Where to Stay in Edinburgh (on a budget)
Like any in demand tourist destination, Edinburgh hotels can be pricey. High season in the city can run from Easter until the end of September and then it peaks again for the Christmas markets. So, finding affordable accommodations can be quite tricky especially if you want to stay within walking distance of many top attractions in Old Town. This list will give you a few options to check out:
Ibis hotels. They have three locations in Edinburgh – one in New Town near St. Andrew Square, and two in Old Town right off the Royal Mile. The hotels are bright, cheerful, and clean and the beds are very comfortable. They offer a continental breakfast in the mornings to start your day off right.
Holiday Inn Express Royal Mile – this hotel is located in Old Town just a few minutes away from the Royal Mile. It offers 24 hour dining and breakfast is included with your room rate. It is a great option for families as well as couples or friends traveling together.
Hub by Premier Inn Rose Street – tucked in behind Princes Street, this modern hotel is perfect for accessing the shopping and bars in New Town, Princes Street Gardens and Waverley Station. It is bright, clean, and sleek with compact rooms that feature touchscreen controls. This hotel offers a continental breakfast option but please note there is no parking. If you prefer another location, there are several other Premier Inn hotels in the city.
CoDE POD hostel – if you just need a bed to sleep in without a lot of other amenities, then why note check out this cool Pod hostel located just off the Royal Mile. It is based on the Japanese concept of sleeping pods and the dorms feature lockers where you can store your gear. It also offers small private rooms in these former police chambers and courtroom. Why not lock yourself away for a night in their holding cells/pods? There is a coffee shop on the premises where you can buy breakfast for an additional charge.
Leonardo Hotel Edinburgh City – located in Lauriston Place, this hotel is a few minutes walk to the Grassmarket or the Vennel Steps where you can find fabulous views of Edinburgh Castle. A full cooked breakfast is made to order each morning for an additional price. This charming structure was a former maternity hospital in 1879 but has been fully renovated to make your stay as comfortable as possible.
easyHotel Edinburgh – a great budget option with a prime location just off Princes Street. Many rooms have a view of Edinburgh Castle as it is just a few minutes walk away. This hotel is 10 minutes walk to Waverly Station. The rooms are compact with ensuite bathrooms and free WiFi. There are no breakfast options at the hotel but there are loads of restaurant options close by.
Motel One Edinburgh – there are two locations in the city – one is directly across from Waverly Station at the foot of Cockburn Street and the other one is on Princes Street across from the Balmoral Hotel and the Scott Monument. These affordable design hotels mean you don’t have to compromise style when on a budget. The Motel One offers an Organic continental breakfast buffet for an additional fee.
The Inn Place – this small 3 star hotel is located on Cockburn Street in the Old Town with lots of shopping, restaurants and coffee shops at your doorstep. It features a combination of regular hotel rooms and private dorm rooms for 6-8 adults. There is a café/coffee shop on the premises for breakfast options.
Eden Locke – for something a little different, try this Apart-hotel complex in New Town. 72 apartments that are kitted out with kitchens, AC, dishwashers, and washer/dryer combos plus a sofa to relax on. On the ground floor is a coffee house where you can catch up on emails or order a pastry to recharge your internal battery.
Point A Hotel – this hotel is located in the Haymarket just slightly outside of New Town but still very accessible to all the key attractions by foot or by transit. The rooms are small, and some offer an option for window or no window (to save some dollars/pounds/euros). Continental breakfast is offered on site and modern amenities such as touchscreen climate control are available in the rooms.