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487 USD
Royal Mile Balconies by the Castle in Edinburgh
🌍 Edinburgh, 493 Lawnmarket,The Royal Mile, Old Town, EH1 2PB, United Kingdom
● Center: 340 m
🌞 Beach - 60 min
✅ Location right on the Royal Mile with major attractions within 20 minutes walk ✅ Warm and atmospheric rooms with a lovely welcome biscuit box on arrival ✅ Spotlessly clean and well appointed rooms with comfortable beds ✅ Excellent communication with the owners and early check-in options ✅ Well equipped apartments with good WiFi and TV ❌ Steep, slippery spiral stairs with limited or no handrails pose safety risks ❌ Small room and bathroom sizes with poor bathroom fittings and hygiene products ❌ Thin walls causing noise disturbances, including late-night noise ❌ Old, worn mattresses causing discomfort and creaking noises ❌ Issues with damp smells, threadbare towels, and maintenance problems like dripping water and broken windows ❌ Poor or no response from management regarding complaints
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Rooms and prices
2 guests
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Deluxe room
Private bathroom
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Deluxe Double room
Private bathroom
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Description
Royal Mile Balconies by the Castle is a 5-star hotel situated in Edinburgh's historic Old Town, offering Deluxe and Deluxe Double rooms. The hotel provides 24-hour front desk service, a restaurant, WiFi, and meeting facilities. Guests will find non-smoking rooms with heating and laundry services available. The building features steep spiral stairs that add a historical atmosphere but may be challenging for those with mobility issues. Room sizes vary, with some guests noting compact bathrooms and noise issues due to thin walls. Despite mixed reviews on comfort, the hotel's central location and period features remain key highlights. The property was rated 7/10 overall, with equal scores for cleanliness, amenities, location, and service. This hotel is best suited for travelers comfortable with stairs who want to stay in the heart of Edinburgh's Royal Mile.
Location
Located at 493 Lawnmarket on the Royal Mile, the hotel places guests within walking distance of Edinburgh Castle and several museums including the Writers' Museum (40 meters) and the Museum on the Mound (103 meters). The train station is nearby, and the East Sands of Leith beach lies 4 kilometers away. Guests can easily access local dining options such as Zizzi (195 meters), Vittoria on the Bridge (219 meters), and Tangs (289 meters). Edinburgh Airport is 11 kilometers from the hotel, making it accessible for arrivals and departures. The hotel’s position allows for exploring major attractions within a 20-minute walk.
Tips
- Be prepared for steep and potentially slippery spiral stairs when accessing rooms; this may not suit everyone, especially those with limited mobility.
- Request a room on a lower floor if you want to avoid frequent stair climbing.
- Expect some noise from neighboring rooms due to thin walls; bringing earplugs might help light sleepers.
Policies and conditions
- Child policies: Children of all ages are welcome at this property. Children between 0 and 4 years old can stay for free if no extra bed is needed.
- Cribs and Extra Beds: For all room types, cribs can be added, but extra beds cannot be added. Fees for extra beds and cribs are not included in the total and must be paid at the hotel.
- Pets: Pets are not allowed
- Age Requirements: The main guest checking in must be at least 18 years old
- Paying at the hotel: MasterCard, Visa, AmericanExpress
- Check in time: 15:00. Check out time: 10:00.
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Services and facilities
General
- 24-hour reception
- Elevator/lift
- Currency exchange
- Smoke-free property
- Heating
- Newspapers
Rooms
- Non-smoking rooms
- Carbon Monoxide Detector
- Toiletries
Services and amenities
- Laundry
Meals
- Restaurant
Internet
- Free Wi-Fi
- Internet access
Business
- Conference Hall
The nearest beach is located on the distance of 4030 m. It takes 60 minutes To the beach!
Street view
Video: Royal Mile Balconies by the Castle, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Map
Reviews
25.02.2026
From the outset it looked great but the squashed toilet and shower together wasn't a great start. Wrong size toilet lid meant it wouldn't stay up. Then there was the bed. Poor, old worn mattress. Either that or it was the cheapest. Fitted sheet didn't stay on long. The duvet too big for the covet. Then it creaked so much when laying on it. This led to an awful night's sleep. I contacted Julia direct but nothing was done about it so had to endure this for the second night also.
21.02.2026
Absolutely lovely room. Warm , clean and very atmospheric. Location is amazing right on tbd Royal Mile with major attractions all within around 20mins walk. Lovely welcome biscuit box on arrival which was a lovely touch . The stairs to access room were very steep but this was clearly mentioned in the description. The stairs added an historical feel which I loved . Will definitely stay here in the future. I don’t know what all the people who wrote negative reviews were talking about . This is a real gem in the heart of historic Edinburgh
26.12.2025
The room is minuscule, the lavabo seems that used for puppets, poor hygiene product. Room very noisy, a lot of steps to reach the room in a spiral stairs very slippy and dangerous. We haven't seen any person, no check of ID. No space to stay anywhere in the room except on the bed. We have left the property immediately even though the full journey was paid. Terrible place. Also, we send an email to Julie and property but they never replied.
