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The best Edinburgh hotels with parking

Waldorf Astoria The Caledonian - one of the best Edinburgh hotels with parking
Waldorf Astoria The Caledonian - one of the best Edinburgh hotels with parking

There’s a reason why Alexander McCall Smith novels set in Edinburgh feature characters losing their cars. Finding parking can be fraught for residents, never mind visitors, which is why you’ll be advised to either leave your car at home or use one of the long-stay park and ride facilities on the city outskirts. But for those who need, or want their own personal transport there are plenty of good hotels who can take away the pain of city centre parking. And you’ll rest easy knowing you’ll be able to find your car in the morning. These are the best Edinburgh hotels with parking (you're welcome). 

Hotels in Edinburgh city centre with parking are hard to come by, but this grande dame found in one of the city’s premier locations is ideal for shoppers and sightseers alike. The property dominates the west end of Princes Street, with its many shops and galleries, and is a short 15-minute stroll from many leading tourist attractions. Guests staying at this imposing and historic hotel can enjoy views of Edinburgh castle, excellent breakfasts and fabulous afternoon teas. If you’ve driven far, you can look forward to a restful sleep in soft white linen sheets atop snow-drift deep mattresses. Guest parking is available for £25 for 24 hours.

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Radisson Collection Hotel is one of the best Edinburgh hotels with parking located on the famous Royal Mile. Sitting between the George IV Bridge and the photogenic Victoria Street, it’s a short walk from almost everything you’d want to do in the city, from sightseeing to shopping. Come for the night and book into one of this stylish hotel’s dreamy suites, individually designed by notable Scottish artists and designers. Guest can also discover a small Aromatherapy Associates spa; the all-day Epicurean Bar, serving a full Scottish afternoon tea; and La Cucina, an Italian restaurant so good that local Italian families come for its fresh daily pasta. Secure parking is available for £35 per day.

• The best hotels in Edinburgh city centre

A modern property with American-style service, Sheraton Grand Hotel & Spa is a glossy hotel that has everything you could hope for from a Sheraton. Beloved by business travellers, the property has something for everyone – a choice location just off Princes Street, a range of rooms and services, a luxurious spa with a 19-metre infinity swimming pool, and a decent restaurant. The brand-consistent interiors feature traces of tartan, and out of many bedroom windows you can see Usher Hall, with Edinburgh castle rising up behind and Arthur’s Seat in the background. On-site parking is available for £15 per day. Leave the car behind when walking to the Old Town, which is just 10 minutes away.

• The best boutique hotels in Edinburgh

Set in in lush grounds on the south-eastern outskirts of Edinburgh, Prestonfield House is worth the 10-minute drive from Prince’s Street. It’s one of the swankiest country house hotels imaginable – picture rococo interiors with velvet-hung four poster beds, silk toile wallpaper and silver chariot baths. Spend your time exploring the 20-acre private park at the foot of Arthur's Seat, strolling to the ruins of nearby Craigmillar Castle, or feasting on Scottish cuisine at the candle-lot Rhubarb, one of Edinburgh’s favourite gothic-style restaurants. Staying overnight is recommended if you plan to indulge in the 800-plus list of wines. Parking is free for guests.

• The best five-star hotels in Edinburgh

Located in a peaceful location in Edinburgh's West End, this home from home lies behind the impressive façade of a trio of 19th-century townhouses. Inside, the hotel has an urban cool vibe and guests can discover modern art and bold boutique bedrooms: colour schemes span from monochrome to fizzy lime green, purple and raspberry stripes. The restaurant is equally bright and the chef cooks classic Scottish dishes with a modern twist using local produce. Guest parking is available for £20 for 24 hours. Spaces are limited and not pre-bookable.

• The best budget hotels in Edinburgh

Don’t be fooled by this hotel's 16th-century exterior – inside it’s contemporary all the way with a small spa, gym and pool, and a family-friendly ambience. It’s a slightly cool mid-range brand, with sharp-looking bedrooms – picture charcoal and white themes with splashes of acid yellow – and welcome extra touches such as a pillow menu. It’s a great option for a short stay, close to many of Edinburgh’s key attractions, on the famous Royal Mile. The handy on-site city centre parking is the cherry on top. Parking is charged at £12.50 for 24 hours.

• The best hotels near Edinburgh Castle

Located just 10 minutes by car from Edinburgh’s city centre, and across the street from Hampton House, this hotel in a Victorian mini-mansion is anything but stuffy. It may come with preserved original features, but it’s enjoyed a design-led transformation into sleek boutique property. Picture deep, dramatic colour palettes, bold wallpapers, tasteful tweeds, warm Persian-style rugs and original artworks and photography. Bedrooms are stylish, with the larger rooms featuring Instagrammable baths, oversized sofas and four poster beds. Facilities are minimal but you can enjoy a substantial breakfast in the house or head over the road for a drink and all-day dining at Hampton House's Ba' Bar with its comfortable Chesterfield sofas. Free parking is available on a first-come-first-serve basis.

• The best hotels in Edinburgh

An Edinburgh landmark for more than a century, The Balmoral was built as a railway hotel and is a prime example of Victorian Renaissance architecture. It’s beautifully luxurious – it’s the kind of place you’ll be greeted by kilted doormen – but there's nothing old-fashioned about this quietly elegant Rocco Forte Hotels flagship. Luxurious bedrooms, a Michelin-starred restaurant, lavish afternoon teas and relaxing spa await guests, who will be treated to some of the best service in town. Adding to this excellence is the valet parking service, which is available for £35 a night.

For those wishing to stay a little out of the bustle of city centre Edinburgh, this property could be a good option. It’s located a 15-minute drive out to suburban Newington Walk – pass by the unassuming Victorian guesthouse and you could mistake it for a grand residence. Inside, you’ll find a blend of old and new, with mahogany panels, stained glass and bespoke period furniture, plus modern bathrooms. It's dramatic, sumptuous and seriously good fun – highlights include the exceptional breakfasts and the Club room with honesty bar. Secure parking is available for guests free of charge.

From its prime position overlooking elegant Charlotte Square at the east end of George Street, this property is in an optimal spot for shopping, strolling or sightseeing. The hotel has been reinvented in mid-century modern Soho House-style chic – a dark, dramatic reception area contrasts with characterful, comfortable bedrooms. Guests can enjoy breakfast and botanical-themed cocktails in The Garden and snack on mezze-style Middle Eastern sharing dishes in BABA restaurant. Limited on-site parking is available for £35 for 24 hours.