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The best kid-friendly hotels and apartments in Edinburgh, England. Great locations. Big family options.
Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh – The Caledonian
Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh, also known as The Caledonian Hotel Edinburgh has the most unobstructed “castle-view” rooms among the hotels in the vicinity, with 68 out of 241 room offering beautiful views of Edinburgh Castle.
It’s a family-friendly luxury hotel with family rooms that sleep 4-5, containing two double beds and cribs. The kids will love the large indoor-swimming pool while adults and parents will enjoy the Guerlain Spa, designer toiletries, luxurious bathrooms, steam room, Jacuzzi, and a modern gym.
This 5-star hotel is a 15-minute walk away from Royal Mile and situated right across the Princes Street Gardens. George Street’s bars, restaurants, and shops are less than a 5-minute walk away. Aside from Edinburgh Castle, the UNESCO heritage site and Edinburgh Old Town can be reached within a 20-minute walk.
In terms of food, its in-house restaurants have kids menus and high chairs. The family can also enjoy afternoon tea at Peacock Alley while food and drinks can be enjoyed at Caley Bar. A must-try is dining in the award-winning restaurant Grazing by Mark Greenway. In-house restaurants also offer Vegetarian, Vegan, Gluten-free, and Buffet style food choices.
Old Town Chambers Edinburgh
Old Town Chambers Edinburgh comprises of family-friendly contemporary apartments located on the Royal Mile.
Family apartments are designed to accommodate 4 including two kids. Larger families can book apartments that sleep up to 6. Aside from the normal amenities that hotels provide, it also provides guests with washer/dryer, dishwasher, fridge/freezer, Nespresso coffee machines, as well as baby high chair and hair straighteners (both available upon request). Baby cot or crib can be rented and they can also help arrange babysitting services and other baby or toddler equipment needs.
It is located a short walk from Edinburgh castle. The car parking is limited but they provide discounts for a nearby car park. They have a 24-hour reception service and laptops and other valuable items are safe since the building is secured with entry codes.
The Rutland Hotel
The Rutland Hotel is a family-friendly boutique hotel located in the heart of Edinburgh’s West End and at the edge of Prince street where most of the top shops and restaurants in Edinburgh are located. They cater especially for families with their 2 bedroom apartments. Each bedroom sleeps 3-4. The lower ground floor apartment has 2 bedrooms and its own garden space while the top floor apartment has 2 bedrooms and a large open kitchen and living room area.
Each room is designed with bold prints, designer wallpapers, and retro furniture. For kid’s enjoyment, there is a cable TV and Nintendo Wii. For adults, they would enjoy rainfall showerheads, Nespresso machines, hair straighteners, and castle views. There are 2 family restaurants inside the hotel, Kyloe restaurant, and grill for steaks and the Huxley bar for burgers and cocktails.
The Balmoral Hotel in Edinburgh
The historic and majestic Balmoral Hotel in Edinburgh right next to Waverly Station is more than a century old and was built in 1902 as a luxury railroad family-friendly hotel. Its outstanding external feature is its grand clock tower which still reflects the 3-minutes advanced time similar to what it did a century ago to prevent passengers from missing the train. Many consider it the grand dame of luxury hotels in Edinburgh, a title it shares with Waldorf Astoria.
It is considered a famous place by Harry Potter Fans because J.K. Rowling wrote and finished the final HP book, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows while staying here for 6 months. In honour of the famous author, the Balmoral Hotel has named the room she used as the “JK Rowling Suite” and lucky fans can even book this room which can sleep 5 (2 adults, up to 3 kids).
Balmoral Hotel underwent a multi-million renovation and restyling which included the JK Rowling Suite, which is now renamed as ‘Room 552 ¾’ and designed by Olga Polizzi. It still retains the owl knocker and the ‘JK Rowling Suite’ metallic nameplate.
This 5-star hotel has 168 elegantly styled rooms decorated with Scottish accents and has a great selection of family rooms that are suitable for big families as it can accommodate up to two rollaway beds for children and sleeps at least 5. It is a perfect hotel for families as it provides the best and most number of amenities and services ideal for families.
Upon request, guests with babies can be provided with babysitting services, high chairs with complimentary baby meals, cribs/cots, bottle warmers, bibs, sterilisers, changing mats, baby baths, play-mats, an owl-teddy turn-down service, laundry services, and other baby essentials.
Kids are treated like VIP’s as upon check-in, they are given a Balmoral Passport which includes city activities and fact sheet that provides information to make the children’s out and stay very enjoyable. This kid-friendly hotel also provides children’s books, games, and even children’s movies to keep kids preoccupied and let parents have a pleasant stay. As for food, there’s a lot of options. There are kids menu in Brasserie Prince by Alain Roux and kids will definitely enjoy the food at Palm Court Afternoon tea. Families also get a chance to eat at the famous Michelin-starred ‘Number One’ restaurant.
