Top 10: the best family-friendly hotels in Edinburgh
An insider's guide to the best family-friendly hotels in Edinburgh, including the top places to stay for family rooms, child-friendly dining, complimentary toys and games, and proximity to numerous family attractions, including Edinburgh Castle, the Edinburgh dungeon, the Museum of Childhood and the Storytelling Centre.
94DR
Edinburgh, Scotland
9Telegraph expert rating
The 'Wee Dram' bunk room is perfect for children, with books, DVDs, games and an Xbox to keep them entertained. Parents can also book either the Lagavulin or Tamdhu to create a family suite. If you’d rather have your little one in your room, an extra bed can be arranged. It’s an easy bus ride to the city centre from a stop a few steps away, although it's the right end of town for Craigmillar Castle, the Commonwealth Pool and Arthur’s Seat – all great places for kids to build up an appetite for 94DR’s amazing breakfasts. Extras of interest to adults include complimentary bikes and an honesty bar. Read expert review From ￡138per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
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The Balmoral
Edinburgh, Scotland
9Telegraph expert rating
Luxurious bedrooms, a Michelin-starred restaurant, and lavish afternoon teas in the Palm Court add up to a sophisticated 21st-century version of a truly grand hotel. The hotel takes it young guests as seriously as the adults, with a range of services for specific ages. For babies, everything from complimentary meals to cots and play mats are available. Older children get their own turndown service with milk and cookies, backpacks, games, books, magazines and films. Teen spa treatments are also on offer in the wellness centre. Adults meanwhile should appreciate the ESPA therapies, 15-metre lap pool, sauna, steam room and gym. Read expert review From ￡280per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
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Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh - The Caledonian
Edinburgh, Scotland
8Telegraph expert rating
This is one for little gastronomes, with the Galvin Brasserie Deluxe offering child-friendly servings of smoked salmon with green salad, roast brisket of beef with all the trimmings, and how often do you see an espuma on a children’s menu? In the rooms you can have baby bath units and mats, bottle warmers, sterilising units, children’s bathrobes and slippers and travel cots. Kids of all ages will be entertained with in-room children’s films and television channels. The luxury option has plenty for adults too, from the railway-themed cocktail bar to the swimming pool and Guerlain spa. Read expert review From ￡155per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
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Norton House Hotel and Spa
Edinburgh, Scotland
8Telegraph expert rating
This is a great choice if you want to be close to the airport for an early flight. Children under 12 stay and dine free, and there are discounts for those aged 12 to 18 sharing a room with parents. There’s a reasonably healthy children’s menu offering hummus and pitta bread, fish goujons and pancakes with fresh berries. Children will love the big swimming pool, which has special family hours and, if more distraction is needed, nearby Jupiter Artland is a contemporary sculpture park; great for exploring, with outdoor workshops for families. The spa, set in a sunken-glass building, is a winner, complete with swimming and hydro pools. Read expert review From ￡113per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
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Murrayfield House
Edinburgh, Scotland
7Telegraph expert rating
If you’re heading to the zoo or to a match at Murrayfield Stadium, this hotel is very well placed. Three rooms have sofa-beds, one has two double beds, there’s a triple room (a double bed and a single) and cots are available, with children under 12 staying free when sharing with a parent. The Bothy Bar children’s menu offers sure-fire favourites like fish and chips, burgers and macaroni cheese, with fresh fruit and ice cream to contribute to the five-a-day. Expect witty touches in the rooms: a wooden wall-box with miniature single malt and homemade truffles; or a funky wallpaper-lined wardrobe perhaps. Read expert review From ￡45per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
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The Rutland Hotel
Edinburgh, Scotland
8Telegraph expert rating
This smart, sassy West End hotel has 12 modern boutique bedrooms, as well as a popular all-day restaurant/bar, a steak restaurant and an underground bar that is gin distillery by day, watering hole by night. The establishment's serviced apartment a two-minute walk away is perfect for families. With two bedrooms and its own garden, there’s plenty of room for children to play. Cots and folding beds are available, plus a Nintendo Wii, free toy boxes and baby packs with monitors. At the hotel, the Kyloe Steakhouse has a children’s menu with mini steaks, burgers, hot dogs and banana splits - you’re sure to find something to please the fussiest eater. Read expert review From ￡120per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
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The Radisson Blu Hotel, Edinburgh
Edinburgh, Scotland
7Telegraph expert rating
The Radisson Blu rooms easily accommodate children with family rooms, folding beds and travel cots, while also offering young guests an Global Explorers Activity Pack on arrival with crayons, colouring books, games and a pack of sweets; PlayStation 4s are available on request and kids will find their own bathrobes and slippers in the room, as well as a swimming pool in the basement. The Royal Mile location is great for kids of all ages, with the Storytelling Centre, Museum of Childhood, Dynamic Earth and the Camera Obscura, as well as Edinburgh Castle, all a few minutes’ walk away. Adults should be equally satisfied, courtesy of the small spa, gym and pool. Read expert review From ￡93per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
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Apex Grassmarket Hotel
Edinburgh, Scotland
7Telegraph expert rating
Children stay and eat free with their parents when staying in a family room with two queen-size beds at this strong mid-scale option in a fantastic location. There are cots available as well as bottle warmers and, of course, the well-known Apex rubber ducks. Children will love gazing out on Edinburgh Castle almost as much as they’ll love Tony Singh’s kids’ menu, featuring crudités and dips, a tomato and mozzarella roti pizza and vanilla ice cream with choco flake and monkey blood. It’s a short stroll up Candlemaker’s Row for a visit to Greyfriars Bobby, with the National Museum of Scotland just a few steps further. Facilities include a gym and swimming pool. Read expert review From ￡72per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
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ibis Styles Edinburgh Centre St Andrew Square
Edinburgh, Scotland
8Telegraph expert rating
This colourful chain hotel has family rooms for three (a double and a single bed) and connecting rooms too. Children receive complimentary picture books about Edinburgh on arrival and they’ll be fascinated by the playful décor featuring giant stags, highland cows and banknotes on bedroom walls, never mind the Loch Ness monster appearing in the corridors. There’s a kid’s corner in the lobby and a family friendly dining area. The nearby Edinburgh Dungeon is gloriously gruesome fun. The interiors here are interesting, by the way: imagine Brigadoon re-designed by Roy Lichtenstein. Read expert review From ￡44per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
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The Stevenson House
Edinburgh, Scotland
9Telegraph expert rating
For every parent who loved Treasure Island or Kidnapped, the chance to stay at R.L. Stevenson's childhood home is not to be missed. Adults will adore the four-poster in the master bedroom, while children will be intrigued by their twin-bedded room with it’s fascinating African décor upstairs. There is so much in this house to fascinate you may have trouble getting your children out the door, especially as the owners will make them feel very much at home. This is a very personal experience; guests are family members for the duration. Food is served all day: everything from burgers to a Thai-stuffed banana leaf. Read expert review From ￡110per night