If you’re hunting for the Edinburgh Central Waterloo Place Hotel, you’ve likely realized something a bit confusing: the naming conventions for hotels at the east end of Princes Street are a total mess. People call it different things. Some are looking for the specific Apex City of Edinburgh Hotel located right there, others are thinking of the historic Waterloo Place buildings that now house luxury apartments or nearby chains. It’s the spot where the New Town's elegance literally slams into the rugged side of Calton Hill. Honestly, it’s one of the best patches of pavement in the city if you hate dragging luggage uphill, which, let’s be real, is most of Edinburgh.
Location is everything here. You’re standing on a bridge, though it doesn't feel like one. Regent Bridge carries Waterloo Place over Low Calton, and the engineering is basically Georgian magic. If you stay in this specific pocket, you’re roughly three minutes from Waverley Station. That’s not "travel agent minutes"—that’s "I can see the clock tower from my window" minutes.
The Reality of Staying at Waterloo Place
Most travelers landing at the Edinburgh Central Waterloo Place Hotel area are looking for that sweet spot between the backpacker chaos of the Royal Mile and the stiff, overly formal vibe of the West End. It’s breezy. It’s open. Because the street is so wide, you actually get sunlight, which is a rare commodity in the narrow closes of the Old Town.
The Apex City of Edinburgh Hotel (often what people mean by the central Waterloo Place stay) sits in a building that looks like it belongs in a period drama, but the inside is surprisingly sharp. It’s not trying to be a museum. You get the high ceilings and the massive windows, but the Wi-Fi actually works and the showers don't have the water pressure of a leaky faucet. You’ve probably seen the photos of the classic facade—it’s iconic for a reason.
But here’s the kicker: it’s loud. Or it can be. Edinburgh is a city of stone, and stone bounces sound like a rubber ball. If you’re on the street side, you’ll hear the buses. You’ll hear the late-night revelers wandering back from the Omni Centre. If you’re a light sleeper, ask for a room facing the back. It might not have the "grand" view of the monuments, but you won't wake up at 3:00 AM because a stag party decided to sing The Proclaimers.
What the Guidebooks Skip
Everyone tells you to walk up Calton Hill. And you should. It’s right there at the end of Waterloo Place. But they don't tell you that the "Dugald Stewart Monument" is the one you want for your Instagram photo, not the giant unfinished Parthenon lookalike (the National Monument).
Also, if you're staying at the Edinburgh Central Waterloo Place Hotel, you are dangerously close to some of the best coffee in the city. Forget the hotel breakfast once or twice. Walk five minutes toward Broughton Street. There’s a level of craft there that makes the standard hotel buffet look like a sad afterthought.
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The hotel itself usually offers a solid "Full Scottish." If you haven't had haggis yet, just do it. Don't ask what's in it. It’s savory, peppery, and basically the fuel you need to climb the 287 steps of the Scott Monument later.
Navigating the Confusion of Hotel Names
Let’s clear something up because it trips up a lot of tourists. There are several "central" hotels in this radius. You have the Motel One Edinburgh-Royal which is just across the way, and the Princes Street hotels. The specific appeal of the Waterloo Place location is the historic Neo-Classical architecture.
- The Apex Waterloo Place Hotel: This is the big one. It was actually the first large-scale purpose-built hotel in Edinburgh, dating back to 1819. It’s got a pool. A pool! In central Edinburgh, that's like finding a unicorn.
- The Elliott's Restaurant: Located inside the hotel, it’s actually decent. Usually, hotel restaurants are where hope goes to die, but the Georgian dining room here is actually quite stunning.
- Alternative Stays: If the Apex is booked, people often pivot to the Hub by Premier Inn nearby. It’s smaller, cheaper, and lacks the soul of the Waterloo buildings, but it works for a crash pad.