12.12.2025
Location wise this place is great it’s on the royal mile and close to the train station, plenty of pubs, eateries and the castle itself. We went during December so we’re also close to the Christmas market. The stairs weren’t ideal but as two relatively fit individuals we managed ok but I can imagine for older people it would be very dangerous especially as there’s nothing to hold on to for the majority of the staircase. The biggest problem was how thin the walls must be, I barely slept in the 2 nights we stayed because of people walking around, slamming doors, even at 2/3am. Very pricey for the average bedroom/bathroom that you get but location is great
23.06.2025
Best positioned accomodation in Edinburgh. Spotlessly clean, full of history, well appointed and very well thought out. Bed was really comfortable. Bathroom was plenty spacious
22.06.2025
This is the worst place we have ever stayed in , and we travel 3 months of the year. We booked and paid and they sent us the information regarding the site and it had 77 spiral stair so we tried to cancel within 5 minutes but they wanted the full weeks payment to cancel. I explained that I was 70 years old and had 2 heart operations but they did not care. It wasA$ 2500 so we thought we have to try it, but when we got there it was worse than we had hoped. There is no rail or rope on 3/4 of the staircase, is badly lit and dangerous. In fact I doubt if it is legal. When we finally got to the room exhausted, we found that it had a damp musty smell, the bed was sagging in the middle and the towels were threadbare. We stayed a couple of nights and then booked a tour in the highlands , so the room was expensive bag storage. This place is a shocker, even going up and down those stairs every day without luggage is a nightmare.
29.03.2025
The location on the Royal Mile is central to everything and we had an amazing view of the city. The room was large with a very comfortable bed and all we needed to enjoy our stay. Communication with the property was excellent and we were able to check in early as requested. We have already recommended this property to family members who want to stay in Edinburgh.
08.02.2025
AVOID AVOID This company is rude, has no customer service skills and breaches the law! This accommodation is not suitable for any mobility and information stated is false! When trying to communicate they don’t answer emails or confirm steps. The wording is false advertising as the steps are totally not suitable and no handrail in the picture sent.
15.11.2024
Awful, would not recommend. Very unsafe spiral staircase with limited handrails in some areas and none in most. Water dripping from ceiling in bathroom, down a light that was also not working, emailed and messaged owners, no reply. Yellow water might I add, I only noticed when my white towel was soaked on the floor. Disgusting. Only 1 channel on the TV worked, the signal was "not in range" for all of the others. Definitely not 5 star.
14.02.2024
Communication with the owners was great. I asked for an early check in as I was meeting friends to go on a walking tour and didn’t want to be carrying my bag with me. I messaged them in the morning asking if they could let me know just so I knew if I had to book luggage storage. I got a confirmation text at around 11 today all good to go. The room was stunning and decorated to a high standard, the bathroom immaculate. Also the instructions for finding the apartments and accessing the key etc were so clear it made everything super easy. Although next time I might ask for a room on one of the bottom floors the spiral stairs kicked my motion sickness in each time I went up or down 🙈😂. The apartments are central to everything in a great location I will absolutely be looking to book again the next time I am staying in Edinburgh. Thank you so much Xx
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POIs near hotel
Gladstone's Land (0 min)
A historic 17th-century merchant's house managed by The National Trust for Scotland.
Writers' Museum (1 min)
Museum showcasing the lives and works of Robert Burns, Sir Walter Scott, and Robert Louis Stevenson.
Museum on the Mound (2 min)
Museum exploring the history of banking and finance in Scotland, located in a former bank building.
Camera Obscura & World of Illusions (2 min)
Interactive museum featuring optical illusions and a historic camera obscura with panoramic city views.
The Scotch Whisky Experience (2 min)
Interactive tour showcasing Scotch whisky production and tasting sessions.
Cafe and Restaurants near hotel
Restaurant «Zizzi» (3 min)
1 Roxburgh Ct, Edinburgh EH1 1PG
Reviews23.11.2017
The menu was extensive and delicious. Table servers were attentive but not hovering and very cheerful. I had the tutto mare and it was delicious! The Gunpowder gin cocktails I ordered were also above par. For dessert we ordered the gelato and it was equally fabulous. Great views also. Bar and entertainment district is also close-by.
21.11.2017
Great food and Atmosphere. Service was very slow, staff took a long time to take our orders but food and drinks arrived quickly when they had been taken. The restaurant wasn't particularly busy at the time either.
A drink order was forgotten about by the waitress and a member of our group had to approach the waitress again to order. We also had a long wait for the card machine when paying our bill.
Would recommend the food and cocktails if you don't mind potentially waiting.
