Honestly, choosing a hotel in Edinburgh usually feels like a game of "pick your poison." You either pay a fortune to be right on the Royal Mile, or you save a few quid but end up commuting from a suburb that looks like every other suburb in the UK.
Then there is the Leonardo Hotel Edinburgh Haymarket.
It sits in this weirdly perfect middle ground that most people overlook because they’re too busy staring at the castle. Most travelers think of Haymarket as just a train station—a place to pass through on your way to somewhere more "historic." That is mistake number one.
Staying here basically puts you in the city's West End, which is significantly less "tourist-trap" than the Old Town but still only a 15-minute walk from the castle gates. I’ve seen plenty of folks arrive at the airport, take the tram to Princes Street, and then realize they’ve walked twice as far as they needed to because they didn't realize how central Haymarket actually is.
The building itself has that classic, stately grey stone exterior that makes Edinburgh look like a gothic film set. Inside? It’s modern, bordering on corporate-sleek, but with enough Scottish character (think subtle tartans and warm textures) to remind you where you are.
Is the Location Actually Good?
People worry that being near a major train station means noise.
You’ve got the tracks right there, after all. But the Leonardo Hotel Edinburgh Haymarket actually uses double-glazed windows that do a surprisingly heavy lifting. I’ve spoken to guests who didn't even realize the station was 400 meters away until they checked out.
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Location-wise, you are roughly:
- A 4-minute walk from the Edinburgh International Conference Centre (EICC).
- A 7-minute walk from the start of Princes Street.
- A 13-minute walk from the base of Edinburgh Castle.
If you are a business traveler, this is basically the jackpot. You can finish a meeting at the EICC and be back in your room, laptop open, and coffee in hand before your colleagues have even found a taxi. For tourists, it means you can hit the Dean Village—probably the most "Instagrammable" spot in the city—in about ten minutes on foot.
What the Rooms are Really Like
There are 282 rooms here. That’s a lot. It means the hotel is a bit of a machine, but a well-oiled one.
You’ve got everything from standard doubles to king suites. The standard rooms aren't massive, but they aren't those tiny "closet" rooms you find in London either. They’ve got air conditioning (not a given in Scotland, believe it or not), 42-inch flat-screen TVs, and those rainfall showers that make it very hard to get out of bed in the morning.
One thing people often miss: the executive rooms. If you’re staying more than two nights, the extra space is worth the upgrade. You get bottled water, better toiletries, and just a bit more breathing room so you aren't tripping over your suitcase.
Also, accessibility is actually taken seriously here. They have rooms specifically designed for wheelchair users with lowered baths or wet rooms. It isn't just an afterthought or a "compliant" box-ticking exercise; the layouts are genuinely maneuverable.
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The Food Situation (Beyond the Buffet)
Breakfast is the typical "Full Scottish" spread. You’ve got the eggs, the sausages, and yes, the black pudding. If you haven't tried black pudding yet, just do it. Don't ask what's in it. Just eat it with a bit of tattie scone. It costs about £14 if it isn't included in your rate, which is standard for mid-range Edinburgh hotels.
But the real secret isn't the hotel restaurant—it’s the immediate surroundings.
The Leonardo is right next to some of the best "non-tourist" food in the city.
- Quattro Zero: Literally steps away. Incredible Italian food.
- Pizzeria 1926: Possibly the best wood-fired pizza in Edinburgh.
- The Huxley: A gastropub that does a burger worth traveling for.
If you just eat in the hotel bar every night, you’re doing Edinburgh wrong. The Bar and Grill at Leonardo’s is fine for a quick illy coffee or a club sandwich, but use that Morrison Link location to your advantage.
Logistics and the "New" Tourist Tax
Let's talk about the boring stuff that actually matters.
Starting in mid-2026, Edinburgh has introduced a mandatory Visitor Levy—basically a tourist tax. If you booked your stay at the Leonardo Hotel Edinburgh Haymarket after October 2025 for a stay in late 2026, that 5% tax is likely already baked into your quoted price. It’s capped at five nights, so if you’re staying longer, you won't keep paying it.
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Parking is the other big one. There is limited on-site parking at the hotel (around £10 a day), but you can't reserve it. If you show up at 6:00 PM on a Friday, don't expect a spot. Your best bet is the APCOA car park at the station, but be prepared for a bit of a walk with your bags.
The Business Edge
If you’re here for work, the five meeting rooms are pretty high-spec. Suite 4 is the big one, holding up to 60 or 70 people. They’ve got the standard AV setups—LCD projectors, white screens, the works.
The WiFi is actually fast. Many hotels claim "High-Speed WiFi" and then it dies the moment you try to open a Zoom call. Here, the infrastructure is solid. It’s a favorite for tech folks visiting for the various festivals because the connection doesn't drop when the hotel hits 90% occupancy.
Why Choose This Over the Royal Mile?
Cost and quiet.
The Royal Mile is loud. It’s full of bagpipes at 8:00 AM and pub-crawlers at 2:00 AM. Haymarket has a pulse, but it isn't frantic. You’re staying in a neighborhood where people actually live and work.
Plus, the transport links are unbeatable. You can hop on a train and be in Glasgow in 50 minutes, or take the tram directly to the airport in 25. You are essentially at the city's main artery without being stuck in the "Old Town" bottleneck.
Actionable Insights for Your Stay
- Request a high floor: Even with double glazing, the higher up you are, the better the view and the quieter the ambient city hum.
- Skip the hotel dinner: Use the "West End Village" nearby. Walk down William Street for boutique shops and hidden cafes that most tourists never find.
- Check the EICC schedule: If there’s a massive convention on, the hotel fills up fast and the lobby gets hectic. Book well in advance if your dates overlap with a major conference.
- Walk the Water of Leith: From the hotel, it’s a short walk to the Water of Leith Walkway. It’s a hidden green corridor that takes you through the city—completely different vibe from the stone streets.
- Validate your parking: If you use the nearby public lots, always ask at reception if they have a discount deal. They often have partnerships that can shave 20% off your parking bill.
If you need a base that works for both a morning meeting and an afternoon hike up Arthur's Seat, this is it. It’s not the flashiest hotel in Scotland, but it’s arguably one of the most practical choices you can make in 2026.