The Scholar

The Scholar works best for travelers who want Edinburgh within reach but not right on top of them. Set on Holyrood Park Road in the Southside, the hotel combines a green, campus-like setting with easy access to Arthur’s Seat, the Meadows, the Royal Mile, and other major sights. The recent refurbishment seems to have sharpened the whole experience, especially with the addition of Abacus, the new brasserie and bar serving Scottish produce with Mediterranean influences from breakfast through dinner. Rooms are straightforward but well judged, with large beds, rainfall showers, OPAL coffee machines, Novus teas, and generous workspaces that make the stay feel easy rather than overly styled. Thoughtful extras like complimentary parking, gym access, dog-friendly stays, and The Living Room for coffee or downtime round out the experience nicely.

A stylish, recently refurbished hotel on Edinburgh’s leafy Pollock Estate, offering calm, contemporary rooms and an easy base near Holyrood Park and Arthur’s Seat.

A grand old Edinburgh classic or a buzzy city-center design hotel. The Scholar is a quieter, more modern retreat that feels relaxed, practical, and comfortably removed from the crowds.

You want a calm, comfortable Edinburgh stay near the city’s green spaces, with modern rooms, easy parking, and a little more breathing room than a hotel right in the center.

Coming back after a long walk up Arthur’s Seat, then settling into Abacus or The Living Room as the hotel starts to feel like a proper retreat from the city.

Abacus restaurant - Where the best of Scottish produce meets Mediterranean flair