Best Edinburgh Hotels with Castle View

Most visitors see Edinburgh Castle from the street.
Waking up to it from your own room is something else entirely.

I’ve lived here for over a decade, and I still look for any excuse to book a staycation – whether I’m checking out a new opening through my work or using Avios points from everyday spending.

Over the years, I’ve found the best views in the city.
Here’s exactly where to book a hotel with a castle view in Edinburgh in 2026.

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Luxury Hotels With Castle View

The Balmoral Hotel

📍Princes Street, next to Waverley Station

The Balmoral’s clock tower is one of the most recognisable things on the Edinburgh skyline. High ceilings, proper service, and rooms that feel like a treat.

Castle view rooms look straight across Princes Street Gardens – you’ll see the castle and the Scott Monument from your room. It’s the kind of view that looks like a postcard.

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Dining & Bars. The hotel has four options: Number One for fine dining (Michelin star), Brasserie Prince for something more relaxed – French-style with Scottish produce. Palm Court for afternoon tea (live harp music), and Bar Prince for cocktails.

The hotel also has a spa and swimming pool if you want to unwind after a day of exploring.

If you’d like to read my full review from my stay at the Balmoral, read it here.

Worth knowing. The J.K. Rowling Suite is where she finished writing Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. No castle view from that one, but if you’re a Harry Potter fan, it’s hard to resist.

The Caledonian Edinburgh

📍West End of Princes Street

The Caledonian (The Caley) is a bit of a landmark at the West End of Princes Street. It’s an old railway hotel, and because of where it sits on the corner, you get a really clear, massive view of the castle from the side.

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Dining & Bars. The hotel has three options: Dean Banks at The Pompadour for fine dining (Scottish seafood, award-winning), The Court (with live music on some days) for everything from breakfast to cocktails including afternoon tea, and The Caley Bar – one of the best spots in Edinburgh for a late-night whisky. You don’t have to be a guest to enjoy any of these.

The hotel also has a spa and swimming pool – great for unwinding between sightseeing.

100 Princes Street

📍Princes Street, New Town

100 Princes Street only opened in early 2024 in the old Overseas League building – and it’s already one of the most exclusive boutique options on the street. It feels more like a private members’ club than a standard hotel.

Because it sits directly across from Princes Street Gardens, the castle view is completely unobstructed. If you want a clear shot of the castle the second you wake up, this is one of the best spots in the city.

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Dining & Bars: The Wallace is a plush dining room and bar focused on Scottish produce with a serious whisky selection – exclusively for hotel guests.

The hotel runs an almost 1:1 staff-to-guest ratio, which shows in the service. With only 30 rooms it stays quiet and the experience is very personal. Definitely a splurge – but worth it for a special trip.

W Edinburgh

📍 St James Square, St James Quarter

The “ribbon” building… the big swirl in the middle of the St James Quarter. The hotel opened in November 2023 and it’s the most modern thing on the Edinburgh skyline. The vibe is more club than classic, which you’ll either love or find a bit much. The rooftop deck has 360-degree views of the whole city.

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Dining & Bars. SushiSamba for Japanese, Brazilian and Peruvian food, including afternoon tea, with an outdoor terrace that’s one of the few spots in the city at that height. The W Lounge for drinks and their Friday Sunset Sessions with a DJ. If you want something more low-key, João’s Place is a hidden cocktail bar inside with a relaxed, apartment-style vibe – much more chilled out than the main lounge.

Sheraton Grand Hotel & Spa

📍 Festival Square, West End

A polished, modern five-star that feels more like a resort than a city hotel – mostly because the spa is so good. Castle view rooms are available – worth requesting specifically when you book.

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Dining & Bars. One Square is the main restaurant and bar – seasonal Scottish menu, castle views, open daily from 10am. On the first Sunday of every month they do a Jazz Lunch – carvery-style with live jazz, worth booking ahead. The One Square Terrace is a good outdoor option with heaters and blankets. You don’t have to be a guest to enjoy any of these.

Facilities: 19-metre indoor pool, thermal spa with rooftop Hydropool, sauna, and fitness studio – one of the best hotel spa setups in Edinburgh.

Upper Mid-Range Hotels With Castle View

The Scotsman Hotel

📍 North Bridge, between the Old Town and the New Town

The old headquarters of The Scotsman newspaper – it is full of marble, wood paneling, and a massive stone staircase.

