Best Kid-Friendly Hotels in Edinburgh

With spacious, clean multi-room apartments and a great location in the heart of the Old City, The Knight Residence is a wonderful pick for families and extended stay visitors. The units, which range from studios to three-room apartments, all have full kitchens, washer/dryers, and modern amenities, including free Wi-Fi and flat-screen TVs with DVD players. Loaner strollers, babysitting services, and grocery shopping are additional available services.

The 145-unit upscale Staycity Serviced Apartments West End consists of Studio, One-, Two-, and Four-Bedroom Apartments and Townhouses in Edinburgh’s Fountainbridge neighborhood, near the city center and financial district. There are no shared common areas aside from a 24-hour front desk and a playground for kids. The focus is firmly on the apartments themselves, which are spacious, modern and tastefully decorated, with full kitchens and up-to-date bathrooms.

This 15-unit upscale hotel is an exceptionally located property right on the cobblestone Royal Mile, lined with shops, pubs, and restaurants. The Old Town apartments are within walking distance of everything; guests won’t need a car to get around the city. Built in a former 18th-century palace, the apartments offer the luxury of a high-end hotel with the convenience and privacy of apartment living. The units are clean, spacious, and comfortable, with modern kitchens and beautiful bathrooms. Baby high-chairs and beds can be added upon request.

The 41-unit Holyrood apartHOTEL is a tidy, spacious, well-located option for Edinburgh tourists, appealing to families, and business travelers on extended stays. The upper-mid-range hotel is a step above many apartment hotels in terms of amenities, with optional daily breakfast baskets, daily maid service, washer/dryers (and free detergent) in each unit, and a fitness center. Apartments are well laid out and equipped with full kitchens, and have an uncluttered, modern feel, contrasting with the picturesque surrounding streets that resemble a small medieval village.

The 169-room, upscale Apex International Hotel is an urban contemporary hotel, ideally located in the heart of Edinburgh’s Old Town, with spectacular views of Edinburgh Castle. The charming cobblestone streets of the surrounding Grassmarket area are populated with cafes, restaurants, and traditional Scottish pubs. The hotel has a stylish indoor pool and small fitness center, as well as a sauna and solarium. The airy brasserie and bar serves some Scottish favorites, and has an extensive kids' menu. 

Housed in a grand 19th-century building, the upscale Princes Street Suites has breathtaking views of Edinburgh Castle and the surrounding city from most guest rooms and the roof deck. The apartment hotel is contemporary, stylish, and well-located in Edinburgh’s Old Town, convenient for tourists (especially families) and business travelers alike. The 37 suites – from studios to three-bedrooms -- are huge and strikingly decorated with modern art and furnishings, full-size kitchens, and floor-to-ceiling windows in most. 

The 95-room Best Western Kings Manor Hotel is a mid-range, family-run property housed in a former convent with plenty of modern architectural add-ons. Located a short walk from the picturesque seaside suburb of Portobello, it's far from Edinburgh's tourist attractions -- though local trains run regularly into the city. Rooms are clean and contemporary with decent amenities, while leisure facilities are way above-par for this level of hotel (there's a huge indoor pool, fitness center, tennis court, and spa all on-site). Overall, for those happy with the out-of-town location -- despite some tired decor in places -- rates represent pretty good value. Wi-Fi is free, but can be slow.

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. Despite its grown-up vibe, it's also popular with families with kids, and the lounge area has board games for all ages.

Holiday Inn Edinburgh City-West is a modern mid-range hotel in the Craigleith area across a busy road from the Craigleith Retail Park. The hotel has a restaurant and bar, and rooms are functional, clean, and quiet. Kids under 13 can eat for free with an accompanying adult at the on-site restaurant and there's an outdoor play area for children.

This mid-range bed and breakfast hotel has 17 individually decorated rooms in a charming, traditional Victorian townhouse. The nearby Dalkeith Road has a large number of similar B&Bs, but the Ceilidh-Donia has the benefit of being on a much quieter street. It may not have the facilities of a large hotel, or be in close proximity to the city center, but it’s perfectly suited for those looking for a quiet break in an attractive location. Travel into the center is easy as there’s a bus stop near the hotel. A stay at the Ceilidh-Donia costs around half the price of hotels in the center of Edinburgh, so it’s a great value option too. Plus, there are some great features like a terrace, garden, and excellent free breakfast. It’s well suited to families and rooms are clean, spacious, and homey.