Edinburgh Thistle Hotel, with its charming garden and terrace, is a haven in the heart of Edinburgh. Unwind with a coffee at the coffee shop or explore nearby George Street. With in-room WiFi, dry cleaning services, and multilingual staff on hand to help you plan your stay.
Edinburgh (ZXE-Edinburgh Waverly Train Station) - 26 min walk
Haymarket Tram Station - 8 min walk
Princes Street Tram Stop - 17 min walk
St Andrew Square Tram Stop - 23 min walk
Restaurants
Wee Vault Edinburgh
Cairngorm Coffee Co West End - 6 min walk
Teuchters - 5 min walk
La Campagnola - 5 min walk
The Palmerston - 5 min walk
About this property
Edinburgh Thistle Hotel
Edinburgh Thistle Hotel puts you in a great location, within a 15-minute walk of Princes Street and George Street. Guests looking for a bite to eat can visit the coffee shop/cafe, and the bar/lounge is the perfect spot to grab a drink at the end of the day. Other highlights at this Georgian hotel include a snack bar/deli, a terrace and a garden. Fellow travellers say great things about the helpful staff and location. The property is only a short walk to public transportation: Haymarket Tram Station is 8 minutes away.
Languages
English, French, Italian, Spanish
At a glance
DONE
Hotel size
16 rooms
Arranged over 5 floors
DONE
Arriving/Leaving
Check-in start time: 3 PM; check-in end time: 11 PM
Contactless check-in and check-out are available
Early check-in subject to availability
Late check-in subject to availability
Minimum check-in age – 18
Check-out time is 11 AM
Contactless check-out
Late check-out subject to availability
DONE
Special check-in instructions
The front desk is open daily from 7:30 AM - 11 PM
Guests must contact the property in advance for check-in instructions; front desk staffed during limited hours
To make arrangements for check-in please contact the property ahead of time using the information on the booking confirmation
If you are planning to arrive after 11 PM please contact the property in advance using the information on the booking confirmation
DONE
Required at check-in
Credit card, debit card or cash deposit required for incidental charges
Government-issued photo ID may be required
Minimum check-in age is 18
DONE
Pets
Pets not allowed
WIFI
Internet
Free WiFi in public areas
Free WiFi in rooms
LOCAL_PARKING
Parking
On-site self-parking (GBP 20.00 per night)
On-site parking is limited
Off-site parking nearby (GBP 20.00 per night; booking required)
DONE
Other information
Smoke-free property
Property amenities
Food and drink
Continental breakfast (surcharge) 7:30 AM–9 AM on weekdays and 7:30 AM–10 AM on weekends
Bar/lounge
Coffee shop
Coffee/tea in a common area
Room service (limited hours)
Snack bar/deli
Working away
Business centre
Meeting room
Conference space (22 square feet)
Services
Front desk (limited hours)
Concierge services
Tour/ticket assistance
Dry cleaning/laundry services
Luggage storage
Multilingual staff
Facilities
1 building/tower
Built in 1750
Safe-deposit box at front desk
Garden
Terrace
Library
Television in common areas
Banquet hall
Georgian architecture
Room amenities
Be entertained
32-inch flat-screen TV
Premium digital channels
Home comfort
Heating
Coffee/tea maker
Electric kettle
Iron/ironing board
Sleep well
Blackout curtains
Premium bedding
Free cot/infant bed
What to enjoy
Individually decorated
Freshen up
Private bathroom
Soap and shampoo
Hairdryer
Towels
Toilet paper
Stay connected
Desk
Free WiFi
Phone
More
Daily housekeeping
In-room safe
Connecting/adjoining rooms available
Fees & policies
Optional extras
Continental breakfast is offered for an extra charge of approximately GBP 9.50 for adults and GBP 9.50 for children
Early check-in can be arranged for an extra charge of GBP 10.00 (subject to availability)
Late checkout can be arranged for an extra charge of GBP 10.00 (subject to availability)
Parking
Self-parking costs GBP 20.00 per night
Parking is available nearby and costs GBP 20.00 per night
Policies
The property has connecting/adjoining rooms. These are subject to availability and can be requested by contacting the property using the number on the booking confirmation.
