The Radisson Blu Hotel, Edinburgh City Centre is a modern and stylish hotel located on the historic Royal Mile. This upscale accommodation offers easy access to Edinburgh's iconic sights, including the Edinburgh Castle and Holyrood Palace. Guests can enjoy well-appointed rooms that include contemporary decor and amenities such as free Wi-Fi and flat-screen TVs. The hotel features a fitness center and a restaurant serving local and international cuisine. With its central location, this hotel is ideal for both leisure and business travelers looking to explore the rich culture of Scotland's capital.
What each source says
- Tripadvisor 4.5 3,538
- Priceline 4.4 3,155
- Google 4.4 2,615
- Expedia 4.5 1,010
Bar length is review volume, so you can see how much weight sits behind each score. Captured 2026-08-26.
What visitors single out
Liked
- Comfortable and Well-Equipped Rooms Most guests highlight the high quality of the beds and pillows, noting that rooms are generally spacious, clean, and stocked with thoughtful amenities that ensure a restful sleep.
- Extensive Breakfast Selection The breakfast buffet is widely regarded as exceptional, offering a massive variety of high-quality hot and cold food options that cater to many different tastes and dietary preferences.
- Helpful and Professional Staff Guests consistently praise the hotel team for being warm, welcoming, and efficient, with frequent mentions of the concierge and front desk staff going above and beyond to assist with requests.
- On-site Parking Availability Finding parking in central Edinburgh is difficult, making the hotel’s dedicated, discounted on-site parking garage a significant and convenient perk for travelers arriving by vehicle.
- Unbeatable Central Location Situated directly on the Royal Mile, this hotel offers convenient walking access to major attractions, the castle, and train stations, making it an ideal base for exploring the historic city center.
Criticised
- Elevator Delays Guests staying on upper floors occasionally experience frustrating wait times with the small, limited number of elevators, especially during peak check-in and checkout hours when the hotel is busy.
- High Cost Value Frequent comments suggest the hotel is quite expensive, with several guests feeling the overall experience, decor, or amenities do not always fully justify the premium room rates charged.
- Inconsistent Room Maintenance Some guests report that specific areas of the hotel show signs of wear, such as worn carpets or outdated furniture, and there are occasional reports of faulty HVAC systems or erratic lighting.
- Service and Housekeeping Gaps While staff are generally great, some reviewers noted inconsistent housekeeping, including missed daily cleaning, delayed replacement of towels, or unreplenished toiletries during their stay.
- Street Noise Concerns Due to the lively central location near popular pubs and nightlife, some rooms experience disruptive noise at night, even with double-glazed windows and the provided earplugs.
The longer read
The Radisson Blu Hotel, Edinburgh City Centre, is consistently praised for its prime location on the Royal Mile, placing guests in the heart of Old Town. Its proximity to major landmarks, including Edinburgh Castle, Waverley train station, and diverse dining options, makes it an ideal base for visitors. The hotel offers the distinct advantage of on-site car parking—a rare amenity for such a central location—and is easily accessible by public transport. Guests repeatedly highlight the convenience of this position, allowing them to explore the city entirely on foot, which significantly simplifies the logistics of a short city break.
The service is a defining feature of this hotel, with numerous guests commending the staff for their professionalism, warmth, and genuine willingness to assist. Front desk personnel, concierges, and breakfast staff receive frequent, specific praise for going above and beyond, whether by facilitating early check-ins, offering personalized local recommendations, or resolving issues with speed and courtesy. This high level of service often transforms standard stays into memorable experiences. However, a small minority of guests noted inconsistent service levels during peak arrival times, which suggests that the hotel’s performance can occasionally fluctuate during periods of extremely high occupancy.
Accommodations are generally described as spacious and clean, with many guests appreciating the choice of pillows and the high comfort level of the bedding. The hotel’s spa facilities, including the pool and sauna, are popular features for relaxing after a day of sightseeing. While most guests are pleased with the room quality, some have flagged maintenance issues or aging furnishings in certain rooms, such as ineffective air conditioning during warmer months or shower designs that can lead to water escaping onto the bathroom floor. The breakfast buffet is another consistent highlight, offering a vast, high-quality spread that caters to diverse tastes, though some visitors noted that hot items occasionally require faster replenishment.
Light sleepers should be aware that the hotel's prime location on the Royal Mile comes with the trade-off of potential street noise, particularly from nearby pubs and nightlife. While the hotel provides earplugs, choosing a room at the back of the property is highly recommended to ensure a quieter night’s sleep. Additionally, guests should note that in-room refrigerators are not standard in all categories and may require a specific request upon arrival. Despite some minor feedback regarding room maintenance and pricing, the overall consensus is that the hotel’s exceptional location and proactive staff make it a top-tier choice for those visiting Edinburgh who prioritize convenience and consistent service.
A synthesis of published third-party reviews. Not written by Breaks.
Getting there
- Phone
- +4401315579797
- Website
- radissonblu.co.uk/hotel-edinburgh
- Check in
- 15:00 · out 12:00
Facilities
- 24 Hours
- Accepts Credit Cards
- Accessible
- Activities
- Air Conditioning
- Allergy Free Room
- Baggage Storage
- Banquet Room
- Bar
- Cafe
- Complimentary Instant Coffee
- Complimentary Tea
- Concierge
- Conference Room
- Facial Treatments
- Family Rooms
Against the neighbourhood
Rated 4.4 against a median of 4.4 across the 93 venues we hold for Edinburgh, where the most-reviewed is Leonardo Royal Hotel Edinburgh.
Booking
Still deciding?
- How convenient is the hotel's location on the historic Royal Mile for accessing Edinburgh's main attractions?
- What modern amenities do the elegantly decorated rooms provide, such as Wi‑Fi speed and TV options, for a short‑term stay?
- What wellness facilities like the fitness centre, swimming pool, and sauna are available for guests, and are they open 24 hours?
- What types of Scottish and international dishes are served in the on‑site restaurant, and is there a breakfast menu for tourists?
- Is the hotel suitable for families traveling with children, offering amenities such as cribs, kid‑friendly menus, or nearby attractions?
What this page cannot tell you
- Descriptions and review summaries are supplied by the source index and are reproduced as published; they are not independently verified by Breaks.
- Ratings and review counts are point-in-time snapshots and drift constantly. Check the venue's own site or the rating provider for the current figure.
- Opening hours change seasonally and at short notice. Confirm with the venue before travelling.
- Category labels come from the source index and are occasionally wrong — a venue may be filed under a type that does not match how it trades.
- Straight-line distances understate real walking distance, especially where a river or railway sits between two points.