The heart of Midlothian may be on the Royal Mile but Princes Street is the city’s main artery, running the length of Princes Street gardens past the National Gallery and Scott’s monument. Surrounded by the best shopping in the city, with views of the castle and the Old Town’s dramatic skyline, it’s a fifteen minute stroll at most to the Royal Mile for the best of history and heritage; five minutes to the New Town with it’s elegant architecture, boutique and antiques, small galleries and ultra-desirable Stockbridge. Great transport links on your doorstep, too, for easy arrivals, departures and exploration further afield.
Even better, these hotels – ranging from flagship luxury destinations to a money-saving old-school charmer, will suit a range of tastes as well as budgets both great and small. Just imagine, all of that and grandstand views of the fireworks too, without going out in the rain. Here are the best hotels on Princes Street, Edinburgh.
An imposing and historic building in the heart of Edinburgh, with a Galvin restaurant, swimming pool and a Guerlain spa. Enjoy views of Edinburgh castle, excellent breakfasts and fabulous afternoon teas. This is one of the premier locations in Edinburgh – particularly good for dedicated shoppers – with major tourist attractions on the doorstep as well. Great transport links, with buses and a tram stop close by (although almost everywhere is within easy walking distance). Rooms come in four grades, from Classics to Suites, decorated in lightly soothing or softly stormy colours.
From
£
185
per night
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Smack at the west end of Princes Street, close to the National Gallery, theatres, George Street and the Castle. The Rutland is also well-placed for Murrayfield, the home of Scottish rugby. An unassuming building that hides a sleek 12-room hotel above a surprisingly large bar and restaurants. While the hotel oozes quiet comfort – soft carpets, designer wallpaper and slinky furnishings – you can slip downstairs for a drink or a meal in The Huxley, in trendy shades of grey and tan. Rooms are light, spacious and quietly opulent with bold wallpapers, huge white headboards, bright accent colours on velvet cushions, stripy chairs and thick curtains.
From
£
126
per night
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Off the east end of Princes Street, a little removed from the hurly burly. It’s a few minutes’ walk to Waverley Station and the city centre, close to Calton Hill. Apex may be a hotel chain, but it has solid style credentials with some skillful incorporation of many of the original building’s elegant Georgian features. The Yu Spa, though a little compact, has a gym, steam and sauna rooms, ozone pool and a good choice of treatments. A soothing palette of soft taupes, browns and slate grey, with accents of deep red, turquoise or soft green, is used to pleasing effect across the hotel’s 184 rooms.
From
£
93
per night
Rates provided by
Booking.com
Bang opposite Waverley Station and handy for everything. Book early for views across the Old Town (efficient double glazing stops it being too noisy). The address is Princes Street, but the entrance is around the corner. This German brand brings strong design to budget hotels, leaving everyone else playing catch-up. Public areas are stylish, fun and functional; bedrooms are simple triumphs of good design using the house style with a lighter touch. The large reception/lounge area overlooking Princes Street has a good choice of seating and is an appealing place to hang out (bag one of the window-seats for a great view).
From
£
89
per night
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Booking.com
Right in the middle of Princes Street, overlooking Princes Street Gardens with transport links to everywhere, including the airport by tram or bus and Waverley Station. There isn’t a more central location: you are two minutes’ walk from the National Gallery and Scottish Academy of Art and 10 minutes’ walk from the Old Town and the castle (the views of the castle from the hotel are pretty impressive as well). The look here is firmly traditional, with patterned carpets, swagged curtains and chairs designed to make it easy to get up.
From
£
58
per night
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Although an Edinburgh landmark for more than a century, there’s nothing old-fashioned about the Balmoral. Luxurious bedrooms, a Michelin-starred restaurant, lavish afternoon teas in the Palm Court and a spacious spa add up to a sophisticated 21st-century version of a truly grand hotel. It’s next to Edinburgh’s main Waverley station, at the eastern end of Princes Street, and it’s a five minute walk to the National Gallery, shopping and the Old Town. Being well-placed for bus, tram and rail links means noisy, crowded chaos outside, but all is peaceful once past the kilted doormen.
From
£
223
per night
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At the east end of Princes Street directly opposite Waverley Station, around the corner from a tram stop. The bar, restaurant and rooms at the front have splendid views of the Old Town and, if you look to your right, a pretty good view of the castle. You’ll find gleaming white marble and curvy button back chairs; ornately corniced walls crowded with prints and old photographs of all things Scottish; yards of colourful faux-book bindings and a traditional fireplace enlivened by a privet surround.
The Juniper Cocktail Bar is bright and buzzy, leading into a quieter area with inviting high back chairs, perfect for a quiet loll.
The Juniper Cocktail Bar is bright and buzzy, leading into a quieter area with inviting high back chairs, perfect for a quiet loll.
From
£
88
per night
Rates provided by
Booking.com
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