XL Sleeps up to 4
- 2 Single beds
- Shower
- Heating
- Air conditioning
Hotel · Edinburgh · Edinburgh
Stay Central Hotel
A 3-star hotel on Cowgate in Edinburgh's Old Town, steps from centuries-old buildings and narrow alleys.
- Central Old Town location
- 24-hour reception and security
- Choice of rooms from small doubles to family suites
8
Great
2506 reviews
Booking.com 8 · 2506 reviews
About
Stay Central Hotel
Stay Central Hotel sits on Cowgate in Edinburgh's Old Town, a bustling area of centuries-old buildings and narrow alleys. The hotel is about a 5-minute walk from the city centre and 2.6 km from Arthur's Seat hike. With a 24-hour reception, express check-in/out, and luggage storage, it's geared for guests who want to be in the thick of the action.
The rooms range from a Small Double to an XXL sleeping up to 6, plus a Private Dorm billed as 'The Ultimate Party Room'. Decor is quirky and characterful, and there's a terrace, garden furniture, a bar/lounge area, and live entertainment on site. Note that the hotel has a night club, so noise may carry — one guest who stayed on a Monday night found it quiet.
- No smoking on site
- Wi-Fi
- Safe deposit box
- 24-hour reception
- Express check-in/ -out
- No pets allowed
In brief
What works, what to weigh
+
Strengths
3 reasons to book- Central Old Town location — On Cowgate, surrounded by bars and restaurants, and about a 5-minute walk from the centre. Arthur's Seat is 2.6 km away.
- Friendly, responsive staff — Guests call out kind, positive, and responsive service across multiple reviews.
- Quirky, characterful decor — The hotel's unconventional style adds charm, and one guest found their suite immaculate and silent.
–
Worth weighing
3 to weigh- Party atmosphere may mean noise — The hotel includes a night club and live entertainment, so quiet isn't guaranteed — though one guest noted it was quiet on a Monday night.
- Value for money rated lower — The 'Price and service' category scores only 6/10, and one guest simply said they didn't like it.
- No on-site parking — Parking is not listed, so guests driving into Edinburgh will need to make their own arrangements.
01 — Rooms
Rooms & rates
High season: summer dates usually book out a few weeks ahead.
Large Executive Double or Twin Room
- 1 King-size bed
- Shower
- Coffee machine
- Heating
- Air conditioning
Medium Double or Twin Room
- 1 Double bed
- Shower
- Heating
- Air conditioning
XXL Sleeps up to 6
- 2 Queen Size Beds
- Shower
- Heating
- Air conditioning
Small Double Room
- 1 Double bed
- Shower
- Heating
- Air conditioning
Private Dorm The Ultimate Party Room
- 4 Double beds
- Shower
- Coffee machine
- Heating
- Air conditioning
Family Room
- 2 King Size Beds
02 — Amenities
Services & amenities
Everything included at this stay — the facilities and essentials, at a glance.
General
- Wi-Fi
- Safe deposit box
- 24-hour reception
- Express check-in/out
- Luggage storage
- 24-hour security
- Key card access
- Lift
- Non-smoking
- No pets allowed
Food & Drink
- Coffee shop
- Bar/Lounge area
- Snack bar
- In-room breakfast
- Special diet menus
- Packed lunches
- Welcome drink
Room Amenities
- Air conditioning
- Heating
- Tea and coffee facilities
- Electric kettle
- Flat-screen TV
- Free toiletries
- Ironing facilities
Services
- Housekeeping
- Laundry
- Dry cleaning
Accessibility
- Rooms/Facilities for disabled
- Wheelchair access
- Toilet for disabled
- Bathroom for disabled
Entertainment
- Live entertainment
- Night club
- Board games
Photos
Gallery
03 — Reviews
What guests say
Recent verified reviews from guests who stayed here.
Guest-rated 8/10 from 2,506 reviews
Booking.com · 8 · 2506 reviews
8Verified guest“Very good staff provides fantastic service.”
8Verified guest“I had the suite which was immaculate and silent.”
8Verified guest“Kind and positive staff who were always there to help. Good breakfasts with the sausages and yogurt, as example, everyone could try something new. I didn't want to say goodbye, so can recommend this hotel.”
8Verified guest“Characterful base for discovering Edinburgh.”
8Verified guest“Quaint and vibrant place to stay 1 km away from Co-op Food. Cosy and silent rooms with nice decoration. Unbeatable very central location and amiable staff. Near bars and restaurants. A good restaurant and an outdoor bar available.”
8Verified guest“The hotel was located about 5 minutes walk from centre.”
04 — Location
Getting around Edinburgh
The property sits in Edinburgh.
Old Town: The hotel is in the Old Town, a bustling area of centuries-old buildings and narrow alleys. Bars and restaurants are steps away, and the city centre is about a 5-minute walk.
Arthur's Seat: The famous hike is 2.6 km from the hotel, a reasonable distance for a day trip on foot or by local transport.
139 Cowgate, Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH1 1JS, United Kingdom
05 — Good to know
Policies & conditions
Hotel details are shown for reference. Final rate terms are confirmed on the partner’s site at booking.
- Check-in
- From 15:00-23:59
- Check-out
- By 11:00
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation on many rates — terms on booking page
- Payment
- Pay-at-hotel available on many rates; final terms at booking
- Pets
- Not allowed
- Property
- 38 rooms
06 — Questions
Frequently asked
What are the check-in and check-out times?
Check-in is from 15:00 to 23:59, and check-out is by 11:00. Express check-in/out is available.
Does the hotel allow pets?
No, pets are not allowed at Stay Central Hotel.
Is there parking at the hotel?
The hotel does not list on-site parking, so you'll need to find public parking nearby.
What room types are available?
Options include a Small Double, Medium Double or Twin, Large Executive Double or Twin, Family Room with two king beds, XL sleeping up to 4, XXL sleeping up to 6, and a Private Dorm for parties.
Are there accessible facilities?
Yes, the hotel has rooms and facilities for disabled guests, wheelchair access, and adapted toilets and bathrooms.
Is smoking allowed?
No, the hotel is non-smoking throughout.
The bottom line
Stay Central Hotel delivers on its name: a central Old Town base with character and attentive staff. It suits travellers who want to be in the middle of Edinburgh's nightlife and don't mind some buzz. The lower value rating and possible noise are trade-offs to weigh if you're after a quiet, budget-conscious stay.
8A lively, well-located pick for those who want to be in the Old Town action.
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