Royal Mile Balconies by the Castle ✓ Historic Stay from $54

Name: ROYAL MILE BALCONIES BY THE CASTLE, Edinburgh
Address: 493 Lawnmarket,The Royal Mile, Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH1 2PB
Price range: US$54+
Rating: 8.1

75 photos

Royal Mile Balconies By The Castle Aparthotel Edinburgh Facilities photo The photo shows a cozy corner of a room, likely a bedroom or study area. The main focus is a light wooden desk positioned against a white wall, creating a small workspace. On the desk, there's a silver laptop displaying a colorful image, and a black

Royal Mile Balconies By The Castle Aparthotel Edinburgh Room photo The photo shows a cozy bedroom with a double bed as the main focus. The bed is neatly made with white sheets and several pillows, including two large grey square pillows and a smaller pillow in the center. A folded grey throw blanket is placed at the

Book on our site

for up to 10% off

than to Booking.com!

Key details

Hotel Details

493 Lawnmarket,The Royal Mile, Edinburgh, EH1 2PB

Next to the Royal Mile

Great

8.1

/10

3.0

2.4

Loved by Royal Mile Balconies By The Castle guests

Comfortable beds

Excellent location

Clean rooms

Good view

Tea making facilities

"The room is so cosy it was lovely coming back after a cold day walking round Edinburgh to the room."

Suzanne from United Kingdom

read full review

"The property is perfectly located in the Centre so you can get to all the main attractions including The Castle, which is on the same street."

Giorgio from United Kingdom

read full review

"Even though its central location, and having a Jolly Judge pub in the courtyard, there was not any disturbance or noise - nights well slept."

Jari from Finland

read full review

Royal Mile Balconies: Historic hotel, 300 m from Edinburgh Castle

Accommodation

The hotel offers six rooms with king-size beds and LCD TVs. Each room has a private bathroom with a large shower. Some rooms overlook the historic courtyard. The building dates from the 15th century and was once home to Scottish philosopher David Hume.

Location & Surroundings

Edinburgh Castle is 200 metres from the hotel. The Edinburgh Military Tattoo takes place 300 metres away. The hotel is situated directly on the Royal Mile, placing guests steps from major attractions.

Guest Experience

The hotel provides a self-check-in process. Communication with the owners is responsive and personalized. The property maintains a quiet atmosphere for relaxation. Some rooms include kitchenettes for longer stays.

Nearby Amenities

A cosy pub, the Jolly Judge, is steps from the hotel entrance. Local cafes and restaurants surround the area for quick meals. The Edinburgh Castle and the Royal Mile are within a two-minute walk.

Property Features

The building dates back to the 15th century and previously housed the famous Scottish philosopher David Hume. Guests check in via a self-service lockbox with personalized codes. Rooms offer spacious layouts with wine glasses, biscuits, and bathroom amenities.

Highlights

Location: 200 m from Edinburgh Castle, on the Royal Mile

History: 15th-century building, former home of philosopher David Hume

Rooms: King-size beds, LCD TVs, private bathrooms with large showers

Service: Self check-in with responsive owner communication

Design: Spacious room layouts with stone walls and courtyard views

“Royal Mile Balconies By The Castle places you right where you want to be-moments from Edinburgh Castle and immersed in the Royal Mile's buzz. The self-check-in adds a layer of modern convenience to a historic setting. I think its real value lies in offering such a central location alongside uniquely personalized Scottish hospitality.”

Charlotte EvansHead of Editorial at Hotelsdowntown

Select room type

Choose from double rooms, family suites, and premium stays. Enjoy breakfast, flexible cancellations, and exclusive deals.

Deluxe Double Room Kirkhill
2 persons
25 sq. feet
1 King-size bed
Heating
Shower
room details
Deluxe Double Room Melville
2 persons
20 sq. feet
1 King-size bed
Heating
Shower
room details
Deluxe King Room Catcune
2 persons
25 sq. feet
1 King-size bed
Heating
Shower
room details

Show all rooms

Check Availability & Prices

Find the best rates for your travel dates now!

