Royal Mile Balconies by the Castle

Hotels
8.1 (1648 reviews)
493 Lawnmarket,The Royal Mile , Edinburgh , gb

Children allowed

Facilities

Non-smoking rooms
Non-smoking throughout
Staff adhere to local safety protocols
Guest rooms disinfected between stays
Cleaning standards that are effective against Coronavirus
Physical distancing rules followed
Cashless payment available
Sanitized tableware & silverware
Contactless check-in/check-out
Smoke alarms
See all facilities

Review Highlights

Pros:
Great location
Clean and comfortable rooms
Cons:
Noise from deliveries
Stairs might be challenging for some

Categories

Cleanliness
7.99
Many reviews noted cleanliness positively, though some mentioned minor details like cobwebs.
Service
8.46
Guests appreciated the friendly and responsive staff.
Location
9
The hotel is centrally located, with most reviews praising its fantastic location.
Room Quality
7.95
Rooms were generally described as clean and comfortable, though some mentioned size issues.
Amenities
7.48
Basic amenities described, but a few guests mentioned noise and stairs.
Value for Money
7.94
Guests felt it was good value, though some pointed to high prices in relation to certain issues.
Food and Beverage
7.49
There were mentions of no breakfast options, affecting overall perception.
Overall Experience
8.46
Most guests were happy with their experience, indicating they would return.
* This sentiment is summarized by AI based on user reviews.
Updated at: 2025-12-24 07:32

Property Description

Historic Charm and Modern Comfort
Royal Mile Balconies by the Castle offers a unique stay in a 15th-century Scottish building once inhabited by the renowned philosopher Sir David Hume. Each of the 6 rooms is elegantly decorated and equipped with king-size beds, LCD TVs, and free high-speed Wi-Fi.

Scenic Views and Private Bathrooms
Enjoy the picturesque views of Edinburgh's Old Town from some of the rooms overlooking the historic courtyard. The original private bathrooms in each room feature large showers, adding a touch of luxury to your stay.

Prime Location and Nearby Attractions
Located directly on Royal Mile, just steps away from Edinburgh Castle and Edinburgh Military Tattoo, our hotel is the perfect base for exploring the city's rich history and cultural attractions. Book your stay at Royal Mile Balconies by the Castle for an unforgettable experience in the heart of Edinburgh.

Important information:

“Royal Mile Balconies by the Castle” will contact the guest directly after booking with check-in instructions by the email. On arrival it is essential to have the property self check-in instructions with you to access the safe.

The property does not have a luggage storage facility.

Please be aware that access to the rooms is through narrow spiral staircase only and may be unsuitable for those with limited mobility.

Limited public payable parking is available close to the property or a large car park is around 10 minutes walk away.Please inform of your expected arrival time in advance. You can use the Special Requests box when booking, or contact the property directly using the contact details in your confirmation.
This property does not accommodate bachelor(ette) or similar parties.
A deposit may be required at the property.

Check-in and check-out hours:
Check-out: 10:00 AM

Property Policies

  • Parking

    No parking available.

  • Internet

    WiFi is available in public areas and is free of charge.

  • Pets

    Pets are not allowed.

  • Children and extra bed policy

    Children of any age are allowed.
    Children up to and including 2 years old stay for free when using an existing bed.
    You haven't added any cots.
    You haven't added any extra beds.

Location

Guest Reviews

8.1
Based on 1648 reviews
Cleanliness: 7.99
Service: 8.46
Location: 9
Room Quality: 7.95
Amenities: 7.48
Value for Money: 7.94
Food and Beverage: 7.49
Overall Experience: 8.46
E
Ewan couple gb
8
A comfortable room.
Pros:

A privilege to stay in one of the oldest buildings in Edinburgh, next to the castle.

Cons:

Having to climb 64 steps up a narrow spiral staircase with no handrail. We are both in our seventies and it was hard going!!

