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3.5
#104 of 163 hotels in Edinburgh
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Value
Discover the Old Waverley Hotel, a vibrant fusion of Victorian charm and contemporary comfort nestled in the heart of Edinburgh. Adorned with traditional elegant decor, our hotel caters to both leisure and corporate guests, offering a perfect retreat in the capital. From cosy single rooms to spacious triple rooms ideal for families, and breathtaking Princes Street view double and twin rooms, to superior double rooms with stunning vistas of Edinburgh Castle, our accommodations ensure a memorable stay. Conveniently located on Princes Street, the Old Waverley Hotel is a stone's throw away from Edinburgh's top attractions. Just a 10-minute walk from the Royal Mile and Holyrood Palace, and a short taxi trip from the EICC and Edinburgh Castle, our hotel offers easy access to the city's treasures. Plus, with Waverley Train Station within walking distance and Edinburgh International Airport just a short drive away, your journey couldn't be more seamless.
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to TheAA: The Automobile Association.
Places to stay are graded on a 0-100 scale. The higher the grade, the easier it is for travellers to find restaurants and things to do within walking distance.
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The Old Waverley Hotel stands out for its prime location on Princes Street, making it a favorite for travelers looking to explore Edinburgh. While guests commend the welcoming atmosphere and the hotel's cleanliness, some feel the charm is dulled by tired decor and basic amenities. The rooms offer clean comfort with noteworthy views; however, reports of outdated furnishings and noise disruptions are not uncommon.
Guests have mixed opinions on the value, citing additional costs and room quality concerns. The staff generally receives high marks for their service, though there are occasional mentions of service inconsistencies.
Location
Central
Atmosphere
Charming
Rooms
Dated
Value
Pricey
Cleanliness
Meticulous
Noise level
Noisy
Service
Inconsistent
Amenities
Satisfactory
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Have just returned from a lovely 2 night stay at the Old Waverley. The staff on reception and in the dining room were extremely polite and professional and the check-in and check-out process was efficient and fuss-free. The room itself was spotlessly clean and the large bed very comfortable. Slightly dated but adds to the charm. The £25 security deposit was returned on the day of departure which is most impressive (I’ve had to wait 10 days in other hotels.) Location is excellent and I was not disturbed by any outside noise, despite being located directly on Princes St. I would definitely return.
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Date of stay: January 2020Trip type: Travelled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from EdinburghCollection, Manager at The Old Waverley Hotel
Responded 3 Feb 2020
Thank you for taking the time to review your stay with us. We do appreciate your kind comments about our staff, location and facilities. We are glad to hear that you had a pleasant time with us and we look forward to welcoming you back in the future.
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We stayed for 3 nights during March to celebrate our ruby wedding anniversary. As the name suggests, the hotel is close to Waverley station (turn left from the main exit) on the opposite side of the road. We found the hotel’s situation perfect for exploring all parts of Edinburgh. The entrance is on Princes Street between H & M and Monsoon shops, and the hotel is opposite the Scott Monument.
The main reception is up a flight of stairs which may be a problem for some people with limited mobility. There is no lift here but you can press a bell to summon help with bags etc up to the first floor reception area. Check-in was swift. There is a lift to the rooms from reception.
We had a pleasant corner room overlooking the Scott Monument and the castle at the top of the hill. If it had ever stopped raining the view would have been amazing! The room was adequate but had no double glazing. The curtains looked thick and good quality with swags and tie-bags, but on closer inspection were hanging off the rails at either end so difficult to close properly, and they were quite ripped in places too. There was a kettle with coffee, tea, milk and biscuits. We had an open hanging clothes rail and iron/ironing board. There was no radiator, just a fan heater above the door which was a little noisy so we switched it off at night. The bed was comfortable.
The bathroom was clean and fairly modern, the shower was adequate. We had shower/bath gel and shampoo. Towels were nice quality. The towel rail was only warm.
We enjoyed our breakfast, tea & coffee brought to the table and the rest was hot/cold buffet with cooked breakfast (including haggis), choice of juices, toast, cereals, yogurt, fruit compote, fresh fruit and croissants.
We also had one excellent evening meal in the Cranstons restaurant which we very much enjoyed.
Some of the chairs/furnishings in the bar are very marked and grubby.
There was a safe luggage room for our cases after checking out which meant that we could spend a few more hours sightseeing before catching our train home.
We found all the staff; reception, maid service and restaurant were all friendly and helpful. The hotel was a little shabby and dated in places but I would not hesitate to stay again.
