The hype
Guests are blown away by the wood-paneled lobby and marble staircases but frequently let down by dusty rooms and indifferent service.
The Scotsman Hotel
$170-350/ night
Book this if You want to sleep inside a piece of Edinburgh history where the architecture is grander than the service.
Why People Love It
- Stunning baroque architecture (former Scotsman newspaper HQ)
- Unbeatable location right above Waverley Station
- The 48-seat vintage cinema hidden in the basement
Quick Take: A visually spectacular building that rests on its laurels, often trading historic charm for inconsistent housekeeping and noise issues.
Reviewed by @Beliizabeth: I felt like I was living in a movie set here. The building's history as a newspaper HQ is fascinating, and having a private cinema downstairs was the coolest perk. My room was stunning and right in the heart of Old Town.
Guest Who Stayed Here Said
Reality check
The 'city view' often means looking at a construction site or a brick wall unless you pay for a premium upgrade.
- You're a history buff who loves high ceilings and oak paneling
- You want to be within 2 minutes of the Royal Mile and Princes Street
- You plan to spend your evenings at the on-site cinema or Grand Café
Cleanliness & Maintenance
7.5
- Housekeeping: Inconsistent. Some guests report spotless rooms, others find dust in corners and missed daily refreshes.
- Bathroom hygiene: Generally good marble finishes, but recent reports of 'slippery shower floors' and occasional drainage smells.
- Maintenance: Aging gracefully in public areas, but rooms show wear—peeling paint and tired rugs have been cited in 2024 reviews.
- Linens & towels: Standard 4-star quality, usually crisp, but not ultra-luxury.
- Odors & scents: Lobby smells of polished wood and history; some negative reviews mention 'damp' smells in lower-level areas.
Sleepability™
6MODERATE
0-4LOUD
4-7.5MODERATE
7.5-10SILENT
- North Bridge traffic/buses
- Construction work nearby
- Pub noise from the smoking courtyard below
Before you book
Good to know
- The 'Scotsman Picturehouse' cinema is NOT free for all guests; tickets are ~£20 unless you have a specific package.
- Breakfast is not included in the base rate and costs ~£18.95-£22.50 per person.
- There is no on-site parking; you'll need to use Waverley Station car park (~£18/24h) and validate your ticket at reception.
What to pack
- Earplugs (essential for North Bridge facing rooms)
- Eye mask (blackout curtains can be hit-or-miss in unique window shapes)
- Power bank (outlets in historic rooms aren't always by the bed)
Room Genie
Best picks
- Reporter Room (often has better views of the Castle/City)
- Feature Rooms (unique layouts, often larger)
- Penthouse (split-level, private balcony, worth the splurge for the view alone)
Rooms to avoid
- Room 208 (cited for noise from pub smoking yard)
- Standard rooms on lower floors facing the back (zero view, dark)
- Rooms near the elevator (noise bleed)
Room Request Genie – copy & paste
“I am celebrating a special occasion and would love a 'Reporter' or 'Feature' room on a high floor facing away from the construction/pub noise. A view of the Castle would be incredible if available.”
FAQ & Hidden tips
Everything you actually want to know before you book.
Is there a pool at The Scotsman Hotel?
No. Despite what older reviews or some websites say, there is currently no pool access for guests.
Is the cinema free for guests?
Generally, no. It costs around £20 per ticket, though some 'Insider' packages or special rates might include it.
Does the hotel have parking?
No on-site parking. Guests get a discount at the nearby Edinburgh Waverley Station car park (New Street).
Is The Scotsman Hotel pet-friendly?
No, pets are not allowed (except service animals).
How much is breakfast?
Expect to pay around £18.95 to £22.50 per person if not booked in your rate.
Is there AC in the rooms?
Most rooms do NOT have air conditioning, only heating. Fans are usually provided in summer.
Insider Tips
- ✨
Join the 'Scotsman Insider' club (sometimes free or low cost) to potentially snag free cinema tickets or gym access.
- ✨
Ask for a room with a 'privacy hatch'—a cool original feature where staff can leave room service without entering your room.
- ✨
The 'Grand Café' is stunning but pricey; for a better coffee, walk 2 mins to The Milkman on Cockburn Street.
5 things to know before you go
💡The 'privacy hatches' for room service are a remnant of the old newspaper offices and are actually super convenient.
💡The elevators are notoriously slow and small—take the marble stairs if you can.
💡Some 'City View' rooms actually just overlook the roof of the station or a brick wall.
💡The hotel charges a 'discretionary' 10% service charge on meals/drinks that you can ask to remove.
💡The 'gym' is a small fitness room, not the sprawling health club that used to be there.
Local Playbook
Map
See where The Scotsman Hotel is located and what's nearby.