2026-06-20 via Nuitee
M
Michael solo_traveller gb
6
Lots to improve
Pros:

Location
Good instructions to gain entry
Nice biscuits gift.

Cons:

.1.Cleanliness _:The quilt was dirty and worn and only fit for disposal. The only shelf was full of dust
2. Blind is thin so expect a 5.00am awakening in the summer. Need to replace with blackout blind..
3. Replace hand towels with bath towels.
4. Sachets for shampoo etc needs replacing with proper bottles. Sachets extremely difficult to open
5. Hangers didn't allow for hanging trousers etc.

2026-06-17 via Nuitee
T
Tim solo_traveller ie
10
2026-06-15 via Nuitee
D
Dolan solo_traveller au
9
Pros:

Amazing. Location..All Amazing

Cons:

POWER outage... scary

2026-06-15 via Nuitee
P
Paola couple it
10
stanza romantica nella città vecchia
Pros:

posizione centrale vicino alle principali attrazioni. Alle stanze si accede tramite una scala a chiocciola abbastanza comoda, la location è suggestiva in quanto stanza con arredi moderni ma con un muro in pietra antico, molto bello. Stanza pulita forniscono kit caffè istantaneo e tè con bollitore e tazze e bicchieri e un piccolo frigo

Cons:

.

2026-06-13 via Nuitee
S
Stu couple gb
10
Very good would use again
2026-06-13 via Nuitee
I
isabel couple gb
8
Convenient, pleasant, sweet, amazing location.
Pros:

The location was absolutely amazing, right in the heart of the city. I couldn’t recommend it more !! The room was nicely decorated and had everything you could need such as a kettle, mini fridge and an iron.

Cons:

For the price I was very impressed with the place, however there were a few inconsistencies here and there. I didn’t enjoy the fact that we could only have a one set of towels each, if you needed more then that’s an extra fee. Also, most of these towels were stained and the bedding had lots of different coloured hairs. My biggest disappointment would be the blinds. They didn’t block out any sunlight at all and gave you zero privacy as they were so see through. In the end I put the blanket provided over the window to actually block out any light. I was awoken to the sunrise at 4am which was not a delight.

2026-06-12 via Nuitee
K
Kat Winter solo_traveller ie
10
Pros:

Julie was very responsive and answered our messages regarding early check-in and luggage storage.

2026-06-08 via Nuitee
M
Mirela couple hr
10
If we come to Edinburgh again, we would be very happy to stay here again.
Pros:

Excellent accommodation, the location is perfect. Everything is close and within walking distance. Yes, there are spiral stairs to the apartment, but that is emphasized in the description and if you don't like that, you can book accommodation in a newer hotel, not in a 16th century building. If you don't have a big suitcase, you won't have a problem. We were very pleased, the room is small but clean and tidy, the toilet is completely renovated and has everything you need (maybe a small shelf for toiletries would be useful). The entrance instructions were thorough and precise. We even received instructions for using the shower. Thank you to the host for the nice welcome gift.

Cons:

This is not really a complaint at all, but it might be worth mentioning that there is a lovely pub called Jolly Judge downstairs in the close. If it's not raining, you can hear the guests talking until later in the evening. This problem is easily solved by going down for a drink and joining them.

2026-06-08 via Nuitee
F
francisco javier couple es
8
Pros:

Ubicación

2026-06-07 via Nuitee
C
Callum couple gb
7
Nice Room - would stay again
Pros:

Location was amazing, really couldn’t be any better. Hosts were friendly and responsive and allowed an early check in which was very helpful. Found the spiral staircase a cool, unique part of this stay.

Cons:

Roller blind did not work in room, and has to be winded up by hand. TV also did not work, host said they would send someone to check but this never happened. For the amount being paid, I’d expect both to work and be in good condition

2026-06-06 via Nuitee
D
Debarghya Ghoshdastidar solo_traveller de
9
Pros:

The accommodation was at a great location, and on a tower. The room was warm and cosy, and bed was very comfortable. The cookies were a nice touch.