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Date of stay: March 2020
Location
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from EdinburghCollection, Manager at The Old Waverley Hotel
Responded 16 Mar 2020
Thank you for taking the time to review your stay with us. We do appreciate your kind comments about our staff, location and facilities. We are glad to hear that you had a pleasant time with us and we look forward to welcoming you back in the future. We are currently planning refurbishments that we hope to start in the not distant future. We will take your points on board that you found to be negative and see what we can do to improve upon them.
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A lot to digest? Read an AI-generated summary of recent traveller reviews.
We stayed for three nights, and were very pleased with the hotel: couldn't be easier for those like us arriving in Edinburgh by train, just some 300m from Waverley Station. Our room was bang opposite the Scott Monument, with a view of Edinburgh Castle. Clean place if maybe in need of a bit of an update in the next year or so, staff were very professional and friendly (what are hotels going to do when Brexit bites and they lose a lot of great people from Poland etc?). Breakfast more than adequate, with good coffee (so many hotels serve luke warm and watery coffee at breakfast, this was far superior).
Edinburgh is a very walkable city, and this hotel is pretty central - National Gallery only a few hundred yards away, The Abbotsford Pub which is a gem a bit further, Festival Theatre a 15-minute stroll away, National Portrait Gallery likewise, etc etc.
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Date of stay: February 2020
Location
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip:Â Ask for a castle view
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from EdinburghCollection, Manager at The Old Waverley Hotel
Responded 4 Mar 2020
Thank you for taking the time to review your stay with us. We are glad to hear that you had such a pleasant time with us, and we can’t wait to welcome you back soon.
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Perfect location to access trains, buses, taxis, and walk to the old town. Views from room window were amazing. Room had 3 single beds; it was clean, quiet and comfortable. Breakfast could not have been better. Overall, this was a great spot, full of character. Staff were helpful and friendly. We will return.
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Date of stay: January 2024Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from , Owner at The Old Waverley Hotel
Responded 14 Feb 2024
Thank you for taking the time to review your stay with us. We always value our guests’ feedback, as we are continually looking to improve the experiences we can provide. We are glad to hear that you had such a pleasant time with us, and we can’t wait to welcome you back soon.
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Absolute must stay if you are wanting to be in the buzz of what Edinburgh has on offer excellent position. We requested a castle view and we were not disappointed, the room is spacious , and is well stocked with toiletries for the bathroom and teas and coffees . Some noise from the street as expected as you are in the central hub but not enough to stop us sleeping and we were not disappointed in requesting a castle view The staff are helpful and friendly and breakfasts are delicious. We absolutely loved every minute as guests Thankyou for your hospitality
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Date of stay: February 2020Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from EdinburghCollection, Manager at The Old Waverley Hotel
Responded 4 Mar 2020
Thank you for taking the time to review your stay with us. We are glad to hear that you had such a pleasant time with us, and we can’t wait to welcome you back soon.
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First of all, you have to climb stairs to get to main lobby with your luggage. Once you manuver your luggage through the very small elevator you can escape to a very small room I booked a double. It was small and the carpet was dirty. My main complaint about the room was that it was noisy. Not internally but to the street. My room faced the back of the building and all I heard from 2 a.m. was the constant buzz of trash trucks. Over and over again. It didn't stop, even at 8 a.m. in the morning. The window was actually a portal that gave a view to an office visible from my bed as a sat on it. If the shades were open the office workers had a direct eye shot of me. Very imposing. I complained of this to the staff and they offered to upgrade me to a room facing Princess Street for a 30 pound upgrade which would be about $42.00. I will not be returning to this hotel, better luck to the rest of you.
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Date of stay: January 2020
Location
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from EdinburghCollection, Manager at The Old Waverley Hotel
Responded 3 Feb 2020
Thank you for taking the time to review your stay with us. We are sorry to hear that you had a negative time with us. We do strive to offer our guests a personable and memorable experience and we are sorry if we were unable to offer you this on this particular occasion.
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Just spent 2 nights at this wonderful hotel. The building and its magnificent architecture gives this hotel its quaint feel. We arrived early before checking in time and the hotel staff were really friendly and locked our luggage leaving us free to start exploring the delights of this city. It was a first visit for both me and my friend. The hotel gave us a street map and identified the hotel on it for us. The hotel entrance leads straight onto princes street , the location of the hotel was also in walking distance to the direct tram link from the airport. St. Andrews square is the terminus of the tram so if you are coming to this hotel via Edinburgh airport we highly recommend you use this. Cheap as chips! The hotel is centrally located to all of the sites , you can even see the castle from your window if your room is on the front. We had a twin room which was adequate for our stay with high ceilings and sash windows. The room had a lovely bathroom and the mod cons to make your stay comfortable; iron, ironing board, hairdryer, heated bath rails, heater in room and coffee making facilities. The beds were really comfortable, so much do we nearly missed breakfast as we overslept! Breakfast was lovely with such a variety of choice; tea, coffee, juices, pastries, yoghurt, toast, cereals , cooked breakfast and choice of eggs and porridge if you wanted. The hotel was clean, staff were friendly and the bar was nice too. A definite choice of hotel if you are visiting this hotel - we are def going back next year!
