Leonardo Royal Hotel Edinburgh is an inviting accommodation situated close to the city's historical attractions and vibrant culture. This hotel features well-designed rooms equipped with modern amenities such as free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, and comfortable furnishings. Guests can enjoy a complimentary breakfast, along with additional facilities that include a fitness center and meeting spaces. The hotel's strategic location allows easy access to popular sites like the Edinburgh Castle and the Royal Mile, making it ideal for both leisure and business travelers.
What each source says
- Tripadvisor 3.5 5,976
- Priceline 4.3 5,521
- Google 3.9 2,681
- Expedia 4.5 1,350
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 Accommodations Rooms are generally described as clean, modern, and well-equipped with comfortable beds, quality linens, and thoughtful amenities like Nespresso machines and reliable, powerful showers.
- Excellent Breakfast The extensive buffet breakfast is consistently praised for its variety, fresh quality, and the exceptionally friendly and attentive service provided by the restaurant staff each morning.
- Exceptional Staff Guests frequently commend the staff for their professionalism and warmth, noting they consistently go above and beyond with luggage storage, early check-in assistance, and personalized local recommendations.
- Prime Location Located directly opposite Waverley Train Station and steps from the Royal Mile, the hotel is perfectly positioned for exploring both Old and New Town attractions on foot.
- Value-Added Amenities Travelers appreciate convenient perks such as free bottled water, complimentary welcome drinks, and the ability to securely store luggage before check-in or after checkout, facilitating flexible travel plans.
Criticised
- Climate Control Issues Multiple reports of unresponsive air conditioning and rooms becoming uncomfortably hot, combined with windows that cannot be opened, can lead to stuffy, poor sleeping conditions.
- Construction Noise Major building work at the rear of the property creates significant disruption, with heavy drilling and loud construction activity often beginning early in the morning and continuing throughout the day.
- Musty Odors Several guests have reported unpleasant, musty, or sewage-like odors in their rooms, which significantly detracts from the stay and suggests potential issues with ventilation or plumbing.
- Room Size and Storage Standard rooms are often criticized for being cramped with limited storage space and inadequate lighting, which can make it difficult for guests to organize luggage or get ready comfortably.
- Value Concerns Some visitors feel the hotel is overpriced given the small room sizes and additional costs for services like breakfast and parking, noting that other options may offer better overall value.
The longer read
Leonardo Royal Hotel Edinburgh consistently wins praise for its unbeatable location. Situated directly across from Waverley Train Station and offering a convenient pedestrian shortcut that leads directly onto the Royal Mile, the hotel serves as an ideal base for both Old Town sightseeing and New Town shopping. This accessibility makes it a top choice for travelers arriving by rail or those wanting a central hub for walking to major attractions like Edinburgh Castle and the Palace of Holyroodhouse. The staff are frequently cited as the hotel’s greatest asset, with many reviewers specifically calling out the warm, helpful service provided by reception and the exceptional hospitality team at breakfast, particularly the customer relations staff who frequently go above and beyond to make guests feel welcomed and well-informed about the city.
Inside, the rooms are generally modern, clean, and comfortable, featuring plush beds, high-quality linens, and useful amenities like Nespresso machines, kettles, and mini-fridges. Guests consistently appreciate the spotless bathrooms and refreshing rain-style showers. However, travelers should be aware of some consistency issues regarding room layout. Budget-tier or triple-occupancy rooms are often noted as being quite compact, with limited storage space and occasional concerns about ventilation or lingering musty odors. A few guests mentioned that room lighting can be dimmer than expected and that air conditioning units can be finicky, sometimes auto-shutting off during warmer months, leading to stuffy rooms.
The most significant caveat for potential guests is the ongoing construction project at the rear of the property. Numerous reviewers have experienced early morning noise—often beginning around 7:30 or 8:00 a.m.—from jackhammers and site machinery. While many guests were satisfied with their stay because they spent their days exploring, others found the construction noise and the unsightly views from rear-facing windows to be a significant disruption. If booking, it is strongly advised to request a room at the front of the building, which not only avoids the construction noise but often provides better views of the city.
Dining at the hotel receives mixed but generally positive reviews. The breakfast buffet is widely regarded as a highlight, boasting an impressive selection of cold and hot dishes and a popular made-to-order omelet station that provides a great start to the day. While some guests find the dinner menu and bar pricing to be on the higher side compared to the abundant local eateries, the convenience of onsite dining is appreciated. Overall, the Leonardo Royal offers a reliable, well-located, and friendly experience, though prospective visitors should carefully manage their expectations regarding room size and potential noise to ensure a comfortable visit.
A synthesis of published third-party reviews. Not written by Breaks.
Getting there
- Phone
- +441312003300
- Website
- leonardohotels.co.uk/hotels/edinburgh
- Check in
- 15:00 · out 11:00
| Mon | 24 Hours |
|---|---|
| Tue | 24 Hours |
| Wed | 24 Hours |
| Thu | 24 Hours |
| Fri | 24 Hours |
| Sat | 24 Hours |
| Sun | 24 Hours |
Facilities
- 24 Hours
- Accepts Credit Cards
- Accessible
- Air Conditioning
- Baggage Storage
- Bar
- Cafe
- Complimentary Instant Coffee
- Complimentary Tea
- Heating
- Housekeeping
- Internet
- Ironing
- Kids Friendly
- Laundry
- Newspaper
Against the neighbourhood
Rated 3.9 against a median of 4.4 across the 93 venues we hold for Edinburgh, and the most-reviewed of them.
Booking
Still deciding?
- What amenities and comfort features do the rooms at Leonardo Royal Hotel Edinburgh offer?
- How is the hotel's location in Edinburgh convenient for sightseeing and transportation?
- What dining options and restaurant facilities are available at the hotel?
- What do recent guests say about their stay at Leonardo Royal Hotel Edinburgh?
- What popular attractions or landmarks are within walking distance from the hotel?
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.