The Guards Hotel

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Dates

December 2024

January 2025

Overview
Rooms
Location
Policies

Popular amenities

Bar

Housekeeping

Free WiFi

Explore the area

1 Clifton Terrace, Edinburgh, Scotland, EH12 5DR

Edinburgh International Conference Centre
6 min walk
Princes Street
9 min walk
Princes Street Gardens
11 min walk
Edinburgh (EDI)
14 min drive

Room options

Standard Room

Sleeps 2
1 Double Bed OR 2 Twin Beds

Luxury Double Room, Ensuite

Sleeps 3
1 Double Bed

Basic Single Room

Sleeps 1
1 Twin Bed

Standard Double Room

Sleeps 2
1 Double Bed

Standard Room, 1 Double Bed, Shared Bathroom

Sleeps 2
1 Double Bed

Single Room, 1 Large Single Bed, Private Bathroom

Sleeps 1
1 Large Twin Bed

4 poster Suite

Sleeps 2
1 King Bed and 1 Twin Sofa Bed

Triple Room

Sleeps 3
1 Double Bed and 1 Twin Bed

Similar properties

Pet-friendly

Free WiFi

Restaurant

Breakfast available

for 1 night

includes taxes & fees

7 Dec - 8 Dec

About this property

Hotel with a bar, a short walk to Princes Street

A bar/lounge, tour/ticket assistance, and free WiFi in public areas are available at this hotel.

The Guards Hotel offers 11 accommodations with coffee/tea makers and hair dryers. This Edinburgh hotel provides complimentary wireless Internet access. Housekeeping is offered daily and irons/ironing boards can be requested.

During your stay at The Guards Hotel, you're just a quick walk from Princes Street. Features include free WiFi in public areas and a bar.

Free WiFi
Enjoy drinks at the bar/lounge
Services include tour or ticket assistance
Within a 15-minute walk of Princes Street and George Street

The Guards Hotel offers its guests tour/ticket assistance. Public spaces have free WiFi. You can enjoy a drink at the bar/lounge.

Smoking is allowed in designated areas at this 3-star Edinburgh hotel.

Languages

English

Property amenities

Internet

Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and public transport

No on-site parking available

Food and drink

1 bar

Guest services

Daily housekeeping
Tour/ticket assistance

Accessibility

This property does not have any lifts

Designated smoking areas

Room amenities

Bedroom

Bed sheets
Heating

Bathroom

Hairdryer
Towels

Food and drink

Coffee/tea maker
Electric kettle

Iron/ironing board (on request)

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 2 PM; Check-in end time: 10 PM

Late check-in fee for check-in between 10:30 PM and 1:30 AM

Minimum check-in age: 18

Check-out

Check-out before 10 AM

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

Pets

No pets allowed, but service animals are welcome

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome.

Rollaway/extra beds are not available.

Cribs (infant beds) are not available.

Payment types at the property

Important information

Fees

Guests will be asked to pay the following charges at the property:

Cash Breakage deposit: GBP 60 per stay for guests under 25 years old

We've listed all charges provided to us by the property.

Optional extras

The fees and deposits listed below will be charged at the time of service, check-in, or check-out.

Late check-in fee for check-in between 10:30 PM and 1:30 AM

This may not be a comprehensive list. Fees and deposits are subject to change and might not include tax.

You need to know

This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business, or profession.

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy

Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges

Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed

The name on the credit card used at check-in to pay for incidentals must be the primary name on the guestroom reservation

This property accepts major credit cards and cash

This property does not have a front desk. This property doesn't offer after-hours check-in. To arrange for check-in, guests must contact the property in advance of arrival using the information on the booking confirmation. Guests arriving after 10 PM must make advance arrangements by contacting the property using the information on the booking confirmation. Guests must contact the property for check-in instructions.

Property is 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

The Guards Hotel Reviews

6.4

7.0/10

Cleanliness

7.2/10

Staff & service

5.4/10

Amenities

5.6/10

Property conditions & facilities

5.8/10

Eco-friendliness

8/10 Good

Tim

5 Aug 2024

Liked: Staff & service, room comfort

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.

Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2024

8/10 Good

Lauren

29 Jul 2024

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

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.

Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2024

4/10 Poor

David L

20 Jul 2024

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities

Comfortable but not to standard

Dusty in places, bed frame broken, chair legs loose, lock on bathroom door was loose, carpet filthy. Celing had marks on it.

Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2024

6/10 Okay

Lorraine

Travelled with group

17 Jul 2024

Liked: Staff & service

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.

Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2024

6/10 Okay

Ken

12 Jul 2024

Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

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.

Stayed 1 night in Jul 2024

2/10 Terrible

Dave

11 Jul 2024

Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities

I am so glad we only had 1 night here. We arrived to be told that our toilet had a leak and that a handyman was on their way. I explained until this was sorted o wouldnt pay for the room. 3 hours later while i was out i was advised we could change room (had been told earlier there were no more rooms) this meant i had to come back to the hotel and move room which was £10 cheaper but tiny. The staff were decent but a very poor service for a hotel in central Edinburgh. On top of this i had to pay by cash but if i had boomed through another provider i could have paid in card.

Stayed 1 night in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

STEWART

Travelled with family

21 Jun 2024

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Great service after a long journey very easy check in

Stayed 1 night in Jun 2024

4/10 Poor

Anna

13 Jun 2024

Disliked: Amenities, property conditions & facilities

It was in serious need of renovating. Really run down. The reception person was very helpful amiable and accommodating. The room was clean enough but dilapidated. Really old stained carpet and bed supports and broken okd lamshades. Ripped worn stair carpets just really okd and worn in general. It was quiet though.

Stayed 1 night in Jun 2024

6/10 Okay

Deidre

Travelled with partner

4 May 2024

Disliked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities

One star for location…very easy access to the city. One star for room size and beautiful ceiling. Otherwise disappointing plumbing, tv and drainage on bathroom floor which was non existent. Needs some attention to maintenance.

Stayed 3 nights in May 2024

6/10 Okay

Jessica

Travelled with partner

24 Apr 2024

Liked: Staff & service

Disliked: Property conditions & facilities

The bathroom facilities were sub par - the toilet did not flush easily and the shower was lukewarm The bedroom was spacious and lovely, but the bed was not very comfortable. Noisy for sure, but to be expected given its proximity to the tram and train station. City noises - we could definitely live with them (and sleep through them)

Stayed 1 night in Apr 2024

6/10 Okay

David

23 Apr 2024

Liked: Staff & service

Ok if all you wanted was a bed for the night. A little tired and needs some updating, but ok for the price paid.

Stayed 1 night in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Nicola

4 Apr 2024

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Stayed 1 night in Apr 2024

8/10 Good

William

11 Feb 2024

Stayed 1 night in Feb 2024

2/10 Terrible

Sakhawat

29 Jan 2024

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities

So I stayed at the property last weekend only for one night and thank god I only stayed for one night. Don’t think I could have the mental and physical resilience for two. When I arrived at the property the man on the front. Desk was super nice. However he told me that they only take cash. Not a an issue, just slightly inconvenient. It seemed nice at first inside the main hall, like someone’s old living room. In my head I was just thinking it was only one night I can survive that. He told me the key card was for the room called “the guards room”. Sounded fancy in my head and I was hopeful. When I got upstairs to my room I was very please. There was dust everywhere, the painted was crooked to one side, the lamp next to the bed didn’t work and it was cold inside the room. The only highlight was the bathroom but the was a hole in the floorboard and a random drown on the middle of it. I looked around the bed and dust all over skirting boards and the bed was very old and seemed like it was manually fixed with a wooden plank just nailed into it. The mattress itself was painful as it was super soft, which sounds great but not when you have old springs digging into your break. Also it made a lot of noise . It was freezing. The heater didn’t work , there was electric fan heaters which were layered with dust that I did not want to put on. Absolute disgusting. I managed to get a few hours sleep cold and uncomfortable. Worst was yet to come, half way through the night the power went…

Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2024

4/10 Poor

Margaret

22 Jan 2024

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service

Disliked: Room comfort

Not a good experience.

