The Scotsman Hotel, Edinburgh - Reviews, Room Options & Prices 2025

Book and save

up to 10%

compared to Booking.com

Key details

About the Hotel

20 North Bridge, Edinburgh, United Kingdom, EH1 1YT

The Scotsman Hotel, a 4-star landmark since 1905, occupies the former Scotsman Newspaper headquarters in Edinburgh's Old Town, connecting the ancient district with the cosmopolitan New Town through the historic North Bridge.

Refined Room Experience

The Scotsman rooms feature wooden paneled walls, exposed brick, and individual features including curved corner window bays. Guests receive a wee nip of Whisky on arrival, luxury Egyptian cotton linen, and Arran Sense Of Scotland toiletries.

Historic Dining Venues

The Grand Café, housed in the former advertising hall, serves seasonal Scottish produce within a space adorned with marble columns and ornate plaster ceiling. The Press Bar offers classic dishes and cocktails, while the Hide Bar provides an intimate setting for nightcaps.

Entertainment and Fitness

The boutique art deco Picturehouse features 48 leather armchair seats with individual tables and empire lamps. The Scotsman Gym offers exclusive access to NOHrD equipment, including WaterRower and SlimBeam machines.

Central City Location

Located steps from Waverley station, the hotel sits between Edinburgh Castle and Calton Hill, providing access to St Giles' Cathedral within 0.1 miles and the Royal Mile within 0.5 miles.

View all

Select your room type

The hotel offers a variety of rooms including double rooms, family rooms, and suites with breakfast, free cancelations, and special deals

Feature Twin or Double Room

Max:

2 persons

40 m²

Bed options:

2 Single beds

Shower

Coffee machine

room details

Check Prices

Reporter Twin or Double Room

Max:

2 persons

31 m²

Bed options:

2 Single beds

Shower

Heating

room details

Check Prices

Reporter Double Room

Max:

2 persons

31 m²

Bed options:

1 Double bed

Shower

Heating

room details

Check Prices

Show all roomsLess

Price and Room Availability Calendar

Check availability and prices for your dates now!

Getting around

A guide to all available transportation options

City Centre

Edinburgh200 m

Airports

Edinburgh (EDI) 13.7 km

Dundee (DND) 96.8 km

Train

Edinburgh Waverley Railway Station200 m

Bus

Bus stop200 m

Facilities

Experience a variety of amenities at the boutique hotel, crafted to ensure your comfort and unforgettable moments

Wi-Fi

Parking

Luggage storage

24-hour services

24-hour reception

24-hour security

General

No smoking on site
Wi-Fi
No parking
Safe deposit box
24-hour reception
No pets allowed
24-hour security
Luggage storage
Lift
Smoke detectors
Fire extinguishers
Key card access

Sports & Fitness

Fitness centre
Golf course

Guest Parking

Electric kettle

Services

Room service
Housekeeping
Laundry
Dry cleaning
Welcome drink

Dining

In-room breakfast
Restaurant
Bar/ Lounge area
Outdoor dining area
Special diet menus

Business

Meeting/ Banquet facilities
Fax/Photocopying

Children

Cots
Children's buffet

Room features

Air conditioning
Heating
Mini-bar
Sitting area
Dressing area
Tea and coffee facilities
Dining table
Ironing facilities

