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From139US$ /night
Check-in
01May2026Select date
Check-out
02May2026Select date
Rooms and Guests2 Guests, 1 Room
Key details

Hotel Details

34, Gilmore Place, Edinburgh, United Kingdom, EH3 9NQ
-
Close to Edinburgh Castle
Very good
7.3
/10
1.0
2.6
/5

Balmore Guest House - A Victorian family-run EDI hotel with conservatory breakfast and canal-side location

Located in Edinburgh's Merchiston district, this 3-star Victorian guest house sits near the Union Canal, with Edinburgh Castle and Princes Street reachable within a 20-minute walk. Balmore Guest House serves breakfast in a dedicated conservatory, offering both continental options and cooked meals. Each ensuite room features double glazing, a flat-screen TV, free Wi-Fi, tea/coffee facilities, and a private bathroom with free toiletries. The property provides luggage storage and gives guests their own front door key. Nearby landmarks include the Edinburgh International Conference Centre (0.5 miles), National Museum of Scotland (1 mile), and the University of Edinburgh (0.5 miles). The Tollcross area contains multiple cinemas, theatres, and leisure centers, while The Meadows park offers tennis courts and festival venues. Local dining options include Trenchtown (0.5 miles), The Everest Nepalese & Indian Restaurant (0.5 miles), and Loudons Fountainbridge (0.5 miles).

Pros

Room cleaning service provided between 10:00 and 15:00

Located near multiple entertainment venues including cinemas and theatres

Direct access to The Meadows park for outdoor activities

Surrounded by diverse dining options at various price points

Cons

No on-site parking available

Check-in not available after 21:00

“Balmore Guest House, a family-run Victorian property, aims to deliver personalized service, but reports of cleanliness and responsiveness vary significantly. While the location is convenient for reaching Edinburgh Castle and other city attractions, some accounts raise concerns about room conditions and problem resolution. I'd suggest travellers carefully weigh location against these reports when considering a stay.”
Hotel logo
Charlotte EvansHead of Editorial at Hotelsdowntown
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Select room type

Choose from double rooms, family suites, and premium stays. Enjoy breakfast, flexible cancellations, and exclusive deals.
Single Room En Suite
2 persons
110 sq. feet 
1 Single bed
Shower
Heating
Double Room Ensuite
2 persons
175 sq. feet 
1 Double bed
Shower
Heating
Twin Room en suite
2 persons
175 sq. feet 
2 Single beds
Shower
Heating
Double Room Private External Bathroom
2 persons
130 sq. feet 
1 Double bed
Shower
Heating
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Facilities

Hotel has comfortable rooms, premium services, and a prime downtown location
Facilities: Very good
7.2/10Review score

General

  • No smoking on site
  • VIP check-in/ -out
  • Express check-in/ -out
  • No pets allowed
  • 24-hour security
  • Luggage storage
  • Allergy-free rooms
  • Smoke detectors
  • Fire extinguishers
  • Key access

Guest Parking

  • Electric kettle

Services

  • Housekeeping
  • Tours/Ticket assistance

Spa & Leisure

  • Garden area

Room features

  • Free Wi-Fi in rooms
  • Heating
  • Tea and coffee facilities

Bathroom

  • Free toiletries

Self-catering

  • Electric kettle

Media

  • Flat-screen TV
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Balmore Guest House Location

