In the heart of Edinburgh, The Guards Hotel offers a warm welcome with a cozy bar and free in-room WiFi. Guests have praised the hotelâs convenient location near Edinburgh Castle.
Edinburgh (ZXE-Edinburgh Waverly Train Station) - 25 min walk
Haymarket Tram Station - 2 min walk
Princes Street Tram Stop - 17 min walk
Murrayfield Stadium Tram Stop - 20 min walk
Restaurants
âȘBlack Sheep Coffee - âŹ1 min walk
âȘWee Vault Edinburgh - âŹ6 min walk
âȘThe Palmerston - âŹ2 min walk
âȘRyrieâs Bar - âŹ1 min walk
âȘPlatform 5 - âŹ1 min walk
About this property
The Guards Hotel
The Guards Hotel puts you in a great location, within a 15-minute walk of Princes Street and George Street. Also, Grassmarket and Murrayfield Stadium are just a 5-minute drive away. The property is just a short walk to public transportation: Haymarket Tram Station is 2 minutes away.
At a glance
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Hotel size
11 rooms
Arranged over 3 floors
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Arriving/Leaving
Check-in start time: 2 PM; Check-in end time: 10 PM
Minimum check-in age: 18
Check-out time is 10 AM
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Special check-in instructions
There is no front desk at this property
Guests must contact the property for check-in information
This property doesn't offer after-hours check-in
To make arrangements for check-in please contact the property ahead of time using the information on the booking confirmation
If you are planning to arrive after 10 PM please contact the property in advance using the information on the booking confirmation
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Required at check-in
Credit card, debit card, or cash deposit required for incidental charges
Government-issued photo ID may be required
Minimum check-in age is 18
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Children
No cribs (infant beds)
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Pets
Pets not allowed
Service animals welcome
WIFI
Internet
Free WiFi in public areas
Free WiFi in rooms
LOCAL_PARKING
Parking
No onsite parking
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Other information
Designated smoking areas
Property amenities
Services
Tour/ticket assistance
Accessibility
Wheelchair accessible
Room amenities
Home comfort
Heating
Coffee/tea maker
Electric kettle
Iron/ironing board (on request)
Sleep well
Bed sheets provided
Freshen up
Hair dryer
Towels
Stay connected
Free WiFi
More
Daily housekeeping
Fees & policies
Refundable deposits
Cash Breakage deposit: GBP 60 per stay for guests under 25 years old
Optional extras
Late check-in between 10:30 PM and 1:30 AM can be arranged for an extra charge
Policies
This property does not have elevators.
This property accepts major credit cards and cash.
Also known as
Guards Edinburgh
Guards Hotel
Guards Hotel Edinburgh
Hotel Guards
The Guards Hotel Edinburgh
The Guards Hotel Hotel
The Guards Hotel Edinburgh
The Guards Hotel Hotel Edinburgh
Frequently asked questions
Does The Guards Hotel offer free cancellation for a full refund?
Yes, The Guards Hotel does have fully refundable room rates available to book on our site. If youâve booked a fully refundable room rate, this can be cancelled up to a few days before check-in depending on the property's cancellation policy. Just make sure to check this property's cancellation policy for the exact terms and conditions.
Are pets allowed at The Guards Hotel?
Sorry, pets aren't allowed, but service animals are welcome.
Is parking offered on site at The Guards Hotel?
Sorry, there's no onsite parking at The Guards Hotel.
What are the check-in and check-out times at The Guards Hotel?
Check-in start time: 2 PM; Check-in end time: 10 PM. Check-out time is 10 AM.
What's the area around The Guards Hotel like?
The Guards Hotel is in West End, a short 2-minute walk from Haymarket Tram Station and 9 minutes' walk from Princes Street.
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The Guards Hotel Reviews
Reviews
6.4
Good
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travelers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.
7.0/10
Cleanliness
7.2/10
Staff & service
5.6/10
Amenities
5.8/10
Property conditions & facilities
6.0/10
Eco-friendliness
Popular mentions
Bed
Room
Location
Building
Lobby
Shower
Service staff
Reviews
8/10 Very good
Aug 23, 2025
Ideally Located
Great place to stay with easy access to tramway and Haymarket Station.
Found parking (albeit expensive at ÂŁ26.49 for the night)) at the Distillery across the road about 200m away.
David
David, 1-night trip
8/10 Very good
Jun 3, 2025
We did not realise there was no reception, but luckily we checked in before the staff left. Helpful staff. We have to pay cash in full since their card machine was broken?
Good location, but can be noisy. Good size room but not comfortable bed.
Yifei
Yifei, 1-night trip
10/10 Exceptional
May 8, 2025
This property was lovely, and on our last evening we had a lovely visitor in our room upon our arrival home from dinner ... a cat! Most would be bothered by this, we saw it as a sign of good will.
