Hotels in Edinburgh Old Town, Edinburgh

The service was truly exceptional. My first stay was in Manchester, and the overall ambiance of the hotel was fantastic. My girlfriend and I really enjoyed it. So, when we saw that this apartment was available in Edinburgh as well, we didn’t hesitate to book it.🤩The Edinburgh Castle can be seen from the hotel’s entrance, and the street scene next to the hotel is also quite beautiful.

The hotel is perfectly situated right on the Royal Mile – the location is absolutely superb! It's just an 8-minute walk from the train station. Be aware that there are some steps along the route, which might be a bit of a workout if you're carrying heavy suitcases. It's a very family-friendly hotel. The bedroom has a large bed, and the living room sofa converts into a double bed, comfortably accommodating two adults and two children. Our room was incredibly clean, newly renovated, and surprisingly quiet. Even though the Royal Mile is bustling with street performers and activities, we couldn't hear any noise from our room at all. Having amenities like a washing machine and oven in the room was a huge plus. Just a note: toothpaste, toothbrushes, and slippers aren't provided as standard. We brought our own dental kit, so we only needed to ask the front desk for slippers. Breakfast is served à la carte; you order what you like, and top-ups are available if you're still hungry. Edinburgh Castle is a mere 5-minute walk to the right from the hotel's entrance, with plenty of shops and restaurants nearby – incredibly convenient!

Ideal location within budget I used to study in Edinburgh uni and my student hall is right opposite - that’s why we chose here The value is pretty good but I won’t give it 10/10 Here are the reasons 1. The towels have fluff coming out all the time 2. Bathroom hand wash sink doesn’t go down properly 3. Shower pressure fairly low 4!! The WiFi!! There’s barely any connection within our room. The 5G got down to 4G on 1-2 bar so even we use our own data is very slow… The wifi gets way better in the Lobby and in public corridors but who wants to chill in the lobby after a whole day of walking… My husband got severe dry eye symptoms at the end of the trip (it may not have something to do with the hotel but he wakes up every single night) The hotel has very good amenities that benefits every member who stays. but within the room i can always figure out something that doesn’t match up the 4star hotel standard things.

Great location as not too far from Edinburgh Waverley Station and a couple of minutes off the Royal Mile. Lots of pubs and eating places nearby. Staff very welcoming and always available. We were about half an hour early for check-in time, but our room was available for us. Sweet double room was large enough for 2 people. Hanging space for clothing with hangers included. Large desk/table with fully stocked tea/coffee station. Clean room and bedding, plus extra pillows were available. Bed was comfy, think they use mattress toppers. We stayed for 3 nights in January and the room was warm enough with the use of the heater/cooler system. Our room overlooked Hunters Square, so quite a nice view of what was going on. Small bathroom, but shower cubicle was big enough and shower easy to use. Large mirror with lighting around it in bathroom and long mirror on the wall in the room. Hairdryer in room also. Free WiFi was always available. Large flat screen TV was in working order. We had no issues with noise from other rooms or from the street outside, even though we occasionally had the window open. Key cards worked with no problems. You also have the option to ”Skip the daily clean”, which we did, but changed the towels. Corridors always smelled clean and fresh. We didn't opt in for the breakfast and didn't eat or drink in the hotel, as we ate out alot. Would definitely stay at this hotel again.

I really enjoyed my four days. Wonderful hotel the team was very friendly and helpful at all times of the day. Great location easy to get to from the Station/airport. Good trams service along Princes Street. Plenty of buses along South Bridge which is a short walk. Enjoyed the spa facilities especially the swimming pool. The lounge near the reception area is a little chilly but a nice spot to relax with a warm drink. Overall a very pleasant stay. Would recommend. Rooms Good size room, fantastic shower and products. Bed was very comfortable. It was a tad cold so I requested a blanket which was very snug. Bonus having a fridge and complimentary water nice touch. Tea/coffee try was good but would be great to have some hot chocolate. Nearby activities Holyrood Palace and gardens on your doorstep along with great views of Arthur Seat. Five minutes walk to the Royal Mile. Food and drinks There is a restaurant and bar in the hotel. I found the food a bit hit and miss to be honest. Breakfast is great with a great choice in food for all palettes. Warm friendly service.