This property does not have lifts.
Guests can rest easy knowing that there's a smoke detector and window guards on-site.
This property accepts major credit cards, debit cards and cash.
Credit cards accepted: Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Diners Club, Barclaycard
National rating
This establishment has received its official star rating from VisitScotland, the National Tourist Board for Scotland.
Also known as
Edinburgh Thistle Hotel
Thistle Hotel
Edinburgh Thistle
Thistle Edinburgh
Edinburgh Thistle Hotel Scotland
Edinburgh Thistle Hotel Hotel
Edinburgh Thistle Hotel Edinburgh
Edinburgh Thistle Hotel Hotel Edinburgh
Frequently asked questions
Does Edinburgh Thistle Hotel offer free cancellation for a full refund?
Yes, Edinburgh Thistle Hotel does have fully refundable room rates available to book on our site. If you’ve booked a fully refundable room rate, this can be cancelled up to a few days before check-in, depending on the property's cancellation policy. Just make sure that you check this property's cancellation policy for the exact terms and conditions.
Are pets allowed at Edinburgh Thistle Hotel?
Sorry, pets aren't allowed.
Is parking offered on site at Edinburgh Thistle Hotel?
Yes. Self-parking costs GBP 20.00 per night. Parking spaces may be limited.
What are the check-in and check-out times at Edinburgh Thistle Hotel?
Check-in start time: 3 PM; check-in end time: 11 PM. There's a charge of GBP 10.00 for early check-in (subject to availability). Check-out time is 11 AM. Late check-out is available for a charge of GBP 10.00 (subject to availability). Contactless social distancing and check-out are available.
What is there to do at Edinburgh Thistle Hotel and nearby?
Edinburgh Thistle Hotel has a garden.
What's the area around Edinburgh Thistle Hotel like?
Edinburgh Thistle Hotel is in West End, a short 8-minute walk from Haymarket Tram Station and 9 minutes' walk from Princes Street. Travellers say that the hotel is in a great location.
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Edinburgh Thistle Hotel Reviews
Reviews
7.6
Good
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travellers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.More informationOpens in a new window
7.6/10
Cleanliness
8.6/10
Staff & service
6.8/10
Amenities
7.0/10
Property conditions & facilities
7.0/10
Eco-friendliness
Popular mentions
Service staff
Room
Location
Bed
Breakfast
Bathroom
Shower
Clean room
Bar
Parking
Reviews
8/10 Good
25 Jul 2025
It was great to stay in a beautiful area of Edinburgh close to a tram line and within walking distance of many sights and amenities
Sean
Sean, 2-night trip
10/10 Excellent
10 Jul 2025
Over all very nice
Satvir
Satvir, 7-night trip
10/10 Excellent
8 May 2025
Great property. Beautiful hotel. Great service.
Shirley
Shirley, 1-night trip
8/10 Good
28 Apr 2025
Staff are very nice and helpful.
Debbie
Debbie, 2-night trip
2/10 Terrible
5 Jun 2025
Extremely unhelpful desk clerk.
Bedwas bunk bed type with springs very noisy.
bed cover was stained.
Bathroom had rust everywhere.
I had a shower & left the hotel.
Told the clerk he & the hotel were a complete waste of my time and money.
Any positive reviews here are quite obviously fake !!!!
Glenn
Glenn, 1-night trip
10/10 Excellent
20 Nov 2024
The staff was excellent. The location was quiet. Areas of interest were a quick cab ride away. I would definitely recommend to any traveller.