Heather
Heather, 3-night trip
6/10 Good
May 10, 2025
Charmerende Hotel
Centralt beliggende med gode pubber og spisesteder tÊt pÄ. Hotellet er smÄt, der er dog alt hvad vi havde brug for.
Rent og pĂŠnt indenfor. Udvendig kan der godt bruges lidt pĂ„ vedligeholdelse đ
SĂžde og venlige personaler, som var klar til at hjĂŠlpe.
Specielt er pubben Haymarket et besĂžg vĂŠrd.
Offentlig transport perfekt stoppesteder tÊt pÄ og med gratis Sporvogn til lufthavnen.
Det var muligt at opbevare kufferter efter udtjekning.
Yelva
Yelva, 1-night trip
8/10 Very good
Apr 21, 2025
They only take cash for Expedia bookings.
Cristian
Cristian, 2-night trip
8/10 Very good
Apr 26, 2025
I loved the room. It was huge and beautiful. Just the sanitary facilities could use an update.
We had fans and radiators/heaters to use.
Close by (1 min walking) was the haymarket tram station. That was very useful and so we were fast in the center.
Romy
Romy, 4-night trip
8/10 Very good
Oct 24, 2024
It was central for every thing we needed
Martin
Martin, 1-night trip
10/10 Exceptional
Jun 21, 2024
Great service after a long journey very easy check in
STEWART
STEWART, 1-night trip
10/10 Exceptional
May 25, 2023
Very cute boutique hotel. Would stay there again.
Jacqueline
Jacqueline, 1-night trip
4/10 Fair
Apr 17, 2025
Staff was very polite. However the place was quite dirty, peanuts on the floor, plenty of hairs on the carpet, the toilet was running water during the day and night. Difficult to sleep with the constant noise. The bed was also unsteady and noisy. There was some spider webs hanging on the ceiling.
Very close to Haymarket station, so close to transport links.
Lynne
Lynne, 1-night trip
8/10 Very good
Sep 27, 2024
Good Price and good location, Just remember IT IS CASH ONLY
Nicholas
Nicholas, 1-night trip
6/10 Good
Jul 10, 2023
The Guards
Very cheap to stay in Edinburgh so if you donât mind absolute basic stay then this is for you.
Ian
Ian, 1-night trip
6/10 Good
Feb 2, 2025
Guardâs Hotel review
Down for rugby. Hotel basic and a little tired in need of a facelift. Shower only warm at best. Extra heaters in room. Which were needed. Old windows bit draughty. Overall nae good and nae bad.
Mark
Mark, 1-night trip
2/10 Poor
Feb 23, 2025
Dont stay here
Looks nothing like the photos. Very dated looks really rough not very clean. Shower had part of the wall missing and was covered with a bit of black plastic and the flooring was coming up
Verified traveler
1-night trip
6/10 Good
Jan 1, 2025
Guards hotel December 24
The front door was locked so waited over 5 mins to be answered. They asked for cash payment upon entry as they no longer deal with credit cards.water was cold for shower
Julie
Julie, 1-night trip
8/10 Very good
Jul 29, 2024
Affordable, safe, great location
This hotel was worth the low price. Places in Edinburgh are generally super expensive, so this a great option if you're okay with staying somewhere a little less fancy but in a great location. It's a bit out-dated but has lots of character, and it's in a safe, central location (incredibly close to st Mary's Cathedral) and about 20 mins walking from the Royal Mile and all the action. There are good affordable food options nearby as well, and it's a minute from the tram station which was nice because we were hauling around luggage.
The shower was cold - not hot water and when we got to the room it was cold but I told the receptionist and he provided me with a heater but the hot water was not reported. No receptionist around at 6am for me to report the problem to. Room was comfy and clean. great value for a night in Edinburgh which is expensive.
Beverley
Beverley, 1-night trip
6/10 Good
Jul 17, 2024
Had to pay cash for the room. Their CC system had been compromised.
Staff- friendly.
Beds-Uncomfortable
Location-convenient
Good area for transportation and dining options.
Lorraine
Lorraine, 2-night trip
8/10 Very good
Aug 5, 2024
The Guards Hotel Edinburgh
Reception was great when they finally opened at 2pm. Room was large but dated. Trouble with flushing WC. Close to trains, buses and trams.
Tim
Tim, 2-night trip
6/10 Good
Jul 12, 2024
Tired and run down
Cheap crash pad in very rundown order.
If you want a one night sleep and shower in a great location, crack on.
If you're looking for anything even remotely salubrious, look elsewhere.
Ken
Ken, 1-night trip
6/10 Good
Apr 17, 2023
The hotel was dusty, not very secure needs updating and renovating