Our pick of the best family hotels in Edinburgh highlights some of the best places to stay in Edinburgh with kids. Add them to your Edinburgh travel plans now!
There are plenty of family friendly hotels to choose from in Edinburgh.
You will find most of the best hotels in Edinburgh city centre welcoming of families, with many offering spacious family rooms with rollaway beds or sofa beds especially for families.
As Edinburgh is fairly small, as long as you are located fairly centrally, it will be easy to walk to the main attractions. If you choose to stay a bit further out of town, just make sure you are close to a bus or tram stop.
Although having an onsite restaurant can be handy, especially if you have tired kids at the end of day of sightseeing, Edinburgh is blessed with an abundance of good restaurants that will likely be just a short walk from your hotel, so don’t let it be a deal breaker for you.
If you are planning your family holidays in Edinburgh, read on!
You may also like: Things to do in Edinburgh with Kids.
Table of Contents
Where to stay in Edinburgh
There is not really one best area to stay in Edinburgh with kids. The city centre is roughly divided into two areas: Old Town and New Town.
Both areas have a good choice of restaurants and getting between the two areas is easy by walking.
The most famous thoroughfare in the Old Town is the Royal Mile, which topped by Edinburgh Castle and has Holyrood Palace at the bottom. This old cobbled medieval street is lined with traditional Scottish pubs, souvenir shops, restaurants and hotels.
It is also home to landmarks such as the Tron Kirk and St Giles Cathedral and attractions such as the Camera Obscura and the Scotch Whisky Experience.
The New Town, characterised by its Georgian architecture, is the main commercial area of Edinburgh, with Princes Street and George Street being the major shopping thoroughfares. Here you will also find Princes Street Gardens, which is home to Edinburgh’s Christmas market.
Edinburgh’s two train stations, Haymarket and Waverly bookend Princes Street, and the tram from the airport comes into the New Town, stopping twice on Princes Street and also at St Andrews Square and York Place.
Family Friendly Places to Stay in Edinburgh
For our pick of the best Edinburgh family hotels we have concentrated on hotels in Edinburgh centre that allow for easy for walking around the city.
We have also chosen hotels that have family rooms, allow rollaway beds and/or sofa beds or have connecting rooms for families.
All of these best places to stay in Edinburgh have onsite restaurants. Some offer free breakfasts, others have swimming pools and/or onsite parking.
Some of these Edinburgh places to stay go that extra mile for families, with gift packs and special family turn down service, or offer Nintendo Wiis or Playstation 4s in the rooms. All facilities are highlighted below.
Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh – The Caledonian
Grand luxury hotel in Edinburgh city centre.
The beautiful and grand Caledonian Hotel Edinburgh dominates the west end of Princes Street in Edinburgh city centre. This historical icon boasts the most castle view rooms of any hotel in Edinburgh, with 68 of its 241 offering views of Edinburgh Castle.
For families, there are rooms with two double beds that will accommodate the whole family, and cribs are available. Within the restaurants, you will also find kids menus and high chairs.
Located just across the road from Princes Street Gardens and around a 15-minute walk to the Royal Mile, this 5 star hotel in Edinburgh is in the perfect location for sightseeing and exploring the city.
If you’re looking for family hotels in Edinburgh with swimming pools, then your kids will love the large indoor swimming pool here… if they have enough energy left after sightseeing.
Click here to check prices for the Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh.
The Balmoral Hotel Edinburgh
Beautiful luxury 5 star hotel in Edinburgh city centre.
If you are looking for other five star hotels in Edinburgh city centre, look no further than the Balmoral hotel.
Competing with the Waldorf Astoria for the title of the grand dame of luxury hotels in Edinburgh, the Balmoral occupies one of the most historic and majestic buildings in the city.
The 168 rooms are elegant and stylishly decorated with Scottish accents and are undeniably luxurious.
If you are looking for family hotel rooms in Edinburgh, you are in luck. There is a selection of rooms suitable for families, accommodating either one or two rollaway beds. Harry Potter fans can even check into the JK Rowling suite, which can accommodate 2 rollaway beds for children.
Families are well catered for at this family-friendly hotel in Edinburgh, with an owl teddy turn-down service, complimentary baby meals and high chairs, bottle warmers, sterilisers, bibs, playmats, changing mats and baby baths all available on request.
On check-in kids are provided with a Balmoral Passport, that includes a fact sheet and city activities. The hotel can also provide kids books, movies and games.
If you want a hotel near Waverly Station in Edinburgh you can’t get much closer than this. The entrance to the station is right next door to the hotel! This also puts it in a great location for exploring both Edinburgh city center and getting onward to the rest of Scotland by train.
There is a choice of restaurants at this luxury Edinburgh hotel, including the Michelin-starred Number One. Kids are catered for with a kids menu in the Brasserie Prince by Alain Roux, and will also love the Palm Court afternoon tea.
Click here to check prices for the Balmoral Hotel Edinburgh.
Radisson Blu Edinburgh
4 star hotel in Edinburgh city centre with parking and swimming pool.
If you are looking for cheaper hotels in Edinburgh or hotels near Edinburgh Castle, we love the Radisson Blu for all its amazing family friendly touches.
Kids stay and eat for free at this family accommodation in Edinburgh, which is ideally located right in the middle of the Royal Mile just a short stroll away from Edinburgh Castle.
Kids are also given an activity pack on check-in and kids sized robes and slippers are provided the bedrooms.
