The 16 Best Boutique Hotels in Edinburgh

Edinburgh is a hip modern city with an ancient heart. This is a city that has many faces, from trendy Leith to sophisticated Morningside or the Stockbridge area which feels like a quaint country village. Edinburgh's boutique hotels are, unsurprisingly, equally varied. From artsy urban boltholes to the decadence of a country manor, the best boutiques in Edinburgh tend to have had a former life, whether as a Georgian townhouse, lighthouse ship or 16th-century church. Our hotel experts have hand-selected their favourite boutique stays. With something for all tastes and budgets, why not browse through our collection to start planning your trip?

For a romantic escape

• From the outside, The Rutland Hotel looks like every other conservative Edinburgh townhouse; inside, however, this small and stylish hotel is a haven of artsy glamour. One of the best boutiques in Edinburgh for couples, the spacious self-catering apartments have bold colour schemes, animal hides, New Wave wallpaper and four-posters. The swanky bar and nightclub hidden below make it perfect for the young.
• Set in the charming Morningside district, The Lane is one of Edinburgh's best romantic boutiques primed for on-a-budget stays. The smart, light-filled and atmospheric rooms lead out onto a sit-out terrace and there's a bar and restaurant perfect for lazy afternoons.
• Prestonfield is a riot of opulence. A country house set within acres of parkland yet only minutes from the city centre, this adults-only Edinburgh boutique is perfect for couples looking to splash out. There's a whisky bar, fine-dining restaurant and croquet on the lawn. An indulgent choice.

For the design

• Undoubtedly one of Edinburgh's coolest boutiques, 24 Royal Terrace lies somewhere between a contemporary art gallery and a hotel. A beautifully reimagined Georgian townhouse filled with beautiful artworks (some worth up to half a million pounds). From the red-carpeted stairwell to the popular bar with its carefully selected single malts, it's a stylish stay.
• The Inn on the Mile is one of Edinburgh's best boutiques for the urban trendsetter. A bar with a restaurant - this is a local landmark and has live music every night apart from Sundays. Chic rooms feature high ceilings, sink-into beds, and limewashed plank floors. A cosy yet hip stay.
• The Roseate is a chic and warm hotel spread over two stately Victorian townhouses with sweeping views of Edinburgh. Offering cool, unique design that is at once traditional and contemporary. Rooms are defined by artisan furniture, chintzy curtains and antiques. Best yet, there is an enormous collection of rare whiskey in the bar and quaint afternoon teas.

For great value

• 94 DR is one of the best value boutiques in Edinburgh. An unassuming terraced villa staring out to Arthur's Seat, inside it's a chic 5-star that still manages to be homely. The black-and-white rooms are stylish and spacious and the family suite features a bunk bed and an Xbox!
• Nira Caledonia is a sleek boutique that doesn't break the bank. Superb fine dining at the restaurant, elegant rooms marrying Scottish tradition and artisan comfort - it's incredible value for money.
• For a boutique that does things simply, The Raeburn is a good shout. Set in a gorgeous Georgian townhouse in cobbled, quiet, leafy Stockbridge, the spacious, simple rooms are dressed in muted creams and greys and the restaurant serves up decent pub-style grub.

For foodies

• Twelve Picardy Place ticks all the boxes: an award-winning steakhouse, German street food in the beer garden, and sleek, minimalist rooms. Offering a prime location for sightseeing, it's also the very place where Sir Arthur Conan Doyle was born - a real stand out stay.
• An award-winning brasserie with 10 elegant rooms, NO. 11 is one of Edinburgh's most romantic boutiques. The rooms ooze sleek sophistication with their antiques, four-posters, chintzy wallpapers and modern art. A warm and welcoming urban bolthole.
• 21212 is a Michelin-star restaurant with rooms - an elegant, modern stay just 10 minutes from the city centre. One of the best Edinburgh boutiques for foodies, the contemporary-yet-baroque rooms are homely and stylish and boast gorgeous views of the Forth.

For families

• For a kid-friendly boutique in Edinburgh, you can't get better than the quirky and colourful world of Black Ivy. The twee rooms are charming and the family suites are spacious with bold design, perfect for kids. Fun and laid back - an ideal choice for those travelling with kids.

For luxury

• Tigerlily is pure luxury. This glamorous boutique boasts an iconic cocktail bar and a restaurant so popular that guests have to book well ahead. The spacious designer rooms have artisan furnishings and the best have four-posters. The leafy, romantic terrace, with its velveteen chairs, makes it one of Edinburgh's best luxury boutiques for couples.
• The Witchery by the Castle is a brooding conversion of a 16th-century church. Total luxury, with gilded ceilings, plenty of red velvet and oil paintings. An adults-only boutique and undoubtedly one of the most unique luxury hotels in Edinburgh for couples.
• From classic cabins to pure decadence, Fingal is a beautiful luxury property. A retired lighthouse tender ship, and Scotland's first-ever floating hotel, it's docked in Leith harbour and boasts plush, minimalist rooms with plenty of brass, leather and suede. With fine dining in the restaurant and an impressive ballroom, this is a unique stay in the hip district of Leith.

Still not sure where to book?

• Browse through our list of all the best places to stay in Edinburgh;
• Or check out our collections of the Best Hotels in Edinburgh’s New Town, the best romantic hotels in Edinburgh or the Best Edinburgh Hotels with Pools;
• Have a look at this list of the best hotels in Edinburgh's Old Town or West End;
• Alternatively, you could contact one of our Gurus for advice.

 

Written by Edmund Wise

posted Monday, 27th February 2023