The Old Town is a beautiful medieval district with a labyrinth of cobbled streets, whilst the neo-classical New Town offers stunning 18th-century Georgian buildings - many of which are now hotels.
For more hotel choices, click here to search all Edinburgh hotels.

Gay Edinburgh · Hotels
Edinburgh is easy to explore on foot, so it makes sense to choose a hotel in the city centre, either in the New or Old Town.
Gay Hotels in Edinburgh by area
near Leith Walk and Broughton Street
Located just off Princes Street in Edinburgh's New Town, the area where Leith Walk and Broughton Street intersect is known as the 'Pink Triangle'. The city's main gay bars and clubs can be found here.
Apex Waterloo Place Hotel
- ★★
- ★★
- ★★
- ★★
- ★★
23-27 Waterloo Place, Edinburgh
Show on map
2018 Most Booked
Top 100
Why this hotel? Central location. Excellent location. Near the gay bars.
Contemporary-styled hotel in convenient location, near the Pink Triangle gay village, the famous Princes Street and Waverley train station.
The stylish guest rooms feature large flat screen TV, tea/coffee making facilities, large walk-in showers, Elemis toiletries and free WiFi. Guests can use the hotel's indoor heated swimming pool, gym, sauna and steam room.
The hotel's Ellliot's restaurant serves some pretty good modern Scottish dishes, and the funky lounge bar is a great pre-clubbing hangout.
The stylish guest rooms feature large flat screen TV, tea/coffee making facilities, large walk-in showers, Elemis toiletries and free WiFi. Guests can use the hotel's indoor heated swimming pool, gym, sauna and steam room.
The hotel's Ellliot's restaurant serves some pretty good modern Scottish dishes, and the funky lounge bar is a great pre-clubbing hangout.
Features:
Bar
Free Wi-Fi
Gym
Massage
Restaurant
Sauna
Spa
Steam room
Swimming pool
Crowne Plaza Edinburgh - Royal Terrace
- ★★
- ★★
- ★★
- ★★
- ★★
18-22 Royal Terrace, Edinburgh
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2018 Most Booked
Top 50
Why this hotel? Great pool & gym. Excellent view. Great value for money.
The great-value Crowne Plaza Edinburgh is located in a terrace of Georgian townhouse on a quiet street, just a short walk from Princes St, The Royal Mile and the gay bars in New Town.
This excellent Scottish hotel blends traditional charm with contemporary luxury. Many guest rooms have fabulous views of The First of Forth or a private garden.
We like the hotel's swimming pool, sauna, steam room and gym.
This excellent Scottish hotel blends traditional charm with contemporary luxury. Many guest rooms have fabulous views of The First of Forth or a private garden.
We like the hotel's swimming pool, sauna, steam room and gym.
Features:
Bar
Free Wi-Fi
Restaurant
Sauna
Swimming pool
Ballantrae Albany Hotel
- ★★
- ★★
- ★★
- ★★
- ★★
39-47 Albany Street, New Town, Edinburgh
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2017 Most Booked
Top 100

2018 Most Booked
Top 100

2019 Most Booked
Top 100
Why this hotel? Near the gay scene. Popular choice. Very central.
Located next to the Pink Triangle area, the Ballantrae Albany hotel is just a few minutes' walk to the lively Princes Street, the Waverley train station, many of the best restaurants and shops on George Street ss well as gay sauna Steamworks.
Housed in 4 connecting townhouses, guest rooms feature beautiful interiors, en suite bathroom, free WiFi, tea & coffee-making facilities, luxury towels and toiletries. The Ballantrae's central location makes it a popular choice with gay travelers.
Housed in 4 connecting townhouses, guest rooms feature beautiful interiors, en suite bathroom, free WiFi, tea & coffee-making facilities, luxury towels and toiletries. The Ballantrae's central location makes it a popular choice with gay travelers.
Features:
Bar
Free Wi-Fi
Restaurant
Ballantrae Hotel
- ★★
- ★★
- ★★
- ★★
- ★★
8 York Place, New Town, Edinburgh
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2017 Most Booked
Top 100
Why this hotel? Near the gay scene. Great for shopping & sightseeing.
The historic Ballantrae Hotel is located in the heart of Edinburgh, just a couple of minutes' walk to Princes Street, Waverley train station. Great locationightlife and gay scene - Steamworks sauna in 5 minutes away.
The spacious, en suite guest rooms feature free WiFi, TV and tea & coffee-making facilities. The hotel has a 24-hour reception and an onsite bar. A Continental breakfast is served every morning. Excellent value for money.
The spacious, en suite guest rooms feature free WiFi, TV and tea & coffee-making facilities. The hotel has a 24-hour reception and an onsite bar. A Continental breakfast is served every morning. Excellent value for money.