I’ve spent a lot of time talking to locals about how this area has changed. Ten years ago, Waterloo Place was just a place you passed through to get to the post office. Now, it’s a destination. The redevelopment of the St James Quarter—that massive, swirly bronze building that looks like a certain emoji—has shifted the entire gravity of the city toward this end. You’re now seconds away from high-end shopping and a cinema that serves actual cocktails to your seat.
Logistics You Actually Need
Getting from the airport? Don't take a taxi unless you have four people and a ton of bags. It’ll cost you £30-£40. Take the Tram. It ends at Newhaven now, but you get off at the St Andrew Square stop. From there, it’s a flat, five-minute walk to Waterloo Place. No hills. No cobblestones to ruin your suitcase wheels.
If you’re coming by train to Waverley, use the Princes Street exit. Turn right. Walk straight. You’re there.
The Architectural Weight of Waterloo Place
It’s worth noting that when you stay at the Edinburgh Central Waterloo Place Hotel, you’re living in a piece of the "Athens of the North" vision. Archibald Elliot designed this stretch. He wanted it to be grand. He wanted people entering the city from the east to be intimidated by how wealthy and sophisticated Edinburgh was.
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The archways you see—the Regent Bridge—were a massive undertaking. They basically leveled a chunk of a medieval graveyard to build this. If that sounds a bit macabre, welcome to Edinburgh. The city is built on layers of history, some of it literally buried under the pavement you’re walking on.
Is it Worth the Price?
Edinburgh isn't cheap. Let’s be blunt. During the Fringe Festival in August or Hogmanay in December, prices for a room on Waterloo Place will make your eyes water. You’re paying for the ability to walk everywhere.
Is it better than staying in the West End? Probably. The West End is beautiful but it feels a bit detached. Is it better than the Old Town? Yes, because you aren't fighting 10,000 people just to get out of your front door. Waterloo Place feels like a "grown-up" choice. You get the views, the history, and the transport links without the claustrophobia.
Actionable Tips for Your Stay
If you’ve booked or are about to book, keep these specific points in mind to avoid the typical tourist traps.
First, check the spa situation if you’re at the Apex. You usually have to book a slot for the pool. Don’t just wander down in your robe and expect a loungers to be open. It’s a popular spot for a reason.
Second, the "back view" isn't always a bad thing. While the front looks at the buzz of the street, the back of these buildings often overlooks the Firth of Forth in the distance or the rooftops of the Calton area. It’s a different kind of beauty—less "monumental" and more "living city."
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Third, use the back entrance of Waverley Station. If you are headed to the hotel, the Calton Road entrance is often much quieter than the main Princes Street or Market Street exits. It brings you out right near the base of the stairs leading up to Waterloo Place.
Finally, explore the bars on West Register Street, tucked just behind the main drag. The Guildford Arms and the Café Royal are two of the most beautiful Victorian "gin palaces" you’ll ever see. They are a one-minute walk from the Waterloo hotels and offer a much more authentic atmosphere than the hotel bars.
When you pack your bags, remember that Edinburgh weather is a mood, not a forecast. You can see the sun from your Waterloo Place window and be hit by horizontal rain by the time you reach the bottom of the stairs. Layers are your best friend.
The Edinburgh Central Waterloo Place Hotel experience is ultimately about convenience wrapped in Georgian grandeur. It’s about being able to see the sun set over the Scott Monument and being back in your room before the chill really sets in. It’s a solid, reliable, and historically rich choice for anyone who wants to actually enjoy the city rather than just navigate it.
Next Steps for Your Trip:
- Verify the specific hotel name: Ensure you are booking the Apex Waterloo Place if you want the historic building and pool, as "Edinburgh Central" is a generic term used by many booking sites.
- Book dining early: If you want to eat at nearby spots like The Lookout on Calton Hill, you’ll need to book weeks in advance.
- Check the Tram schedule: If you have an early flight, the tram starts running around 6:00 AM from nearby St Andrew Square, providing a seamless link to the airport.
- Download a digital map: Edinburgh's "levels" are confusing; a map that shows elevation or walking paths will save you from accidental mountain climbing.