11 of the Best Family Hotels in Edinburgh 2024
Nestled among Scotland’s dramatic, hilly landscape, Edinburgh offers many captivating experiences for travellers of all ages. As the country’s capital city, there are centuries of rich heritage to uncover as you go on family-friendly adventures together.
From the mediaeval Old Town to the Georgian New Town, exploring the cobblestone streets on foot is the perfect way to get a taste of what Edinburgh is all about.
As you begin to plan your family getaway, finding the right family friendly hotels in Edinburgh is crucial. From luxurious stays with countless amenities to cosy retreats that feel like a home away from home, there are many incredible accommodation options to choose from.
To make your planning easier, here are some of the best hotels in Edinburgh for families that will ensure a memorable and comfortable trip.
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Virgin Hotels Edinburgh
In the heart of the Old Town is Virgin Hotels Edinburgh, one of Edinburgh’s top hotels with family rooms. This charming 5-star accommodation has a fitness centre and a restaurant, with a 24-hour front desk for extra peace of mind.
It is within walking distance from incredible attractions like Edinburgh Castle, St Giles Cathedral, Camera Obscura & World of Illusions, the National Museum of Scotland, the National Galleries of Scotland, and so much more.
The two-bedroom suite has two single beds, a king-size bed, and two bathrooms. The family king suite is ideal if you’re travelling with young kids, as there is an extra living area with a well-designed bunk bed that includes a book nook and a reading light.
There is ample space to hang up and put away some of your belongings, and the rain shower is spacious and luxurious. Also included in the suite are a colourful SMEG mini fridge, a flat-screen TV, an electric kettle for tea and coffee, an iron, and complimentary bathrobes and slippers.
A full English or vegetarian breakfast is available daily. Guests are also offered free chocolates, which parents and kids can appreciate!
Remember that driving and parking are a real hassle in this part of Edinburgh, so you’re better off using public transport if staying here. Nearby music can also be loud.
Apex Waterloo Place Hotel
Next up on this list of Edinburgh hotels for families is the luxurious Apex Waterloo Place Hotel in the Old Town.
The 4-star accommodation includes a stylish spa with relaxing treatments, a swimming pool and sauna, a fitness centre, and an award-winning restaurant. The architecture here mixes Georgian features with modern elegance.
The family room features a king-size bed with a sofa bed, a flat-screen TV, a couch, a full-length mirror and a wardrobe.
The bathroom has a separate bath and walk-in shower with complimentary Antipodes organic toiletries and bathrobes. Cots and highchairs for the little ones are available upon request.
The hotel is across the road from Edinburgh Waverley, the biggest railway station in the city. While this makes it super convenient to get around via train, you may be bothered by the outside noise if you or your kids are light sleepers.
It’s also a short walk from Calton Hill, Cockburn Street, the Royal Mile, the Scott Monument, the Chocolatarium, and the Museum of Childhood. Unfortunately, there are no connecting rooms here; some have less-than-ideal views.
Novotel Edinburgh Centre
South of Edinburgh Castle is the Novotel Edinburgh Centre, a modern accommodation ideal for a family stay. The hotel has a hot tub, a sauna, a swimming pool, and a fitness centre.
It is located near the University of Edinburgh campus, so plenty of young adults live there. The Royal Mile is about a 15-minute away, and a bus stop is outside.
The superior double room has a large comfy bed and a sofa bed, accommodating two adults and two children. You can enjoy Scottish and American cuisine at the hotel’s restaurants, including a great value breakfast.
Kids under 16 can stay for free in shared rooms, and guests have access to video games, toys and more. Late check-out is also offered for families on Sundays, sometimes with the possibility of staying until 5 pm.
Remember that limited parking is available at the Novotel and can be expensive. The swimming pool is also relatively small and can only be used by a couple of people at a time.
Moxy Edinburgh Fountainbridge
The beautifully-designed Moxy Edinburgh Fountainbridge is found by the Lochrin Basin, the eastern terminus of Scotland’s Union Canal.
Located in the city’s southwest Lothian neighbourhood, the hotel boasts a stunning rooftop terrace, a fitness centre, a 24-hour front desk, and stylish industrial decor. From the terrace, you can observe beautiful views of Edinburgh Castle and the city skyline.
The family sleeper at Moxy has a queen bed and a sofa bed. Also included is a wardrobe, a flat-screen TV, and an area to hang your belongings. Pets are also welcome here.
The rooms are lovely for a short stay but may be too small for families staying longer than a night or two. Yet, the Moxy staff are lovely and friendly, ready to help with any request.
