5 Best, Genuine Boutique Hotels in Edinburgh in 2026

At the quieter, west end of Edinburgh’s Princes Street, the Rutland Hotel says no to the tartans and tweeness of many surrounding hotels, The building is a picturesque Georgian townhouse, but the interior design is decidedly contemporary. With just 23 rooms, it’s all very cosy too, and you’ll get to know the much-praised staff pretty quickly. The hotel offers hotel amenities, but you can also book luxury apartments in the same complex. If you’re looking for something longer-term, consider checking out the 1- and 2-bedroom apartments. Short or long-term, if… > Read Our Full Review

We love the history buzz of the Royal Mile as much as the next person, but it’s really not all Edinburgh has to offer. The New Town is your alternative, and on one of its classic, bright, open streets, there is the Tigerlilly Hotel. It’s an upscale, inviting hotel and has plenty of youthful panache. Basically, the sum of its parts – it’s got the wallpaper, live plants, and super-designed seating, but the rooms don’t quite bring it home. There’s definitely something quite temporary-feeling about the spaces, whatever it is… > Read Our Full Review

Between the crooked streets of Edinburgh’s Old Town and the open avenues of its New, The Balmoral nicely reflects the city’s particular blend of historic and contemporary. Anyone who has so much as peeped at Edinburgh before will know this landmark Victorian building, originally built as a railway hotel. It’s bigger than we usually like our boutique hotels. But The Balmoral an Edinburgh icon, and the size of the building belies the size of the hotel. Much of the space is devoted to top-notch facilities, and hospitality is so on… > Read Our Full Review

Market Street Hotel is a super-chic piece of minimalism, and a lovely, respectful contrast to Old Town, Edinburgh. It’s on the line in multiple ways, a lovely conduit of Scandinavian influence on Scotland and right on the edge of the historic centre of the city. The architecture alone would single it out, all clean lines and pale brick next to the aged stone of Victorian townhouses. The interiors double down, full as they are with wood, sliding doors, floor-to-ceiling windows and all things simple and elegant. If you came to… > Read Our Full Review

The Old Town Chambers Hotel in Edinburgh offers contemporary lodgings in a pretty unbeatable, historic centre, location. Its chic, contemporary accommodation sits comfortably inside a building with enough gravitas to complement the Gothic drama of St. Giles’ Cathedral. The stone exterior looks perfectly at home on the side of the bustling, centuries-old streets, yet the interior touches on post-industrial. The dramatic beams in the lofts and exposed stonework in some of the suites are undeniably modern. We like the idea, but it comes off a tad contrived. You’ll want to… > Read Our Full Review