A family trip to Edinburgh can fill a few days very quickly. There is Edinburgh Castle to explore, optical illusions at Camera Obscura, interactive galleries at the National Museum of Scotland and plenty of green space when younger travellers need to run around. The challenge is finding a hotel that makes it easier. A central postcode can help, but location is only part of the decision.
Families may also need space for a cot, separate beds for older children, somewhere nearby for breakfast, and a sensible route back to the hotel when everyone has run out of energy. Some of the best hotels in Edinburgh for families place the main attractions within walking distance. Others provide larger rooms, kitchens, pools, or quieter neighbourhood surroundings. The right choice depends on the age of your children, how long you are staying, and how much time you want to spend in the busiest parts of the city.
Which Hotel Suits Your Family?
For families planning a short sightseeing break, an Old Town hotel can reduce daily travel and keep Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Mile and several museums nearby. Families staying for longer may prefer an apartment with a kitchen and separate living space. Parents travelling with toddlers might value a quieter area and nearby park, while older children may enjoy staying closer to the energy of the city centre.
Edinburgh’s official family guide highlights attractions including Edinburgh Zoo, Camera Obscura, Dynamic Earth, Edinburgh Castle and the National Museum of Scotland, so it helps to consider which part of the city your family expects to explore most.
Here are seven family hotels in Edinburgh, each offering a different type of stay.
1. Black Ivy
Black Ivy sits opposite Bruntsfield Links in one of Edinburgh’s most lived-in neighbourhoods. It gives families access to cafés, independent shops and open green space while keeping the Old Town within walking distance. That balance can work well for parents who want to explore the main sights during the day, then return somewhere that feels removed from the busiest visitor streets.
Black Ivy’s rooms include Park View doubles and suites, Deluxe Double/Twin rooms and smaller Crash Pads. The twin-room option can suit parents travelling with an older child, while families needing more than one room should speak with the hotel directly about the most practical arrangement. There is also a restaurant downstairs, which removes the need to search for somewhere to eat after a full day out. Black Ivy has a lively bar and terrace open late, so families who prefer early nights should ask about quieter room positions when booking.
Best For: Families with older children who want a local neighbourhood, nearby green space and easy access to central Edinburgh.
Families building an itinerary can also use Black Ivy’s guides to family-friendly things to do in Edinburgh and the best places to visit in Edinburgh.
2. ApexGrass marketHotel
Apex Grassmarket Hotel places families beneath Edinburgh Castle, close to Victoria Street, the Royal Mile and the restaurants of the Grassmarket. Its family rooms sleep up to four people in two queen-size beds, which is often more comfortable than sharing a double bed and sofa bed. Cots are available on request, and the rooms include a mini fridge for drinks, snacks or milk.
The indoor swimming pool is another useful feature. It gives children something to do when the weather changes or when the family needs a slower afternoon after sightseeing. The hotel currently states that children up to 17 stay free and children aged five and under eat and drink free, although families should confirm offer terms for their chosen dates.
The trade-off is the location. Grassmarket is lively, particularly during weekends and festival periods, so it may suit families who enjoy being surrounded by the Old Town’s energy.
Best For: Families who want a proper room for four, a swimming pool and major attractions close by.
3. Novotel Edinburgh Centre
Novotel Edinburgh Centre is on Lauriston Place, between the Old Town and the West End. Edinburgh Castle and Grassmarket are accessible on foot, but the hotel sits away from the busiest stretch of the Royal Mile. Its Classic Family Room accommodates up to four guests with a double bed and double sofa bed. Other room categories also offer convertible sofa beds, giving parents a few configurations to compare.
The hotel has an indoor pool, restaurant, fitness facilities, and on-site parking. That combination can be helpful for families arriving by car or looking for several practical facilities in one place. The room layout may feel compact for a longer stay with older children, but it can work well for a weekend when most of the day will be spent exploring.
Best For: Short family breaks where a pool, parking and central location are priorities.
4. StaycityAparthotels West End
Staycity Aparthotels in Edinburgh’s West End offers a different setup from a traditional hotel. The apartments include kitchens and separate areas for eating, relaxing, and sleeping. Available options include two-bedroom apartments and larger townhouses sleeping up to six guests, making the property useful for larger families or relatives travelling together.
A kitchen can make a noticeable difference when travelling with children. Breakfast does not need to happen at a fixed time, snacks can be kept in the room, and parents have more flexibility when younger children are too tired for another restaurant meal. The property is close to Haymarket and within walking distance of the city centre, although families should expect a longer journey to attractions at the Holyrood end of the Royal Mile.
Best For: Larger families, longer stays and parents who want self-catering facilities.
5. The Balmoral
The Balmoral is one of Edinburgh’s best-known luxury hotels, located beside Waverley Station at the meeting point between the Old Town and New Town. Its interconnecting family room combines two bedrooms and two bathrooms for up to four guests. Family suites offer additional living space, while the hotel’s children’s programme includes age-specific welcome touches, smaller bathrobes, games, and family-focused concierge support.
