Ballantrae Hotel

7.2
Very Good
(308 reviews)

8-12 York Pl, Edinburgh EH1 3EP, United Kingdom

+44 131 478 4748

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Hotel Description

The Ballantrae Hotel, located at 8-12 York Pl, Edinburgh EH1 3EP, United Kingdom, offers a charming and comfortable retreat in the heart of Edinburgh, ideal for both leisure and business travelers. Situated in a refined area with Georgian architecture, trendy bars, and the bustling shopping districts of Princes Street and George Street, the hotel is a short stroll away from some of the city's most iconic attractions. Guests will find themselves just 6 minutes on foot from the Scottish National Portrait Gallery, 7 minutes from Waverley train station, and within walking distance of popular landmarks like the Scott Monument and the Royal Mile. The hotel's location offers the perfect blend of quiet sophistication and easy access to the vibrant city center.
The rooms at Ballantrae Hotel are designed for comfort and convenience. Each room is equipped with private or en suite bathrooms, offering guests a private sanctuary after a day of exploring the city. Rooms feature modern amenities such as TVs, tea and coffee-making facilities, and free Wi-Fi, ensuring a relaxing and hassle-free stay. Some rooms are also enhanced with period features, such as original fireplaces and ornate windows, adding a touch of historic charm. The warm and inviting atmosphere of the hotel provides an ideal setting for guests to unwind, with a peaceful ambiance that reflects the elegance of its Georgian townhouse setting.
A continental breakfast is served daily in the hotel's dining room, providing a delicious start to the day. For a more relaxed experience, guests can also enjoy drinks at the informal bar. Although the hotel does not offer a fitness center, spa, or pool, its range of services and amenities make it a great choice for those seeking a cozy, no-frills experience with easy access to the heart of Edinburgh. Limited parking is available for guests with cars.
Ballantrae Hotel is also very well connected to public transportation. The nearest public transit station is just a 3-minute walk from the hotel, and Edinburgh Waverley station is only 10 minutes on foot. Edinburgh Airport can be reached by taxi in approximately 29 minutes, while the Haymarket station is a short 15-minute taxi ride away. The hotel's central location makes it easy to explore the best of Edinburgh, whether by foot, bus, or taxi.
Health and safety are a priority at Ballantrae Hotel. The property is smoke-free, and the friendly front desk staff ensures that guests have a safe and comfortable stay. The hotel is kid-friendly and caters to families, offering a welcoming atmosphere for guests of all ages.
There is no shortage of things to do near Ballantrae Hotel. Guests can visit top attractions such as the National Museum of Scotland, the Palace of Holyroodhouse, and Edinburgh Castle. For outdoor enthusiasts, Calton Hill offers stunning views of the city, and Arthur's Seat, a dormant volcano, provides hiking opportunities with breathtaking panoramic views of Edinburgh.
Guests will also find a variety of dining options nearby, including Howies Restaurant, which serves traditional Scottish fare, and Tattu Edinburgh, a popular Chinese restaurant. Other nearby eateries include Makars Mash Bar, Down The Hatch Edinburgh, and Ka Pao Edinburgh, each offering unique cuisines ranging from Scottish to Asian and Canadian dishes. These nearby restaurants provide a wide range of dining experiences, from casual meals to more sophisticated dining options.
Whether you're visiting for business or leisure, Ballantrae Hotel offers a welcoming atmosphere and excellent location to experience the best of Edinburgh. With its cozy rooms, friendly service, and proximity to local attractions, it's a wonderful base for exploring Scotland's capital city.

The Most Outstanding Trait

1. Walking distance to the Scottish National Portrait Gallery and the Scott Monument

2. 3-minute walk to nearest public transit

3. Guests mentioned Wi-Fi 18 times as an excellent feature

4. Located in a refined area with Georgian architecture

5. Continental breakfast served daily in a cozy dining room

6. Period features such as original fireplaces and ornate windows in some rooms

7. Kid-friendly property offering a welcoming atmosphere for families

8. Limited parking available for guests with vehicles

9. Smoke-free property ensuring a safe and comfortable environment

10. Proximity to popular attractions like Edinburgh Castle and Calton Hill


9.8 Exceptional

Location rating

Top sights

Edinburgh Castle
12 min
National Museum of Scotland
15 min
Palace of Holyroodhouse
6 min
Royal Mile
12 min
Calton Hill
10 min

Nearest locations

Ka Pao Edinburgh
2 min
Down The Hatch Edinburgh
3 min
Mamma Roma
3 min
Taisteal
4 min
Eden's Kitchen
4 min
Tattu Edinburgh
6 min
The Table
6 min
Duck & Waffle
6 min
See more Interesting locations

Good to know

Check-in14:00
Check-out11:00
Location rating9.8
Nearest airportEdinburgh Airport
Travel time to airport29 min

Location

8-12 York Pl, Edinburgh EH1 3EP, United Kingdom

Airports:

Edinburgh Airport

Taxi: 29 min

Transit: 36 min

Glasgow Airport

Taxi: 1 hr 25 min

Transit: 1 hr 30 min

Transit:

Haymarket

Taxi: 15 min

Walking: 31 min

Edinburgh Waverley

Walking: 10 min

St Andrew Square

Walking: 3 min

Edinburgh

Walking: 4 min

Princes Street - Waverley Steps (Stop PN)

Walking: 7 min


Nearby locations

9.8

Exceptional Location

Edinburgh New Town

Refined area with trendy bars & Georgian architecture, plus shopping on Princes & George streets.