Features:
Bar
Free Wi-Fi
Holiday Inn Express - Edinburgh City Centre
- ★★
- ★★
- ★★
- ★★
- ★★
Picardy Place, Edinburgh
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2018 Most Booked
Top 100
Why this hotel? Walk to gay bars. Great value. Popular choice.
Located in the heart of Edinburgh's gay district, the affordable Holiday Inn Express is a few steps from the popular CC Blooms bar & club, Steamworks sauna, and a few minutes' walk from Princes Street.
Guest rooms feature free WiFi, en suite bathroom, cable TV and tea & coffee-making facilities. A great base to explore the Edinburgh's attractions, nightlife and gay scene.
Guest rooms feature free WiFi, en suite bathroom, cable TV and tea & coffee-making facilities. A great base to explore the Edinburgh's attractions, nightlife and gay scene.
Features:
Bar
Free Wi-Fi
Restaurant
Edinburgh Old Town
The stunning Old Town, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is home to some of Edinburgh's most famous sights, including the Royal Mile, Edinburgh Castle and the Scottish Parliament Building.
Our recommendations in this area are in the area closest to Waverley Railway Station, and so with easy reach of the gay nightlife in the New Town.
Our recommendations in this area are in the area closest to Waverley Railway Station, and so with easy reach of the gay nightlife in the New Town.
Hilton Edinburgh Carlton
- ★★
- ★★
- ★★
- ★★
- ★★
19 North Bridge, Edinburgh
Show on mapWhy this hotel? Excellent location. Great facilities. Value for money.
Excellent 4-star hotel overlooking the Royal Mile. The Carlton is located next to Waverley train station, a 5-minute walk from Edinburgh Castle, Princes Street shopping, and within 10 minutes to the Pink Triangle gay nightlife.
Each large guest room has free WiFi, satellite TV, work desk, private bathroom. The hotel has an indoor swimming pool, gym and the very nice spa that features a sauna, steam room, jacuzzi and massage service.
The Hilton has its own restaurant and bar, or try one of many dining options nearby. A popular hotel on Travel Gay.
Each large guest room has free WiFi, satellite TV, work desk, private bathroom. The hotel has an indoor swimming pool, gym and the very nice spa that features a sauna, steam room, jacuzzi and massage service.
The Hilton has its own restaurant and bar, or try one of many dining options nearby. A popular hotel on Travel Gay.
Features:
Bar
Free Wi-Fi
Gym
Jacuzzi / Hot Pool
Massage
Restaurant
Sauna
Swimming pool
Jurys Inn Edinburgh
- ★★
- ★★
- ★★
- ★★
- ★★
43 Jeffrey Street, Old Town, Edinburgh
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2017 Most Booked
Top 100
Why this hotel? Excellent Location. Close to major sights. Value for money.
Jurys Inn Edinburgh enjoys a great location near the famous Royal Mile, just short walk from Waverley train station.
All the major sights in both Edinburgh's Old and New Town very accessible by foot, along with the gay nightlife.
Guest rooms feature large, comfortable beds, free WiFi and free toiletries. Good value for money.
All the major sights in both Edinburgh's Old and New Town very accessible by foot, along with the gay nightlife.
Guest rooms feature large, comfortable beds, free WiFi and free toiletries. Good value for money.
Features:
Bar
Free Wi-Fi
Restaurant
Ibis Styles Edinburgh St Andrew Square
- ★★
- ★★
- ★★
- ★★
- ★★
19 St Andrew Square, New Town, Edinburgh
Show on mapWhy this hotel? New budget option. Great location. Close to restaurants, shops, gay bars.
New on our list of recommended hotels in Edinburgh. The ibis St Andrew Square is located in the heart of Edinburgh, close to City Art Center and popular shops, dining options and attractions.
Each bright, modern guest room features a flat screen TV, air conditioning, private bathroom, free WiFi. There's a hip restaurant and bar onsite serving great coffee and food. Staff provide excellent service.
Great choice for gay visitors, as Steamworks sauna, The Street and gay bars in the Pink Triangle are within 10 minutes' walk away.
Each bright, modern guest room features a flat screen TV, air conditioning, private bathroom, free WiFi. There's a hip restaurant and bar onsite serving great coffee and food. Staff provide excellent service.
Great choice for gay visitors, as Steamworks sauna, The Street and gay bars in the Pink Triangle are within 10 minutes' walk away.
Features:
Bar
Cafe
Free Wi-Fi
Restaurant
George Street and Princes Street
Princes Street is Edinburgh's main shopping street. There are hardly any buildings on the south side of the street, allowing stunning views of Edinburgh Castle and Old Town.
On the north side and running parallel to Princes Street is George Street is home to many luxury brands, stylish boutique shops.
On the north side and running parallel to Princes Street is George Street is home to many luxury brands, stylish boutique shops.
