79 Lauriston Place, Edinburgh, United Kingdom | (618) 248-8274
Located close to Old Town, dining, and public transportation
Modern rooms with flat-screen TVs and sleek bathrooms
Affordable restaurant serves local dishes and includes
a bar
Breakfast (for a fee) and evening room service
Children under 15 stay and eat for free
Free Wi-Fi and a public computer
Discounted car parking nearby
No air-conditioning
Breakfast is not included in rates
Complaints about hairdryers, minor maintenance issues,
and Wi-Fi
Located within walking
distance of the city center, Edinburgh City Hotel is a three-pearl property
with a historical stone exterior and elegant, modern interiors. Its
52 rooms are outfitted with flat-screen TVs and sleek bathrooms. There’s a
trendy, albeit small, on-site bar and an affordable restaurant, plus room
service is available in the evenings -- though breakfast costs an extra fee. Travelers seeking something with more features might want to check out the Carlton Hotel, a good alternative with a pool and hot tub on-site.
Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.
Scene
Historic hotel with a striking exterior and contemporary interiors
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.
Location
Within walking distance of Old Town and dining options
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.
Rooms
Elegant rooms with flat-screen TVs and sleek bathrooms
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.
Features
Restaurant, bar, room service, and a public computer
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.
