Most Romantic Hotels in Edinburgh

This 18-room luxury boutique hotel is an elegant, exclusive property set in three Georgian houses on a posh residential street in Edinburgh’s New Town. Upon arrival, guests are enveloped in an aura of traditional sophistication, quality, and service worthy of Downton Abbey. Butler service is included, and the attentive staff will press trousers, shine shoes, do personal shopping, serve afternoon tea en suite, draw baths, and more. Guest rooms are ultra luxurious, with canopy beds and immense marble bathrooms. Stepping into the Howard is stepping into another world, a romantic, privileged one.

The 18-room luxury Prestonfield House is an opulent boutique hotel on a historic, 20-acre country estate in southeast Edinburgh. The epitome of Scottish luxury, the Prestonfield overflows with fine antiques, oil paintings, and lush fabrics to create a quirky, theatrical feast for the eyes. Each guest room is individually designed and furnished. The common threads are decadence and quality, which carry into the menu at the hotel's destination restaurant, Rhubarb, and the endless fascinating nooks and crannies in this unforgettable hotel.

The 188-room grand railway Balmoral Hotel has been a part of Edinburgh's skyline since 1902 (courtesy of its famous clock tower, which runs three minutes fast to ensure guests never miss their trains). The large, majestic luxury hotel has a range of rooms, from compact, comfortable Classic Rooms to large multi-room suites. The five restaurants, including one with a Michelin star, and bars offer a wealth of choices, and include a brassiere, a tea court, a lounge, and a Scotch bar. Packages can be purchased, but generally expect to pay for the extras here.

The 23 Mayfield is a luxury bed-and-breakfast housed in an immaculately presented Victorian villa set about a mile south of Edinburgh's historical center. Period interiors are particularly impressive throughout, extending to eight charming rooms with hand-carved mahogany furnishings and, in some, views of Arthur's Seat. Breakfast is a real highlight and one of the best available in the city, while a cozy candle-lit lounge provides a superb setting for a nightcap. While rates are justifiably toward the higher end and the location isn't ideal for exploring the city on foot, this is certainly one of the finest guesthouses on offer in Edinburgh. 

No. 11 Brunswick Street is an upscale, charming boutique hotel in a quiet area on the edge of the city center. Built in 1822, the property still retains some of its beautiful original features, such as ornate cornices and ceiling roses. The 10 rooms are chic and elegant, with luxurious bathrooms. There’s an excellent restaurant that uses local produce for breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, and dinner. The property may not have all the facilities of a large city center hotel, but it offers a peaceful and stylish retreat. 

The 60-room Hotel Indigo is an upmarket boutique occupying a row of period Georgian properties in the New Town of Edinburgh. Interiors are colorful, hip, and contemporary throughout, especially in the impressive bar and restaurant. Rooms follow the same smart, funky decor scheme and offer flat-screen TVs along with sleek walk-in showers -- though internal soundproofing can be an issue. Overall it's a standout property with a particular attention to design.

The Tigerlily is housed in an historic Georgian townhouse, but inside, it's thoroughly modern. This stylish 33-room boutique hotel has few amenities -- just a small lobby, a restaurant, and a bar (no fitness center or spa here). But it attracts guests with its gorgeous rooms and convenient New Town location, within walking distance of sights, restaurants, and shops. The hip bar and restaurant, where guests and locals can enjoy tasty cocktails and organic meals, features funky chandeliers, bright velvet furniture, and patterned wall panels. The rooms are high-tech, with flat-screen TVs at the foots of the beds and pre-loaded iPods, and have wood floors and sophisticated contemporary style. Rooms are individually decorated, and many feature bright color accents and statement patterns; all have high-end extras such as plush bedding, fresh flowers, and sleek bathrooms with upscale White Company toiletries.

The 28-room Nira Caledonia is a seriously upscale boutique occupying a charming 18th-century property in Edinburgh's New Town. While the cobbled street setting is particularly charming and close to local amenities, it's not really within walking distance of most popular tourist attractions. The rooms however are particularly gorgeous and full of high-end touches including Nespresso machines, huge flat-screen TVs, and luxe bathrooms, some with Japanese-style jetted soaking tubs. While it lacks some of the facilities you might expect at this price, an outstanding breakfast and top-notch dining contribute to making this one of the finest properties of its kind in Edinburgh.

Set in three Victorian townhouses, the 49-room, upscale Bonham is a stylish boutique hotel in a quiet, historic Edinburgh neighborhood, around the corner from all the action. The property manages to combine Georgian architecture, an old Edinburgh vibe, a well-curated modern art collection, and glam decor to create a one-of-a-kind environment far more luxurious than the price would indicate. Guest rooms are individually designed and decorated, with striking furniture, high ceilings, ornate woodwork, and gorgeous bathrooms. The hotel also serves full Scottish breakfast with local ingredients, and has an elegant restaurant and bar serving afternoon tea. 

A three-room B&B, 20 Albany Street is housed in a particularly attractive Georgian building on a peaceful and residential street within walking distance of Edinburgh's main station and city center. The grandest and most luxurious room in this boutique features an enormous bed and beautifully finished period bathroom with a clawfoot bathtub; all rooms are cozy with electric kettles, small flat-screen TVs, and safes. Hearty Scottish breakfasts and afternoon tea with homemade cakes are included in the rates, which -- although they're certainly steep for a bed and breakfast -- are reasonable for the quality of accommodation.

The 38-room upscale Dunstane Hotel is a family-owned boutique hotel built in two luxury Victorian townhouses, circa 1852, that face one another across an Edinburgh street. The owners come from the Orkney Islands, and take pride in infusing elements of their heritage into the property, creating a quirky, classy atmosphere with plush fabrics, elaborate period-style wallpaper with a twist, and, of course, fine Scotch whiskey. Individually designed and decorated guest rooms combine modern luxury and period character.

Six Brunton Place is a beautifully presented property set in a typically Edinburgh Georgian townhouse on the outskirts of the city center. While there's plenty within walking distance, much of historical Edinburgh is a bit far (Old Town is around 25 minutes on foot). The property's four rooms are upscale, with plaid bed throws and original wood floors or ceiling beams, as well as modern luxury amenities including premium cable, quality toiletries, and thick robes. A daily free breakfast including fresh-squeezed juices and smoked salmon is served in the cozy dining room and gets excellent reviews from guests.