The Penthouse is the reason this hotel is on the list. 860 sq ft split across two floors with a spiral staircase. The downstairs living area opens directly onto a private balcony with a completely unobstructed view of the castle and the skyline. Upstairs there’s a walk-in wardrobe, personal sauna and a roll-top bath.

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Dining & Bars. Four options in the hotel: The Grand Cafe for food and drinks (they run regular Ceilidh Nights and live music events, worth checking what’s on when you’re visiting), The Hide for a quiet drink, The Press Bar, and a Garden Suite for outdoor dining.

Worth knowing. There’s also a hidden Art Deco cinema inside the hotel: The Scotsman Picturehouse. Leather armchairs, classic lighting, proper old-school setup. Not something you’d expect to find inside a hotel, and open to non-guests too.

Virgin Hotels Edinburgh

📍 India Buildings, Victoria Street, Old Town

Opened in 2023 inside the beautiful 1860s India Buildings on Victoria Street, one of the most photographed streets in Edinburgh. Fresh, contemporary feel that’s quite different from the traditional grand hotels on this list.

For castle views, you want one of two rooms specifically: the Castle View King Suite – a spacious setup with two seating areas, a private dressing area, and the castle straight out the window. Or go for Richard’s Penthouse if you want the full top-floor experience.

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Dining & Bars: Three options in the hotel, Commons Club for Scottish food with an international twist, Eve Restaurant and Bar for Italian in a more relaxed setting, and the Oculus Lounge for afternoon tea at weekends (Commons Club Bar does it on weekdays). All worth a visit even if you’re not staying.

The Rutland Hotel

📍Corner of Princes Street and Lothian Road, West End

A stylish boutique hotel sitting right on the corner of Princes Street and Lothian Road. Only 12 rooms – and not all of them have castle views, so make sure you request one specifically when you book. The small size means the service feels very tailored, much more personal than the grand hotels further along the street.

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Dining & Bars. Three spots connected to the building worth visiting – upstairs, Kyloe is one of the city’s best steakhouses (their Sunday roast is legendary and carved at the table). On the ground floor, The Huxley is great for a relaxed breakfast with a view of the street. And tucked away in the basement, Heads & Tales is a hidden gin bar where you can actually see the working stills while you have a cocktail.

The Resident Edinburgh

📍Drumsheugh Gardens, West End

Opened in 2024 and already one of the best new additions to the city. Tucked away in a quieter part of the West End, just a short walk from Princes Street. Sleek and modern but still feels cosy. More like a high-end serviced apartment than a standard hotel room.

Book a Junior Suite for a private terrace – you get a wide view across the city skyline with the castle in the distance.

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Good to know. There’s no restaurant on site, but that’s by design. Every room comes with a mini-kitchen – fridge, microwave, Nespresso, and sink – so you can cook or eat in whenever you want. The staff act as local experts to point you to the best nearby spots for when you do go out. It feels like having a stylish apartment with a 24/7 concierge.

Mid-Range Hotels With Castle View

DoubleTree by Hilton Edinburgh City Centre

📍Bread Street

A reliable hidden gem – tucked away in a beautiful 1890s building just off Lothian Road, so it feels more historic than your average DoubleTree. Over 130 rooms, polished and professional.

For the castle view, book a Deluxe room or suite specifically. Because the hotel sits south of the castle, you get a view of the back of the castle rock – incredibly dramatic and sheer, especially when it’s lit up at night. A perspective most tourists never see.

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Dining & Bars. Bread Street Brasserie is the main restaurant – contemporary, focused on local beef and seafood from the grill. Monboddo Restaurant & Bar is the more casual all-day option, open from 10am for coffee through to evening dinner. You don’t have to be a guest for either.

Mount Royal Hotel Edinburgh

📍Princes Street, New Town

A total transformation – rebranded from the Mercure at the end of 2024 and now part of the Unlimited Collection. Fully renovated with fresh, stylish interiors that feel much more boutique than its old chain-hotel days.

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Castle view rooms look straight across Princes Street towards the castle. But if you’re visiting in November or December, this is the place to be – you get a bird’s-eye view of the Christmas market, the big wheel, and all the lights with the castle as the backdrop. Easily the most festive room in the city.