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Date of stay: October 2022Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from The Edinburgh Collection, General Manager at The Old Waverley Hotel
Responded 18 Oct 2022
Thank you for taking the time to review your stay with us. We do appreciate your kind comments about our staff, location and facilities. We are glad to hear that you had a pleasant time with us, and we look forward to welcoming you back in the future.
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This hotel is in such a good location and easy to find only a few minutes walk from the station. The staff have all been very friendly and welcoming on reception as well. They kept our bags on arrival prior to us checking in as we arrived early and didn’t want to carry out bags around the beautiful city. Our room was very clean and spacious enough for two of us. The room was quite warm and we had both windows open as the weather was so lovely during our visit but the noise from outside didn’t bother us with the window open. We were on floor 5 and the view from our room is amazing. We would stay here again and defo recommend booking this hotel.
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Date of stay: June 2021Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from The Edinburgh Collection, General Manager at The Old Waverley Hotel
Responded 29 Sept 2021
Thank you for taking the time to review your stay with us. We do appreciate your kind comments about our staff, location and facilities. We are glad to hear that you had a pleasant time with us, and we look forward to welcoming you back in the future.
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Myself, my daughter and granddaughter had a lovely one night stay at The Old Waverley Hotel in Edinburgh. We had a triple bed room which was bright and airy with 3 large windows which gave us views of Princes Street and was very clean and comfortable. The bathroom had toiletries and plenty of towels and the room also had a hairdryer and kettle with tea, coffee and shortbread. The staff were all very friendly and couldn’t be more helpful. We have already decided to make another trip in a couple of months and plan to stay in the same hotel.
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Date of stay: July 2021Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from The Edinburgh Collection, General Manager at The Old Waverley Hotel
Responded 29 Sept 2021
Thank you for taking the time to review your stay with us. We are glad to hear that you had such a pleasant time with us, and we can’t wait to welcome you back soon.
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3rd stay here, the last being 2.5 years ago when we had a room with a view of Edinburgh Castle at twice the price we paid this time. Admittedly in 2019 we had the benefit of a bigger room along with the view What is good about the hotel is its prime location on Princes St, opposite the Scott Monument and Waverley train station plus the likes of George St and Rose St and their shops, restaurants and bars. What is not good about the hotel from this stay is as follows The room we booked (a stanard double) was pretty small although it still overlooked Princes St. The was no wardrobe, just a hanging rack with coathangers in the corner of the room. The double bed was very small and incredibly uncomfortable. The water in the bathroom was never cold enough to drink and the wall mounted TV was unwatchable aside from Channel 4 due to constant interference and the picture and sound cutting out constantly. The furniture in the room was old, and very worn. Despite virtually all Covid restrictions being lifted, the hotels restaurant remains closed as it had been for well over a year apparently, and no meals (particulaly breakfast) are offered, although bizarrely guests can get their own takeaway food and bring it back to eat there. There is also a Grab & Go cold breakfast service offered which we didn't bother with. The hotel bar is open but the one pint of draught lager I had was pretty awful. On our first night we also had a call from Reception around 22.00 which woke us up advising us our food had been delivered. That was food we hadn't ordered and we were not impressed with being disturbed after what had been a very long and tiring day travelling. If you only want the Prince St location and are not bothered about the rest of the things I've pointed out then you'll be fine. The staff are friendly and helpful but I think the hotel cares about it's location a lot more than it cares about the comfort of its guests.
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Date of stay: October 2021
Value
Rooms
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from The Edinburgh Collection, General Manager at The Old Waverley Hotel
Responded 14 Oct 2021
Thank you for taking the time to review your stay with us. We are sorry to hear that you had a negative time with us. We do strive to offer our guests a personable and memorable experience and we are sorry if we were unable to offer you this on this particular occasion.
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There are more places to choose from in the Edinburgh area.
PRICE RANGE
$313 - $547 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
old waverley hotel, old waverley edinburgh, waverley hotel edinburgh, edinburgh hotel old waverly, edinburgh hotel waverley
LOCATION
United KingdomScotlandEdinburghNew Town / Princes Street and Gardens
NUMBER OF ROOMS
88
Prices are provided by our partners, and reflect total costs of the stay, including all taxes and fees known to our partners. Please see our partners for more details.
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