Bathroom

Free toiletries

Self-catering

Electric kettle

Media

Flat-screen TV
AM/FM alarm clock

Room decor

Carpeted floor

Location

20 North Bridge, Edinburgh, United Kingdom, EH1 1YT

Map view

street view

20 North Bridge, Edinburgh, United Kingdom, EH1 1YT

City landmarks

Museum

Edinburgh Castle

840 m

Museum

National Museum of Scotland

670 m

Queen's Drive Holyrood Park

Arthur's Seat hike

2.8 km

Palace

Palace of Holyroodhouse

1.2 km

Royal Mile

600 m

Park

Princes Street Gardens

800 m

Museum

Camera Obscura and World of Illusions

680 m

St. Andrews House 2 Regent Road

Calton Hill

670 m

32 Calton Hill

Nelson Monument

730 m

Botanical Garden

Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh

2.0 km

Museum

Dynamic Earth

1.1 km

53 Princes Street

Princes Street

850 m

354 Castlehill

The Scotch Whisky Experience

690 m

Museum

The Museum of the Royal Scots and the Royal Regiment of Scotland

1.0 km

Square

Grassmarket

940 m

Cemetery

The Robertson Mausoleum

740 m

Park

Holyrood Park

2.4 km

Nearby

Gallery

Scottish National Gallery

530 m

High Street 2 Warriston's Close

The Real Mary King's Close

320 m

Church

St Giles' Cathedral

170 m

Store

Edinburgh Old Town

200 m

Monument

Scott Monument

480 m

Museum

The Writers' Museum

520 m

Museum

Gladstone's Land

530 m

Museum

Museum of Childhood

260 m

Nicolson Street

Surgeons' Hall Museums

550 m

2 Chalmers Close High Street (opposite Museum of Childhood on Royal Mile)

Brass Rubbing Centre

180 m

Museum

John Knox House

330 m

Gallery

City Art Centre

80 m

Church

Mercat Cross

220 m

Restaurants

Brewhemia

30 m

1A Market Street

Arcade Bar

130 m

48 Cockburn Street

Southern Cross Cafe

140 m

63A Cockburn Street

Laila's Mediterranean Bistro

140 m

63 Cockburn Street

Scran Bistro

100 m

7 North Bridge Arcade

La Locanda Italian Edinburgh

150 m

61 Cockburn Street

Bella Italia Edinburgh Royal Mile

140 m

54-56 Northbridge

Market Street Kitchen

100 m

2 Market St

Gurkha Cafe & Restaurant

160 m

25/27 Cockburn Street

Reviews and Ratings

Feedback from previous guests about their experience.

60%

enjoyed the hotel and would happily stay again

6.0/10

Guest rating

Rooms

7.4

Location

9.0

Service

6.2

Dining

6.6

4/5 based on 3714 reviews

#87 of 164 hotels in Edinburgh based on Tripadvisor

George

United Kingdom, March 2025

5.6/10

I had a mixed experience at The Scotsman Hotel in Edinburgh. The historic charm of the building and luxurious aspects of the room were definite highlights, but the blocked internet services affected my stay significantly. The customer service left much to be desired, especially in terms of attentiveness and friendliness. Overall, while there were some positives, several downsides made my experience less enjoyable. 😕

Rooms

6.0

My room was spacious with a stylish decor, but the view was disappointing and did not match the booking description. Also, some amenities were lacking, like conditioner in the bathroom. 🌟

Service

5.0

The service was notably underwhelming. Staff were often distant or rude, making me feel unwelcome. Only the breakfast staff showed some friendliness.

Location

8.0

The hotel's location is ideal, positioned right in the center of Edinburgh and close to major attractions and public transport. That's definitely a big plus! 🚶‍♂️

Dining

5.0

Breakfast was a bit of a letdown. I experienced limited choices during my stay due to refurbishment, and the quality did not meet my expectations for a hotel at this price point.

Facilities

5.0

The hotel has some appealing facilities, like a private cinema and lovely bar, but access to basic services like reliable internet was frustrating. 📉

Camila

United Kingdom, December 2024

5.2/10

The hotel had impressive architecture and provided a wonderfully warm welcome, though I faced some issues that impacted my overall experience. my bed was a bit too firm for my liking, and the noise levels were distracting at times. The breakfast options were of good quality but could be more elaborate.

Rooms

7.0

My room was spacious and beautifully decorated, with luxurious Arran toiletries. but the bed was too firm for side sleeping, and I encountered some plumbing issues that needed attention. Overall, the cleanliness was commendable.

Service

6.0

While I appreciated the staff's friendliness and the quick check-in process, consistency in attentiveness was lacking. There were moments where I felt the service could have been more polished during my interactions.

Location

9.0

The hotel's central location made it incredibly easy to explore Edinburgh. being close to both Old Town and New Town meant I could quickly access main attractions and transport links.

