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Hotel

Stay Central

139 Cowgate, Edinburgh · Hotel

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Photo: Stay Central Hotel

Budget-friendly hotel on Cowgate in Edinburgh, well suited to travellers who want a lively central base rather than a quiet retreat.

Photos

Photos via Google

About Stay Central

Stay Central suits visitors who want to be right in the thick of Edinburgh's old town, with the city's sights, pubs and restaurants all within easy walking distance. It works best for those planning to spend their days out exploring rather than lounging in their room, since the attached bar means evenings here have a lively soundtrack rather than a peaceful one.

The hotel has 37 rooms, generally described as generously sized, and there's a restaurant and bar on site along with breakfast, free WiFi, air conditioning and a lift. Free on-site parking is a useful bonus in a part of the city where parking can otherwise be a headache. Staff are consistently noted as friendly and helpful, though some rooms show their age and could do with better upkeep, so it suits guests who prioritise location and value over polish.

Edinburgh Waverley station is around a mile away, making onward travel straightforward, and the surrounding streets are packed with pubs, eateries and entertainment. It's a practical, well-placed choice for anyone wanting to stay central without paying central prices.

Reception hours

Monday
Open 24 hours
Tuesday
Open 24 hours
Wednesday
Open 24 hours
Thursday
Open 24 hours
Friday
Open 24 hours
Saturday
12:00 AM – 11:59 PM
Sunday
Open 24 hours

Current hours may differ from the usual schedule above (e.g. holidays) — check Google Maps for today's hours.

What guests say

Maria F

We absolutely loved this hotel! It has such a youthful and relaxed vibe, which we really enjoyed. The room was very spacious and clean, which made the stay even more comfortable. One feature we especially loved was being able to play music throughout the room using the speakers already installed in the room, such a cool touch! The only small downside was that the heating didn’t seem strong enough, probably because some heat escaped through the windows which didn’t feel very well insulated. That said, we didn’t feel cold. We just would have appreciated a bit more warmth. We also want to highlight the excellent service from the receptionist working the morning shift on February 7th. She was incredibly friendly, welcoming, and helpful, which made a great impression on us. If I return to Edinburgh, I will definitely stay at this hotel again. Thank you for a wonderful stay!

5 months ago · via Google

Emma Bell

I had a fantastic stay at Stay Central Hotel and would highly recommend it to anyone visiting Edinburgh. The location is absolutely perfect—right in the heart of the city, within easy walking distance of the Royal Mile, Edinburgh Castle, restaurants, bars, shops, and all the main attractions. The hotel itself was modern, stylish, and exceptionally clean. My room was comfortable, well-equipped, and surprisingly quiet considering the central location, which made for a great night’s sleep. The bed was incredibly comfortable, and everything was maintained to a very high standard. What really made the experience stand out was the friendly and welcoming staff. Every member of the team was professional, helpful, and genuinely eager to make sure guests had a great stay. Their local recommendations were excellent and helped make the most of my time in Edinburgh. The combination of outstanding location, comfortable accommodation, great facilities, and exceptional service makes Stay Central excellent value for money. I wouldn’t hesitate to stay here again on my next trip to Edinburgh and will be recommending it to friends and family. Thank you for a wonderful stay! 😊

2 months ago · via Google

Demi Reijers

This is one of the best hotels ever in Edinburgh. We had an amazing time staying here last October. The city was buzzing because of Halloween, and the hotel definitely added to the buzz! It was an overal great experience. The rooms are spacious, and are cleaned properly every day. The service is great and the people are so helpful! There can be a bit of noise from the bar next door, but we personally didn't have any complaints about it!

3 months ago · via Google

Charlotte Braithwaite

This hotel was awesome! My 4 sisters and I stayed here in the Dorm Room and we had a great experience. We arrived earlier than check-in and they stored our luggage for us while we went exploring the city. The staff were very helpful and courteous. The rooms and linens were clean, and the beds (one twin bed for each of us) were comfortable. The hotel is very central and we were able to walk easily to everything we wanted to see. They also stored our luggage after checkout before we had to leave for our flight. My only complaint is that the stairwell leading up to our room smelled of smoke, but all in all, I would definitely recommend the Dorm Room here.

4 months ago · via Google

See all reviews on Google →

Guests consistently praise this hotel for its spacious rooms, friendly and helpful staff, and a great central location near attractions.

Other reviews mention rooms can be poorly maintained and noisy due to an attached bar.

Summary via Google

At a glance

Address
139 Cowgate, Edinburgh, EH1 1JS Get directions
Property type
Hotel
Location
139 Cowgate, Edinburgh
Destination
Edinburgh