Are you planning a trip to Scotland with kids and aren’t sure where to stay? Keep scrolling to check out my top picks for the best Edinburgh hotels for families visiting Ireland!
This list of the best Edinburgh hotels for families was written by family travel expert Marcie Cheung and contains affiliate links which means if you purchase something from one of my affiliate links, I may earn a small commission that goes back into maintaining this blog.
Can we talk about how hard it is to find a hotel room in Edinburgh that actually fits a family of four?
I’m serious.
When I started planning our Edinburgh trip, I thought “how hard can it be to find a hotel?”
Turns out, very hard.
Most European hotels are built for couples. When you filter for “family room,” you get a bunch of results that technically sleep four people but when you dig into the details, it’s one double bed and a pullout couch that looks like it was designed for toddlers.
I spent HOURS researching this. Reading reviews, comparing room sizes, looking at floor plans when hotels had them posted.
Because I was not about to fly my family across the Atlantic only to discover we’d booked ourselves into a shoebox where someone ends up sleeping on the floor.
We ended up staying at the Radisson Blu on the Royal Mile and I’d book it again tomorrow. But I also found eight other hotels that can legitimately fit families without anyone being miserable.
So here’s what I learned, including the hotel we actually stayed at plus the other places I seriously considered (and why some didn’t make the cut).
Grab my free Scotland planning email course before you book anything. It’ll help you figure out where to base yourself and how many nights you actually need in Edinburgh.
Why We Loved Edinburgh with Kids
Edinburgh surprised me. I thought it would be one of those cities where you’re constantly fighting uphill battles (literally, because hello hills everywhere) and dragging kids through boring historical stuff they don’t care about.
But it actually worked?
The city center is small enough that you can walk everywhere. We walked from our hotel to the castle. Walked to lunch. Walked back for afternoon quiet time. Walked to dinner. I think we took an Uber maybe once the entire trip.
And my kids, who normally complain about museums and historical sites, were actually into it.
Edinburgh Castle is legitimately cool. The Royal Mile has enough shops and street performers to keep them interested between attractions. Princes Street Gardens became our go-to spot when everyone needed to run around and burn energy.
Also, the food situation is better than I expected. You can find fish and chips and pizza for picky eaters, but there’s also amazing Scottish food if your kids are adventurous. We had haggis. The kids tried it. Nobody died.
The whole city has this magical, storybook vibe that makes kids feel like they’re in a different world. Cobblestone streets, a castle on a hill, hidden alleyways and closes. It’s basically the Harry Potter effect without actually being a Harry Potter attraction.
One warning though: you will be walking uphill. A lot. Edinburgh is built on a volcanic hill and you feel it in your legs. But that’s also why the views are amazing.
Where to Actually Stay in Edinburgh
Location matters way more than I thought it would. Here’s what you need to know about the main areas:
Old Town is where we stayed and where I’d recommend most families stay, especially if it’s your first time in Edinburgh.
You’re walking distance to everything. Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Mile, all the main attractions. We could leave the hotel at 9am, explore all morning, come back for lunch or rest time, then head out again at 3pm.
The downside? It’s hilly. Like, really hilly. You will be walking uphill multiple times a day.
Also, during summer and especially during the Edinburgh Festival in August, it gets packed with tourists. The Royal Mile can feel like a theme park sometimes.
But honestly, the convenience outweighs the crowds. With kids, minimizing transportation time is huge.
New Town (which is actually from the 1700s, because nothing in Europe is actually “new”) is gorgeous. Wide streets, beautiful Georgian architecture, less touristy. Princes Street runs through here and you’re close to gardens and shopping.
It’s slightly more spread out than Old Town, but still walkable. You’re maybe 10-15 minutes from the Royal Mile versus being right on it. I almost booked here but decided we wanted to be even closer to the main attractions since we only had five days.
West End is quieter and more residential. If you want to feel like you’re staying in a neighborhood instead of a tourist area, this is it.
But you’re adding 20-30 minutes of walking to reach most attractions, which with kids might mean you’re taking more Ubers or buses.
For first-time families, stick with Old Town. You can’t beat the location.
Related: Check out how to spend 5 days in Edinburgh with kids for a complete itinerary!