Apex Grassmarket Hotel

📍Grassmarket, directly below the castle rock

If you want the castle to feel like it’s right on top of you, Grassmarket is where you want to be. The castle rock looms directly over this area and from a balcony room, you feel like you could almost touch the stone.

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Dining & Bars. Metro Bar & Brasserie is the in-house bar and restaurant on the ground floor with views of the Grassmarket and the castle. If you want a rooftop drink with that famous castle view, head next door to Cold Town House – their roof terrace is one of the best spots in the city for a sunset. Though with this location you’ll have plenty of options – some of the best historic pubs and restaurants in Edinburgh are right on your doorstep.

Facilities. Indoor swimming pool on site.

Old Waverley Hotel

📍 Princes Street, next to Waverley Station

A classic, old-school Edinburgh experience – Victorian charm, wood panelling, and grand stairs. It’s been a fixture on Princes Street for over 150 years and it shows, in a good way.

Book a Superior Double with Castle View specifically – it comes with a complimentary VIP pack including prosecco, bathrobes, slippers, and luxury toiletries. A lovely touch for a special trip, and it guarantees you’re looking straight at the castle and the Scott Monument.

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Dining & Bars. Even if you’re not staying, the Abbotsford Room on the first floor has massive windows overlooking the gardens and Scott Monument – one of the best spots in the city for a quiet afternoon tea with a view.

Best for. If you’re visiting in November or December, you get a front-row view of the Christmas market right below your window.

Worth knowing. It’s a historic building on a main thoroughfare, so rooms can be on the smaller side and it isn’t the quietest sleep. There are also 27 steps up to reception before you can access the lift – not ideal for anyone with limited mobility.

Aparthotels & Boutique Apartments With Castle View

Wilde Aparthotels

📍King’s Stables Road, Grassmarket

Right next to the Apex Grassmarket, with that same dramatic castle-from-below view. The difference is the setup – studios and one or two-bedroom apartments, so you get proper space rather than a standard hotel room.

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Every room comes with a fully equipped kitchen – a total game-changer if you’re staying more than a couple of nights and don’t want to eat out for every meal. You still get hotel perks: 24-hour reception, a bar, and a gym.

Best for: Families, longer stays, or anyone who wants a home-away-from-home feel with a world-class view.

Moment George IV Bridge

📍 George IV Bridge, Old Town

Opened in 2025 in a beautifully restored historic building – only seven apartments, so it feels very personal. Some have stunning castle views, and every room comes with a fully equipped kitchen, which makes it a great option if you want self-catering flexibility in a great Old Town location.

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Best for: Families or anyone who wants a unique, boutique self-catering stay in the middle of the Old Town.

Budget Hotels With Castle View

Premier Inn Edinburgh City Centre Princes Street 📍Princes Street, West End corner

If you’re on a budget but want an unbeatable location, this is your stop. It sits at the quieter end of Princes Street, right across from St. Cuthbert’s Church and the gardens.

Look specifically for a room labelled “Standard Room with a View” or “Premier Plus with a View.” A regular standard room will likely face the back of the building or a side street. Get the right room and the castle towers over the trees of the gardens – one of the best value views in the city.

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Best for: Budget travellers and families who want a clean, comfortable room in a convenient location without the boutique price tag.

Which One Is Right for You?

If money is no object, go for 100 Princes Street – the most exclusive stay on this list and the service is in a different league. If you want the castle view without spending a fortune, it’s a tie between the Apex Grassmarket and the Premier Inn – completely different vibes, same incredible view.

For families, Wilde Aparthotels in the Grassmarket is the one – full kitchen, proper space, and that castle-from-below view. For panoramic views and a buzzy atmosphere, W Edinburgh is hard to beat. For the classic grand Edinburgh hotel experience, The Balmoral is still the one.

For a serious spa day, One Spa at the Sheraton Grand – five-bubble luxury status, rooftop Hydropool, and 50% off full spa access when you book a treatment. And if you’re coming in November or December, book the Mount Royal – front-row seat to the Christmas market with the castle lit up behind it.

Whatever you book, always make sure your confirmation specifically mentions a castle view room – not every room in these hotels faces the castle, and it’s worth double-checking before you arrive.

Hello! I'm Veronica.