The Rutland Hotel, Edinburgh
The Rutland Hotel, located at the corner of Princes Street and Lothian Road, is a stylish boutique retreat housed in a magnificently restored historic building. Interestingly, this elegant property was once the home of the renowned surgeon Joseph Lister, who pioneered the use of antiseptic in medicine. Today, the hotel seamlessly blends this deep history with contemporary flair.
The hotel features 11 individually designed boutique rooms and 13 serviced apartments, each offering a unique sense of style. While the exterior retains its classic Edwardian charm, the interiors contrast this with modern, bold décor—think designer prints, sleek furnishings, and vibrant graphic accents. Two of the guest rooms are especially sought-after for their panoramic, uninterrupted views of Edinburgh Castle.
Beyond the rooms, The Rutland is a local hub for dining and socialising. It houses *The Huxley*, a popular lounge bar known for its cocktails, and *Kyloe*, which is widely considered one of the city’s premier gourmet steak restaurants. The property’s layout is quite distinct, with these lively social spaces occupying the lower levels while the guest accommodations offer a private escape above.
Its location in the West End is hard to beat for explorers. You are within a short walk of the iconic Princes Street Gardens, the shopping districts of George Street, and the historic atmosphere of the Old Town. With Edinburgh Castle literally standing over the building, it serves as a perfect, central base for anyone wanting to experience the best of Scotland’s capital.
Expert reviews
“The building may have once been the residence of Sir Joseph Lister—known as the \”father of antiseptic surgery\”—but there’s nothing clinical about this acclaimed boutique hotel at the west end of Princes Street. Nominated for several style awards, the design is chic without being intimidating.”
“This sassy West End hotel has bedrooms and serviced apartments, as well as a popular all-day restaurant/bar, a steak restaurant and underground bar that is gin distillery by day, watering hole by night. It’s perfect for couples looking for a helping of boutique style that’s not too edgy for comfort.”
What guests liked
- Top location
- Comfortable beds
- Free Wifi
- Boutique style
Location
Recent guest reviews
30 April 2026
Best stay in Edinburgh so far
The best hotel we stayed for a while. Great location, two restaurants in the building, a short walk to car park and public transport. Our room was beautifully decorated, full of character, great bar, coffee / tea making facilities, fresh milk, handmade truffles, complimentary still & sparkling water. Amazing shower products. Room had everything we could possibly need, even hair straightener. Loved ground floor restaurant for breakfasts and drinks (same business, discounts for guests). Also went to steak house with friends, guest discount was much appreciated! Would love to come for Christmas / New Year but too expensive then. This place is worth it though!
28 April 2026
Amazing Apartment- the way to spend your vacas in Edimburgh
The property is a beautiful fully renovated apartment, only meters from the main building. It is super spacious, top notch decorations and fully equipped with appliances in the kitchen and bathroom. It is quite, daily cleaned and restocked with everything you need. On top of that, you have the great service of a hotel- the staff is incredibly attentive. Beds are more than comfortable, they are delight. Bathrooms have heated floors (2 great bathrooms). The living room area is great to wind down after a walking day. The terrace/patio with access to an internal garden is perfect to enjoy a lovely breakfast or great sunset drink. Decor is top notch, modern with a warm touch.
Nothing
28 April 2026
Overall, very nice.
Our room and bathroom was very spacious, clean and decorated beautifully. The staff was very friendly. After we checked out, the staff was very nice to keep our luggage safe while we went on a tour.
For the price, I think it should have included breakfast.
26 April 2026
The insider tip for a city trip to Edinburgh
Very friendly staff, outstanding location close to the castle, very good breakfast
23 April 2026
Exceptional
The staff were so friendly and helpful. They are a credit to the hotel and restaurant. Loved the whole ambiance of the hotel, really felt like a special treat staying there.
Nothing. Loved the hotel.
23 April 2026
Exceptional
The room was clean, spacious, beautiful and had the biggest windows with the view of Edinburgh. The location is perfect, right next to Edinburgh castle and all other tourist attractions. All is within walking distance. The breakfast at the Huxley was also really good. We enjoyed are stay very much, and if we come to Edinburgh again we will definitely choose this hotel again.
22 April 2026
Great service , great location , every detail thought of - wish we were staying longer to enjoy it
It was beautiful - really spacious , nicely done out - just really lovely and exceeded expectations
Liked everything
22 April 2026
Exceptional
Quirky boutique hotel. Quiet and comfortable. Great location and views from room.
All of the above.
20 April 2026
Family catchup
Location
Stairs up to apt
19 April 2026
Best of best
The best room we have ever had. The room number one in the building fifteen, is absolutely perfect. Feels like at home
19 April 2026
Wonderful stay
Gorgeous apartment - super central and well stocked
19 April 2026
10/10 will be staying again!
