Edinburgh’s grand hotels, from the Balmoral clock to the Witchery

About Edinburgh’s grand hotels, from the Balmoral clock to the Witchery

By the ULTIMATE Edinburgh Editorial Team

Editor-in-Chief: Jai Michael

Edinburgh’s great hotels mark the ends of its grand street. The Balmoral, Rocco Forte’s hotel at 1 Princes Street, rises over Waverley with its clock tower; the Caledonian, now part of Hilton’s Curio Collection, closes the west end of the street on Lothian Road. Between them, on St Andrew Square, stands Gleneagles Townhouse. In the Old Town, the Witchery keeps nine suites at the gates of the castle, and Prestonfield House stands in its own grounds below Arthur’s Seat.

Princes Street and the New Town

The Balmoral, at 1 Princes Street, is home to Number One, in the 2026 MICHELIN Guide, and to Palm Court. Gleneagles Townhouse, at 39 St Andrew Square, has The Spence for all-day dining and a rooftop bar, in the hotel’s words. The Caledonian’s 1925 at The Pompadour looks up at the castle. Kimpton Charlotte Square has its own spa on Robert Adam’s square, and Cheval The Edinburgh Grand offers serviced apartments on St Andrew Square.

The Old Town

The Witchery by the Castle has nine suites and its famous dining room at the castle gates; the Scotsman Hotel fills the 1905 building that was home to The Scotsman newspaper, on North Bridge; Market Street Hotel and Hotel du Vin, on Bristo Place, are steps from the Royal Mile.

From 24 July 2026, Edinburgh adds a 5% visitor levy to paid overnight stays, for up to five nights (City of Edinburgh Council).

Boutique and townhouse

The Raeburn in Stockbridge, Nira Caledonia in a Georgian townhouse on Gloucester Place, The Bonham in the West End and The Roseate near Haymarket give the quieter side of the city.

Leith and the water

Fingal, a former lighthouse tender, is now a floating hotel of 23 cabins moored in Leith, by the Royal Yacht Britannia, and Malmaison keeps its original hotel on the Shore.

Country houses beyond the city

Prestonfield is a country house within the city. Further out: Greywalls at Gullane, Gleneagles in Perthshire, the Old Course Hotel in St Andrews and Cromlix near Dunblane.

Our advice: book early for August (the festivals) and Hogmanay, when the city fills.

Opening hours, prices and seasonal openings change, so please check with Edinburgh’s grand hotels, from the Balmoral clock to the Witchery before you go.