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Historic British Cities: Edinburgh
Bath | Cambridge | Canterbury | Chester | Durham | Edinburgh | Ely | Lincoln | Oxford | Wells | Winchester | York
“…This dream in masonry and living rock”
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Sometimes referred to as ‘The Athens of the North’, Edinburgh has been the capital of Scotland since the 15th century.
The heart of the city is effectively comprised of two districts: the Georgian ‘new town’ and the medieval ‘old town’, and together they form a UNESCO World Heritage Site which attracts millions of visitors every year.
Internationally renowned as a centre of culture, Edinburgh boasts numerous annual festivals and art events. It is also the site of the Scottish Parliament and home to around 500,000 residents.
The city’s most famous landmark, however, is its impressive castle which is reckoned to be the most visited tourist attraction in Scotland. Although much of the present structure dates from the 17th and 18th centuries, St. Margaret’s Chapel is the oldest surviving building in the whole of Edinburgh and dates from the 1100’s.
The heart of the city is effectively comprised of two districts: the Georgian ‘new town’ and the medieval ‘old town’, and together they form a UNESCO World Heritage Site which attracts millions of visitors every year.
Internationally renowned as a centre of culture, Edinburgh boasts numerous annual festivals and art events. It is also the site of the Scottish Parliament and home to around 500,000 residents.
The city’s most famous landmark, however, is its impressive castle which is reckoned to be the most visited tourist attraction in Scotland. Although much of the present structure dates from the 17th and 18th centuries, St. Margaret’s Chapel is the oldest surviving building in the whole of Edinburgh and dates from the 1100’s.
Period Places to Stay in Edinburgh
The Howard. Situated within the Georgian ‘New Town’, the classically styled Howard Hotel is comprised of three townhouses built during the 1820’s. Extremely highly rated by independent reviewers, it offers 18 rooms and suites in total, each full of traditional character and period ambience. 5-star rated, it boasts a butler service and prides itself on being the ‘most discrete hotel in Edinburgh’.
LateRooms | Booking.com | Lastminute.com
Prestonfield. Firmly at the ‘opulent’ end of the period décor scale, 5-star Prestonfield dates back to 1687 when it was constructed as the impressive home of Edinburgh’s Lord Provost. It boasts 23 rooms, of which 5 are luxury suites. One of these is named after Benjamin Franklin who visited the house in the 1700’s. Located within 20 acres of its own gardens and parkland, the property also provides on-site parking for guests.
LateRooms | Booking.com | Lastminute.com
Channings Hotel. Being Edwardian, this certainly isn’t the oldest hotel in Edinburgh, and we wouldn’t normally include such a comparative youngster in our lists. However, having been created from three townhouses of which one was once the home of the explorer Ernest Shackleton, we feel duty-bound to make mention of it on historical grounds. Moreover, the establishment is highly rated by independent reviewers.
LateRooms | Booking.com | Lastminute.com
The Royal Scots Club. Situated in a Georgian townhouse in Abercromby Place, the club was founded in 1919 in honour of over 11,000 Royal Scots killed during World War I. It offers 20 traditional and individually furnished guest rooms and a dining room which has a dress code. Undoubtedly the sort of place those interested in staying in genuinely classical surroundings might consider.
LateRooms | Booking.com | Expedia
Radisson Blu Edinburgh. Although the contemporary interior styling might not appeal to the traditionalist heritage-traveller, the building itself is said to date back to the 16th century – unsurprising given its location on the Royal Mile in the heart of Edinburgh’s Old Town. Indeed, its location is one of the most enviable in the whole of the city, with so many of its historic attractions in close proximity.
Lastminute.com | Booking.com | LateRooms
Melville Castle. Located just to the south of the city, Melville Castle is a beautiful country house which boasts connections to Mary Queen of Scots, Queen Victoria, King George IV and Sir Walter Scott amongst others. It offers 32 rooms and suites in total, and is four-star rated.
TripAdvisor
Kings Stables. Furnished in “gothic” style, this self-catering property was once a school house and a watchkeeper’s cottage. Suitable for couples, the building is attached to the walls of St. Cuthbert’s Church and is superbly located being close to the historic centre of Edinburgh.
Prestonfield. Firmly at the ‘opulent’ end of the period décor scale, 5-
Channings Hotel. Being Edwardian, this certainly isn’t the oldest hotel in Edinburgh, and we wouldn’t normally include such a comparative youngster in our lists. However, having been created from three townhouses of which one was once the home of the explorer Ernest Shackleton, we feel duty-
The Royal Scots Club. Situated in a Georgian townhouse in Abercromby Place, the club was founded in 1919 in honour of over 11,000 Royal Scots killed during World War I. It offers 20 traditional and individually furnished guest rooms and a dining room which has a dress code. Undoubtedly the sort of place those interested in staying in genuinely classical surroundings might consider.
LateRooms | Booking.com | Expedia
Radisson Blu Edinburgh. Although the contemporary interior styling might not appeal to the traditionalist heritage-
Melville Castle. Located just to the south of the city, Melville Castle is a beautiful country house which boasts connections to Mary Queen of Scots, Queen Victoria, King George IV and Sir Walter Scott amongst others. It offers 32 rooms and suites in total, and is four-
TripAdvisor
Kings Stables. Furnished in “gothic” style, this self-
Also see...
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There are plenty more period hotels nearby. See our main Edinburgh and Mid Scotland section.
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If you prefer a holiday or break under your own steam see our Historic Holiday Cottages guide
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In the likes of The Howard, Channings, Prestonfield and the others above, we believe we’ve highlighted the best Edinburgh hotels for the heritage traveller. But we also accept that there must be others we should really include in the section. As such, please email us if you know of some exceptional period accommodation in the city that other visitors to the site would find attractive. Thank you.
Copyright. Nights In The Past 2007 -