Dining

7.0

I enjoyed the breakfast offerings, particularly the cooked-to-order dishes. however, I hoped for more unique options instead of just the standard fare. Overall, the dining experience met my expectations but didn't exceed them.

Facilities

6.0

The amenities like complimentary drinks and room service were a nice touch. but the refreshment tray could use an upgrade. A better selection and quality of coffee would elevate the experience.

Elijah

United Kingdom, December 2024

6.4/10

I had a lovely stay at The Scotsman Hotel, enjoying the beautifully decorated room and a fantastic breakfast. The location was perfect for exploring Edinburgh, though I experienced a few hiccups with the check-in process and some noise disturbances. Overall, it was a nice visit that I would happily repeat.

Rooms

8.0

My room was well-equipped and tastefully decorated, complete with complimentary whiskey and a kettle for tea and coffee. The bathroom was luxurious with lovely amenities, but the bed was quite firm, which made sleeping a bit challenging for me.

Service

7.0

The staff was mostly attentive and friendly, especially the doorman who offered excellent advice on transport. However, I found the reception check-in a bit lacking in warmth, which felt a bit amateurish compared to the service I encountered during breakfast.

Location

9.0

I loved the hotel's central location, right next to Waverly train station and just off the Royal Mile, making it super easy to explore many attractions without needing transport. It was convenient for everything I wanted to see.

Dining

8.0

Breakfast was a highlight with a good variety of options, including a hot and cold buffet and extra dishes like steak or pancakes. I particularly enjoyed the strong coffee, but one morning I faced a little disappointment because there was no chef available for the a la carte options.

Facilities

7.0

The hotel had great facilities, including room service and attentive housekeeping. I appreciated the welcome drink, but I encountered a few minor issues like no milk sachets for my morning coffee.

Grace

United Kingdom, December 2024

5.4/10

I had a mixed experience at The Scotsman Hotel. While the location was superb, right next to Waverley Station and key attractions, the service left much to be desired. The room was lovely with tasteful decor, but I faced issues with the WiFi blocking essential services. Overall, the atmosphere felt a bit lackluster during my stay.

Rooms

8.0

The room was spacious and beautifully decorated, with thoughtful touches like complimentary whiskey drams. It did, however, lack a view as promised, which was a bit disappointing.

Service

6.0

The staff were hit or miss. Some were really friendly and accommodating, while others seemed indifferent, especially during busy times like check-in.

Location

10.0

The hotel's location is fantastic. Being right by Waverley Train Station made it super convenient for exploring Edinburgh and accessing public transport.

Dining

6.0

I found the breakfast options to be quite good, though the service in the bar was slow. Dinner wasn’t impressive, which didn’t align with the luxury I expected.

Facilities

6.0

I appreciated the complimentary drinks and snacks in the room, but the WiFi issues and lack of some dining services weren’t ideal.

Connor

United Kingdom, December 2024

7.4/10

I had a wonderful stay at The Scotsman, enjoying the elegant décor and luxurious bathroom facilities. However, the roadworks outside my room slightly marred the stunning city view I was hoping for. While the attentive staff made my experience good, there were some issues with breakfast service that need addressing. Overall, it's a lovely place, but improvements in service consistency would enhance the experience even more. 😊

Rooms

8.0

My room was beautifully decorated and spacious, featuring high ceilings and large windows. I especially appreciated the luxurious bathroom facilities, which felt akin to a spa experience. Yet, I encountered roadworks obstructing the expected view.

Service

7.0

The staff were incredibly attentive and went above and beyond to ensure my comfort. However, the breakfast service was understaffed on multiple occasions, leading to delays and a lack of replenished food.

Location

9.0

The Scotsman is perfectly positioned in the heart of Edinburgh, being close to many attractions and transport hubs. It’s right by the railway station, making it convenient for exploring the city.

Dining

7.0

I dined at the Grand Café, where the food and service were excellent. However, my breakfast experience fell short due to the lack of staff, which affected the quality and promptness of the service.

Facilities

6.0

The hotel offers a range of facilities, including room service and welcome drinks upon arrival. Yet, I found that snacks were not complimentary, which was disappointing considering the hotel’s price point.