Families can also enjoy a mix of authentic vintage and new amenities like the vintage tea room and the modern spa and pool. Fast Wifi is free on all floors.
Radisson Blu Edinburgh
Radisson Blu Edinburgh is a 4-star family-friendly hotel with large family rooms that can accommodate 4-5. The hotel features 238 rooms and suites, including family rooms and classic and turret suites offering more space for multiple travelers. There is a family zone in the reception area and kids are given activity packs upon check-in. Inside the family room, kids are also provided with kid-sized robes and slippers. Kids stay and eat for free at this family-centred accommodation.
Baby Cots/Cribs are available upon request. Kids can enjoy the indoor swimming pool and Playstation 4, which is also available upon request.
Best Western Plus Edinburgh City Centre Bruntsfield Hotel
Best Western Plus Edinburgh City Centre Bruntsfield Hotel is located in Edinburgh’s city center and has a family room that can accommodate up to 5. The room has a double bed, 2 single beds and extra bed may be added. Alternatively, families can also book a room with double beds and bunk beds for kids, or book interconnected rooms. Breakfast is not free but can be booked at a discounted rate when room is booked or reserved online.
Bisque Bar & Brasserie offers casual dining and a seasonal menu using locally sourced produce. Guests can also relax in the lounge that overlooks the park.
Nearby attractions include the Edinburgh Castle which is a 15-minute stroll. 5 minutes further away, guests can enjoy Edinburgh’s main shopping area, Princes Street.
Novotel Edinburgh Centre
Novotel Edinburgh Centre is a modern 4-star boutique style family hotel in Edinburgh. There are a lot of family room options perfect for families of 4, which includes a queen sized bed plus sofa bed. Note however that the hotel doesn’t provide extra beds.
Families can enjoy the indoor heated swimming pol with jacuzzi, sauna and gym. Free cots are available for use but by request.
The onsite restaurant, Tap Kitchen and Bar offers meal and drinks and is open for service for 24 hours. Novotel Edinburgh Centre is a 10-minute walk away from Princes Street and Grassmarket and 15 minutes away from Royal Mile.
Ibis Styles Edinburgh St Andrew Square
Ibis Styles Edinburgh St Andrew Square is a funky and budget 3-star hotel in Edinburgh city centre. The hotel has a boutique feel with Scottish them and brightly decorated rooms and awesome views.
Family rooms can comfortably sleep 3, with double beds and single beds. Some rooms have sofa beds instead of a single bed. This hotel also has free continental breakfast with cold buffet, as well as free tea, coffee and hot chocolate throughout the day in the lobby. It also has a 24-hour reception, a bar and restaurant, and offers free wifi.
It is ideally located for families traveling via train and airport. Waverly train station is a 10-minute walk away and the airport tram stop just across the road. Just a 2-minute walk away is the Princes Street, 12-minutes walk to Edinburgh Castle, and 6 minutes from the Scottish National Gallery. Holyrood Park, home of Arthur’s Seat and the Salisbury Crags, is just over 1.6 km away.
Apex City of Edinburgh Hotel
The Apex City of Edinburgh Hotel is a family friendly hotel ideally located in Edinburgh’s Old Town section and directly on the Grassmarket, previously known as Edinburgh’s main market place. It offers an amazing view of Edinburgh Castle above.
The Apex City of Edinburgh Hotel offers families comfortable and modern rooms with complimentary Wi-Fi. There is an onsite restaurant, the Metro Bar & Brasserie that boasts of floor to ceiling windows with stunning castle views. The hotel also has an onsite parking lot (rare in Edinburgh).
The family rooms in this Edinburgh hotel sleeps 3-4, with two queen beds, with rollaway beds also available on request. Some rooms have castle views. All kids under the age of 17 stay for free – and kids under 12 stay and eat for free and there’s an indoor swimming pool that kids would love. Cribs or cots are available upon request and the hotel offers free wifi and a laundry service.
Holiday Inn Express Royal Mile
Holiday Inn Express Royal Mile located in Edinburgh’s New Town isn’t your typical Holiday Inn. It blends into the historic background of the Scottish city.
It is directly across the Playhouse Theatre, where guests can catch a live performance. It is 1.3 km from Edinburgh Castle, 10-minutes walk away from Princes Street’s shops, and the University of Edinburgh campus is just across the road, Edinburgh Waverley Railway Station is also a 10-minute walk.
Big families can opt for connecting rooms with each room sleeping 4 with double beds and sofa beds that can sleep 2 kids. A continental buffet breakfast is included in the room price and there is also a 24-hour snack menu on offer in the lobby lounge bar. Guests can enjoy free Wi-Fi and a buffet breakfast, and kids stay and eat free.