Best Value Hotels in Edinburgh

The 179-room Tune Hotel Haymarket is a modern budget hotel located across the street from the Haymarket train and tram station, where trams depart for the city center every 10 minutes. The sleek, contemporary interiors are clad in red and black hues and minimalist decor. Simple rooms have comfortable Hypnos beds and power showers in small, modern bathrooms. The rates are some of the cheapest in Edinburgh, due to the fact that most amenities are pay-as-you-use, including TV, Wi-Fi, towels, and toiletries, which can drive up the price to about as much as guests would pay at the nearby Premier Inn. Note that some rooms do not have windows. The hotel has direct access to a pub restaurant located right next door.

Ramsay's B&B occupies part of an inconspicuous and typically Edinburgh Georgian terrace in the Canonmills neighborhood on the eastern edge of Edinburgh's New Town. The owners of this budget property provide a particularly warm welcome -- with whiskey -- and interiors are impeccably finished yet homey. Rooms are pleasant, with wood floors and crisp colors, though the smallest of the four is tiny, with a shared bathroom. Rates aren't cheap for a bed-and-breakfast, but the amount of repeat visits from guests is testimony to the guesthouse's special atmosphere. 

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.

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. 

A charming, 45-room, upscale boutique hotel in a pleasant residential neighborhood, the Murrayfield Hotel and House is within walking distance of Murrayfield Stadium. Intimate and cozy, its clientele is mostly couples, rugby fans or not. Its restaurant, the Bothy, serves inventive Scottish cuisine, and its lively bar broadcasts live sports on TV. The bar also presents live music, and a seasonal outdoor beer garden. Rooms are neutral toned and elegant, with plush beds, free Wi-Fi, and flat-screen TVs; higher-end rooms have deep soaking tubs, minibars, and "nooks" with free whiskey and Scottish goodies on hand.

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.

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. They might not be as luxurious as advertised, but they certainly are comfortable; just beware that street-facing units might experience noise (especially on weekends) despite the double glazed windows.

Housed in three converted, 19th-century Georgian townhouses, the Place is an intimate, 47-room hotel with a dash of boutique style. It features an excellent New Town location, within a five-minute walk of Princes Street, George Street shopping, and Harvey Nichols, while the Old Town sights are less than a 20-minute walk away. The three pearl hotel has a trendy restaurant and modern rooms with free Wi-Fi and flat-screen TVs. Rates are relatively affordable, thanks to the location away from the main Old Town attractions, though there are fees for breakfast and parking. 

A mid-range, budget-friendly hotel in the West End, the five-floor, 282-room Premier Inn Edinburgh City Centre-Haymarket is conveniently located within a five-minute walk of Haymarket Station and the International Conference Centre. The hotel has a business center and meeting rooms, and guest rooms have been undergoing renovation as of 2015. A breakfast buffet is available for a fee, and there's a restaurant and bar, and free Wi-Fi. Room rates are lower than for comparable, more centrally located properties.

The AmarAgua is a traditionally styled bed-and-breakfast housed in a quaint terrace townhouse built towards the end of the 19th century. The five guest rooms are clean and homey, and most have four-poster beds. As well as particularly friendly hospitality from the owners, breakfast is a real highlight with a range of options from haggis to waffles -- though guests might need to set an alarm not to miss it. Location of this budget property is pleasant and quiet, though a 15-minute bus journey from the city center. If setting isn't an issue, then rates are very reasonable and there's very little to find fault with at this particularly welcoming Edinburgh guesthouse.  

The Channings Hotel is a four pearl townhouse with 41 rooms spread over five floors. The property consists of five Edwardian townhouses, one of which was once the home of the great Antarctic explorer, Sir Ernest Shackleton. Packed with memorabilia from the infamous Antarctic exhibition, period pieces, and humorous art, this hotel has a traditional but informal vibe. The rooms are chic and contemporary with a serene color palette; some bathrooms have separate soaking tubs and stall showers. Guests rave about the friendly and welcoming staff, but the hotel is quite far away from the city center -- at least a good 15-minute walk. For the price, this quaint hotel delivers good value for Edinburgh and is full of character. Wi-Fi is free.

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. Free Wi-Fi is offered, but it's often so slow that guests find it necessary to upgrade to faster Wi-Fi, which comes with a  fee. The hotel is southeast of the city center -- it's within a five- to 10-minute drive or a 10- to 25-minute bus ride away from such attractions as Princes Street and Edinburgh Castle. Because of its location, rates are lower than what comparable properties would cost in the city center.