You’re standing on the Royal Mile. The wind is biting—because it’s Edinburgh, and it’s almost always biting—and you’re lugging a suitcase over 500-year-old cobblestones. This is the moment most travelers realize they either picked the right hotel or a very, very wrong one. The Radisson Blu Hotel Edinburgh City Centre sits right in the thick of that chaotic, beautiful, medieval energy. It’s a strange beast, honestly. From the outside, it looks like a 16th-century tenement building, all grey stone and turret-style windows, but once you step through the sliding glass doors, the vibe shifts instantly into something sleek and surprisingly quiet.
I’ve seen plenty of people walk past this place thinking it’s just another corporate chain. It’s not. Well, it is a Radisson, but it’s one that had to play by Edinburgh’s strict architectural rules. You can't just slap a glass box in the middle of a UNESCO World Heritage site.
The Location Reality Check
If you want to be five minutes from the Castle and two minutes from a pint at a pub that’s been there since the Enlightenment, this is it. The Radisson Blu Hotel Edinburgh City Centre is located at the corner of the Royal Mile and St Mary's Street.
Location is everything here.
Waverley Station is a downhill walk—or an uphill struggle, depending on your fitness level—roughly seven minutes away. If you’re coming in from the airport via the Tram or the Airlink 100 bus, you’re dropping off at St Andrew Square or Waverley Bridge. From there, it’s a hike. Edinburgh is a city of hills, and the "Old Town" isn't joking about the "Old" part. The hotel serves as a perfect anchor point between the high-tourist drama of the Castle and the slightly "hipper" area of Holyrood and the Scottish Parliament.
What the Rooms are Actually Like
Standard rooms here aren’t massive. That’s just the reality of building inside an old shell. But they’re smart. They use a "Paper City" design theme in many of the updated wings, which feels more like a boutique hotel in Copenhagen than a standard Scottish lodging.
Expect dark woods, crisp whites, and—if you’re lucky—a view of the Mile.
The Premium Rooms and Suites are where the space actually opens up. If you're traveling as a family, the family rooms are a rare find for the Old Town; they actually have enough floor space to move without tripping over a backpack. The bathrooms? Massive walk-in showers. Good water pressure is a godsend after a day of getting rained on while staring at John Knox House.
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Eating and Drinking Without Leaving the Building
Most people stay at the Radisson Blu Hotel Edinburgh City Centre and then head straight out to find food. That’s usually a mistake for at least one night of your trip.
The main restaurant, It's All 63rd + 1st, is inspired by New York’s dining scene. It’s a bit of an odd juxtaposition—Manhattan vibes in the heart of Scotland—but the cocktails are legitimate. They do a lot of small plates. Think skewers, sliders, and grilled meats. It’s designed for social eating.
Then there’s the breakfast.
The Scots take breakfast seriously. You’ll find the standard "Full Scottish" here. Yes, that includes haggis. If you’ve never had it, just try a small bit. It’s savory, peppery, and basically just oatmeal and meat. It’s better than it sounds. They also have a massive continental spread if you’re not ready for sheep's pluck at 8:00 AM.
The bar area is also a solid "work from hotel" spot. It’s got fast Wi-Fi and enough corners to hide in if you need to take a Zoom call before heading out to climb Arthur's Seat.
The Secret Weapon: The Wellness Suite
Most Old Town hotels are cramped. They barely have room for an elevator, let alone a gym. The Radisson Blu Hotel Edinburgh City Centre actually has a full fitness center and a heated indoor swimming pool.
This is huge.
Edinburgh weather is fickle. One minute it's sunny, the next you're drenched. Having a sauna and a steam room to retreat to is a genuine luxury in this part of the city. The Melrose Spa offers the usual gamut of treatments—facials, massages, the works—using Elemis products. It isn't a "destination spa" where you'd spend three days, but for a post-flight recovery session? It’s perfect.
Understanding the Noise Factor
Let’s be real for a second. You are staying on one of the busiest streets in Scotland. During the Fringe Festival in August, the Royal Mile is a mosh pit of jugglers, bagpipers, and tourists.
Does the noise get in?
Surprisingly, the soundproofing is robust. The hotel uses heavy-duty double glazing. If you are a light sleeper, you should still ask for a room facing the courtyard or St Mary’s Street rather than the Royal Mile. The "Mile" side is great for people-watching, but the "St Mary's" side is significantly quieter at 2:00 AM when the pubs let out.
Business and Events
It’s worth mentioning that this is a major hub for business travelers. They have eight meeting rooms. Because the hotel is so central, it’s often used for government-adjacent meetings or tech conferences. This means the staff is used to high-pressure requests and fast turnarounds.
The Great Hall can hold about 200 people. It doesn’t feel like a boring basement ballroom; it has some of that Edinburgh character baked into the walls.
Why Choose This Over an Airbnb?
Airbnb in Edinburgh is a contentious topic. The city has implemented strict short-term let licensing. Staying in an apartment often means dealing with steep stairs (no elevators), spotty heating, and the guilt of displacing locals.
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At the Radisson Blu Hotel Edinburgh City Centre, you get:
- 24/7 security and reception.
- A lift (elevator). This is not guaranteed in Old Town tenements.
- Air conditioning. (Yes, Edinburgh gets hot for about three days a year, and those days are miserable without AC).
- Consistent cleaning standards.
How to Get the Best Out of Your Stay
Don't just book the cheapest rate on a third-party site. If you join the Radisson Rewards program, you usually get a "Member Only" rate that knocks 5-10% off. More importantly, it puts you higher on the list for those room upgrades.
Ask for a room on a higher floor. The views toward the Firth of Forth or over the rooftops of the Old Town are stunning when the haar (sea mist) isn't rolling in.
Check the "Green Tourism" credentials too. This hotel has been awarded a Gold Award from Green Tourism UK. They’re big on reducing single-use plastics and managing energy—which is tough in an old building like this. It’s nice to know your stay isn't completely wrecking the local environment.
A Few Insider Tips
- The Back Entrance: Use the St Mary’s Street entrance if you’re arriving by taxi. It’s much easier for the driver to pull up there than trying to navigate the pedestrian-heavy Royal Mile.
- The Bar: If the hotel bar is too busy, walk thirty seconds down St Mary's Street to The World’s End pub. It’s iconic.
- The Walk: Head down the hill (left out of the hotel) to reach Holyrood Palace and the Scottish Parliament. It's a much gentler walk than the trek up to the Castle.
- The Coffee: The hotel coffee is fine, but if you're a snob, there are three independent roasters within a five-minute walk.
Actionable Next Steps for Your Trip
If you're planning to stay at the Radisson Blu Hotel Edinburgh City Centre, do these three things right now:
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- Check the Festival Calendar: If you are booking for August, do it six months in advance. Prices triple during the Fringe. If you want peace, book for October or March.
- Request a Courtyard Room: If sleep is your priority, email the guest services team 48 hours before arrival and specifically request a room away from the Royal Mile frontage.
- Map Your Arrival: If you have heavy bags, don't try to walk from the top of the Mound or from the bus station. Take a taxi or the tram to St Andrew Square and then a short cab ride. Your knees will thank you.
The hotel manages to bridge the gap between "soulless corporate" and "overpriced boutique." It’s a reliable, high-end base of operations in a city that can otherwise be quite exhausting to navigate. You get the history outside the window and the modern comforts inside the room. That’s a trade-off that usually works in the traveler’s favor every single time.
Final thought: Bring an umbrella. Even if the sun is shining when you check in. It’s Edinburgh. You’ve been warned.