Mercure Edinburgh Haymarket
The Mercure Edinburgh Haymarket is a little west of the Edinburgh city centre. The hotel is 10 minutes from the Haymarket train station and the West End tram stop.
Edinburgh Castle is also within walking distance, and the nearby Fountainbridge Green is a lovely spot to relax with the kids outside.
The Mercure has a 24-hour front desk, high-speed internet access, and an on-site restaurant that caters to all dietary requirements.
The double room with a sofa bed is suitable for young families. The rooms are only 20 square metres, but the small size should be fine if you’re here for a night or two.
You’ll get all the typical facilities here, like an electric kettle, a flat-screen TV, a desk and a safety deposit box.
While there is no parking directly at the Mercure, paid parking is available nearby. The shower pressure and water temperature can also be hit or miss.
Edinburgh Holyrood Hotel
If you are travelling with older kids or teens and looking for family accommodation in Edinburgh that allows you to have separate spaces, Edinburgh Holyrood Hotel is a perfect choice.
The hotel is only a short walk from fabulous family-friendly attractions, including the Palace of Holyroodhouse and Holyrood Abbey, the science centre and planetarium Dynamic Earth, the Museum of Edinburgh and the Chocolatarium.
It boasts its own Surf & Turf Restaurant and the Health and Wellbeing Club with an indoor pool, spa, gym, beauty centre and nail bar.
Rooms at the Holyrood include marble bathrooms with a bathtub, tea and coffee-making facilities, a TV, a desk area, lounge chairs, and complimentary mineral water.
Options for beds include a king, a queen or two twins. A rollaway bed or a crib can be added to the suites only.
Breakfast can be expensive here, so it’s better to go to one of the local cafes. The rooms are also somewhat dated and not modern like you’d expect these days. However, this may not bother some, as the beds are still comfy!
ibis Styles Edinburgh St Andrew Square
With a stunning and unique design scheme, the Ibis Styles Edinburgh St Andrew Square is one of the most stylish family hotels in Edinburgh city centre.
From the public restaurant to the individual rooms, the decor is eclectic and colourful, sure to captivate kids of all ages (as well as impress the adults!).
This New Town location is superb for exploring Edinburgh on foot. As the name suggests, the hotel is near St Andrew Square and by the departure points for several bus tours.
The family room here comes with either two single beds and a sofa bed or a large double bed and a sofa bed. Some amenities include an electric kettle for tea and coffee, a TV, and a multi-functional bedside table that can be used as a desk.
The carpeting is a funky purple and green tartan/plaid pattern, and beautiful paintings adorn the walls. The breakfast buffet is fantastic, with delicious options like smoked salmon, pastries and fresh salads, a far cry from your typical continental brekky.
Yes, even the top hotels have their negatives. The rooms are relatively small, which may be a hassle if you bring large suitcases. Space is limited around the bathroom basin as well. But the beds are super comfortable and these rooms are super affordable for families.
Native Edinburgh
If you’re staying in the city longer than a few days or want a place to cook your meals, Native Edinburgh is one of the family friendly hotels that will suit your needs.
The hotel is within walking distance of Edinburgh Castle, the Princes St Gardens Playground, and the Wojtek Soldier Bear Memorial.
Native is incredibly stylish and modern, with cosy furnishings that make you feel at home. One-bedroom apartments come with a large bed, a sofa bed in the living room, a fully-equipped and separate kitchen area, a full-length mirror, a TV with Netflix readily available, a desk, a washing machine and dryer, and a lot more. Children’s high chairs are also provided free of charge.
Some rooms come with windows facing the walls of other buildings, so you should specifically request a nice view if this matters to you.
As with many other Edinburgh hotels, the car parking situation is limited here and very expensive if you can manage to find street parking.
Malmaison Edinburgh City
Malmaison Edinburgh City is another Edinburgh family hotel near the beautiful St Andrew Square. You can get around to fantastic family-friendly museums, galleries, landmarks, restaurants and more from here.
This 4-star boutique hotel has a chic French restaurant ideal for dinner, laundry facilities, and helpful multilingual staff. If you hope to bring your fur babies along, pets are also allowed for an additional fee.
The Malmaison has interconnecting rooms so you and the older kids can have your own spaces. However, if you want to be together in one room, extra beds can be requested before arrival, and cots can be provided for free.
The rooms are boldly decorated in a red and black colour scheme, with Renaissance and Gothic art prints and wallpaper.
The suite offers the most space, with a comfortable bed, a rain shower, a bathtub, two window seats, and incredible views. Rooms with twin beds are also available. The bathroom has enough space on either side of the sink to unpack your makeup and toiletries.
