Pros
- Fresh contemporary hotel with quirky youthful vibe
- Set overlooking historic square in city center
- Most tourist attractions within walking distance
- In-room amenities include iPod docks and Tunnock's teacakes
- Blackout blinds and double-glazing in guest rooms
- Bicycle hire and packed lunches available
- Free Wi-Fi throughout
Cons
- Not all floors have lift access
- Some rooms are very small
- No telephones in rooms
- External noise can be an issue
Bottom Line
The Grassmarket Hotel is a mid-range, 42-room property brimming with quirky character and fun contemporary style. Its Grassmarket square setting is both picturesque and super-convenient for exploring the city, with almost everything well within walking distance. While some rooms are tiny and can have issues with noise, Tunnock's teacakes and bathroom speakers are pleasing signature touches. While it's possible to bag a real bargain -- especially considering the location -- rates and vibe are similar to the Stay Central Hotel, which is also worth checking out.
Hotel & Amenities Photos
https://stage.oyster.com/edinburgh/hotels/grassmarket-hotel/photos/comfy-double-room/
Amenities
- Internet
Scene
Fresh and youthful ambience with style and quirk in equal measures
Although occupying a slightly dour-looking period building, the Grassmarket Hotel is a very different story inside. Stepping into the relatively small reception area, it becomes immediately apparent that every effort has been made to create a fun and friendly ambience. The interior design couldn't be any less stuffy, while still being very stylish in a fresh, contemporary fashion. The chatty signage and quirky flourishes seem designed to appeal to the younger -- or at least younger-at-heart -- end of the market. There are chalkboard walls, unfinished wood shelving lined with graphic novels and coffee mugs (guests can help themselves to a fresh cup), and minimalist gray-cushioned and metallic stools set against a street-facing window. Being an old property, however, means hallways can feel a little labyrinthine, and the elevator doesn't service every floor, though huge signs do offer assistance in locating the rooms.
Location
Overlooking popular and lively Grassmarket square in center of Edinburgh
The hotel is located on corner of the ancient Grassmarket square in the heart of the city center, and just around the corner from Edinburgh's famous castle (about five minutes' walk). The neighborhood is particularly lively, with plenty of cozy pubs, bars, and restaurants that make it popular with tourists during the day and the local student population by night. All of the capital's main attractions are well within walking distance, with the city's historic cobbled streets of the Royal Mile just five minutes' walk away, while Princes Street shopping district is 10 minutes on foot. Edinburgh's main Waverly train station is also just a 10-minute walk from the hotel.
Rooms
Simple and playful decor with iPod docks and real teapots -- though some rooms are tiny
All 42 of the hotel's rooms have been outfitted with simple wood floors and walls, with their signature decor of Dandy comic wallpaper, sudoku wall puzzles, and magnetic wall maps of the city to help plan sightseeing. Rooms range from Cosy (tiny, but fit for one), Snug (small, for two guests), Comfy (larger, though not spacious) and Comfy+ (for three or four guests). Amenities are good, and include flat-screen TVs, iPod docks with bedroom and bathroom speakers, free Wi-Fi, and tea/coffee facilities with local favorite Tunnock's teacakes and a real teapot. Bathrooms are simple and modern, with textured brown walls and white-tiled walk-in rainfall showers -- though most are very small. Windows have blackout blinds and double-glazing, which is particularly important given the lively location, but lower-floor rooms can still suffer from noise. There are no telephones in rooms.
Features
Bicycle rental and packed lunches provided
A door in the lobby connects directly to to Biddy Mulligan’s bar, where a full Scottish breakfast with continental buffet is served each morning -- though not generally included in the rates. Food can also be ordered up to the room, and reception can arrange bicycle hire, and provide packed lunches for when guests want to go out exploring the city. Coffee and tea are available free in the lobby.
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Scene
Fresh and youthful ambience with style and quirk in equal measures
Although occupying a slightly dour-looking period building, the Grassmarket Hotel is a very different story inside. Stepping into the relatively small reception area, it becomes immediately apparent that every effort has been made to create a fun and friendly ambience. The interior design couldn't be any less stuffy, while still being very stylish in a fresh, contemporary fashion. The chatty signage and quirky flourishes seem designed to appeal to the younger -- or at least younger-at-heart -- end of the market. There are chalkboard walls, unfinished wood shelving lined with graphic novels and coffee mugs (guests can help themselves to a fresh cup), and minimalist gray-cushioned and metallic stools set against a street-facing window. Being an old property, however, means hallways can feel a little labyrinthine, and the elevator doesn't service every floor, though huge signs do offer assistance in locating the rooms.
Location
Overlooking popular and lively Grassmarket square in center of Edinburgh
The hotel is located on corner of the ancient Grassmarket square in the heart of the city center, and just around the corner from Edinburgh's famous castle (about five minutes' walk). The neighborhood is particularly lively, with plenty of cozy pubs, bars, and restaurants that make it popular with tourists during the day and the local student population by night. All of the capital's main attractions are well within walking distance, with the city's historic cobbled streets of the Royal Mile just five minutes' walk away, while Princes Street shopping district is 10 minutes on foot. Edinburgh's main Waverly train station is also just a 10-minute walk from the hotel.
Rooms
Simple and playful decor with iPod docks and real teapots -- though some rooms are tiny
All 42 of the hotel's rooms have been outfitted with simple wood floors and walls, with their signature decor of Dandy comic wallpaper, sudoku wall puzzles, and magnetic wall maps of the city to help plan sightseeing. Rooms range from Cosy (tiny, but fit for one), Snug (small, for two guests), Comfy (larger, though not spacious) and Comfy+ (for three or four guests). Amenities are good, and include flat-screen TVs, iPod docks with bedroom and bathroom speakers, free Wi-Fi, and tea/coffee facilities with local favorite Tunnock's teacakes and a real teapot. Bathrooms are simple and modern, with textured brown walls and white-tiled walk-in rainfall showers -- though most are very small. Windows have blackout blinds and double-glazing, which is particularly important given the lively location, but lower-floor rooms can still suffer from noise. There are no telephones in rooms.
Features
Bicycle rental and packed lunches provided
A door in the lobby connects directly to to Biddy Mulligan’s bar, where a full Scottish breakfast with continental buffet is served each morning -- though not generally included in the rates. Food can also be ordered up to the room, and reception can arrange bicycle hire, and provide packed lunches for when guests want to go out exploring the city. Coffee and tea are available free in the lobby.
Hotel & Amenities Photos
https://stage.oyster.com/edinburgh/hotels/grassmarket-hotel/photos/comfy-double-room/
Best Rates
Amenities
-
Air Conditioner
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Cable
-
Dry Cleaning
-
Internet
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Kids Allowed
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Laundry
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Rental Car Service Desk Onsite
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Room Service
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Swim-Up Bar
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Tennis Court
Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.