July 2026 - July 2027

Sun

Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat

July 2026

August 2026

September 2026

October 2026

November 2026

December 2026

January 2027

February 2027

March 2027

April 2027

May 2027

June 2027

Choose dates to see prices

Check-in/ Check-out

Facilities

Hotel has comfortable rooms, premium services, and a prime downtown location

Facilities: Great

8.1/10Review score

General

No smoking on site
Free Wi-Fi in public areas
Safe deposit box
Pets allowed
Smoke detectors

Guest Parking

Electric kettle

Room features

Heating

Self-catering

Electric kettle

Media

Flat-screen TV

Room decor

Carpeted floor

Location

493 Lawnmarket,The Royal Mile, Edinburgh, EH1 2PB

Explore Edinburgh

Explore Edinburgh Near Royal Mile Balconies

Edinburgh Castle

5 minutes' walk

Historic fortress offering stunning city views and captivating exhibits on Scottish history.

Scott Monument

8 minutes' walk

Victorian Gothic monument dedicated to Sir Walter Scott, featuring a climb for panoramic city views.

National Museum of Scotland

9 minutes' walk

A dynamic museum with diverse collections from Scottish history to natural sciences, with free admission.

Palace of Holyroodhouse

18 minutes' walk

Official residence of the monarch, showcasing historic apartments and beautiful gardens.

Arthur's Seat Hike

25 minutes walking

Iconic hill offering breathtaking views of Edinburgh, suitable for all levels of hikers.

Yoga at The Meadows

11 minutes' walk

Relaxing yoga sessions in a scenic park setting, perfect for unwinding amidst nature.

The Witchery by the Castle

2 minutes' walk

Intimate and luxurious venue with a focus on Scottish cuisine, ideal for special occasions.

Makars Gourmet Mash Bar

2 minutes' walk

Casual dining spot specializing in comfort food, with an emphasis on locally sourced ingredients.

The Usher Hall

17 minutes' walk

Renowned concert hall hosting diverse performances from classical music to rock concerts.

Scotch Whisky Experience

10 minutes' walk

Offers whisky tastings and guided tours showcasing Scotland's whisky heritage, suitable for all ages.

Getting around <br />

City Centre
Edinburgh 6 min · 1700 ft
Airports
Edinburgh (EDI) 20 min · 8.0 mi
Glasgow (GLA) 132 min · 54.7 mi
Bus
Bus stop 3 min · 700 ft

Unlock Exclusive Early Booking Rates

Plan ahead and get special discounts now!

Check Rates

Property information and rules

Check-in

from 15:00-23:59

Check-out

until 10 am

Guest Parking

No parking available.

Internet

Wireless internet is available in public areas for free.

Pets

Pets are allowed on request.

Number of rooms:

Former name

sir hume residence

Reviews and Ratings

Feedback about Royal Mile Balconies By The Castle from previous guests about their experience.

Review summary

Based on recent reviews

Royal Mile Balconies By The Castle enjoys a superb location right on the Royal Mile, making it easy to explore Edinburgh's attractions. Guests often highlight the clean and comfortable rooms, with some appreciating the modern bathrooms and thoughtful touches like biscuits and tea/coffee upon arrival. While the rooms are generally spacious, some guests have noted that certain rooms, especially the bathrooms, can be quite small. The value for money is frequently praised, particularly during peak seasons like the Edinburgh Christmas Market.

Show moreShow less

Review score

Based on 694 verified reviews

8.0 /10

Great

82 %

Recommend

Location

9.5/10

Comfort

8.5/10

Free WiFi

7.6/10

Value for money

7.9/10

Pros

Great location

Cool building

Modern shower

Tea/coffee station

Cons

Leak issues

Rattling windows

Difficult access

Owen from Australia

Couple

Deluxe Double Room Dundas

3 nights in November 2025

Reviewed: January 19, 2026

9.0/10

location rocks room shocks!

prime location amazing feel

i liked the location, its right in the center. so close to the castle, its prime. the room had a quaint, amazing feel, like a lovely courtyard. i sure recommend a stay here, its fantastic, i'll be back!

the base sheet was small for the bed. as soon as you sat, it slid off. i contacted them and got no response. the doors had no numbers so someone got it wrong at night.

