The Top Boutique Hotels in Edinburgh

Photo Courtesy The Bonham  Hotel

Contributor Chris Occhiuzzi shares his list of favourite places to stay in Scotland’s capital … whether you live there, or are passing through, we know you’ll enjoy the Top Boutique Hotels in Edinburgh

Whether visiting a city for business, pleasure, or a mix of both, having comfortable accommodations is a must. But, more than that, it’s important to treat yourself to a hotel experience that is almost as memorable – or equally memorable – as the sights, sounds and events when out and about.

This is where a boutique hotel comes into play. Even if you strike out with walking tours or chapel visits, you can return to a place with fabulous décor, a fantastic meal, and a club or pub to party at before taking an elevator to your room.

There are plenty of superb Edinburgh boutique hotels to suit your fancy: be it full of history or the epitome of modern extravagance, and everything in between.

To help you find the very best accommodations for your Scotland adventure, we’ve put together our list of the top boutique hotels in Edinburgh. We know you’ll not be disappointed…

The Top Boutique Hotels in Edinburgh

The Bonham Hotel (Featured Hotel) 

Boasting a rich history with buildings that were built in 1872 as townhouses for upper class families and their servants, the Bonham Hotel is easily among the top Edinburgh boutique hotels around.

Still featuring the amazing Drumsheugh Gardens, the Bonham Hotel was once the site of a private medical practice where hundreds of babies – affectionately known as ‘Bonham Babies’ – were delivered from 1939 through 1951. In 1951, the Private Clinic was sold to the University of Edinburgh and the building became the Muir Hall of Residence for students who came from outside of the city.

Several rooms now boast magnificent views of New Town towards the Firth of Forth and the county of Fife. Welcoming lounges and a fashionable restaurant and bar highlight the interiors of the original houses. The restaurant, No. 35 at The Bonham, has a diverse menu with European inspired dishes boosted by a Scottish twist using local suppliers and ingredients.

History fanatics are sure to call the Bonham Hotel the best boutique hotel in Edinburgh.

Reviews, Rates, & Reservations: To book your trip or learn more, head to The Bonham Hotel. 

Angels Share Hotel 

If there is one spot which best resembles the new Scotland, it’s the Angels Share Hotel. Easily one of the top boutique hotels in Edinburgh, Angels Share exhibits the fun, fashionable side of modern Scottish culture through their décor and amenities.

The Angels Share name signifies the small amount of alcohol that evaporates out of whisky barrels during maturation. Indeed, their bar and restaurant give nods to the name’s roots in their cocktail menu and extended whisky list.

Their impressive range of premium whisky and cocktails featuring Scottish products is best enjoyed while grooving to live music. They also have mixologists available to host a masterclass on making tasty concoctions. Just make sure to taste the fine cuisine using locally sourced ingredients in the midst of all the whisky and cocktails.

Although the Angels Share features a contemporary style and forgoes the tartan carpets for a new-age vibe, it also keeps it old-school. Throughout the hotel’s 31 bedrooms, there are portraits honouring iconic Scottish personalities – be it actors, athletes, or other prominent individuals – along with a few words about their accomplishments.

Reviews, Rates, & Reservations: Find out more at the Angels Share Hotel

Tigerlily 

No list of Edinburgh hotels would be complete without one of the most popular spots in the city: the Tigerlily. It’s the ultimate place for a celebratory weekend in Edinburgh with 33 trendy suites and bedrooms complemented by one of the hippest bars and restaurants around.

The lovely Georgian building is home to highly skilled mixologists from around the world who conjure up an impressive selection of alluring cocktails – over 100 recipes on the drink list and counting. It’s no wonder they recently won a best cocktail bar award.

However, it’s not only amazing drinks the Tigerlily is serving: their chefs create delightful dishes with an emphasis placed on field to fork ingredients. Of course, what would a restaurant be without a spot of afternoon tea for its guests to enjoy? If you’re on vacation, why not go for the Champagne Afternoon Tea served with a glass of Veuve Cliquot.