Babysitting, extra beds, and interconnecting rooms can also be requested, subject to availability and additional charges where applicable.
The location makes arriving by train particularly easy, and many central attractions can be reached without arranging additional transport. The main consideration is cost, especially when booking interconnected rooms or suites during Edinburgh’s busiest periods.
Best For: Families looking for a premium stay with more space and dedicated children’s amenities.
6. Holiday Inn Edinburgh
Holiday Inn Edinburgh sits next to Edinburgh Zoo on Corstorphine Road, west of the city centre. For families planning a zoo visit, the location removes a full journey across the city. The hotel also has an indoor heated pool, restaurant and limited free parking, making it practical for guests traveling by car.
The hotel advertises a kids-stay-and-eat-free policy, subject to its current booking conditions. Public transport connects the area with central Edinburgh, although families will need to allow additional travel time for the Old Town and attractions around Holyrood. This may be a stronger choice for families whose plans include the zoo, Murrayfield or day trips by car than for visitors hoping to walk everywhere.
Best For: Zoo visits, road trips and families who value parking and swimming pool.
7. Premier Inn Royal Mile
Premier Inn Edinburgh City Centre Royal Mile provides a more budget-conscious option close to Waverley Station and the Old Town. Its standard family rooms generally include a double or king-size bed with a sofa bed and pull-out bed, depending on the number of guests. Travel costs are available without an additional room charge, although layouts and available floor space can vary.
The hotel has an on-site restaurant and sits close to the Royal Mile, making it convenient for families who expect to spend most of their trip sightseeing rather than using hotel facilities. There is no on-site parking, so families arriving by car should include nearby parking costs in their comparison.
Best For: Families seeking a central room at a lower price point.
Best Places to Stay in Edinburgh with Kids
Bruntsfield
Bruntsfield suits families who like being close to the centre without staying directly among the busiest visitor streets. The neighbourhood has cafés, local shops and Bruntsfield Links, giving families somewhere to walk or slow down between activities. The Old Town is accessible on foot, although younger children may need a bus or taxi after a long day. Black Ivy’s broader Edinburgh accommodation guide explains how Bruntsfield compares with the Old Town, New Town and other popular areas.
Old Town
The Old Town works well for a short visit focused on Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Mile, the National Museum of Scotland and Dynamic Earth. Staying here can reduce transport planning, but families should expect hills, cobbled streets and more evening activity. Checking reviews for street noise and asking about room position can help when travelling with light sleepers.
West End
The West End offers convenient access to Haymarket Station, Princes Street and tram services. It can be a useful middle ground for families who want central access with apartment-style accommodation or a slightly calmer atmosphere than the Royal Mile. It is also convenient for onward train journeys and airport transport.
Corstorphine
Corstorphine is farther from the historic centre but useful for Edinburgh Zoo, airport access and car travel. Hotel rates may offer better value than those in the Old Town during busy periods, although families should factor bus or taxi journeys into each sightseeing day.
How Do Edinburgh Hotel Family Rooms Work?
Edinburgh hotel family rooms vary considerably. Some provide two permanent double or queen-size beds. Others use a sofa bed or pull-out bed beside the parents’ bed. Luxury properties may offer interconnecting rooms, while aparthotels provide separate bedrooms and living areas. Before booking, check the maximum occupancy rather than relying only on the room name. A room advertised as “family” may suit two adults and one child but feel crowded with two teenagers.
It is also worth confirming whether a cot can be added without removing access to the seating area, wardrobe, or bathroom. Families of five or more will usually find apartments, interconnecting rooms or two separate bedrooms more comfortable than a standard family room.
What Should Families Check?
Room size matters, but the daily routine matters too. Think about where breakfast will happen, whether the hotel has space to store a pushchair, and how everyone will get back after an evening meal. A bath may be important for younger children, while older children may care more about separate beds and reliable Wi-Fi.
Location should also be judged by the attractions your family will actually visit. A hotel beside the Royal Mile is convenient for the Castle but less convenient for the zoo. A quieter neighbourhood may add travel time while providing more space and a calmer end to the day.
Families visiting during the Edinburgh Festivals, school holidays, Christmas or Hogmanay should book earlier and confirm cancellation terms carefully. Room types that sleep four or more are usually more limited than standard doubles.
Find Your Edinburgh Base
The best family hotel is the one that fits the way your family plans to experience the city. Some families will value two proper beds and a swimming pool. Others will choose a kitchen, parking or the shortest possible walk to the Royal Mile. Parents who prefer a more local part of Edinburgh may find that Bruntsfield offers a useful balance between city access and room to slow down.
For families comparing hotels in Edinburgh for families, Black Ivy provides a characterful neighbourhood base opposite Bruntsfield Links, with dining downstairs and central Edinburgh within easy reach. Families should review the available room options or contact the hotel directly to discuss the most suitable setup for their stay.
