.uk/) in a quiet spot in the New Town I’ve lived all my life in Edinburgh, so fire any questions in my direction. ---
**Author:** ![ShadowFacts](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shadowfacts/32/2934_2.png) [@ShadowFacts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShadowFacts)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2013, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-place-to-stay-in-edinburgh/648179/11 "2013-01-24T21:16:00Z")
> [@Scougs](#): > > Here’s a few that might suit: > > [The Glasshouse](http://www.theglasshousehotel.co.uk/) at the east end of Princes Street > [Tiger Lily](http://www.tigerlilyedinburgh.co.uk/) at the west end of George Street > [The Chester Residence](http://www.chester-residence.com/) luxury serviced apartments near the west end > [Hotel Du Vin](http://www.hotelduvin.com/locations/edinburgh/) in the Old Town > [20 Albany Street](http://www.20albanystreet.co.uk/) in a quiet spot in the New Town > > I’ve lived all my life in Edinburgh, so fire any questions in my direction. These are some fabulous suggestions - thank you! ---
**Author:** ![Floater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/dc4da7/32.png) [@Floater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Floater)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2013, 9:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-place-to-stay-in-edinburgh/648179/12 "2013-01-25T09:55:49Z")
> [@ShadowFacts](#): > > Did you like it? The rooms look a little stale and bland on the website… A basic hotel, not posh and not run down. After all, what you want a hotel for is a bed to sleep in and a shower to clean yourself. ETA There is no lift from street level to the lobby on the first floor, though. If you’re interested in pubbing I can suggest a couple of good watering holes. ---
**Author:** ![SanVito](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sanvito/32/2805_2.png) [@SanVito](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanVito)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2013, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-place-to-stay-in-edinburgh/648179/13 "2013-01-28T13:58:45Z")
> [@Floater](#): > > A basic hotel, not posh and not run down. After all, what you want a hotel for is a bed to sleep in and a shower to clean yourself. That might be what some people like, but some people want a few more luxuries, the OP included, as he has already pointed out: > [@](#): > > We’re not interested in the cheapest place. This is a bit of a splurge. ---
**Author:** ![Motorgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e36b37/32.png) [@Motorgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Motorgirl)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2013, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-place-to-stay-in-edinburgh/648179/14 "2013-02-10T17:51:09Z")
Just getting back to this. We just booked here: [Luxury Holiday Apartments Edinburgh - Edinburgh Flats - Edinburgh Flats](http://www.edinburgh-flats.com/property/edinburgh-1-bedroom-apartment-in-old-town-ref-736-) but haven’t stayed there yet. It will be our first trip to Edinburgh ---
**Author:** ![Baron\_Greenback](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baron_greenback/32/48_2.png) [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2013, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-place-to-stay-in-edinburgh/648179/15 "2013-02-10T18:41:17Z")
> [@Motorgirl](#): > > Just getting back to this. We just booked here: [http://www.edinburgh-flats.com/property/edinburgh-1-bedroom-apartment-in-old-town-ref-736-](http://www.edinburgh-flats.com/property/edinburgh-1-bedroom-apartment-in-old-town-ref-736-) but haven’t stayed there yet. It will be our first trip to Edinburgh That’s a good location, albeit the Grassmarket can get a bit noisy late on, but if you don’t mind then that’s an excellent base. Seems decently priced too. ---
**Author:** ![ethelbert](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/958977/32.png) [@ethelbert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ethelbert)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2013, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-place-to-stay-in-edinburgh/648179/16 "2013-02-10T19:52:34Z")
10 years ago we stayed at the [Royal Scots Club](http://www.royalscotsclub.com/), and we thoroughly enjoyed it. ---
**Author:** ![Meurglys](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/258eb7/32.png) [@Meurglys](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Meurglys)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2013, 11:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-place-to-stay-in-edinburgh/648179/17 "2013-02-11T11:59:21Z")
Looks like it’s right beside the Apex International; it has a good restaurant with great views on it’s top floor. And if your bedroom’s to the rear, it should be fairly quiet. The open-top city tour buses stop right opposite - very easy to jump on and get a feel for the city. I sometimes used to get my morning coffee & pastry from Blackcherry, which looks to be extremely close - very nice. All this assuming that the location arrow’s in the right place on the map! ---
**Author:** ![Floater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/dc4da7/32.png) [@Floater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Floater)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2013, 12:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-place-to-stay-in-edinburgh/648179/18 "2013-02-11T12:11:07Z")
> [@Meurglys](#): > > All this assuming that the location arrow’s in the right place on the map! It is. The photo is taken a bit to the East of Apex pointing North. Anyway, I think it’s a good decision to rent a flat instead of staying at a hotel. I have done it a couple of times in London and liked it very much as you are more on your own that way. ---
**Author:** ![Motorgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e36b37/32.png) [@Motorgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Motorgirl)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2013, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-place-to-stay-in-edinburgh/648179/19 "2013-02-11T16:12:04Z")
I am feeling very good about our choice of flat, then! We won’t be there til September but I will try to make a report when we return, and link back to this thread ---
**Author:** ![Baron\_Greenback](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baron_greenback/32/48_2.png) [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2013, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-place-to-stay-in-edinburgh/648179/20 "2013-02-11T19:48:15Z")
> [@Motorgirl](#): > > I am feeling very good about our choice of flat, then! We won’t be there til September but I will try to make a report when we return, and link back to this thread You’re just across the road from some decent pubs and also just up the road in Victoria Street. If you want lively (or mayhem), turn right leaving the apartment and walk along to the Cowgate, under the bridge… [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-place-to-stay-in-edinburgh/648179.md?page=2)