
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.
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Gay Hotels in Edinburgh by area
near Leith Walk and Broughton Street
Apex Waterloo Place Hotel
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23-27 Waterloo Pl, Edinburgh EH1 3BG, Edinburgh
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2023 Most Booked
Top 100
Why this hotel? Central location. Excellent location. Near the gay bars.
Contemporary-styled hotel in a 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 Elliot's restaurant serves some pretty good modern Scottish dishes, and the funky lounge bar is a great pre-clubbing hangout.
Crowne Plaza Edinburgh - Royal Terrace
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18 Royal Terrace, Edinburgh EH7 5AQ, Edinburgh
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2023 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 townhouses 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 Firth of Forth or a private garden.
We like the hotel's swimming pool, sauna, steam room and gym.
Ballantrae Albany Hotel
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39-47 Albany Street, New Town, Edinburgh
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2022 Most Booked
Top 100

2023 Most Booked
Top 100

2024 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, as well as the 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.
The New Town Hotel
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8-12 York Pl, Edinburgh EH1 3EP, Edinburgh
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2022 Most Booked
Top 100
Why this hotel? Near the gay scene. Great for shopping & sightseeing.
The New Town Hotel (formerly the Ballantrae) is a boutique hotel in the heart of Edinburgh, set in a Grade A listed townhouse on York Place. Just a couple of minutes' walk from Princes Street and Waverley train station, with the Pink Triangle's bars and Steamworks sauna only 5 minutes away on foot.
Following a full refurbishment in 2025, the hotel offers a range of single, twin, double, triple and quad rooms, all with en suite bathrooms, free WiFi, TV and tea & coffee-making facilities. There's a 24-hour reception, an on-site bar, and a full breakfast served daily. Afternoon tea is available later in the week.
Note: as a historic Grade A listed building, the hotel has no lift and several flights of stairs, so it may not suit guests with mobility concerns.
Excellent value for money in one of Edinburgh's best-located corners.
Holiday Inn Express Edinburgh City
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Picardy Place Top Of Leith Street, Edinburgh, , Edinburgh
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2023 Most Booked
Top 100

2024 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 Edinburgh's attractions, nightlife and gay scene.
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Edinburgh Old 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
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19 North Bridge, Edinburgh
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2023 Most Booked
Top 100

2024 Most Booked
Top 100
Why 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 of the Pink Triangle gay nightlife.
Each large guest room has free WiFi, satellite TV, a work desk, and a private bathroom. The hotel has an indoor swimming pool, gym and a 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.
Jurys Inn Edinburgh
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43 Jeffrey Street, Edinburgh
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2022 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 a short walk from Waverley train station.
All the major sights in both Edinburgh's Old and New Town are very accessible on foot, along with the gay nightlife.
Guest rooms feature large, comfortable beds, free WiFi and free toiletries. Good value for money.
ibis Styles Edinburgh Centre St Andrew Square
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19 St Andrew Square, 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, a private bathroom, and 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.
George Street and Princes Street
On the north side and running parallel to Princes Street is George Street is home to many luxury brands, stylish boutique shops.
Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh - The Caledonian
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Princes Street, Edinburgh
Show on mapWhy this hotel? Scottish icon. Central location. Luxury choice.
Known 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".
Le Monde Hotel
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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, a super king-sized bed and a stunning bathroom with a 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.
Rocco Forte Balmoral Hotel
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1 Princes Street, 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.
The Edinburgh Grand
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42 St Andrews Square, Edinburgh
Show on mapWhy this hotel? Central. Luxury Apartments.
The Edinburgh Grand is an upscale establishment, made up 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 come 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.
The Dunstane Houses
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The Roseate, 4 W Coates, Edinburgh
Show on mapWhy this hotel? Central. Boutique Hotel.
The Dunstane Houses is a luxury boutique hotel that is set in a Victorian building.
The hotel is surrounded by lush, sprawling gardens that are the perfect place to spend a sunny day. You can head to Ba'Bar, where you can grab some 'wee bites' as well as an evening drink.
Due to the hotel being located in central Edinburgh, gay nightlife is nearby, with bars like CC Blooms being only a 10-minute drive away.
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Radisson Collection Hotel, Royal Mile Edinburgh
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1 George IV Bridge , Edinburgh
Show on mapWhy this hotel? Landmark Views. Boutique Hotel.
The Radisson Collection Hotel is a luxury, boutique hotel located in central Edinburgh.
The hotel has great views of the surrounding city, including Edinburgh Castle, which can be seen from the rooms. The Epicurean Bar is a great place to go for drinks and all-day eats. They have a deck, which also provides amazing landmark views.
Although there is an on-site spa, guests are welcome to use the one at the Radisson Blu, as well as the pool and sauna.
For nearby gay nightlife, check out CC Blooms, which is only an 8-minute walk from the Radisson Collection Hotel.
InterContinental Edinburgh the George by IHG
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19-21 George Street, Edinburgh
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2023 Most Booked
Top 100
Why this hotel? Classic Scottish. Great for shopping & gay scene.
A classic example of a great Scottish hotel. Originally built in 1775 as townhouses, the building was converted into a hotel in 1881 and has been remodelled several times over the past hundred years.
A £20 million renovation has seen The Principal transformed into a modern hotel that blends modern styling with the building's heritage. Each stylish guest room features a modern en suite bathroom and the latest technology, including a flat screen TV and WiFi.
Location-wise, The Principal is just a few minutes' walk from Princes Street, as well as being ideally located for Edinburgh's gay nightlife.
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