Novotel Edinburgh Centre

Novotel Edinburgh Centre Overview

First Impressions

Walking into Novotel Edinburgh Centre, you immediately get that feeling of being in the right place. The lobby has this modern, clean vibe that’s professional without being stuffy — honestly, it’s exactly what you want after dragging luggage through Edinburgh‘s cobblestone streets. The staff actually seem happy to see you, which isn’t always a given at four-star hotels these days.

Location & Getting Around

Here’s the thing about this hotel’s location — it’s genuinely brilliant. You’re on Lauriston Place, which puts you close enough to the Royal Mile and Edinburgh Castle that you can walk there easily, but far enough away that you’re not dealing with the tourist chaos right outside your window. I mean, couples rate this spot 8.9 out of 10, and after staying here, I totally get why. The Grassmarket is just a few minutes’ walk, and you’ve got excellent access to both the Old Town and New Town without feeling like you’re camping in the middle of a theme park.

The Room Experience

The room itself is what you’d expect from Novotel — thoughtfully designed with that signature purple accent wall and plenty of space to actually move around. The bed is genuinely comfortable (not just hotel-brochure comfortable), and the bathroom has a proper shower that doesn’t require you to do gymnastics to avoid flooding the floor. What I really appreciated was the work desk setup — it’s actually functional if you need to get some work done, with good lighting and enough surface area for your laptop and coffee.

Breakfast & Dining

The breakfast here is honestly impressive — they’ve got everything from full Scottish breakfast to continental options, plus they actually cater well to dietary restrictions with proper vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free choices. It’s buffet style, which some people love and others find chaotic, but the quality is solid and the coffee doesn’t taste like it’s been sitting around since yesterday. The restaurant area gets good natural light in the morning, which makes starting your day feel less institutional than some hotel dining rooms.

Why Guests Love It

What really sets this place apart is how it handles the practical stuff without making a big deal about it. There’s parking available right at the hotel, which anyone who’s tried to navigate Edinburgh by car will tell you is worth its weight in gold. The location score of 9.0 isn’t just marketing fluff — you really can walk to most of what you want to see, and when you can’t, the bus stops and taxi access are right there. It’s the kind of place where everything just works the way it should, without any unpleasant surprises when you’re trying to enjoy your trip to one of Scotland’s most beautiful cities.

To book a hotel in Edinburgh during Fringe Festival, visitors plan ahead to balance comedy marathons with Arthur’s Seat sunrise hikes.

Facilities