Hotels with Bars in Edinburgh

The hotel's location is fantastic, just under a ten-minute walk from Edinburgh Waverley train station, making it super convenient if you're arriving by train. Plus, Calton Hill is right behind the hotel, and you can even see it from some of the windows. The breakfast selection isn't huge, but the ingredients are fresh. The only downside was that the room didn't have a toothbrush, toothpaste, or slippers, and there was no bathrobe either, which was a bit of a surprise since the photos showed one.

The hotel is in a great location, very conveniently within walking distance of various major tourist attractions. The hotel itself has a charmingly antique feel and is close to Calton Hill, a great spot for sunset views. Edinburgh Castle and Holyrood Palace are also within easy reach.

The breakfast is really great, even better than a hotel's, I ate so much every day, haha! 😂 Housekeeping isn't daily; they clean if you stay over a week. You need to bring all your own toiletries. For the single rooms, there are quite a few shared bathrooms, usually two or three rooms sharing one. Once you get used to it, showering and using the toilet aren't an issue. The free luggage storage is also a nice touch. Overall, it's excellent value for money!

Without doubt, this was one of our finest hotel stays in recent memory. From the moment we arrived, Novotel Edinburgh set the tone with a level of warmth and professionalism that genuinely stood out. The staff were incredibly helpful throughout and what really demonstrated this was a small but telling moment: we lost our key card during the stay, and it was replaced immediately, without any fuss or inconvenience whatsoever. It's the kind of effortless service that puts you completely at ease, and it's something you remember long after checkout. The breakfast deserves a special mention — it was simply top notch. The spread was so good that holding back was near impossible, and it's the kind of breakfast that makes you actually look forward to the morning. Freshly prepared, well-stocked, and served with care — it's one of the best hotel breakfasts we've had. The location is outstanding. Sitting just a mile from Edinburgh Castle, you're right in the heart of one of the most iconic cities in the UK. Public transport couldn't be more convenient either  buses are accessible right behind the hotel, making it incredibly easy to get around the city without needing a car at all. The one area that needs addressing is parking. The hotel's own car park is frequently full, which meant we had to use the nearby NCP instead. To the hotel's credit, they did provide a discount for the NCP - a thoughtful gesture that softened the inconvenience. However, it's worth noting for electric vehicle drivers: the EV charging at the NCP is painfully slow, so factor that into your plans if you're arriving in an electric car. A heads-up from the hotel at check-in would go a long way. Parking frustrations aside, Novotel Edinburgh is a brilliant base for exploring the city - exceptional staff, an unmissable breakfast, and a location that's hard to beat. We'd return without hesitation.

Excellent Location, but Serious Security Lapses I recently stayed at this hotel and found it to be a bit of a mixed bag. While there are some undeniable perks to the property, a few significant service and security issues made for a rather unsettling experience. The Highlights Prime Location: This is easily the hotel's strongest suit. It’s situated right next to Haymarket station, and there is a bus stop literally just outside the front door. Getting into the city centre takes no more than 10 minutes, making it a perfect base for exploring. Commendable Service: The reception team provided a decent welcome. I’d like to give a special mention to Shreyas, who was incredibly helpful and professional throughout our interactions. Quality Dining: We ate at the on-site restaurant and were pleasantly surprised. The food was of a high standard, and the waitstaff were attentive and friendly. Room Maintenance & Tech Issues Unfortunately, the shine started to wear off once we settled into the room: Housekeeping Oversights: Despite this being a multi-day stay, the complimentary water bottles were never replaced after the first day. Faulty Tech: The in-room tablet was practically useless. It kept restarting due to a battery fault; ironically, it even cut out while I was trying to use it to contact reception. Privacy Concerns: When we requested extra toilet roll, the staff member who delivered it attempted to walk straight into the room using their key, rather than knocking and waiting for us to answer. It was a complete breach of basic hospitality etiquette. A Major Security Concern The most distressing part of the trip occurred on our second day. Upon returning to our room in the evening, we were shocked to find the main door open. It appears the cleaning staff had failed to secure the door after finishing their rounds. Finding your hotel room left open to the public is, quite frankly, scary. It’s a massive security fail that overshadowed the rest of the stay. While the location is brilliant, the hotel desperately needs to tighten up its staff training and safety protocols. Would I stay again? Only if I were certain that the security and maintenance issues had been addressed.

Firstly giving a big thanks to Holiday Inn Edinburgh for the amazing stay and helping with my requesting on the early check in. The venue is accessible and is along the Airport Bus line route which is amazing. The hotel is well kept and the staff are friendly. The room and amenities are great too. Will definitely recommend and if ever going back to Edinburgh will definitelt book again.

I’ve spent there 3 nights, and I loved every moment there! The staff is friendly and ready to help 24/7. The rooms are clean. It is noisy till around 1 am at nights because of the bar. However, I was so tired at the end of the day that I just would fall asleep despite the room being right behind the bar. The best experience for me was new people who I met there. Dear Nancy Lao Shi, have a great stay in there, waiting for you to come to Uzbekistan! And dear Scottish family who we met the day before yesterday who bought us Irish brew and mars bars - if you come to Uzbekistan let me know! All the things are great, dear staff thank you very much for your genuine hospitality and impeccable service!!!

Great accommodation for solo travellers. When I arrive I was met with a very friendly receptionist who briefed me on the stay. The reception and the bedrooms were in separate buildings for me (Old Town) but only across the road. The beds was comfortable and I was fortunate enough to have roommates who were quiet. Toilets and showers are separate, and it is clean every now and then. 4 stars because it is quite tight inside the shower the overall really good for what price you pay and would definitely come back again.

A Wonderful Stay – Highly Recommended! My friend and I recently had the pleasure of staying at this lovely property, and we had an excellent experience. From the moment we arrived, we were impressed with the attention to detail and the warmth of the staff. The bed was incredibly comfortable, ensuring we both got a restful night’s sleep. What truly stood out, however, was the level of service. I was feeling a bit under the weather during our stay, and the staff went above and beyond by bringing breakfast directly to our room, which was a thoughtful and much-appreciated gesture. This level of care really goes a long way in making guests feel valued. For those who prefer to enjoy their breakfast with a bit of fresh air, the hotel also has a charming terrace where you can take your meal while soaking in the surroundings. It's the perfect way to start the day if you want to enjoy a bit of sunshine. The location is also a major plus. It’s just a short walk to the city center, making it easy to explore, and for those who prefer not to walk, a quick 5-minute bus ride will take you wherever you need to go. The lounge area at the hotel is another highlight. It’s spacious, cozy, and thoughtfully equipped with blankets to keep guests comfortable if the temperature drops. It provided the perfect spot to unwind after a day of sightseeing. Overall, I highly recommend this hotel for anyone visiting the area. The combination of comfort, thoughtful service, and a prime location makes it a top choice. We will definitely be staying here again when we return!

The room was very clean, but we had to share the bathrooms with some really messy people who left everything disgusting. Though, I have to admit, the staff cleaned it up super fast. The shower doors weren't very secure; they'd open with just a touch, and there wasn't much privacy, especially considering it was a mixed-gender bathroom. On the bright side, the water was very hot, and there was heating in the room, so we weren't cold. It's worth noting that we were in the pub area, so there was a fair bit of noise and music at night, but it didn't bother us too much. We did miss having a kitchen, like some other hostels provide.