Jennifer
Jennifer, 2-night trip
8/10 Good
21 Jul 2024
Great service, great breakfast, great location, the property and rooms a little run down and could do with a little upkeep - however, would come back next time in town
Lars
Lars, 1-night trip
8/10 Good
23 Oct 2023
Clean hotel, friendly staff, ideal central location
Robert
Robert, 2-night trip
10/10 Excellent
21 Jul 2024
The facility was clean and the staff were very nice.
Daniel
Daniel, 2-night trip
6/10 Okay
16 Sept 2022
The hotel is in a great location
Gordon
Gordon, 1-night trip
8/10 Good
18 May 2024
Good location.
patricia
patricia, 1-night trip
2/10 Terrible
26 Jun 2025
We arrived at 4:30 pm. Checking was anytime after 3. There was no parking and was told that nearest parking would be at least a 15 min walk. We had luggage and a guest with heart issue. We asked to see the room because the hotel desk area didn’t appear as the photos. The room had no been cleaned and rags and cleaner left in room. Bathroom was dirty. We said we couldn’t stay as this was not acceptable. We contacted Expedia. They contacted the manager who lied and said we never came to the hotel only called. That is not true. He would not refund our money. Very disappointed in both this Hotel and Expedia for not doing the right thing. It is not our fault that room was not cleaned and no parking except maybe at a public lots 15 minute walk away. Why lie? Very very poor business attitude towards their hotel conditions and their guests expectation.
Leah
Leah, 2-night trip
10/10 Excellent
16 Sept 2024
This was a beautiful and charming hotel. The front desk guys both morning and evening (sorry forgot your names) were so welcoming and friendly. They both were full of great information about the town along with wonderful recommendations for dinner. We will definitely be visiting again, thank you for everything!
Geri
Geri, 3-night trip
6/10 Okay
1 Aug 2024
The accommodation wasn’t really up to standard, but the staff were great.
Carmine
Carmine, 2-night trip
10/10 Excellent
26 May 2024
Loved this property because it has an authentic Scottish vibe. It is an old hotel but well managed and kept clean. The entire staff was so friendly and welcoming. I would definitely stay here again!
Courtney
10/10 Excellent
19 Jul 2023
The Thistle Hotel was lovely. The staff were charming and helpful and the location was perfect. We plan on staying again.
Mara
Mara, 5-night trip
10/10 Excellent
5 Oct 2022
We liked everything; staff service and friendliness, hotel facilities and location, clean and safe
Jose
Jose, 4-night trip
10/10 Excellent
1 Jul 2022
Our stay at the Thistle Hotel while a short one, was wonderful! The hotel staff is incredibly accommodating and helpful. Would absolutely recommend staying here.
Ashley
Ashley, 1-night trip
10/10 Excellent
27 Sept 2023
Beautiful historic building close to everything in a lovely part of town. Morning staff was extremely pleasant and helpful.
Carrie
Carrie, 1-night trip
8/10 Good
8 Jul 2024
Close to Dean Gardens
The Thistle is a quaint hotel off the main thoroughfare. It is quiet, and building their business up. Staying in a “family” room has a few challenges, but the staff was courteous and kind.
Michael
Michael, 2-night trip
8/10 Good
16 Apr 2024
I felt super comfortable and the staff were extraordinary. They went above and beyond making our stay amazing.
Ana Lara
Ana
Ana, 1-night trip
8/10 Good
10 May 2024
Overall very nice just the breakfast offer a bit poor
Noelia Balsera
Noelia Balsera, 5-night trip
6/10 Okay
4 Dec 2023
Hotel was simply basic since being an old building
Rodger
Rodger, 2-night trip
8/10 Good
2 Nov 2023
We stayed for one night, the bed was comfortable and the location is good! Close to all restaurants, shops and grain station. Only downside was all the stairs!
chelsea
chelsea, 1-night trip
8/10 Good
30 Aug 2022
Good hotel
Old hotel , a bit worn doan but super staff and service. Super location, central and quite