The Caledonian - A Waldorf Astoria Hotel
- ★★
- ★★
- ★★
- ★★
- ★★
Princes Street, Edinburgh
Show on mapWhy this hotel? Scottish icon. Central location. Luxury choice.
nown locally as "The Caley", this luxury hotel in the heart of Edinburgh's city centre completed a £24 million refurbishment to bring this Scottish landmark back to its former glory.
The Caledonian offers classic luxury guest rooms, each featuring marble bathrooms, flat screen TV's and WiFi. Some rooms offer excellent views of Edinburgh Castle. The hotel is home to an award-winning spa with indoor pool, sauna, steam room, jacuzzi and gym.
Located just a few steps from Princes Street, the hotel is ideally placed for exploring the city, and just a few minutes by taxi to gay bars in the "Pink Triangle".
The Caledonian offers classic luxury guest rooms, each featuring marble bathrooms, flat screen TV's and WiFi. Some rooms offer excellent views of Edinburgh Castle. The hotel is home to an award-winning spa with indoor pool, sauna, steam room, jacuzzi and gym.
Located just a few steps from Princes Street, the hotel is ideally placed for exploring the city, and just a few minutes by taxi to gay bars in the "Pink Triangle".
Features:
Bar
Free Wi-Fi
Gym
Restaurant
Spa
Swimming pool
Le Monde Hotel
- ★★
- ★★
- ★★
- ★★
- ★★
16 George Street, Edinburgh
Show on mapWhy this hotel? Near the gay nightlife. Stylish rooms. Fabulous bar.
One of the coolest hotels in Edinburgh. Le Monde features uniquely styled rooms, a few with colour schemes that may have you reaching for sunglasses.
Stylish guest rooms feature flat screen TV super king-sized bed and stunning bathroom with rain shower - big enough for two. Guests have access to two of Edinburgh's most trendsetting bars and the Shanghai Club - one of the city's most exclusive (straight) late-night venues.
Location-wise, Le Monde is less than a 10-minute walk from most of the gay bars and clubs and even closer to Princes Street.
Stylish guest rooms feature flat screen TV super king-sized bed and stunning bathroom with rain shower - big enough for two. Guests have access to two of Edinburgh's most trendsetting bars and the Shanghai Club - one of the city's most exclusive (straight) late-night venues.
Location-wise, Le Monde is less than a 10-minute walk from most of the gay bars and clubs and even closer to Princes Street.
Features:
Bar
Free Wi-Fi
Restaurant
The Balmoral
- ★★
- ★★
- ★★
- ★★
- ★★
1 Princes St, Edinburgh
Show on mapWhy this hotel? Close to Edinburgh Castle. Michelin Star Restaurant.
The Balmoral Hotel is a luxury hotel located just a short walk from Edinburgh Castle.
Originally a railway hotel, The Balmoral was built in the Victorian period, and is surrounded by historic landmarks and attractions.
The hotel has many wonderful features such as the Michelin Star restaurant Number One, an in-house poet, and great views of the castle that can be seen from some of the rooms.
Popular gay nightlife in the area includes The Street bar and nightclub, which is only a 10-minute walk away.
Originally a railway hotel, The Balmoral was built in the Victorian period, and is surrounded by historic landmarks and attractions.
The hotel has many wonderful features such as the Michelin Star restaurant Number One, an in-house poet, and great views of the castle that can be seen from some of the rooms.
Popular gay nightlife in the area includes The Street bar and nightclub, which is only a 10-minute walk away.
Features:
airport transportation
bar/lounge
City View
Free Internet
Gym
housekeeping
landmark view
pets allowed
Pool
soundproof rooms
valet parking
walking tours
Cheval The Edinburgh Grand
- ★★
- ★★
- ★★
- ★★
- ★★
42 St Andrew Square, Edinburgh
Show on mapWhy this hotel? Central. Luxury Apartments.
The Cheval is a upscale establishment, made of 50 luxury apartments. There is an art-deco theme, that can be seen in the lobby particularly.
Each apartment ranges in size, with some of them having up to 3 bedrooms, and larger rooms comes with features that include a terrace. All of them come with living areas and kitchenettes, creating a home away from home feel. The concierge is happy to help with anything you need.
You can head to the Register Club (reservation-only), for an evening cocktail, then explore the gay nightlife in the area. A great option is The Street, which is only an 8-minute walk away.
Each apartment ranges in size, with some of them having up to 3 bedrooms, and larger rooms comes with features that include a terrace. All of them come with living areas and kitchenettes, creating a home away from home feel. The concierge is happy to help with anything you need.
You can head to the Register Club (reservation-only), for an evening cocktail, then explore the gay nightlife in the area. A great option is The Street, which is only an 8-minute walk away.
Features:
bar/lounge
concierge
dishwasher
Free Internet
Kitchenette
Microwave
pets allowed
taxi service