Motel One Edinburgh-Princes
by the TopOfHotel team
Motel One Edinburgh-Princes is the top-scored 3-star in the list at 9.2/10, with a Princes Gardens view that punches well above its mid-range price.
Motel One Edinburgh-Princes is the top-scored 3-star in the list at 9.2/10, with a Princes Gardens view that punches well above its mid-range price.
In-Depth Review
Rooms and decor
The rooms are standard Motel One — very clean, with the minimal, modern look fans of the brand know well: a flat-screen TV, fast Wi-Fi and warm lighting. Some upper-floor rooms look straight at Edinburgh Castle, and that is the detail guests keep mentioning — one review put it as waking up to the castle every morning and photographing it daily. The footprint is compact, the usual Motel One size, so this is not the place if you want room to spread out. But it is cleverly laid out and works fine for a 2–3 night stay.
Food and amenities
The ground-floor bar lounge is the social heart of the place, done in the bright colors and design furniture that mark out Motel One. It is busy without being chaotic — good for a drink before heading out in the evening, or for sitting and talking after a long day. There is no full-service restaurant, but a range of snacks and drinks is on offer. Note that breakfast is not included in the rate.
Location and getting there
Princes Street is the real center of Edinburgh, and this is the best address in the list. Waverley Station is a 5-minute walk, and the big high-street shops — H&M, Primark, Marks & Spencer and John Lewis — are almost at the door. The National Gallery of Scotland is 8 minutes on foot, and Old Town and the Royal Mile are under 10 minutes across Waverley Bridge. Edinburgh Airport is a 25-minute train from Waverley.
Things to know before booking
The rooms are compact — the standard Motel One size, fine for a short stay but tight if you need space. Breakfast is not included, and there is no full-service restaurant, only the bar lounge, so plan to head out for a proper meal. Prices also climb sharply during the August Edinburgh Festival, when rooms across the whole city spike, so book early if you are coming then.
Our take
This is the pick for travelers who want the best location in Edinburgh, a real castle view and a sensible price, with the highest review score in the list to back it up. If you want a clean, well-designed room and you would happily wake up to Edinburgh Castle on the city's best street without paying 5-star money, this is the strongest answer here.
Score Breakdown
Assessed by our editorial team from data and real guest reviews
The Honest Verdict — pros & what to know
- Review score of 9.2/10 — the highest of any hotel in this list.
- Some upper-floor rooms face Edinburgh Castle and Princes Street Gardens head-on, the kind of view people photograph every morning.
- Princes Street is the city's best location — Waverley Station and the main high-street shops are right at the door.
- Clean minimal rooms with a flat-screen TV, fast Wi-Fi and warm lighting, in the sharp Motel One style.
- The ground-floor bar lounge is genuinely good-looking — bright colors and design furniture, busy but not chaotic, good for a drink before heading out.
- Rooms are compact, the standard Motel One footprint — fine for two or three nights, but tight if you want space to spread out.
- Prices climb sharply during the August Edinburgh Festival, when rooms across the whole city spike.
- No full-service restaurant and breakfast is not included in the rate, so you will be heading out for a proper meal.
Who It’s For
Match Score by travel style
Amenities
Location & Nearby Spots
Things to do near Edinburgh
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Insider Tips
- Ask for a higher floor when you book — that is where the direct Edinburgh Castle and Gardens views are.
- Skip the in-house breakfast since it is not included, and walk to a cafe on or just off Princes Street instead.
- Cross Waverley Bridge to reach Old Town and the Royal Mile in under 10 minutes on foot.