Where to stay in Edinburgh? From Budget to Luxury

Where to stay in Edinburgh?

This is a blog post that's been on my to-write list for quite some time as it's one of the most popular topics I get asked about. As I live in Edinburgh, I don't have extensive experience with the subject but I hope this can be of some help. A quick note before we dive into the blog, Edinburgh goes through various seasons. For instance, if you're looking for 'cheap' accommodation during August or December, the likelihood of that is very low as those are peak seasons in the capital.

*This is by no means an Ad, collaboration, or partnership, I'm just trying to be helpful and I found it interesting doing a little research on places to stay.

Indulgent

• The Balmoral 5*
• Home to a Michelin-starred restaurant and a prominent part of Edinburgh's stunning skyline, the Balmoral is one of the most luxurious places you could stay in Edinburgh.
• Old Town Chambers & The Edinburgh Grand 5*
• A relatively new addition to Edinburgh, the Edinburgh grand consists of 50 luxury serviced apartments. Having been inside for a tour, I can vouch for the care taken when renovating this gorgeous building.
• Witchery by the Castle 5*
• If you're looking for a luxury boutique hotel with a Gothic twist, look no further, the Witchery is utterly decadent and opulent. You won't have to venture far for dinner either, the Witchery is also known for their restaurant too.

Won't Blow your Budget

• Apex Hotels 4*
• I love supporting the Apex as they started off in Edinburgh in 1996. They now have four hotels dotted around the city, as well across the UK (each with their own unique complimentary ducks - I've collected three so far). Having stayed at the Apex Grassmarket, I couldn't recommend it more. It's modern, central, and I opted for the castle view room which truly has fantastic views of Edinburgh Castle. I've also heard great things about their Waterloo branch which sits right next to Calton Hill.
• Eden Locke 4*
• Branded as an Aparthotel, Eden Locke consists of a selection of beautiful modern service apartments hidden within a stunning Georgian building. I had the pleasure of staying here as part of a PR visit and very much enjoyed my stay. Another aspect I like is that they have a coffee shop instead of a traditional lobby.
• Tigerlily Hotel 4* 
• Just a few doors down from Eden Locke, you'll find one of Edinburgh's best boutique hotels, Tigerlily. I haven't personally stayed there but I have dined in their restaurant before and enjoyed myself. Within the beautiful Georgian building, you'll find 33 unique and stylish suites and bedrooms.

Cheap & Cheerful

One of the most frequent questions I get asked is "Where can I stay in Edinburgh on a budget?" or "Do you know any good hostels?". I don't really have very much experience so I posted the question on my Instastory and a flurry of lovely humans have replied with their advice and suggestions (massive thank you to you). I've collated the most popular responses and listed them below and a few people suggested checking out sites like Booking.com or LastMinute.com for discounts. Hopefully, if you're looking for somewhere budget-friendly to stay in Edinburgh this could be of some help for you.

• Castle Rock Hostel
• Located pretty much next to Edinburgh Castle, Castle Rock Hostel was by far one of the most popular responses I received and I can see why. It has an impressive 4.5/5 review TripAdvisor with reviews stating clean facilities, friendly staff, and great lounge area.
• Budget Backpackers & Kick Ass Hostels
• Both Budget Backpackers and Kick Ass Hostels were suggested and since they're sister hostels and both located just off the Grassmarket I thought I'd include both. After a peruse on TripAdvisor, Budget Backpackers has a solid 4/5 review and Kick Ass 4.5/5, both received generally good reviews and praised for their good value.
• St Christopher's Inn
•  Practically opposite Edinburgh Waverley Station, St Christopher's Inn is another option. From the little online research I've done, it seems like a great budget option, but ranking 3.5/5 on TripAdvisor it seems to have more mixed reviews than the previous two.
• West End Hotel
• The West End Hotel was another recommendation, but despite their name, they offer dormitory-style shared rooms. From photos and reviews, it seems to be a fairly modern interior within a beautiful B-listed Victorian townhouse. Rated 4/5 on TripAdvisor, it seems like another good option.
• Edinburgh Central Youth Hostel
• This wasn't actually recommended to me on Instagram but I have heard from a few people that it was a good option, so I thought I'd include it too. Located just at the top of Leith Walk, it isn't as central as the rest but still within walking distance of all the main attractions. With a solid 4/5 ranking on TripAdvisor
• Budget-friendly hotel chains: easyHotel.com, Motel One Edinburgh-Royal & Edinburgh-Princes, Travelodge
•  University Accommodation
• Someone suggested a brilliant option if you're visiting Edinburgh during the summer months, staying at university accommodation. This had completely slipped my mind but as a student, I had to move out of my student accommodation after May so they could rent it out to toursists. There are a multitude of student accommodation in Edinburgh like Pollock Halls (from £37 per night)

Airbnb and Short-Term Letting

Although this is a pretty controversial topic, Airbnb can be a good option if you're looking for somewhere affordable to stay in Edinburgh. I understand it has its fair share of negatives but I do like the fact that you get a chance to live like a local for a few days and it can often be a cheaper option than booking a hotel room. Another, option is local independent short-term letting companies, like  Dickins Edinburgh and The Edinburgh Address.