10 of the best budget hotels in Edinburgh

There is ample budget accommodation in Edinburgh, says Rhiannon Batten, from

classy hotels and B&Bs to hostels
As featured in our Edinburgh city guide

Rhiannon Batten
Wednesday 12 October 2011 10.30 BST

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Art Roch
Definitely a 21st-century breed of hostel, though its dorms are still pretty basic,
Art Roch looks as though it's been given a once-over by the students of
Edinburgh College of Art especially in the cafe and lounge areas, with their
exposed brickwork, painted floors and industrial-chic vibe. The fact that it's a
hostel and set in Saturday night party central, the Grassmarket means it's
still pretty lively, so don't book in here if you're looking for a quiet night. You're
likely to be somewhat disturbed by noise even if you book one of the doubles. If

you want a cheap bed with a bit of style, though, it's a step above your average
hostel.
2 West Port, 0131-228 9981, artrochhostel.com, doubles from 55, dorm beds
from 10 room only

The Hostel

If Ikea did hostels, they might look something like this West End hideaway:
which isn't a dig. Clean, smart and minimal, if you're looking for backpackerstyle accommodation without the fluorescent paint scheme and AstroTurf
carpets, this bunkhouse will come as a relief. Chrome and white kitchens, light,
bright dorms and a funky decked terrace for Edinburgh's sunnier days (they do
exist) add up to a better-than-average hostel experience. The one downside is
that it offers only dorms or triples, no private rooms.
3 Clifton Terrace, 0131-313 1031, edinburghcitycentrehostels.co.uk, dorm beds
from 5

The George

You get a lot of bang for your buck at The George. Though you'll need to book
well in advance to get the best rates, it's worth the effort. The location, on classy
George Street, is as handy as staying on Princes Street but an awful lot prettier.
Neighbours include some of the best shops and restaurants in town,
with Oloroso,Centotre and Harvey Nichols wallet-scaringly close by. A Grade IIlisted building, the George was refurbished in 2009 and its large rooms now
have luxury colour schemes and the latest technology. It's also an Edinburgh
institution: Robert Burns and Walter Scott were said to be regulars.
19-21 George Street, 0131-225 1251, thegeorgehoteledinburgh.co.uk, doubles
from 85 room only

Fraser Suites

Though it's aimed at corporate visitors with its long-stay deals, in-house
restaurant, gym and self-catering facilities, Fraser Suites is an equally good

option for tourists who want a bit more independence than the usual hotel
experience allows. The 75 bedrooms look as though the owners have gone wild in
the John Lewis furnishings department, but they're comfortable and practical.
Even the cheapest rooms come with a fridge and microwave and, with Wi-Fi and
iPod docks thrown in, it's not hard to see why the suites get booked up early.
12-26 St Giles Street, 0131-221 7200, frasershospitality.com, doubles from 75
room only

Edinburgh Central

When this formerly unloved office block near the top of Leith Walk reopened as
a gleaming, five-star Scottish Youth Hostels Association member in 2006, it
caused quite a stir. Since then we've become used to demanding extra frills from
our hostels, but at the time its recipe of hotel comfort at hostel prices (not to
mention being able to book an en-suite double) was a radical move. Now firmly
established, with a much wider customer base than many of its rivals, its
primary-coloured feature walls and simple wooden furniture have helped
maintain Edinburgh Central's reputation as one of the best-value
accommodation options in the city.
9 Haddington Place, 0131-524 2090, edinburghcentral.org, twins from 54,
dorm beds from 17

Channings

A favourite with authors taking part in Edinburgh's August book festival,

Channings is also a great choice for winter visitors to the city. On a quiet New
Town street, around a 20-minute walk from the city centre, it has 41 rooms that
are each slightly different and offers plenty of luxury for the price. With a
restaurant that's popular with locals too especially for its ickily named "boozy
snoozy" Sunday lunches this makes a very shipshape base. Which is
appropriate given that Ernest Shackleton lived in one of the buildings the hotel
now occupies while he was secretary of the Royal Scottish Geographical Society.
12-16 South Learmonth Gardens, 0131-315 2226, channings.co.uk, doubles
from 75 room only (these rates are only available online)

Ten Hill Place

The 78 rooms here aren't going to win any prizes for style but they do win on
value. Slick, modern and central (go for a fourth-floor room for the best views),

this smart, contemporary hotel has understandably won a large following since it
opened five years ago. Profits from the hotel help fund the activities of
Edinburgh's Royal College of Surgeons, which also runs a fabulous, and quirky,
museum around the corner outlining the history of surgery in rather gruesome
detail and its link with Sherlock Holmes.
10 Hill Place, 0131-662 2080, tenhillplace.com, doubles from 85 room only

Smart City Hostel

This huge, five-star hostel has 132 rooms sleeping between two and 12 people. It
knows its clientele well, being grown-up enough to have clean, smart rooms
which are en-suite and a licensed bar and restaurant but avoiding spending
on unnecessary frills to help keep costs down. For most visitors its Old Town
location will be hard to beat but, in July and August look out, too, for Smart City
iQ, a collection of designer student apartments in the West End that the hostel
also rents out.
50 Blackfriars Street, 0131-524 1989 (reservations: 0800 840
5500),smartcityhostels.com, private twins from 51.80, dorm beds from 10pp

The Salisbury

The interior of this imposing Georgian townhouse isn't what you might imagine
judging by its facade, with ultra-contemporary rooms in gold and red tones. Its
18 bedrooms vary a lot ask for one of the upper rooms at the back for the best
night's sleep but are great value. And while its Newington location is a 20minute walk or 10-minute bus ride from Princes Street, there's plenty to do on
the doorstep, from a hike up Arthur's Seat to a stroll through the Meadows,
shopping in Causewayside's antique shops or supping a pint of Deuchars at The
Old Bell Inn.
43-45 Salisbury Road, 0131-667 1264, the-salisbury.co.uk, doubles from 80
B&B

Hudson

Edinburgh caters brilliantly for the tartan- and haggis-loving guest, but
sometimes the urge to escape the cliches takes hold. When that happens, the

Hudson is a good standby. To style a Scottish hotel on what the creator imagined
New York to be like may not be the most obvious tactic for an Edinburgh
hotelier, but ignore the rash of exposed brick and wenge wood and, beneath the
veneer, you'll find a hotel with a fantastic, central location and 30 comfortable,
well-equipped bedrooms.
9-11 Hope Street, 0131-247 7000, hudsonhoteledinburgh.co.uk, doubles from
75 B&B
Rhiannon Batten is a travel writer who was based in Edinburgh until
recently