The central heating was not working. The hotel was freezing cold. A heater was provided but the room took a long time to warm because of the temperature. The bed was very old, creaky and uncomfortable. There was no bedside light to read. I was moved to another room. Once again the bed was extremely old, creaky and uncomfortable. The power socket for the kettle was faulty and the nearest one had to be used with a two metre extension cable across the room. The carpets on the stairway were worn through and threadbare. On arrival, I was advised that payment could only be made in cash which I was not prepared for. I had to leave to find a cash machine. Overall, a really uncomfortable night with broken sleep due to the bed and the cold.

Stayed 1 night in Jan 2024

4/10 Poor

Annalie

Travelled with group

30 Dec 2023

Liked: Staff & service

Disliked: Amenities, property conditions & facilities

We adored the location and the building was beautiful with a helpful and kind staff but there was a great deal of mold in our room and it felt as though the heat was not on despite the winter weather. Definitely would stay again given the convenience but I may think twice about staying for more than a night or two

Stayed 1 night in Dec 2023

4/10 Poor

Lee

13 Dec 2023

Disliked: Property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Heating didnt work, bed too soft, tv signal not working. Wouldn’t go back as this hotel needs a good refurb.

Stayed 1 night in Dec 2023

6/10 Okay

Samuel

7 Dec 2023

Disliked: Property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Stayed 1 night in Dec 2023

4/10 Poor

Iain

Business traveller

16 Nov 2023

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

I have stayed before and knew it was basic (and cheap) but unlike previous rooms this room was not really in a suitable state to be let out. It was like staying in a down and out hostel. Bare boards on the floor, damp on the walls and ceiling, no curtain at the window only shutters which closed to reveal insulation cladding on the wall, multiple wires plugged into extension, radiator broken (had to ask for some type of portable heating), no headboard on bed, taped up basin in the sink, muck on bed clothes, really disappointing and not ideal having to go to work the next day.

Stayed 1 night in Nov 2023

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

8 Oct 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Stayed 1 night in Sep 2023

2/10 Terrible

kristen

26 Sept 2023

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities

Checkin MUST be scheduled weeks in advance apparently despite the “reception” claiming to be open daily from 2-10. I stood outside in the rain with my luggage for over an hour trying to get ahold to someone or even Expedia to help me because you can’t get in without a key BUT you can’t get a key unless reception is OPEN. Just got lucky someone showed up and let me in. Both an Expedia agent and I reached out to the property a week in advance about cancelling because they now require cash payment only. They emailed me a cancellation the same afternoon I was already set to checkin and at their door. Fine once checked in because I was too exhausted from a day of travel and no sleep, the property is old and therefore poorly kept. Carpeting was stained and smelly. Bed was uncomfortable. The highlights: the location to the tram, the room was spacious, the shower was hot.

Stayed 1 night in Sep 2023

2/10 Terrible

Nathalie

5 Sept 2023

Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Craig

16 Aug 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, room comfort

An absolute bargain for August!!

For the price we paid during The Fringe Festival it was fantastic value for money. Yes the hotel is tired and in need of refurbishment but it was clean and comfortable enough and was perfect for us to lay our head down after 2 busy Festival days. Only a 15/20 minute walk from the Royal Mile and directly opposite Haymarket Train Station. Lots of shops, pubs and restaurants minutes away from the property. We were able to park 2 minutes away in Distillery Lane using Just Park app. The surrounding area seemed very safe day or night. Finally we were that happy with the hotel and its fantastic price during Fringe month we have booked again for next year already!

Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2023

8/10 Good

Margie

14 Aug 2023

Stayed 1 night in Aug 2023

6/10 Okay

Sathiyam

Business traveller

10 Aug 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service

Disliked: Property conditions & facilities

My 1 night stay in Guards Hotels - St James Palace

It was not so good, except clean bed, soap, clean bathtub and towels rest are below average. Bathroom door remains open as the lock is jammed. Electric kettle was cleaned ages before. No drinking water, Toothbrush/Paste, shampoos, available in the facility. Heater was not working. Other than the above, its big, quite, cosy heritage palace in the heart of Edinburgh. Few steps away from Tram station, Bus stops, Bars, Indian Restaurants, Edinburgh Haymarket Station, etc.

Stayed 1 night in Aug 2023