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The best Airbnbs and aparthotels in Edinburgh to rent now
Edinburgh has a lot to offer for a city break, from the yearly festival to a lively atmosphere, rugged mountains to climb and even a rather lovely stretch of beach. It's home to a host of brilliant restaurants, bars and pubs and best of all, most things are walking distance as it's fairly small for a city. Whether you're heading there for culture or wildlife, these are the Airbnbs to book in Edinburgh. And if you're going further afield before or after, we have an edit of the best Airbnbs in Scotland too.
The best Airbnbs and rentals in Edinburgh
Davide Lovatti1/9Lambs House in Leith
Lambs House in Leith is one of the most beautiful places you could wish to stay in Edinburgh. The main 16th-century house on the site was beautifully restored in the 2010s by conservation architects Kristin Hannesdottir and Nick Groves-Raines, who also added this heavenly pavilion in the grounds, and this is the part that is for rent. Charmingly decorated, it forms part of a constellation of buildings in the area owned and restored by what is now Gras Architecture Studio, run by Kristin and Nick's son Gunnar.
Read more: A 16th-century Scottish house once visited by Mary Queen of Scots
2/9Eden Locke, George Street
For those who want the best of both worlds, an aparthotel in the middle of the city is just the ticket. Eden Locke is in prime position on George Street in New Town and comes with all the hotel mod cons, including helpful reception staff, an on-site cafe Mayvn (complete with gorgeous freshly made pastries) and co-working spaces, luggage storage, and best of all, no laundry list of things to do when you check out. The bright and clean (and spacious) rooms come fully decked out with kitchenettes as well as comfortable beds and coffees, teas and snacks. Dog guests are equally welcome, with bowls, treats and beds available for your furry friend.
Guests say: “Facilities were really good, they even had a white noise machine! Super central to Edinburgh, we were basically in the middle of the Christmas market! Staff were very approachable. We even got a free hot drink voucher from the cafe in the building. They recommended venues and locations for us to explore, and allowed us to store our bags so we could enjoy our final day without carrying them. Overall, it is a really positive experience, well worth what you pay!”
Sleeps: 2-3 (& dog)
Price: from £133 per night
Address:
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3/9Stockbridge
This pied-à-terre in stylish Stockbridge is cleverly designed to make the most of all its space. The kitchen forms the main part of the living area, with a lounging and dining space adjacent. Upstairs are two stylish bedrooms and a share bathroom. Colour is used to lovely effect throughout and there's even private garage parking – a rarity in Edinburgh.
Guests say: “Absolutely stunning and in the most lovely part of Edinburgh. It is very rare to get such free and easy parking so close to the centre, we were delighted by our stay and will keep this saved for the future.”
Sleeps: 4 (plus baby)
Price: from £235 per night
4/9New Town
It's rare to find a house like this in the centre of Edinburgh, even more so to find it with some curated interiors. Think sleek wood, a pastel kitchen and vibrant red sofas but all coming together seamlessly. This is a perfect home-away-from-home; comfortable for relaxing in and in easy striking distance of all that Edinburgh has to offer.
Guests say: “From the moment we walked down the cobbled stone driveway to the front door, my family was blown away. The kitchen was well stocked, so it was easy to make meals at home without having to buy a bunch of basics. The location of the house is ideal for exploring Edinburgh on foot.”
Sleeps: 6
Price: from £494 per night
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5/9Stockbridge
If you've done the classic Georgian pad in Edinburgh before and are after something a little different, try this mews house in the trendy neighbourhood of Stockbridge. It's light, bright, modern and rather relaxing, with an open plan living space downstairs and a large, airy bedroom and bathroom upstairs. It's a quiet, rejuvenating place to stay.
Guests say: “This is a calm stylish space in a gorgeous part of Edinburgh. Silent at night but only a short distance to everything. The key to the beautiful gardens was a real plus, a lovely way to start the day walking by the river and then grabbing a coffee in arty and interesting Stockbridge with its galleries, bookshops and bakeries.”
Sleeps: 2
Price: from £171 per night
6/9New Town
There are few flats on Airbnb better placed within Edinburgh's New Town (that's the bit around Princes Street and heading north) than this one, which is so close to all the action yet in a quiet area. It's a flat of lovely proportions, with characteristic high ceilings and a generous living space, while the kitchen and bathroom are more compact and modern in style, but well-appointed and cater to all your needs.
Guests say: “Pam’s flat was exceptionally homely and well located for a long weekend exploring Edinburgh. The team were extremely responsive and went out of their way to ensure we had everything we needed. I would highly recommend this place and we will certainly be back!”
Sleeps: 4
Price: from £185 per night
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7/9Marchmont
There are some weird and wonderful AirBnBs out there and this is certainly one of them. A former dovecot, it is a tall, skinny building that has been turned into accommodation in a nifty way, keeping all the original features in tact. Beautiful carpentry and original stones characterise the space, which uses the nesting boxes as a wonderful feature.
Guests say: “Entering the grounds of the Dovecot was like stepping into a fairytale world. Beautifully kept gardens and a floral covered walkway leads you to one of the most unique buildings in Edinburgh, full of charm and history.”
Sleeps: 2
From: £170 per night
8/9Old Town
Located near Cowgate, this Edinburgh Airbnb is better for groups looking for nightlife than those looking for a quiet time. It has two bedrooms that comfortably sleep four guests, but the sofa in the open plan living-dining-kitchen is in fact a sofa bed so it can take six guests at a push.
Guests say: “Beautiful and cosy apartment in a great, Old Town location. The price of the excellent location though is the outside noise, particularly on weekend nights so if you’re a light sleeper this might not be for you. The place was very clean and extremely easy to check into and out. We also really appreciated the guide the hosts sent us prior to arriving, containing a list of recommended restaurants, things to do, etc. Would definitely return!”
Sleeps: 4
Price: from £130 per night
9/9Newington
Located right by the meadows and the main university buildings, this compact flat is walking distance to many of the city's highlights. It's a small place that sleeps two, but the rooms are spacious and nicely decorated with modern flair.
Guests say: “Staying in Kelly's beautiful flat was amazing. Kelly was accommodating with arrival times, easy to communicate with, and helpful but not intrusive. It was great to meet her. The flat was warm, clean, quiet and so tastefully renovated. Kelly provided some essentials, and her map of the city was great to use as a starting point for exploring.”
Sleeps: 2
Price: from £70 per night
More Airbnb inspiration from House & Garden:
