Southside / Old Town

Hotel du Vin Edinburgh

★★★★★

Hotel du Vin Edinburgh has one of the more colourful back stories in the city. Its building on Bristo Place, on the Southside of the Old Town, dates from 1743 and has served as a poorhouse, then an asylum, then a science lab before its transformation into a boutique hotel. The result is a warren of 47 individually styled rooms and suites, ranging from Classic and Deluxe rooms to Junior Suites, Suites and a Signature Suite, with the brand's signature comfortable beds, good bathrooms (many with deep baths and big showers) and a relaxed, wine-themed design. The public spaces are where the hotel shines on a cold evening. Bistro du Vin serves classical French dishes in a relaxed, modern-classic setting; the Whisky Snug is a cosy, fire-warmed retreat of sofas, leather chairs and a large whisky cabinet; there is a bar for cocktails and a heated Cigar Bothy; and the hotel's extensive cellars hold up to four hundred wines, with a sommelier who can arrange informal tastings. In summer the central courtyard becomes an al fresco dining space. The location suits sightseers well: the hotel sits just off the Royal Mile's southern side, between the National Museum of Scotland and the University's Old College on one side and Greyfriars Kirkyard and the Grassmarket on the other, and the castle and Holyroodhouse are both within walking distance. The Southside is a lively student and residential area, with plenty of independent cafés and inexpensive restaurants around Nicolson Street and Forrest Road, which keeps it feeling local rather than touristy.

Living in it: rooms vary significantly in size and outlook because of the historic building, so it is worth paying for a Deluxe or above if space matters, and asking about the view. Some rooms face the street, which can be lively on weekend nights in this student-heavy part of town. The hotel is cashless, taking card and digital payments only. Wi-Fi is free and fast, and the atmosphere is relaxed and grown-up — it suits couples and friends particularly well, though families can be accommodated in larger rooms.

Base math: the National Museum of Scotland is a two-minute walk, Greyfriars Kirkyard and Greyfriars Bobby about the same, and the Grassmarket, Victoria Street and the Royal Mile under ten minutes. The castle is a steady uphill walk of around fifteen minutes. Waverley station is about fifteen minutes on foot or a short taxi. Arthur's Seat and Holyrood Park are reachable on foot in around twenty minutes via the Pleasance or the Cowgate. For festival-goers, many Fringe venues in the Southside and around Bristo Square are on the doorstep.

Price and fit: Hotel du Vin is a solid upper-mid-range choice, usually well below the five-star hotels but with peaks in August and at Hogmanay. Its rates since April 2026 already include the 5% city visitor levy and VAT, which makes comparison easier; bookings made earlier pay the levy at the hotel. Choose it if you want character, a good bar and bistro on site, and a quieter Old Town base within walking distance of almost everything.