Leonardo Boutique Hotel Simpson Edinburgh

Edinburgh City Hotel has a rich history dating back to 1879 when it was the Simpson Memorial Hospital. It's housed in an imposing stone building that looks like a Scottish manor, with large white-framed windows, a vibrant red front door, and red planters teeming with flowers. In contrast, the reception area is modern with a purple front desk, tree-patterned accent walls, and velour and upholstered chairs and couches with a touch of plaid. Like the lobby, Simpsons Restaurant has a contemporary style and a calming atmosphere with tan carpets, purple leather chairs, and floral art on the walls. The bar, on the other hand, spices it up with velour bar stools, a silver and purple bar top, and dizzying black-and-white wallpaper. Overall, it’s a quirky hotel -- historic on the outside, modern on the inside -- but it works, drawing an overwhelming amount of couples. And thanks to a family-friendly policy that allows children under 15 to stay and eat for free, families stay here too. 

This property is conveniently located within walking distance of Old Town, Edinburgh’s historic city center. It’s a 12-minute walk to the Royal Mile, the most popular street in the city, and 13 minutes on foot to Edinburgh Castle. The National Museum of Scotland takes 10 minutes on foot, while the Meadows, a large public park, is a five-minute walk away. It's a 15-minute walk to The University of Edinburgh. There are several dining options on surrounding streets and a bus stop that’s a minutes’ walk away. It’s about a 20-minute drive to Edinburgh Airport, or 15 to 35 minutes via public transportation.

Guest rooms have an elegant vibe and are decorated in a modern style with a neutral gray color palette enlivened by pops of bright turquoise courtesy of velour bed runners and decorative pillows. Rooms are spacious, with the largest Family Rooms sleeping up to four. Armchairs or loveseats provide seating. Standard in-room amenities include flat-screen TVs, electric kettles for tea and coffee, and free Wi-Fi, though there have been some complaints of a poor signal. Some guests have also remarked about a few minor maintenance issues. There is no air-conditioning, though fans are available. Clean, updated bathrooms provide Sea Kelp toiletries, shower/tub combos with deep tubs, and trendy circular sinks. Hairdryers are provided, but guests have reported that it's difficult to use them near a mirror due to outlet placement and cord length. 

The simple, straightforward features of the Edinburgh City Hotel don't go above and beyond what's offered at most mid-range hotels, but they do add to the property's comfort. The on-site restaurant, Simpsons, serves affordable Scottish fare and international dishes for breakfast (for an extra fee) and dinner. The bar serves ales, wine, and mixed drinks, plus light snacks all day. Room service is available during dinner hours. Like many small properties, Edinburgh City Hotel doesn't have a fitness center, but free Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel and there’s a public computer in the lobby. Guests can make use of a discounted parking lot that’s about a five-minute walk away.