A drink order was forgotten about by the waitress and a member of our group had to approach the waitress again to order. We also had a long wait for the card machine when paying our bill.
Would recommend the food and cocktails if you don't mind potentially waiting.
05.11.2017
Booked last minute last night. Was greeted warmly and placed at the table quickly. Food order was taken but unfortunately had to wait 45 mins for our food to arrive. The manager was very apologetic and said that we did not have to pay for any of the food or drinks. This was a lovely gesture. Excellent customer service with friendly staff. Would definitely recommend visiting.
02.11.2017
One of my favourite restaurants in Edinburgh. Great food and service. A little on the expensive side but it's definitely worth coming to once in a while for a good meal with friends. This is also where I get my favourite lemon sorbet dessert!
13.09.2017
Very happy with this place as they have a separate menu for dietary requirements. I am lactose intolerant and they provide a milk free cheese for pizza which I can rarely have as not many places have it. Service was good and lovely location looking out over Edinburgh
Restaurant «Vittoria on the Bridge» (3 min)
19 George IV Bridge, Edinburgh EH1 1EN
Reviews21.01.2018
Huge selection of food on offer, makes deciding difficult! Have been several times and as always the food was delicious. Can sometimes be very busy/loud which makes hearing across a table difficult.
29.12.2017
The staff here are always very friendly, welcoming and helpful, and the food is fantastic.
I've been here with colleagues, with family - including small children - and with friends. Very much recommended, although if you're not after an early lunch then you may be as well to book a table.
I've been here with colleagues, with family - including small children - and with friends. Very much recommended, although if you're not after an early lunch then you may be as well to book a table.
19.12.2017
Go here for Christmas dinner with work. Food is okay. Service has always been good. Has two floors and can get very busy. Prices are reasonable.
16.12.2017
The place is nice looking and the staff is very friendly. It's easy to find the place as it is very central. Food is good and tasty. We've been there for work night out and I can say that the service was really fast considering that they were cooking for 19 people. I would recommend to visit. The only criticism is that due to the place was full, it was quite noisy and struggled to hear each other at the table.
14.12.2017
Good quality food at ok prices. Drinks a bit over priced. Staff awesome, nothing is too much trouble.
Restaurant «Tangs» (4 min)
44 Candlemaker Row, Edinburgh EH1 2QE
Reviews28.12.2017
Solid ramen, appetizers were also quite tasty. Really hit the spot on a cold day.
17.12.2017
Cold restaurant, cold food, chaotic service. Very, very mediocre food compared to other Japanese restaurants in Edinburgh, including the chains. Ramen was sparse of ingredients (I counted only 4) and menu was very limited. Won’t be going back as there are far better options in town.
08.12.2017
Excellent food and great service . It's a must the ramen soup is totally out off this world.
27.11.2017
After 3 visits, editing my previous review.
The first time we visited, the food was delicious, came quickly and was reasonably priced.
The last two times we've been, the yakitori grill has been broken, and a 4th time I phoned ahead to check if it was working, to have the woman in the kitchen tell me she didn't know what yakitori was.
The food is decent, but I've had better Japanese food in Edinburgh elsewhere. On my second and third visit, I finally saw what other reviewers have experienced with the long waits, it was an hour from when we sat down until our starters arrived. We had ordered gyoza, and karaage.
For all of the reasons above, have edited my review to be 3 stars; "It's OK"
The first time we visited, the food was delicious, came quickly and was reasonably priced.
The last two times we've been, the yakitori grill has been broken, and a 4th time I phoned ahead to check if it was working, to have the woman in the kitchen tell me she didn't know what yakitori was.
The food is decent, but I've had better Japanese food in Edinburgh elsewhere. On my second and third visit, I finally saw what other reviewers have experienced with the long waits, it was an hour from when we sat down until our starters arrived. We had ordered gyoza, and karaage.
For all of the reasons above, have edited my review to be 3 stars; "It's OK"
04.09.2017
Not the worst Japanese I have ever had and in context to being in Edinburgh, pretty good effort. We had lunch so it was empty other than us so service was fine. Food overall was authentic and fine.
About to find out if their card facilities work as we don't have any cash on us.
About to find out if their card facilities work as we don't have any cash on us.
Frequently asked questions about Royal Mile Balconies by the Castle
Are pets allowed at Royal Mile Balconies by the Castle?
Pets are not allowed at this property.
What types of rooms are available at this hotel?
The hotel offers Deluxe rooms and Deluxe Double rooms.
Is the hotel suitable for guests with mobility issues?
The hotel has steep spiral stairs with limited handrails, making it unsuitable for guests with mobility problems.
Does the hotel provide internet access?
Yes, WiFi and internet services are available.
How close is the hotel to major Edinburgh attractions?
The hotel is located on the Royal Mile, with Edinburgh Castle and several museums within walking distance of about 20 minutes.
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