Top Attractions

Top Restaurants


Amenities and Facilities

Pets

No pets

Services

Front desk

Policies & payments

Smoke-free property

Food & drink

Restaurant

Bar

Breakfast

Wellness

No fitness center

No spa

Children

Kid-friendly

Internet

Wi-Fi

Pools

No pools

No hot tub

Rooms

No air conditioning


Reviews

100% reviews from partners and customers booking on Dinogo

6.2

10 reviews

Wonderful
1
Excellent
4
Good
1
Below Average
3
Not Good
1
Cover Image for R G

R G

5/5
Fantastic hotel and great value for money and an excellent location on the edge of the main shopping area. The staff were all very helpful and friendly, breakfast was generous and varied.The only downside was that our room was right at the top on the 3rd floor - with no lifts! - it was 100 steps from the entrance to our room, so bear that in mind if you are not in great health when making your booking. The room was a good size and the bathroom modern and clean. Would definitely stay here again.

Cover Image for Justin Faluotico

Justin Faluotico

4/5
Spent two days at this hotel. We were able to leave our bags at the hotel as we waited for check in. Your location is likely in a different building and requires you to go to a nearby building. Ours was only two buildings over. Be prepared to climb some stairs, because there are no elevators and you could be a few flights up. Being that we packed light it wasn't a problem, but I could see this being a deal breaker for those staying many nights. The room was basic - high ceiling, couch, small coffee table, tiny night stands, desk, TV, several beds, and a closet. The bathroom and sizable with a shower tub and sink. Towels are provided for every bed. The water was warm and had good pressure. Plenty of lighting, windows, and mirrors. A kettle is in the room with tea bags and extras. Having a larger open area with the high ceilings was nice compared to the usual hotel.Only thing that didn't work was one of the windows wouldn't open and a lamb bulb went out. Beds aren't the most comfortable, nor the sheets.If your trip is low maintenance this will do fine. We were hardly in our room and it worked out perfect.

Cover Image for Siska Miles

Siska Miles

4/5
A nice place to stay in, the staff is very friendly and professional.My room was a single bed en-suite room, very comfortable and clean.The best part of my stay was without a doubt breakfast time: delicious and with a lot of choices! The Hotel is very close to the City Centre which is quite good, in ten minutes you can find yourself in the very heart of the town.Enjoy your stay!Fran

JK

Janine K

4/5
We booked here for one night (going round the Christmas markets and for dinner) and the location is fantastic for town. …

Cover Image for nige brett

nige brett

3/5
It's an average hotel. A bit pricey for what it is however it was the summer holidays so I assume the prices sneak up. It had plenty of storage and good tea/coffee facilities. Nice new looking bathroom although the shower was low on power. Nice views and a window that opened properly 😁 The worst thing was the bed... lumpy pillows, the most uncomfortable mattress ever! Springy and lumpy obviously very old. The quilt felt d and thin too. Had very little sleep because of this.I wouldn't stay there again unless they replaced the mattresses etc. Then yep I would book again.Can't comment on the breakfast I didn't have none.

F

Frank8789

4/5
A last minute change of plan on 14th March 2020 lead us to Edinburgh, Scotland and this hotel. HOTEL BALLANTRAE are really good except they don't have any lift. However that doesn't deter me to write positive reviews about them. …

RM

Roseanna M

2/5
We attend the Festival every year. We checked out of the Ballantrae Hotel on the 11th of August 2019 and re-booked and paid in full, for the 4th year running for Aug 15th 2020. …

Cover Image for Marina de la Fuente

Marina de la Fuente

2/5
Despite its really good location close to everything, I cannot give a better review as I hardly slept. First, we got room 22, a cozy attic in the second building, really cute but with one of the most horrible mattresses that I had in a hotel. I have a bad back so this completely ruined my night. Next day, we asked for a room change and they moved us to the first building. Better bathroom and slightly better mattress but a really noisy room where you could hear both the busy street plus everything happening around you. Again, really poor sleep. On top of everything, the rooms seem to have never been vacuumed and there were hairs in both beds. It’s cheap for that central location in Edinburgh but unless you are in a really tight budget, I’d go for something else.

JM

Janie M

1/5
Given key to separate part of the hotel two doors down the road - key to front door also opened the door to the room which we found very odd! Did this mean all the other rooms had the same key as our room??? …

Cover Image for Pamela Fisher

Pamela Fisher

2/5
Very friendly reception staff. Good breakfast. Unfortunately though our room was on top floor of the building 2 properties away. 71 stairs to room 21. We are both 70 so this was a killer. Room OK good view.. Obviously. Bathroom light wouldn't turn off.. Annoying