If you’re wondering where to stay in Edinburgh, start with a slightly different question- how do you want to feel when you come back to the hotel? If you’re considering where to stay in Edinburgh city centre, the answer is close to everything, but not quite in the thick of everything. Situated in Edinburgh’s West End, Haymarket makes a very good case for being a base for exploring the city, giving you an easy route into the city centre, excellent transport connections and something that becomes increasingly valuable after a full day of exploring: a little breathing room.
Arrive in Edinburgh, without the hassle
Haymarket’s most practical advantage is definitely the accessibility it provides.
- Flying into Edinburgh? The Edinburgh Airport tram runs directly into the city, with Haymarket among its stops, making it a convenient choice if you’re looking for a hotel near Edinburgh Airport tram connections.
- Arriving by train? Haymarket Station is right here too, with services connecting Edinburgh to destinations across Scotland and the UK.
In other words, you can arrive, drop your bags and get on with your weekend rather than spending the first hour of it working out how to get to your hotel, and for a short city break, that matters.
Stay close to the action
Edinburgh’s centre is wonderfully walkable, but there is a difference between being able to reach the Old Town easily and having to stay in the middle of it. From Haymarket however, you can head east towards the Old Town, the Royal Mile and Edinburgh Castle, making it a practical option if you’re looking for a hotel near Edinburgh Old Town, or stay closer to the West End and explore its restaurants, cafés and galleries. You are well placed at a hotel near many of the city’s cultural and Edinburgh festival venues. During Edinburgh’s famous festival season, that balance becomes even more appealing. You can go into the centre for a show, exhibition or late-night performance, enjoy the atmosphere and then make your way back west when you’ve had enough of the crowds.
The West End has its own rhythm
One of the pleasures of staying in Haymarket Edinburgh is discovering that Edinburgh doesn’t end at the Old Town. The West End has a quieter, more residential character, with handsome Georgian and Victorian architecture, independent cafés, restaurants and leafy streets. It feels like somewhere people actually live, rather than somewhere designed entirely for visitors.
The Roseate Edinburgh
At The Roseate Edinburgh, the convenience of Haymarket comes with a setting that feels a world away from a busy transport hub.
The hotel occupies two handsome Victorian townhouses, with individually designed rooms and spaces that retain the character of the original buildings. There is a garden to retreat to, a particularly welcome detail when you have spent the day walking Edinburgh’s cobbled streets. It is a boutique hotel near Haymarket Edinburgh, a luxury hotel in Edinburgh’s West End is also, quite fittingly, a Victorian townhouse hotel Edinburgh where visitors can return to after a day out in the city.
Stay in for the evening
And there is a good reason not to head straight back into town after dark.
KIN by Gary Maclean brings to you modern Scottish cooking to the hotel, with seasonal produce taking centre stage and afterwards, the bar’s collection of Scottish whiskies makes a strong argument for staying put too without a second journey, or a queue for a table somewhere across town.
So, is Haymarket the right place to stay?
Is Haymarket a good area to stay in Edinburgh? If you want to arrive easily, explore Edinburgh on foot, reach the Old Town and festival venues without too much effort, and have somewhere calmer to return to, Haymarket is a very smart base.
And if you’re asking, Is Haymarket Edinburgh a good base for exploring the city? We’d say yes, particularly if you want the convenience of the centre without having to stay in its busiest parts.
The trick is being close enough to make the most of Edinburgh and yet far enough away that, when you’ve had enough of it, you can simply close the door behind you.