Edinburgh International Conference Centre - 10 min walk - 0.9 km
George Street - 11 min walk - 1.0 km
Edinburgh Castle - 5 min drive - 2.8 km
Getting around
Edinburgh Airport (EDI) - 22 min drive
Edinburgh Haymarket Station - 8 min walk
Edinburgh Waverley Station - 26 min walk
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
Cairngorm Coffee Co West End - 6 min walk
Wee Vault Edinburgh - 7 min walk
The Haymarket Bar - 7 min walk
Platform 5 - 8 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 check out 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 travelers say great things about the helpful staff and location. The property is just a short walk to public transportation: Haymarket Tram Station is 8 minutes away.
Languages
English, French, Italian, Spanish
At a glance
Hotel size
16 rooms
Arranged over 5 floors
Arriving/Leaving
Check-in start time: 3 PM; Check-in end time: 11 PM
Contactless check-in 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 available
Late check-out subject to availability
Restrictions related to your trip
Check COVID-19 restrictions
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
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
Pets
Pets not allowed
Internet
Free WiFi in public areas
Free WiFi in rooms
Parking
Onsite self parking (GBP 20.00 per night)
Onsite parking limited
Offsite parking nearby (GBP 20.00 per night; reservations required)
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 center
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 drapes/curtains
Premium bedding
Free crib/infant bed
What to enjoy
Individually decorated
Freshen up
Private bathroom
Soap and shampoo
Hair dryer
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 check-out 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, which are subject to availability and can be requested by contacting the property using the number on the booking confirmation.
This property does not have elevators.
Guests can rest easy knowing there's window guards on site.
This property accepts major credit cards, debit cards and cash.
Also known as
Edinburgh Thistle
Edinburgh Thistle Hotel
Hotel Edinburgh Thistle
Thistle Edinburgh
Thistle Edinburgh Hotel
Thistle Hotel Edinburgh
Edinburgh Thistle Hotel Scotland
Thistle Hotel
Edinburgh Thistle
Hotel Edinburgh Thistle Hotel Edinburgh
Edinburgh Edinburgh Thistle Hotel Hotel
Hotel Edinburgh Thistle Hotel
Edinburgh Thistle Hotel Edinburgh
Thistle Hotel
Thistle
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 to 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 spots 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 check-in 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 Haymarket, a short 8-minute walk from Haymarket Tram Station and 9 minutes' walk from Princes Street. Travelers say that the hotel is in a great location.
Edinburgh Thistle Hotel Reviews
Reviews
7.8
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
7.8/10
Cleanliness
8.6/10
Staff & service
7.2/10
Amenities
7.2/10
Property conditions & facilities
7.2/10
Eco-friendliness
Reviews
10/10 Exceptional
19 November 2024
Gollup
Gollup, 1-night trip
Verified Hotels.com guest review
10/10 Exceptional
10 November 2024
Close to sites
The staff was very helpful.
John
John, 4-night trip
Verified Hotels.com guest review
6/10 Good
20 September 2024
We have just returned from a 2 night stay at the Edinburgh Thistle. The staff Andrew and Neil were really welcoming, helpful, personable and couldn't do enough for us - especially Andrew (what a sweetie)
The property was in a nice location. A 20 minute walk into the shopping district and a 30 minutes walk to the royal mile and historic areas. The property - although very dated had character but unfortunately the bathroom was the most disappointing bit. There was mould all around the grouting - a simple fix. And the bath tub was unusable for a bath as the taps were only useable as a shower. This would have been welcomer after a long day on our feet.
We stayed on the top floor having requested a twin room and there were 78 steps to the top. Which is fine but we wouldn't recommend if you have mobility issues.
We didn't have breakfast there so couldn't comment on that but the coffee was nice.
The Pillows in our room were quite unusable also. One rock hard and huge and the other thin and lank.
Overall we had a lovely stay. I would say that the price we paid did not reflect in the quality of the hotel especially as we didn't have breakfast included but we enjoyed the staff and our time there nonetheless.