Large family rooms can accommodate the whole family, with cots available too. There are even Playstation 4 consoles available on request, in addition to a family zone in the reception.
This four star hotel in Edinburgh also has an indoor swimming pool, and parking available.
Click here to check prices for the Radisson Blu Edinburgh.
Old Town Chambers Edinburgh
Chic and contemporary apart hotel in Edinburgh city centre.
These chic and contemporary apartments are located right on the Royal Mile in a romantic medieval setting.
The 50 apartments range from studios to family apartments, town houses and penthouses. All boast period features but are finished with contemporary furnishings.
The family apartments are specifically designed to accommodation two children in a semi-private bed deck with king-size mattress, with a privacy curtain completing the den-like feel.
This Edinburgh family friendly accommodation also has a separate living/dining area and fully fitted kitchens with washer/dryer, dishwasher and fridge/freezer as well as Nespresso machines. They even have GHD hair straighteners on request!
For larger families or those looking for more space, there are larger 2- and 3-bedroom apartments that sleep up to 6 guests.
For something really special, check out their townhouse, with its exposed brickwork, gothic candlesticks, opulent drapes and free-standing copper bathtub. This may not sound like the most suitable digs for young families, but it will certainly leave a lasting impression of your Edinburgh family holiday.
Click here to check prices for the Old Town Chambers.
Novotel Edinburgh Centre
Modern 4 star family hotel in Edinburgh with swimming pool.
This modern 4 star hotel in Edinburgh does not enjoy the best location on our list of child friendly hotels in Edinburgh, but it is still centrally located and just a 10 minutes walk from Princes Street or 15 minutes to the Royal Mile.
Several room categories are perfect for families, with queen bed plus sofa bed that allows four people per room.
There is an indoor heated pool with jacuzzie and sauna and a gym on site.
This Edinburgh city hotel also has an onsite restaurant, the Tap Kitchen & Bar for meals and drinks, and offers 24-hour room service.
Click here to check prices for the Novotel Edinburgh Centre.
The Rutland Hotel
Boutique apartment hotel in Edinburgh city centre.
This boutique hotel in Edinburgh is ideally located in the heart of Edinburgh’s west end at the edge of Prince Street, in amongst all the shops and restaurants.
The nine serviced apartments at this family friendly hotel in Edinburgh are available as 1- or 2-bedroom apartments and are perfect for family stays. The lower ground floor apartment is particularly suitable, with its two bedrooms and own garden space.
The top floor apartment also has two bedrooms and a large open kitchen/living area. If you like glamorous décor, you will love the bold prints, designer wallpaper and retro furniture of this central hotel in Edinburgh.
Nothing is forgotten in these family rooms in Edinburgh, which all have cable TV, Nintendo Wiis, rainfall showers, freestanding baths, Nespresso machines and even hair straighteners. Some even have castle views.
There are two onsite restaurants at this family friendly hotel in Edinburgh: Kyloe restaurant and grill for steaks and the Huxley bar for burgers and cocktails.
Click here to check prices and availability for the Rutland Hotel.
Ibis Styles St Andrews Square
Funky and cheap hotel in Edinburgh city centre.
Despite being part of the Ibis family, this hotel in central Edinburgh has a boutique hotel feel to it, with brightly decorated rooms with a Scottish theme.
This 3 star hotel in Edinburgh has a fantastic location for its price, with Waverly train station just a short walk away and the airport tram stop just across the road.
Family rooms in this Edinburgh hotel are suitable for a family of three, with a double and single beds, and some rooms are also available with a sofa bed. All 103 rooms come with free WiFi, flat screen TVs with free view.
Another bonus of this cool hotel in Edinburgh is the free continental breakfast, and free tea, coffee and hot chocolate throughout the day in the lobby. There is also an onsite restaurant, and plenty of good restaurants just a short walk away.
Click here to check prices and availability for the Ibis Styles St Edinburgh.
Apex Grassmarket Hotel Edinburgh
Modern family hotel in Edinburgh Old Town with castle views.
If you are looking for hotels in Edinburgh Old Town, this one is ideally located in the heart of the Grassmarket in amongst the shops and restaurants and just a short walk from the Royal Mile.
The family rooms in this Edinburgh hotel offer two queen beds, with rollaway beds also available on request. Some rooms have castle views. All kids under the age of 17 stay for free – and kids under 12 stay and eat for free.
The onsite restaurant, the Metro Bar & Brasserie boasts floor to ceiling windows with stunning castle views.
Kids will also love the indoor swimming pool or a bit of fun at the end of the hard day sightseeing.
Click here to check prices and availability for the Apex Grassmarket Edinburgh.
Holiday Inn Express Royal Mile
Centrally located budget hotel in Edinburgh.
Although not actually located on the Royal Mile as its name suggests, this city centre hotel in Edinburgh is just a short walk away.
Located in the heart of Edinburgh’s historic Old Town, this top hotel in Edinburgh is in a great location for exploring, being just a 15-minute walk from both Princes Street and Edinburgh Castle.
Rooms are bright and come with air-conditioning/heating, flatscreen TVs and power showers. Family rooms come with sofa beds that can sleep two kids. Connecting rooms are also available.
A continental buffet breakfast is included in the room price and there is also a 24-hour snack menu on offer in the lobby lounge bar.
Click here to check prices and availability for the Holiday Inn Express Royal Mile.
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