Fantastic location, close to attractions, restaurants, and supermarkets, making it incredibly convenient for getting around. The room was spacious and clean, with a fully equipped kitchen and laundry facilities. The staff were friendly and the stay was quiet and comfortable. Overall, it was a great experience, and I'd definitely choose to stay here again if I have the chance.

Without doubt, this was one of our finest hotel stays in recent memory. From the moment we arrived, Novotel Edinburgh set the tone with a level of warmth and professionalism that genuinely stood out. The staff were incredibly helpful throughout and what really demonstrated this was a small but telling moment: we lost our key card during the stay, and it was replaced immediately, without any fuss or inconvenience whatsoever. It's the kind of effortless service that puts you completely at ease, and it's something you remember long after checkout. The breakfast deserves a special mention — it was simply top notch. The spread was so good that holding back was near impossible, and it's the kind of breakfast that makes you actually look forward to the morning. Freshly prepared, well-stocked, and served with care — it's one of the best hotel breakfasts we've had. The location is outstanding. Sitting just a mile from Edinburgh Castle, you're right in the heart of one of the most iconic cities in the UK. Public transport couldn't be more convenient either  buses are accessible right behind the hotel, making it incredibly easy to get around the city without needing a car at all. The one area that needs addressing is parking. The hotel's own car park is frequently full, which meant we had to use the nearby NCP instead. To the hotel's credit, they did provide a discount for the NCP - a thoughtful gesture that softened the inconvenience. However, it's worth noting for electric vehicle drivers: the EV charging at the NCP is painfully slow, so factor that into your plans if you're arriving in an electric car. A heads-up from the hotel at check-in would go a long way. Parking frustrations aside, Novotel Edinburgh is a brilliant base for exploring the city - exceptional staff, an unmissable breakfast, and a location that's hard to beat. We'd return without hesitation.

The overall experience didn't live up to the price. For a luxury king room costing over 3000 a night, the path to our room was ridiculous: first up to the second floor, then down to the basement (-1 floor), passing through a total of six doors, four of which were tiny, only to be given a room at the very end of the hallway. When I tried to sort this out at the front desk, the hotel's excuse was that they had no other rooms available that day! Yet, I found the exact same room type still listed on three different booking platforms. Even the Trip.com agent insisted there were no rooms, which is hard to believe if it's listed on three separate sites – if it was just one, I might understand it being taken down. On check-out day, due to the incredibly small lobby, we waited for the elevator for a good 10-20 minutes, only to find no available elevators we could fit into. My child and I ended up having to carry our large suitcases down the stairs! Aside from all this, when I tried to change rooms, the 'Chinese courtesy' they advertise (Trip.com should really amend this) was non-existent. There was merely a person who spoke Chinese, or more accurately, a Chinese person who acted like a European. When I mentioned at the front desk that the room didn't match the photos and felt like false advertising, this 'Chinese' staff member actually got upset. Shouldn't a guest be allowed to point out discrepancies between the booking and the actual experience? The way the front desk staff looked at me, their facial expression, and tone of voice, were completely unacceptable for a hotel costing over 3000 a night.

My trip to Edinburgh was an unforgettable experience filled with history, culture, and stunning scenery. From the moment I arrived, I was struck by the city’s unique blend of old and new, with medieval architecture sitting alongside modern shops and restaurants. One of the highlights of my visit was exploring Edinburgh Castle, which sits proudly on top of a volcanic rock. The views from the castle were incredible, and learning about Scotland’s history made the visit even more interesting. Walking down the Royal Mile was another memorable part of the trip, as it was full of street performers, traditional shops, and lively atmosphere. I also really enjoyed visiting Arthur’s Seat. Although the hike was a bit challenging, the panoramic views of the city were absolutely worth it. It was a great way to experience Edinburgh’s natural beauty. The food in Edinburgh was another highlight. I had the chance to try traditional Scottish dishes, and the local restaurants offered a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Overall, my experience in Edinburgh was amazing. The city has something for everyone, whether you’re interested in history, nature, or simply exploring a beautiful place. I would definitely recommend visiting Edinburgh and hope to return again in the future.

Exiting the train station, you'll see South North Bride; the hotel is about 300 meters further ahead. The rooms were clean, and the breakfast was of the same standard as other premium chain hotels. A highlight is its proximity to the Gin Museum – incredibly close!