Shelley
Shelley, 2-night family trip
Verified Hotels.com guest review
4/10 Fair
13 September 2024
Verified traveller
3-night trip
Verified Hotels.com guest review
10/10 Exceptional
6 September 2024
Rikilee
Rikilee, 1-night trip with friends
Verified Hotels.com guest review
10/10 Exceptional
6 September 2024
Brian
Brian, 1-night trip
Verified Hotels.com guest review
6/10 Good
3 September 2024
Susan
Susan, 2-night family trip
Verified Expedia guest review
10/10 Exceptional
30 August 2024
Stephanie
Stephanie, 2-night trip
Verified Expedia guest review
6/10 Good
3 August 2024
Ryan
Ryan, 2-night trip
Verified Expedia guest review
6/10 Good
1 August 2024
The accommodation wasn’t really up to standard, but the staff were great.
Carmine
Carmine, 2-night trip
Verified Lastminute guest review
10/10 Exceptional
21 July 2024
The facility was clean and the staff were very nice.
Daniel
Daniel, 2-night romance trip
Verified Expedia guest review
8/10 Very good
21 July 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
Verified Expedia guest review
2/10 Poor
15 July 2024
Do not stay in room 28!
The Hotel room was very poor standard. The furniture was very old, the carpet was thin and the floor very uneven. The bathroom was appalling, the tap in the sink was very loose and laying at an angle. The pressure of the water was so poor it dribbled out. The lack of attention to ensuring the curtains were hung properly or lined so at least you had a decent nights sleep left me feeling I had been ripped off for the price paid.
Ian
Ian, 2-night trip
Verified Hotels.com guest review
8/10 Very good
8 July 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 family trip
Verified Hotels.com guest review
4/10 Fair
5 July 2024
The hotel was terribly understaffed. Bar wasn’t open first night. Bathroom with no soaps in the dispensers. Thankful I guess they were open.
Donna
Donna, 3-night romance trip
Verified Expedia guest review
2/10 Poor
5 July 2024
Darryl
Darryl, 1-night trip
Verified Hotels.com guest review
4/10 Fair
26 June 2024
Property was very dated and had a musty smell on all floors. Bed was ok and bedding clean but bathroom fittings all loose, and the shower was a joke - no temperature control (scalding or off) and water pressure was feeble - my nose runs faster in hay fever season. Won’t be staying again
Mark
Mark, 1-night business trip
Verified Expedia guest review
10/10 Exceptional
7 June 2024
Night in Edinburgh
The Thistle hotel was very urban, in a Scottish town house with high ceilings, a spiral stairway and lovely windows. We were received in a very friendly manner. We enjoyed the quiet and bed. The early breakfast was awesome, even hot toast offered, alongside a good spread. 1.5 miles from the train station made it a bit far in the morning to walk and catch an early train. The hotel clerk called a timely cab!
Mary
Mary, 1-night trip
Verified Hotels.com guest review
6/10 Good
29 May 2024
The staff were very friendly and helpful which was great. I had a small room which was adequate for a few nights but the bathroom needed attention, cupboards warped with water, rusty shelves and the shower tray didn’t drain properly. Although the bathroom was clean, it looked dirty. Bedroom was clean and cosy. Location was a short walk to the town and public transport.
Ann-Marie
Ann-Marie, 2-night trip
Verified Expedia guest review
8/10 Very good
27 May 2024
Before arriving I had to adjust my dates and the owner worked with Expedia to work around the cancellation policy, which I appreciated greatly. The area is well placed so you can enjoy the local sites but are far enough removed that it’s quiet.
Rebecca
Rebecca, 2-night romance trip
Verified Expedia guest review
10/10 Exceptional
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
Verified Expedia guest review
8/10 Very good
26 May 2024
The property is rated as a 3-star hotel. The rooms are basic and could use some updates, and the internet connection is unreliable. Although the hotel staff replaced towels and emptied the trash bins daily, they did not make the beds. The location is convenient, situated just a 10-minute walk from the old city. Overall, the stay was acceptable. Despite the hotel being understaffed, the warm reception and helpful information provided upon arrival were much appreciated.
Laura
Laura, 4-night family trip
Verified Expedia guest review
4/10 Fair
19 May 2024
We did a 3-week trip through Scotland and this was the worst place we stayed. The property is in a nice neighborhood and was once probably a fancy hotel, but it's in desperate need of an update and some TLC. The carpet was worn and the way through in places and I questioned the cleanliness. The staff seemed to be just chilling and made checkin awkward. Be mindful that there's no elevator. We were put in the furthest room on the top floor and had to lug very heavy bags full of collected scotch up the many flights if stairs. The staff did provide assistance which was nice. If you're limited mobility, look elsewhere.