Location

10/10

the location puts you in the very heart of things. it stands merely four minutes by foot from the castle. shops and historical sites are right outside the front door, i loved it.

Facilities

9/10

luggage storage is available . this makes exploring easier both before check-in and after checkout. the staff communicates well via email and text, it was great i got to have an early check-in.

Rooms

8/10

the room includes nice big window for lots of light. rooms also include a tea and coffee station. a welcome box full of biscuits was a lovely touch, such a good surprise!

0 Helpful

Show less

Mia from Italy

Couple

Deluxe Double Room Dundas

3 nights in November 2025

Reviewed: December 24, 2025

9/10

perfect royal mile stay

perfect location lovely vibe coffee station

i found the location to be perfect (so close to everything!). the room had a lovely vibe and was stylishly decorated. i also appreciated the tea and coffee station with biscuits upon arrival.

0 Helpful

penelope from greece

Single

deluxe double room dundas

3 nights in October 2025

Reviewed: December 20, 2025

6/10

average stay with some letdowns

impersonal communication poor service

the communication felt impersonal after a fire alarm went off early one morning it took hours to get an apology the member of staff seemed irritated i expected better service considering the price also the room wasn't cleaned the next day i was told they were sorry that i expected that it would have been nice to have more attentive service.

0 Helpful

Jim from United Kingdom

Single

Deluxe Double Room Dundas

4 nights in November 2025

Reviewed: December 12, 2025

6/10

adequate stay, some issues

clean room tidy room great communication small room pokey room dangerous stairs

The room was very clean and tidy. it had nice decorations. the communication from the host was great. I appreciated them accommodating a late notice for an early check-in.

The room felt very small and pokey. the bathroom also felt quite small. it was difficult to navigate the stairs with luggage. The stairs felt dangerous.

0 Helpful

Show more reviews

FAQs

About Royal Mile Balconies By The Castle

What is the distance between Royal Mile Balconies By The Castle and Edinburgh Castle?

Royal Mile Balconies By The Castle is located 200 m from Edinburgh Castle.

How far is Royal Mile Balconies By The Castle from the Edinburgh Military Tattoo?

The Edinburgh Military Tattoo is 300 m away from Royal Mile Balconies By The Castle.

Are there any dining options on-site at Royal Mile Balconies By The Castle?

The hotel features a café and a cozy pub for convenient dining options.

What room amenities are available at Royal Mile Balconies By The Castle?

Rooms include a flat-screen TV, electric kettle, free high-speed Wi-Fi, and original private bathrooms.

What time is check-in and check-out at Royal Mile Balconies By The Castle?

Check-in is at 15:00 and check-out is at 10:00.

Is parking available at Royal Mile Balconies By The Castle?

Limited payable parking is available close to the hotel.

What nearby restaurants are available near Royal Mile Balconies By The Castle?

Nearby restaurants include The Ensign Ewart, Deacon Brodie's Tavern, Ondine, The Thistle Stop, Deacon's House Cafe, Hanam's Middle East Restaurant, Whiski Rooms, and Howies Victoria, all within 0.5 km.

Does Royal Mile Balconies By The Castle allow pets?

Pets are allowed on request.

What type of hotel is Royal Mile Balconies By The Castle?

The hotel is a historic accommodation located in one of the oldest Scottish buildings dating back to the 15th century.

What are the main highlights of staying at Royal Mile Balconies By The Castle?

Highlights include unique accommodations, self-check-in, a quiet atmosphere despite a central location, and close proximity to major attractions.

What kitchen facilities are available in the apartments at Royal Mile Balconies By The Castle?

Apartments feature a kitchen equipped with a dishwasher and cookware for guest convenience.