Compare Edinburgh hotels

If you’re after the cheapest hotel deals in Edinburgh, try travelling during the week. City centre hotels often offer heavily reduced off-peak rates on weekdays, giving you the chance to bag a bargain. Even better, the Royal Mile will be much quieter.

Booking a cheeky mid-week break is a canny way to dodge the crowds and get Edinburgh’s best city centre hotels at the cheapest prices.

Accommodation prices hit the roof over Edinburgh’s Fringe Festival every August – there’s just no getting around it. Cheap hotel deals in Edinburgh simply don’t exist during the festival frenzy, so bear that in mind when you’re booking your trip and try to book as early as possible.

Having said that, the Fringe Festival is an incredible experience and, if you’re into performing arts, and paying above the odds for accommodation is well worth it.

Stretched between the Palace of Holyroodhouse and Edinburgh Castle, the cobbled Royal Mile is easily the most atmospheric pocket of the city. Unsurprisingly, this area is highly sought-after by international tourists, so hotels don’t come cheap round here.

You’ll find a handful of five-star Edinburgh hotels in the heart of the Old Town, all packed with vintage Scottish charm. And if your pockets run deep, it’s worth paying the premium. The Witchery by the Castle is Edinburgh’s most fantastic hotel and is a great place for a bit of celebrity spotting.

Edinburgh’s Georgian New Town is packed with tempting cafes, airy bars and boutique shops – as well as a wide choice of Edinburgh hotels, from cheap digs to luxury chains and locally-run guesthouses. And while the Old Town is a tourist mecca, staying in the New Town will make you feel in the very thick of things.

Just a short walk across Princes Street Gardens to the Royal Mile, it’s a great base for exploring the city on foot and experiencing the real Edinburgh at the same time.

Leith’s historic harbour is just a stone’s throw from central Edinburgh, but it feels like another world. Home to the Royal Yacht Britannia as well as a charming jumble of cafes, boutiques and cosy bars, it’s a nostalgic little nook. If you’re looking to dip in and out of the city buzz, it’s a brilliant spot for a weekend escape.

Leith is also a rising star on the gourmet scene, with two Michelin-starred restaurants strung along the waterfront. Like everywhere else, you’ll pay for location, so the cheapest Edinburgh hotels are set back from the harbour. The nearer you get to the water, the pricier the room.