Every single thing!
Nothing!
18 April 2026
Very good
We got our room upgraded for free. Spacious room. Chic design. Breakfast is great. Location pretty good.
Long wait times for breakfast, bad smell in elevator lobby from old carpet. Some things need refreshing in a room.
17 April 2026
Exceptional
Breakfast at the Huxley was outstanding.
17 April 2026
Lovely building. Great size apartment. Not best location and more attention to detail required.
Beautiful old building. Great size apartment.
I moved the mirror in the bedroom as it was strangely in a corner facing the bed which made it unusable. On doing this I discovered it was covered in dust at the back as was the skirting. All skirting’s need a good clean. Also the mirror is at a weird angle which makes you look odd when getting dressed. Although it is a very nice mirror. Looks like there’s some kind of leak in the bathroom. There was water to side of bath. I assumed the cleaner hadn’t dried up properly but it was there the next day too. No proper light above the dressing table mirror so you can see when drying your hair. No coverings on the windows from the outside world for a wee bit of privacy unless you close the curtains completely which means no light gets in. I feel you should make folk aware of the amount of work going on across the road. Very noisy and felt like the lorry drivers were staring straight in. Bottled water should be kept in fridge to keep cold. Coffee machine instructions in your magazine are incorrect. I had to google to work out how to put the pod in. Your cleaners need to either have their conversations somewhere else rather than outside the door or keep their voices down. Male and female talking loudly outside the door for a long time. These may seem bitty but all add up to what makes your experience. Especially when it’s a celebration visit. I wanted it to be perfect.
17 April 2026
Fantastic time in Edinburgh made all the more special staying in the Rutland hotel
Liked the luxurious decor and the cleanliness of the hotel the attention to detail was excellent
Nothing
15 April 2026
Wonderful and hope to come back to Edinburgh to stay here again!
Central but quiet location. Friendly and helpful staff from Kade on reception to the staff at the restaurant. We loved the radio welcome in the room with classic fm playing and complimentary chocolates!
Nothing, everything exceeded our expectations
15 April 2026
Luxurious and very friendly hotel on perfect spot next to old town and on transit line. Perfect!
Staff were wonderful, room was luxurious, location to old town was perfect and easy to get to by tram or bus from airport.
No grab bar to get in and out of the gorgeous tub/shower and that was a bit treacherous. Recent Reno of bathroom obviously and absolutely beautiful.
15 April 2026
Great location & very comfortable hotel.
Location was great & breakfast was very good.
Lift did not go to the top floor
14 April 2026
VERY ENJOYABLE CENTRAL CITY HOTEL
Stayed at the Rutland as the hotel looked impressive, was in Central Edinburgh, Kylie's looked intriguing, easy access to places we planned to visit. We were not disappointed. A bit strange entering from what seems to be a side entrance, but a warm welcome ensued. The room was clean and had a good perspective. We enjoyed the Huxley bar several times, and felt very relaxed. Service was excellent, friendly, not overbearing and helpful. We really enjoyed the soft background music, maybe our era, but was not intrusive. Had a belated birthday meal in Kyloes, enjoyed the presentation of the cuts, the service was very good and the food was enticing and enjoyable - maybe our eyes were a bit too big, but we finished what we ordered. Overall an excellent stay and would consider staying there again.
13 April 2026
Exceptional
Great location and customer service.
N/A
13 April 2026
The perfect spot to explore Edinburgh from and enjoy some quality time together - we absolutely loved it.
Gorgeous apartment in a fab location - really easy to get round the city and with plenty in the immediate vicinity. The place comes complete with everything you need and plenty of extras!
Nothing - it was perfect.
12 April 2026
Extremely comfortable in the one bed apartment
Wet smart and classy Very clean great location in the heart of everything I was upgraded to a one bed apartment and they are world class
Nothing
11 April 2026
Enjoyable stay in a great hotel.
Great hotel. Excellent location, very comfortable and stylish room with views of the castle. Reception staff helpful. Will definitely return.
9 April 2026
Lovely hotel with beautiful views of the castle. Very friendly and helpful staff. Excellent location, walking distance t
Excellent location. Easy access to everything in New and Old Town, Tram, restaurants.
2 April 2026
Gorgeous location, spacious, beautiful apartments lovely staff restaurant is right within the apartment and has a beauti
The location is so convenient to Edinburgh Castle, and everything in old town, including wonderful, pubs, beautiful scenery, easy walks to Waverley station and to Royal Mile and Princess Gardens
We rented a car so the parking was a couple blocks away, but not a real problem. They have a discount at the hotel, which was lovely.
1 April 2026
Superb hotel in a great location
Extremely friendly and comfortable hotel in a central location in Edinburgh. Great dining on site as well
30 March 2026
Perfect beak
Everything
Nothing
29 March 2026
Just perfect!!