Reviews, Rates, & Reservations: Learn more at Tigerlily  

Eden Locke

One of the best places to stay in Edinburgh is at Eden Locke, where you’ll feel more at home than in other hotels. And this is by design.

Eden Locke is a among the top hotels in Edinburgh city centre and features 72 apartment-style accommodations rather than typical high-end rooms, each complete with kitchens and living space. The 30 square metre apartments are roomier than typical boutique hotel rooms, while they come in different options – choose from studios, suites or mezzanine apartments.

Business guests love their home-away-from-home at the Eden Locke as it’s central location means quick access to whichever office they need to be at. As well, the hotel has a much-loved coffee house and co-working space.

While it’s the perfect place for extended trips – be it business or pleasure – it is also a cozy and tranquil place for a weekend stay – and is walking distance to many incredible sights, including top attractions like Edinburgh Castle.

The ground floor coffeehouse and co-working space is loved by locals and guests alike. Light, airy and tranquil, it’s the perfect environment for solo laptop work or catch-ups with colleagues.

Reviews, Rates, & Reservations: Learn more at Eden Locke

No. 11 Hotel & Brasserie

As with many Edinburgh hotels, the No. 11 Hotel & Brasserie is filled with historical significance. Highlighting Georgian-era architecture with a stunning cupola, decorative cornices and central ceiling roses – as well as the portico skirted by stone doric columns and the grand entrance hall – the hotel was originally commissioned by Scottish architect William Playfair and completed in 1822.

No. 11 was first owned by Lady Francis Erskine, the eldest daughter of the Earl of Mar. After her passing, the property became the home for various ministers of the Church of Scotland.

Eventually, in 1930, it became the Black Watch Club for veterans of the oldest kilted regiment of the British Army, which dates to 1725. The building became a hotel in 1991 and received an extensive upgrade in 2012 to modernize the facilities – all the while maintaining its historical features and character.

Rates, & Reservations: Learn more about No. 11 Hotel & Brasserie

Le Monde Hotel

Le Monde Hotel lives up to its name with its worldly rooms paying homage to some of the globe’s top cities. Affiliated with the Angels Share Hotel, Le Monde Hotel stands out among Edinburgh hotels with 18 individually designed bedrooms that are worth the trip.

Among the rooms are Milan, where you can soak up the glamourous style of the fashion capital of the world; Berlin, where you can envelope yourself in the elegance of the golden twenties complete with spectacular black and white photographs featuring the stars of stage and screen; and Atlantis, the mythical city of the sea is brought to life by a huge aqua glass art wall and brilliant tropical fish tank above the bed.

Other styles include New York, Rio, Paris, Dublin and more. Meanwhile, the Shanghai Club nightclub is a must-visit no matter what hotel you’re staying at.

Reviews, Rates, & Reservations: See more room styles and the cities they represent at Le Monde Hotel​

 Black Ivy

Minutes away from the city centre, is the stylish neighbourhood of Bruntsfield. And it’s home to a stylish Edinburgh boutique hotel with an enticing name: Black Ivy.

With 21 bedrooms designed to provide a carefree getaway, it’s a wonderful place to call your temporary home while having an Edinburgh adventure. A wonderful draft house featuring quality pints of their own Tank Beer brew, means you’ll be well refreshed before heading into the city. Should you choose to not go out, well, the Black Ivy stage frequently hosts live music (and you won’t have to worry about how to get back to the hotel). With a terrace overlooking Links park, the Black Ivy is perfect for those classic Edinburgh weekend breaks from school and work.

Meanwhile, the Conservatory Dining Room’s wooden flooring is a piece of history you’re allowed to walk on: it’s 125-years-old and made from carriages used to transport troops in France during the First and Second World Wars. The Conservatory’s brilliant chandeliers were sourced from homes in Paris, Vienna, St Petersburg, and Milan.