How I Actually Chose These Hotels
Here’s what mattered when I was doing my research:
Rooms that genuinely fit four people. Not two double beds crammed into 200 square feet where you can’t open a suitcase. I wanted actual space. Room to move around. Somewhere we could hang out as a family without tripping over each other.
Location near the Royal Mile and castle. I wanted to walk to breakfast, walk to attractions, walk back to the hotel for afternoon downtime, walk to dinner. No coordinating Ubers with tired kids. No figuring out bus routes. Just walking out the door.
Recent reviews from actual families. I read probably 200+ hotel reviews. I skipped the generic “great stay!” reviews and looked for parents talking about room size, noise levels, whether the hotel actually delivered what they promised.
If multiple families said “room was too small” or “location wasn’t as convenient as advertised,” I crossed it off my list.
Price that wasn’t totally insane. Edinburgh hotels aren’t cheap. But I wanted to make sure we were getting value for what we paid. I wasn’t looking for the cheapest option, but I also wasn’t trying to blow our entire budget on accommodation.
Related: Want to see what we actually did during our five days? Check out our Edinburgh itinerary for the full breakdown.
Best Family Hotels in Edinburgh
Where We Stayed: Radisson Blu Hotel Edinburgh Royal Mile
Okay so this is where we actually stayed and I’d book it again right now if we were going back to Edinburgh.
The Radisson Blu is literally on the Royal Mile. Like, you walk out the front door and you’re on it. Which meant everything was walking distance.
Edinburgh Castle? Ten-minute walk. Restaurants? Two minutes. The dozens of shops and attractions along the Royal Mile? You’re already there.
But here’s what actually made it work for us: we could come back to the hotel in the middle of the day.
This is huge with kids. We’d go out in the morning, explore for a few hours, then come back around noon when everyone was tired and hungry and starting to melt down.
The kids could recharge. I could recharge. We’d order room service or grab something nearby. Then we’d head back out at 3 or 4pm for afternoon adventures.
You can’t do that when your hotel is a 20-minute Uber ride from where you’re spending your day. The location was honestly the best part.
The room itself was surprisingly spacious. We had two double beds with actual space to walk around. The kids had their own area. We could open our suitcases without blocking pathways.
The bathroom was a normal size (not tiny like some European hotel bathrooms I’ve experienced).
Nothing was fancy or over-the-top. It’s not a luxury hotel. But it was clean, comfortable, and functional. Which is exactly what we needed.
One thing I loved: being able to see Edinburgh Castle from certain parts of the Royal Mile as we walked to the hotel. It never got old. The kids loved spotting it every time.
Downsides? The room wasn’t huge. It worked for us, but if you have teenagers who need serious space, you might want to look at suites.
Also, if you’re staying during Edinburgh Festival season in August, expect crowds everywhere. The Royal Mile gets packed.
But seriously, the location made our entire trip easier. We didn’t waste time on transportation. We could be flexible with our schedule. We saved money on Ubers.
And when someone forgot something at the hotel (which happened at least three times), it wasn’t a big deal to pop back and grab it.
If you want to be in the heart of everything without needing to coordinate transportation with kids, book this hotel.
The Balmoral Hotel
This is the fancy option. Like, really fancy. The kind of hotel where you walk into the lobby and immediately feel underdressed.
The Balmoral is on Princes Street, which means you’re close to shopping and Princes Street Gardens.
You can walk to the Royal Mile in about 10 minutes, Edinburgh Castle in 15. It’s not quite as central as being right on the Royal Mile, but it’s close enough.
What families actually care about: there’s an indoor pool. After days of walking uphill through Edinburgh (and you will be walking uphill constantly), your kids will be thrilled to swim.
The hotel provides cribs and extra beds, plus laundry service which is honestly a lifesaver on longer trips.
The rooms come with all the luxury stuff. Premium bedding, air conditioning (not standard in Edinburgh hotels), 24-hour room service. Three restaurants on-site, a spa, a gym. It’s the whole package.
Is it expensive? Yes. Like, significantly more expensive than other hotels on this list.
When I was researching, I seriously considered booking it for a splurge, but then I looked at the price difference versus the Radisson and decided the location on the Royal Mile mattered more to me than luxury amenities.
But if you’re the type of family that values a really nice hotel experience and wants that pool and spa situation, the Balmoral delivers. Just know you’re paying for it.