34, Gilmore Place, Edinburgh, United Kingdom, EH3 9NQ
Map view
34, Gilmore Place, Edinburgh, United Kingdom, EH3 9NQ
Nearby
Museum
The Museum of the Royal Scots and the Royal Regiment of Scotland
2800 ft
Square
Grassmarket
3500 ft
Event hall
Edinburgh International Conference Centre
2600 ft
74 Lauriston Place
Edinburgh College of Art
2900 ft
Church
The Parish Church of St Cuthbert
3900 ft
Restaurants
Burger
1600 ft
94A Fountainbridge
The Treehouse
1300 ft
44 Leven Street
Khartoum Cafe
1300 ft
6 Gillespie Place
La Barantine
1300 ft
10 Bruntsfield Place
Taquito
1100 ft
32 Home Street
Efes
1200 ft
42 Leven Street
The Kings Pantry
900 ft
67 Home Street
Lupe Pintos
1200 ft
24 Leven Street
Magma Cafe
900 ft
67 Home Street
The Cameo Bar
1100 ft
The Cameo Picturehouse 38 Home Street
Explore Edinburgh
Explore Edinburgh's Best
Top Attractions
Activities
Dining
Entertainment
Edinburgh Castle
Edinburgh Castle
18 minutes' walk
Historic fortress offering stunning views of the city, rich history, and the Crown Jewels of Scotland.
National Museum of Scotland
National Museum of Scotland
19 minutes' walk
A vast array of exhibits covering Scottish history and culture; free admission makes it a must-visit.
Arthur's Seat
30 minutes' walk
An ancient volcano featuring scenic hiking trails and panoramic views of Edinburgh's skyline.
Royal Mile
Royal Mile
17 minutes' walk
Historic thoroughfare connecting Edinburgh Castle and the Palace of Holyroodhouse, rich with shops and street performers.
Hiking Arthur's Seat
30 minutes' walk
Challenging hikes with breathtaking views; perfect for adventure enthusiasts looking to connect with nature.
Yoga Sessions at The Meadows
15 minutes' walk
Relaxing open-air yoga sessions at a local park; a perfect way to unwind amidst stunning landscapes.
The Treehouse
The Treehouse
5 minutes' walk
Cozy spot offering farm-to-table dishes with seasonal ingredients; known for its warm ambiance.
Khartoum Cafe
Khartoum Cafe
5 minutes' walk
Authentic Sudanese cuisine in a relaxed setting; highlights include their delicious falafel and lentil soup.
La Barantine
La Barantine
5 minutes' walk
Charming French bakery with exquisite pastries and hearty breakfasts; perfect for a casual meal.
Edinburgh International Conference Centre
Edinburgh International Conference Centre
10 minutes' walk
Venue hosting diverse events, from conferences to concerts; always something happening nearby.
The Scotch Whisky Experience
The Scotch Whisky Experience
16 minutes' walk
Interactive tours revealing Scotland's whisky heritage; ideal for lovers of spirits and rich heritage.
Getting around
City Centre
Edinburgh20 min  ·  1.0 mi
Airports
Edinburgh (EDI)21 min  ·  8.6 mi
Glasgow (GLA)131 min  ·  54.1 mi
Train
Haymarket Train Station12 min  ·  3300 ft
Bus
Bus stop4 min  ·  1000 ft
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Property information and rules
Check-in
from 14:00-21:00
Check-out
from 01:00-10:00
Guest Parking
No parking available.
Internet
Wireless internet is available in the hotel rooms for free.
Children & extra beds
There are no cots provided in a room. 
Pets
Pets are not allowed.
Languages
English, Spanish, Italian, Romanian, Polish, Persian
Number of rooms:
66

Reviews and Ratings

Feedback about Balmore Guest House from previous guests about their experience.
Review summary
Based on recent reviews
Powered by AI
Balmore Guest House is often praised for its generously sized rooms equipped with tea and coffee making facilities, offering good value near the city center. Many guests found the beds comfortably firm. Some visitors have noted issues with cleanliness, but overall, the location provides easy access to nearby restaurants.
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Review score
Based on 2419 verified reviews
6.6/10
Nice
59%
Recommend
Free Wi-Fi
8.5/10
Location
8.4/10
Paid Wi-Fi
6.6/10
Cleanliness
7.2/10
Pros
Helpful staff
Convenient location
Walking distance
Clean rooms
Fantastic pricing
Cons
Steep stairs
Broken hairdryer
Guest reviews
based on 2419 reviews
6.6/10
based on 6182 reviews
7.3/10
frances from france
Single
double room ensuite
4 nights in October 2025
|
Reviewed:January 13, 2026
7/10
great locationspacious roomlate check-inhotel arrival
the location was great. it was close to many attractions and food places. the room was also spacious. i had plenty of storage.
the check in was at 2pm. i felt it was rather late. i entered my room at 3pm even though i had reached the hotel around 11am.
0 Helpful
Alexander from Germany
Single
Single Room En Suite
3 nights in November 2025
|
Reviewed:December 09, 2025
8.5/10

Solid Stay Near the City Center

convenient locationtea facilityhelpful staffshower mildew
The location allowed for straightforward access to many points of interest. I also appreciated the tea and coffee facilities in my room (the kettle was very useful). The staff was friendly and helpful when I requested extra towels. my stay was comfortable.
The shower in my room could have used a better cleaning. I noticed some minor mildew.
Location
9/10
The hotel is situated close to the city center, providing easy access. Public transport is available nearby, with a bus stop situated very close. This made getting around simple and efficient for exploring the area.
Rooms
8/10
My room was equipped with a kettle, along with tea and coffee making supplies. Fresh towels were provided. The bathroom had a good size shower and modern fittings (the water pressure was consistent).
0 Helpful
|
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John from United Kingdom
Single
Double Room Ensuite
4 nights in November 2025
|
Reviewed:December 01, 2025
9/10

positive experience

friendly staffsuper clean bathroom
the staff was friendly. they quickly addressed my questions, we loved the clean double room ensuite. it was spacious and well kept, the bathroom was super clean.
0 Helpful
Samantha from United Kingdom
Single
Double Room Ensuite
3 nights in October 2025
|
Reviewed:November 01, 2025
9/10

