Best Luxury Hotels in Edinburgh

Sitting at the crossroads of Edinburgh’s historic Old Town and Georgian New Town, The Balmoral meaning ‘majestic dwelling’ in Gaelic is more than just a hotel, it’s one of the Scottish capital’s most iconic landmarks.

A true masterpiece of Scottish Baronial design, its exterior is a romanticised interpretation of medieval Scottish castles brought to life through its warm sandstone façade.

The Scott Hotel provides a sophisticated retreat located within the historic Pollock Estate next to Holyrood Park and is approx. 20-minutes’ walk from Edinburgh’s Old Town. A former 18th-century baronial mansion originally built in the 1750s for merchant Alexander Scott has been meticulously restored to a beautiful boutique hotel within tranquil landscaped grounds.

Prestonfield House is a unique 5-star hotel that seamlessly blends opulence, theatricality, and luxury within one of Edinburgh’s most charming historic buildings and has been operating since the 1950s. This exclusive haven, presided over by James Thomson, marries the serenity and seclusion of a country estate with the vibrancy of urban Edinburgh.

W Edinburgh opened in November 2023 and has revolutionised the city’s hospitality scene. Located in the vibrant St James Quarter, this Marriott Bonvoy property combines Edinburgh’s rich history with modern luxury. The hotel features three distinct buildings, Ribbon Building, James Craig Walk, and Quarter House, each offering a unique perspective of the city...

The century-old Perthshire spa resort brings its famous quintessential Scottish luxury to the heart of Edinburgh. In 2022 the brand completed the refurbishment of the iconic former Bank of Scotland HQ, a Grade A-listed building on St Andrew Square. The boutique property has a small number of bedrooms decorated in a modern style, but reflecting a timeless Georgian townhouse elegance...

Taking up residence in the Old Town’s India Buildings, the Virgin Hotel is homey, plush and contemporary, bedecked in hues of cream. Naturally, you’ll find plenty of pops of red around the place — in the in-room Smeg mini-fridges, on doors and forming the arrival carpet into the lobby...

Eden Locke, located on Edinburgh’s George Street, combines boutique hotel luxury with the flexibility of self-catering accommodation. Featuring 72 stylish studios and suites, each with a kitchen and lounge area, the aparthotel is ideal for extended stays...

Originally built to transport keepers and supplies to lighthouses around Scotland, this heritage vessel is now an AA five-star hotel with  AA Rosettes. Docked in Leith, the ship provides wonderful waterside views, as enjoyed from the restaurant (named after Fingal’s original purpose) and the deck, where guests can partake of artisanal cocktails as the sunsets over the sea...

A Carlton Collection Hotel, Market Street hotel is the first Design Hotels member in Scotland and it is clear to see why. The hotel interior design has been led by award-winning team FG Stjil and showcases a perfect balance of contemporary finishings whilst firmly acknowledging the historic charm and local artistic influences...

The 269 rooms at this Grand Hotel overlooking Festival Square, feature Sheraton Signature Sleep Experience beds and marble bathrooms with separate showers and bathtubs. Set right in the commercial heart of Edinburgh, close to financial institutions, the shops of Princes Street and walking distance from the Old Town, this hotel suits all types of travellers...

The highlight of this boutique establishment is its rooftop garden terrace with far reaching views. Not only a convivial place to take the ozone with a cocktail in hand, this space also serves a practical purpose as home to a variety of plants and herbs, which are used in the hotel’s dishes and beverages...

Housed in a Victorian building that dates back to 1903, this hotel is considered to be one of the city’s most iconic landmarks and was one of the British grand railway hotels. Nowadays The Caledonian is perhaps most renowned for its excellent cuisine. Dean Banks at The Pompadour, the flagship restaurant by a star of TV’s Masterchef, has been awarded a coveted Michelin star...

A former bank, this restored 19th-century building on St Andrew’s Square now accommodates high-end apartments. These range in size from studios to three-bedroom residences, providing a home-away-from-home experience during a longer stay. The apartments are serviced daily and include Nespresso machines...

Taking the aparthotel to another level, Cheval Old Town Chambers takes advantage of all of the 15th-century charm found within its tenement homes across three buildings. But this is offset by clean contemporary lines and modern Scandi-inspired furnishings. Choose a studio, an apartment with a mezzanine, a private outdoor terrace, or a four-bedroom townhouse...