All the rooms on this list are doubles with private bathrooms for less than £100 per night. Keep a few things in mind when choosing a cheap room:
- Breakfast may not be included
- There may be a fee or a slow connection for wi-fi
- Factor in travel costs to attractions
- Beware of super cheap offers which may be almost impossible to pin down.
1. Edinburgh First at University - Pollack Halls
Set in University halls of residence or dorms, 2000 rooms are available during spring break and summer vacations. Accommodations are close to Arthur's Seat and about a mile from the city center and Waverley Station.These rooms are terrific value for the price (sometimes for well below £50). Guests get complimentary:
- access to a nearby fitness center
- full Scottish breakfast
- in-room tea and coffee making
- Digital freeview TV
Internet access is available for a fee and there is a bar and cafe available
To find out more about these cheap rooms, visit their website.
2. The Original Raj Hotel
Lady Shakira Caine, actor Sir Michael's wife, opened this place, owned by Asian celebrity chef Tommy Miah, in 2000. It claims to be the UK's first Indian themed hotel and the concept must be a winner because Miah has recently opened a second Raj in London at equally rock bottomed prices (thus "The Original" for Edinburh).Rooms have handmade Indian furniture and decorations including Indian canopy beds. They're equipped with tea and coffee making facilities, hair dryer and telephone. Very reasonable rates include complimentary continental breakfast served in the presence of a remarkable silver elephant throne from Jaipur.
3. The Grassmarket Hotel
The Grassmarket area of Edinburgh is central and popular with students, visitors and locals - so don't expect a quiet night. This hotel has 45 rooms with private bath, television, tea and coffee making, hairdryer and telephone. Breakfast is not included but is available in the adjoining pub.The hotel is about 5 minutes from Waverley Station. There's no parking but a discount rate at a nearby car park is available.
4. The Ben Doran Hotel
You'll either love or hate the cheap rooms at this budget guest house. Located in a listed Georgian townhouse with period features, it's near the center and promises Gilchrist&Soames toiletries, extra large towels and dressing gowns (on request). There's free off-street parking, wi-fi for a small fee and a full Scottish breakfast included in the price.Some guests have complained that it's cold - but most Edinburgh Georgian houses are. It's a fine old Scottish tradition to snuggle up under a feather duvet with a a hot water bottle to warm the bed. The hosts at Ben Doran will provide both.
5. The Ballantraie Hotel
Only two minutes walk from Princes Street and five minutes from Waverley Station in the center of Edinburgh. The Ballantrae is a late Georgian house, built in the 1830's with many original features. Keep in mind the exceedingly low prices when considering this hotel's claim of "luxury" accommodation and self-catering suites.I do wonder about a hotel that lists "central heating" and "towels provided" in this day and age. And the severe warning about charging for no-shows on their "welcome" page does rather smack of Basil Fawlty. But you can't beat the price and the handy location.
Continental breakfast is included.
Visit their website6. Smartcity Hostel
This purpose-built hostel in Edinburgh's Old Town has more going for it than many so-called three-star guest houses. Dorm-style rooms for 10 to 12 people cost £9 per night, but you can also book a private, twin-bedded room for less than £40, or a family room for four at £60.All rooms have en suite shower and toilet, towels and bedlinens, lockers and lots of security features - from safe mobile phone charging to save cycle and baggage lock ups.
There are also special girls-only rooms, with extra features such as hypo-allergenic duvets and pillows,luxury towels, shampoo and hair conditioner, full-on hairdryers and full-length mirrors.
All in all a good deal for students, backpackers, families and independent travelers.7. The Royal British Hotel
Right on Princes Street and near Waverley Station, this hotel is in the heart of the action - and the noise- for Hogmanay and the Edinburgh Festivals. At this old fashioned, traditional hotel, expect big, clean rooms with slightly dated decor but reasonable bath/shower rooms. High speed wifi and 24-hour room service is available. I'm not too keen on the carpeted bathrooms.8. Edinburgh City Centre Premier Inn
Premier Inns are a national chain of budget hotels with a reasonably good reputation for cleanliness and convenience. Rooms are large, air-conditioned and simply furnished with desk, telephone, television and tea and coffee making facilities, private bath and power shower. Family rooms are available and breakfast is not included.This group often advertises ridiculously low lead prices - £29 - £49 - on their website. Don't be seduced by them because you could spend a lifetime changing dates on their reservation widget looking for the limited number of rooms offered at that price. Still, their normal prices are pretty good value for a stopover while touring.
9. Elder York Guesthouse
I wonder how many tourists book this guesthouse on York Place and Elder Street in Edinburgh's New Town thinking that they'll be staying in York. Don't be put off by the location next to Edinburgh's bus station and five minutes from Waverly Rail Station. This B&B is housed in a well located, Grade A listed building and, while basic, offers reasonable value for money.Do remember to ask for a private, or ensuite bath because most - but not all rooms have them. And one more proviso - the B&B occupies the third and fourth floor of the building, with no lift/elevator. So if you're not up to hoicking your luggage up all those stairs, this one's not for you.