Reviews, Rates, & Reservations: Learn more about this intriguing hotel at  Black Ivy

 House of Gods Royal Mile  

With a name like House of Gods Royal Mile, you’re sure to be among the top boutique hotels in Edinburgh. And with their ‘Treat Me Like I’m Famous’ option, they live up to their moniker.

‘Famous’ guests receive a rose petal, balloon-filled room and handmade chocolates upon arrival, an on-call butler, in-room cocktail service where a ‘star-tender’ mixes the hotel’s most exclusive drink, and much, much more extravagance including an automatic late check-out.

When visiting House of Gods, be sure to indulge in the in-room afterparty where custom cocktail service and a soundtrack to match is brought to you. The four-course cocktail journey features drinks inspired by ageless anthems: Welcome to the Jungle (Maraschino, Marshall Amp, Aelder Liqueur, Skull & Bones, Tanqueray, Red Bandana, Slashed Lemon); Hypnotize (Cognac, Gold dust, Champagne, Mo’ Money, Haters & Ice Diamond); God is a DJ (Vodka, Ultraviolet, Orange Blossom, Euphoria, Ginger, Lime, Bliss); and Kiss From a Rose (Tanqueray Sevilla, Salted Strawberry, Roses in Bloom, Olorosso, Sealed with a Rose-Water Kiss).

Check out the full complement of accommodations and amenities at www.houseofgodshotel.com.

 Market Street Hotel

The Market Street Hotel is steeped in the history of Old Town Edinburgh and the nation of Scotland. From the Nor’Loft Restaurant, which gets its name from Nor’Loch which was a natural defence against invaders in centuries past, to interior design that celebrates Scottish heritage, it’s a great place to stay. The tapestry of the hotel’s contemporary design is full of historic Scottish symbols: Aon-adharcach/Unicorn; Uisge Beatha/Scotch Whisky; Cluaran/ Thistle; Giuthas/Scots Pine; Taigeis/Haggis; and Iolair-bhuidhe/Golden Eagle.

Located in a prime location in the heart of Scotland’s capital, the Market Street Hotel exudes the very soul of Edinburgh: history neatly meshed with modern living. And it’s only a quick walk to both Edinburgh Castle and the famous Royal Mile in the Old Town, while also within walking distance of the stylish New Town and St Andrew Square, where gastropubs, boutiques and cafés await.

Reviews, Rates, & Reservations: Learn more about the hotel at  Market Street Hotel 

The Raeburn 

Winning the Boutique Hotel of the Year in 2016 as well as being recognized by the Scottish Hotel Awards on many other occasions tells you all you need to know about why The Raeburn is one of the top boutique hotels in Edinburgh.

Built in 1832 as an elegant Georgian family home, The Raeburn is now a superb hotel. Only a 15 minute walk to Edinburgh city centre and all that it has to offer, The Raeburn is a hotel where luxury is the top priority: having a minimal number of rooms to fill means your stay won’t be disrupted by unruly crowds, while a library, private dining option, and fantastic outdoor terraces allow you to relax at will.

Reviews, Rates, & Reservations: See more of what this hotel provides at The Raeburn 

Rutland Hotel 

It’s never easy for furry family members to join their biped companions on trips, but the Rutland Hotel makes sure that dogs are most welcome! Just make sure you as for one of the hotel’s one- or two-bedroom apartments for your stay: a home-away-from-home while you’re in another city, country, or continent. They’re perfect for longer trips – as much as dining out is fun, sometimes you simply want to prepare a meal and stay in.

Being a boutique hotel in the heart of Edinburgh’s West End and only a hop, skip and jump away from the iconic Edinburgh Castle, the Rutland Hotel provides a glamourous escape for all their guests. A classic Edwardian exterior combines with a diverse collection of rooms, apartments, restaurants, and bars to make your Edinburgh visit as delightful as possible.

Reviews, Rates, & Reservations: Find out what else they have to offer at Rutland Hotel ​

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Contributor Chris Occhiuzzi is a staff writer at Dockside Publishing and founder of Muskoka Unlimited.