2026-06-06 via Nuitee
P
patrick couple fr
1
horrible merci de nous rembourser
Pros:

impossible d'accéder à la chambre car poignée porte cassée
avons été obligé de louer une chambre au radisson hôtel à 200 mètres
facture à disposition
video et photo de la porte accès à disposition aussi

Cons:

comment oser de votre part accepter un lieu de résidence pareil
passage étroit sale, étroit, donnant sur un restaurant exterieur bruyant
poubelles éventrées dans cour
et à 25 m entrée d'un musée

2026-06-05 via Nuitee
G
Germán couple ar
8
Pros:

Muy buena ubicación. Bien decorado y mantenido el cuarto y el baño. Todo funcionaba.

Cons:

La habitación muy linda y bien equipada pero pequeña y para llegar hay una escalera bastante cansadora.

2026-06-04 via Nuitee
W
Wilfreud couple de
6
Städtetrip in einer schönen Kulisse
Pros:

Die Lage ist unübertroffen direkt an der Royal Mile am Lawnmarket.

Cons:

Der Zugang zu den Zimmern erfolgt über eine Wendeltreppe ohne Geländer. Darauf weist der Anbieter auch hin. Allerdings halten sich in diesem Bereich Tauben auf. die sich nur schwer vertreiben lassen. Wer ängstlich vor flatternden Tauben ist sollte diese Unterkunft meiden. Auch befindet sich dort überall auf der Treppe und den Balkonen Taubenkot und Reste von Nestern. Die Zimmer sind klein aber soweit ansprechend. Alte englische Schiebefenster sind im Glasbereich schon lange nicht mehr gereinigt worden. Auch die Verdunkelung davor ist alt und das Rollo defekt. Auch der angekündigte Safe fehlte bei uns. Das kleine Badezimmer ist soweit in Ordnung. Der Lawnmarket ist völlig überlaufen, man kommt zeitweise nur schlecht zum Castle. Massenhaft Touristenläden mit Whiskey, Wollsachen und viel Nepp. Overtourism nennt man das wohl.

2026-06-03 via Nuitee
M
Margot couple de
6
Insgesamt o.k., aber ich würde das Zimmer für Reisende mit Koffer nicht empfehlen.
Pros:

Der Willkommensgruß in einem extra nett verpackten Päckchen.

Cons:

Das Zimmer und die Bettlaken waren nicht wirklich sauber. Die Fenster waren schmutzig. Die Wendeltreppe hat auch lange keine Reinigung erlebt.

2026-06-03 via Nuitee
R
raul couple es
9
Ubicación inmejorable
Pros:

La ubicación es excelente, a 80 m de la Royal Mille, y en zona tranquila. El apartamento era pequeño, pero cómodo, en un edificio histórico.

Cons:

Al estar en un edificio histórico, las instalaciones no están muy modernizadas, en especial el baño. No apto para personas con movilidad reducida

2026-06-02 via Nuitee
K
kim couple dk
7
Central beliggenhed, små hyggelige rum
Pros:

Hyggeligt, men 4 stjerner er nok en overdrivelse

Cons:

Det var virkelig svært at finde. En Harry Potter quest. Administratorerne havde gentagne gange gjort opmærksom på at man burde printe vejledningen så det var min egen fejl. Meeen

2026-06-01 via Nuitee
S
Stephanie solo_traveller sg
9
Pros:

The location was excellent and I actually thought the room looked better than the photos. It was a very cosy room and we had a comfortable stay there. The pub downstairs does good beer!

Cons:

A little pricey but I think that is normal for Edinburgh especially on the weekend of the marathon.

2026-06-01 via Nuitee
S
Shawn couple gb
8
Pros:

Perfect location right off the royal mile, close to the castle. Room was lovely, clean. Bed was a good size too.

Cons:

Just that there were no curtains so it was very bright in the morning.

2026-06-01 via Nuitee