Apex Grassmarket Hotel
The Grassmarket area is cool. It’s this historic market square in Old Town with tons of restaurants and pubs, right below Edinburgh Castle. Very picturesque, very Edinburgh.
Apex Grassmarket sits right in the middle of all this. You’re walking distance to the castle and the Royal Mile, but you’re in a slightly more neighborhood-y area versus being smack in the middle of tourist central.
What I found when reading reviews: families really like this hotel. The indoor pool gets mentioned constantly.
The rooms are described as spacious, which matters when you’re trying to fit four people. People specifically mentioned having space for luggage and being able to move around comfortably.
The hotel has laundry facilities (score), an on-site restaurant so you don’t have to leave the building for meals if you don’t want to, and a gym. All rooms have free WiFi and 24-hour room service.
One thing several reviews mentioned: the Grassmarket area can get noisy at night on weekends because there are a bunch of pubs and restaurants right there.
If you’re light sleepers or have young kids who go to bed early, request a room facing away from the square.
The location is solid though. You’re close enough to walk to everything but not right in the middle of the Royal Mile chaos. It’s a nice middle ground.
Price-wise, it’s more reasonable than the Balmoral but nicer than budget options. Good value for what you get.
Novotel Edinburgh Centre
Novotel is a chain hotel, which means you pretty much know what you’re getting. No big surprises, just reliable quality.
This location is in Old Town, close to Princes Street Gardens and Grassmarket. You can walk to Edinburgh Castle and the Royal Mile without much trouble.
The hotel has an indoor pool, laundry services, and soundproof rooms. That last one matters more than you’d think.
Edinburgh hotels can be noisy, especially if you’re near the Royal Mile or Grassmarket. Soundproofing means you’re not listening to pub noise or street performers at midnight when you’re trying to get your kids to sleep.
There’s a restaurant on-site called The TAP Bar & Kitchen. I didn’t eat there when I was researching reviews, but people said the food was decent. Not amazing, but fine for hotel food.
The rooms have 24-hour room service and free WiFi. Reviews consistently mentioned clean rooms and helpful staff. Not exciting, but sometimes boring and reliable is exactly what you want when traveling with kids.
It’s priced in the middle range. Not budget, not luxury. Just a good, solid choice if you want something dependable in a convenient location.
Check Novotel Edinburgh Centre rates
The Sheraton Grand Hotel & Spa
Five minutes from Princes Street puts you close to shopping, restaurants, and the gardens. Edinburgh Castle and the Royal Mile are maybe a 10-15 minute walk.
The Sheraton has an indoor pool (kids love this after days of walking) and a full spa called One Spa. Massages, body treatments, the whole thing. If you’re looking for a way to recover from hauling kids up Edinburgh’s hills all day, this is it.
They offer cribs and extra beds, laundry service, and the restaurant (One Square) serves decent food. All the rooms have free WiFi, air conditioning, and 24-hour room service.
What I noticed reading reviews: people really liked this hotel. Not just “it was fine,” but actively liked it. The location got high marks, staff was helpful, rooms were comfortable.
The price is similar to the Balmoral but slightly less expensive. You’re still paying for an upscale experience, but it’s not quite as much as the top luxury hotels.
If you want something nicer than a chain hotel but don’t want to pay Balmoral prices, the Sheraton is a good middle option.
Check Sheraton Grand Hotel rates
The Holyrood Hotel
This hotel is about 9 minutes from the Royal Mile, near the Palace of Holyroodhouse.
It’s at the opposite end of the Royal Mile from Edinburgh Castle, which means you’re slightly out of the main tourist crush.
Some families love this. You’re still walking distance to everything, but the area is quieter.
Less crowded streets, easier to move around with kids. Other families feel like it’s just far enough away to be slightly inconvenient.
When I was researching, I seriously considered this one. The price was good, the reviews were solid, and I liked the idea of being in a quieter spot.
But ultimately I decided I wanted to be more centrally located since we only had five days.
The hotel has an indoor pool (always a hit), bicycle rentals if your family likes biking around cities, and laundry services. There’s a spa for parents and a restaurant called Surf & Turf.
The 157 rooms are spacious according to reviews. People mentioned having plenty of room to spread out, which matters with kids. Free WiFi, 24-hour room service, health club.