Central Location, Clean Room

clean roomconvenient location
The location was very convenient. The room was clean (i was grateful for this!) and included comfortable bedding. I appreciated the en suite bathroom.
0 Helpful
Rosie from Australia
Couple
Double Room Ensuite
3 nights in August 2025
|
Reviewed:September 21, 2025
9.0/10

Convenient Location, Comfortable Stay

small gardencomfortable bedtea materialsexcessive heat
The room was pretty and included glass doors that opened onto a small garden area. The bed was comfortable and the bedroom was clean. I found the ample tea making materials quite generous. Leaving my luggage at reception after checking out was very convenient, allowing me to explore further.
The room was not cleaned well. There was a missed water bottle left behind by a previous guest and some stray hair. I also found the room excessively heated and had to regulate the temperature by opening the window.
Location
10/10
The guest house offered a location near the city center, easily accessible on foot for sightseeing. Public transport links were conveniently located, providing easy access to various attractions. It was also close to several supermarkets and restaurants.
Dining
9/10
A kettle and a selection of tea and coffee were provided in the room, awesome for hot drinks. Nearby, I found several restaurants offering a diverse array of cuisines. The guest house does not include breakfast in the room price.
Rooms
8/10
The Double Room Ensuite was spacious, with a comfortable bed and extra pillows provided. An extra bed was also available. Cleanliness was obviously prioritised as the room was super clean. A TV of average size was also included.
Facilities
9/10
The guest house provided the convenience of leaving luggage at reception after checking out. Staff was very accommodating. Checking in and checking out processes were smooth. I also noticed that the TV was of an appropriate size.
0 Helpful
|
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Dan from United Kingdom
Single
Double Room Ensuite
3 nights in June 2025
|
Reviewed:July 09, 2025
6/10

Acceptable Location, Noticeable Cleanliness Issues

decent locationpoor cleanlinessuncomfortable bed
The location was decent, offering reasonable access to local attractions.
The room cleanliness was below expectations (I even saw dust on surfaces). The bathroom was not properly cleaned after previous guests. I spotted some hair in the shower. The bed was not very comfortable. The mattress felt old.
0 Helpful
Olivia from United Kingdom
Couple
Double Room Ensuite
3 nights in June 2025
|
Reviewed:June 25, 2025
8.5/10

Satisfactory City Stay

great locationspacious roomluggage storage
The hotel location worked well with easy access to popular sites. I found the room spacious, it had enough space for luggage. Staff stored my luggage after check out, this allowed me to explore without carrying bags.
The bathroom was small, so maneuvering required some planning.
Location
9/10
The guest house location provided easy access to Princes Street. Several shops and restaurants were within a short walking distance. This made exploring the area uncomplicated.
Dining
8/10
Although this guest house does not have a restaurant on site, many options are available nearby. Several cafes offer breakfast and lunch items. These cafes offer a variety of food options.
Service
9/10
The reception staff allowed luggage storage after checkout. This service was helpful. Staff provided basic assistance with directions and local information.
Rooms
8/10
The Double Room Ensuite had adequate space for two people. It included a bed and a small bathroom. Room amenities included tea and coffee making facilities.
0 Helpful
|
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FAQs
About Balmore Guest House
What time is check-in and check-out at Balmore Guest House?
Check-in is at 14:00 and check-out is at 10:00.
How far is Balmore Guest House from Edinburgh Castle?
The property is located 2 km from Edinburgh Castle.
What amenities are available in the rooms at Balmore Guest House?
Rooms are equipped with free Wi-Fi, a flat-screen TV, tea and coffee-making facilities, and en-suite bathrooms.
Is there parking available at Balmore Guest House?
Private parking is available for GBP 15 per day.
What dining options are available at Balmore Guest House?
The guest house serves a highly-rated inclusive breakfast in the conservatory.
Which popular restaurants are near Balmore Guest House?
Nearby restaurants include The Everest Nepalese & Indian Restaurant (0.5 km), Trenchtown (0.5 km), and Loudons Fountainbridge (0.5 km).
What nearby attractions can guests visit from Balmore Guest House?
Attractions include The Meadows (1 km), Portobello Beach (approx. 5 km), and Roslyn Chapel (approx. 11 km).
Does Balmore Guest House offer any business services?
The guest house provides free Wi-Fi which is suitable for business needs.
What features enhance the comfort of the rooms at Balmore Guest House?
All rooms are double glazed to ensure a peaceful night's sleep.

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