Despite the well-thought-out design of the rooms, the lighting can be very dark, even during the daytime. Also, if you or the kids are light sleepers, ensure your rooms are away from the reception and bar area.
Apex City of Edinburgh Hotel
The Apex City of Edinburgh Hotel is one of the cosiest family hotels in Edinburgh.
Conveniently located at the foot of Edinburgh Castle, the Apex is also within walking distance of the National Museum of Scotland, Camera Obscura & World of Illusions, Edinburgh Farmers’ Market, the Vennel Viewpoint, and much more.
At the Apex Grassmarket next door, guests can use the swimming pool and the fitness centre. The staff are friendly and attentive here and ready to offer recommendations and tips for seeing Edinburgh.
The comfy family room features a queen size bed and a sofa bed, a separate bath and walk-in shower, a TV, a desk, an electric kettle, and cosy blankets to snuggle up with at the end of a long day.
On the downside, all family rooms at the Apex are located at the back, so you won’t get any good window views. Also, when the sofa bed is out, the room might feel cramped for some.
While the hotel’s location is excellent for getting around and seeing the city, the area can be busy and noisy outside, with many pubs and restaurants.
The Scotsman Hotel (Personal Favourite)
Ready for an extravagant stay you and your family will never forget? The Scotsman is one of the most luxurious Edinburgh family hotels, conveniently located by the Edinburgh Waverley Train Station.
Within minutes you can be at the Royal Mile, the Museum of Childhood, and plenty of other museums, art spaces, fabulous restaurants and iconic landmarks. The hotel’s notable and unique features are the 48-seat cinema, a hatch for 24-hour room service, and a free Scotsman newspaper.
Among all the hotels on this list, the Scotsman provides the most spacious rooms for families. The deluxe family room is 50 square metres, featuring two double beds with Egyptian cotton sheets, a coffee machine, a lounge area, and a TV with streaming services available.
The roomy marble-tiled bathroom has a separate shower and bathtub, two sinks and mirrors so multiple people can get ready at once.
If you want to go all out, the Presidential Suite is a whopping 80 square metres and includes a large king bed with two sofa beds. Taking up two stories, this suite is truly like your own luxury apartment.
In addition to the family room’s features, the suite also comes with a dining room, an office area, a balcony, a spa bath and more. With a classy and welcoming design scheme, you can view the beautiful Calton Hill from the curved bay windows.
The breakfast buffet has a variety of food choices, but it’s best to get in early as the hot foods can quickly go cold. Also, be aware that if you are driving to Edinburgh, you will be required to park at the train station.
Added Extra: Areas to Avoid
While Edinburgh is considered a safe city, a few areas might not be suitable for kids to stay near. These include suburbs like Niddrie, Leith, Pilton, Granton and Muirhouse.
Staying in areas further out from the city centre should be avoided, as these are more residential and have no attractions for families.
Holyrood Park should also be avoided at night. Although there are excellent accommodation options around Lothian Road and Grassmarket, you should remain vigilant if you are out here in the evening due to the nightlife scene.
FAQs About best family hotels in edinburgh
is edinburgh family friendly
Yes, Edinburgh is a fantastic city for families. There are plenty of activities for all ages, from exploring the vibrant city centre to adventure playgrounds in the beautiful parks that dot the city.
The Edinburgh Zoo is particularly popular with children, and makes for a great day out. If you’re looking for a more cultural experience, there are plenty of museums and galleries catering to kids such as the Museum of Childhood or the National Museum of Scotland.
Whether your family enjoys outdoor activities or want to explore the history of Scotland – Edinburgh has something for everyone!
what are the best family hotels in edinburgh?
Edinburgh is an excellent destination for family holidays. From luxury hotels to budget guesthouses, there are a variety of choices available to suit all budgets and preferences.
This article features 11 fantastic family friend hotels in Edinburgh. Ultimately, your choice will depend on your budget and individual needs – though whichever you decide on you won’t be disappointed!
Final Thoughts: family accommodation edinburgh
No matter what you’re looking for in a family-friendly hotel, Edinburgh has it all. From luxurious and comfortable rooms to great facilities and amenities, you’re sure to find the perfect place where your family can relax and enjoy their stay.
Make your next family trip extra special by staying in one of these amazing family hotels in Edinburgh. Book now to take advantage of exclusive offers and packages before they’re gone!
At TravellingKing, we want you to make the most out of your trip with your loved ones. So don’t hesitate and book today to find the perfect hotel for you and your family.
Read More:
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- Ultimate Travel Guide to Edinburgh
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