If you don’t mind being a bit farther from the main tourist area and want more peace and quiet, this is worth looking at. The price is usually lower than hotels right on the Royal Mile.
InterContinental Edinburgh The George
George Street is in New Town, one minute from shopping and maybe 10 minutes from the Royal Mile and Edinburgh Castle.
I almost booked this one. New Town is beautiful, the hotel looks great in photos, and the location seemed perfect.
But then I read reviews from families and found some complaints about room size. Several people mentioned that even the “family rooms” felt tight with four people.
That said, other families loved it. So it might depend on which room you get.
The hotel offers bicycle rentals nearby, cribs and extra beds, and laundry services. There’s a coffee shop on-site (Burr & Co) for quick snacks. The hotel also has a gym and beach volleyball if you’re into that.
All 240 rooms have 24-hour room service, premium bedding, and free WiFi.
If you prefer New Town’s vibe over Old Town and want something upscale, this could work. Just maybe request a larger room when booking and ask specific questions about room size.
Check InterContinental Edinburgh rates
Hilton Edinburgh Carlton
Two minutes from the Royal Mile. Ten minutes from Edinburgh Castle. You can’t get much more central than this.
The Hilton Carlton was on my shortlist because of the location. It’s right there. You walk out the door and you’re in the middle of everything.
The hotel offers extra beds and cribs, laundry services, and a steakhouse on-site (Marco Pierre White). All 211 rooms have 24-hour room service, premium bedding, and air conditioning.
Reviews are generally positive. Clean rooms, good location, helpful staff. It’s a Hilton, so you know what you’re getting. No major surprises.
The main reason I ended up choosing the Radisson over this one was price. The Radisson was slightly less expensive for basically the same central location.
But if you’re a Hilton Honors member or find a good deal, this is a solid choice.
Check Hilton Edinburgh Carlton rates
The Scotsman Hotel
The Scotsman is boutique-y and stylish. It was renovated in 2019, so everything is updated and modern. Three minutes from the Royal Mile, close to St. Giles’ Cathedral and Edinburgh Castle.
What makes this different from the chain hotels: it has more character. It’s smaller (only 79 rooms versus 200+), and the design is more interesting.
If you’re the kind of family that prefers boutique hotels over big chains, this is worth looking at.
You can rent bicycles to explore the city, and there are laundry facilities on-site. The Grand Cafe is apparently really good for brunch.
Several reviews specifically mentioned the breakfast being excellent, which is saying something because hotel breakfast usually ranges from mediocre to terrible.
The 79 rooms have 24-hour room service, premium bedding, air conditioning, and bathrobes. It’s smaller and more intimate than the bigger hotels.
The downside? Because it’s boutique, it’s sometimes more expensive than chain hotels. And with only 79 rooms, it books up faster. If you’re traveling during busy season, book early.
But if you want something that doesn’t feel like every other hotel and you value good food and design, the Scotsman is a nice option.
What I Learned About Booking Edinburgh Hotels
Book Way Earlier Than You Think
Edinburgh books up fast, especially in summer and during the Edinburgh Festival in August. Like, months in advance fast. I started looking at hotels six months before our trip and some of my top choices were already sold out for certain dates.
If you’re traveling in July or August, start looking at hotels now. Even if your trip is a year away. Prices also go up the closer you get to your travel dates.
Location Matters More Than Amenities
I spent a lot of time comparing hotels with pools versus hotels with better locations. In the end, location won. Being able to walk everywhere saved us so much time and hassle.
An indoor pool is nice. But being 10 minutes from your hotel instead of 30 minutes away means you can actually use the pool versus being too tired to bother.
If you have to choose between a hotel with a pool that’s farther away or a hotel without a pool that’s centrally located, I’d pick central location every time.
Room Size Is Not Negotiable
European hotel rooms are smaller than American hotel rooms. This is just a fact. But even within that constraint, some rooms are too small to function with four people.
When you’re looking at hotels, don’t just check if they have family rooms. Read reviews specifically about room size. Look at photos.
If the hotel posts floor plans, study them. Because “family room” can mean a lot of different things.
Laundry Services Are Worth It
If you’re staying more than three nights, having laundry available changes everything. We were there for five nights and being able to wash clothes halfway through meant we packed way lighter.
Some hotels have in-room laundry. Some have laundry facilities on-site. Some offer laundry service where you pay them to do it. Any of these work. Just make sure the hotel has some option.
Read Recent Reviews from Families
Skip the five-star reviews that say “amazing stay!” with no details. Look for recent reviews (within the last six months) from families with kids. Those reviews tell you what actually matters.
Pay attention to complaints. If multiple families mention the same issue (room was too small, location wasn’t convenient, hotel was noisy), believe them.
Book hotels through Expedia to compare rates and find deals.
Other Things to Book for Edinburgh
Get Professional Photos Taken
Edinburgh is ridiculously photogenic and getting family photos taken is easier than you think. We used Flytographer (save $20 with my link!) and had an amazing experience.
We met our photographer on the Royal Mile and spent an hour walking around while she took photos of us exploring. The photos captured our family actually enjoying Edinburgh instead of the usual awkward posed shots.
Check out my full guide to booking a photo shoot in Edinburgh for all the details.
Book Edinburgh Castle Tickets Early
Edinburgh Castle is the main attraction and it gets crowded. Buy your tickets ahead of time so you can skip the ticket line and pick your entry time.
I book most of our tours and attraction tickets through Viator or Get Your Guide because they have good cancellation policies and you can compare prices.
Compare Hotel Rates
Besides the hotels I listed here, you can check Expedia for last-minute deals and to compare rates across different booking sites.
Questions People Ask About Edinburgh Hotels
Which Edinburgh hotels have afternoon tea?
The Balmoral Hotel and Sheraton Grand Hotel & Spa both offer traditional afternoon tea. It’s a fun experience if your kids are into trying new things.
Fair warning though: afternoon tea is not cheap and your kids might just want the scones and sandwiches and ignore everything else. But if you want to do the full British experience, these hotels have it.
Which Edinburgh hotels are near the train station?
The Balmoral Hotel is closest to Waverley Station. Like, right across the street. The Hilton Carlton and Radisson Blu are also close, maybe 5-10 minutes walking.
If you’re arriving by train and don’t want to deal with dragging luggage through the city, any of these work.
Can you see Edinburgh Castle from your hotel room?
Some hotels have castle views, but they’re limited and usually cost extra. The Apex Grassmarket Hotel offers some rooms with castle views.
When you’re booking, you can request a castle-view room, but know there’s no guarantee you’ll get one.
Honestly though, you’ll be looking at the castle all day while you’re exploring. The view from your hotel room is nice but not essential.
Do families of 4 actually fit in Edinburgh hotel rooms?
It depends on the hotel. Most of the hotels I listed have legitimate family rooms that can fit four people comfortably.
But “comfortably” is relative. You’re not getting a massive American hotel room. You’re getting enough space for two beds and your luggage without everyone being on top of each other.
When booking, look specifically for “family room” options and check the bed configuration. Some have two double beds. Some have a double bed plus bunk beds or a sofa bed. Read the room description carefully.
Do you need a car in Edinburgh?
No. We never used a car, Uber, or public transportation during our entire trip. Everything is walking distance if you stay in Old Town or New Town.
Edinburgh’s city center is small and designed for walking. A car would actually be a hassle because parking is expensive and difficult.
Finding the Right Edinburgh Hotel for Your Family
Here’s what I learned after spending way too much time researching Edinburgh hotels: location matters more than almost anything else.
A fancy hotel that’s far from the main attractions will frustrate you. A basic hotel that’s centrally located will make your entire trip easier.
We stayed at the Radisson Blu on the Royal Mile and loved it because we could walk everywhere.
No coordinating transportation, no wasting time getting places, no meltdowns because someone’s tired and we’re still 20 minutes from the hotel.
But depending on what matters to your family (pool, spa, quieter location, boutique vibe), any of the hotels on this list could work.
They all fit families of four, they’re all in decent locations, and they all have good reviews from other families who’ve actually stayed there.
My advice? Pick the location you want first (Old Town or New Town), then narrow down hotels based on your budget and priorities.
Book as early as possible. Read recent family reviews. And once you book, stop second-guessing yourself.
Edinburgh is going to be amazing no matter where you stay.
Don’t forget to grab my free Scotland planning email course to help plan the rest of your trip. It covers how many days you need, where to go, and how to structure your Scotland itinerary.