Absolutely everything, what a fantastic gem in a perfect location. From the lovely warm greeting from Jill (who couldn’t have been nicer), to the apartment itself
Nothing, all brilliant, will definitely be back
28 March 2026
A spacious apartment with modern furnishing and decor in a central location
A spacious apartment, with modern decor in a central but relatively quiet area with excellent access to restaurants and all the major tourist sites. The hotel provided a 50% discount on the nearby NCP car park.
25 March 2026
Exceptional
Location was good and the front desk people were kind and helpful. Outside sound was barely heard from the apartment so we were able to get good sleep. Room service was great too. We would definitely stay there again.
Only small thing I wish was that I could have felt the air cooler. We run hot and turning it quite a bit down didn’t feel any different but maybe we can bring a fan next time.
24 March 2026
Exceeded expectations
Everything, professional team, clean stylish room with absolutely amazing sitting places at the window! Nice location, wonderful breakfast. Very happy with our choice
Nothing to critisize. The only small thing is that the elevator is not reaching the last floor but the hotel is definitely 10 out of 10.
24 March 2026
Excellent stay
Staffed with actual people, super nice. I booked the same day and was provided a handicap room which was very large. They have a small elevator which is convenient.
The hardest bed I have ever slept on, only thing I would change.
23 March 2026
Fabulous
Great location
22 March 2026
Fabulous
Huge room with excellent views and a very comfy bed! Delicious breakfast at the Huxley
Poor water pressure in shower
22 March 2026
fabulous!!!!
such a lovely room , perfect !
nothing!
22 March 2026
A comfortable and well-located stay that made the trip both relaxing and convenient
Excellent clean spaces apartment
22 March 2026
Exceptional
Good location and the room was excellent.
21 March 2026
The best place to stay
This is the best place we have ever stayed. Everything exceeded our expectations. The furnishings are of an extremely high standard, the apartment was huge. It was cleaned every day. The staff are extremely kind. The location is the best in Edinburgh - everything is within walking distance. It exceeded our expectations!
We have no comments.
20 March 2026
Exceptional
Exceptional propertly, very nicely kept
There were food stains in the oven from earlier guest I think which was overlooked by cleaning staff I guess
20 March 2026
Excellent rooms and facilities 5*****
Great location for staying in Edinburgh for business or for pleasure
18 March 2026
A perfect and quiet city-center spot
The location (everything within 20 minutes of walking and it was also quiet) and the service were top notch.
17 March 2026
Exceptional
The staff were incredibly helpful and accommodating. A lovely apartment, comfortable and clean with everything you need on your doorstep.
14 March 2026
A lovely experience
We got upgraded so we were pleased to have a little more space. The room was very clean and the staff were very helpful. Location was very good and the NCP car park was a 3 minute walk away (good when you’re having to carry bags). We were relieved that the parking was only £45 for 3 days with the Rutland discount code. Download the NCP app, add your card info then scan your QR code at entry to the car park. Add your discount code to the app. When you leave scan the QR code again and it’ll work out how much. There were lots of spaces free at castle terrace. Overall couldn’t fault the hotel. My bf enjoyed the tea cakes. I’d recommend and stay again.
9 March 2026
Super
Location and spacious rooms
8 March 2026
Fantastic hotel lovely staff luxurious too
Beautiful boutique hotel with every luxury , gorgeous castle view as an upgraded room
Nothing
6 March 2026
Exceptional
fantastic view
5 March 2026
Excellent stay.
Lovely decor, comfortable chairs in room complementary tea and coffee machine. Tunnocks tea cakes were a hit. Although not used there was a comprehensive bar available in the room. GHD hairdryer and straighteners. Lovely bathroom with rain shower.
Nothing.
5 March 2026
Exceptional
Apartment 15/4 was stunning. Very quirky and the perfect space to spend a few nights in with family and/or friends.
It was perfect!
Hotel facilities
Food & Drink
- - Restaurant
- - Bar
- - Kids' meals (additional charge)
- - Wine/champagne (additional charge)
Services
- - 24-hour front desk
- - Dry cleaning (additional charge)
- - Luggage storage
- - Daily housekeeping
Activities
- - Fitness centre
General
- - Non-smoking rooms
- - Facilities for disabled guests
- - Family rooms
- - Safety deposit box
- - Soundproof rooms
- - Heating
- - Non-smoking throughout
- - Air conditioning
Accessibility
- - Wheelchair accessible
- - Lower bathroom sink
- - Emergency cord in bathroom
Miscellaneous
- - 24-hour security
- - Key card access
- - Smoke alarms
- - CCTV in common areas
- - CCTV outside property
- - Fire extinguishers
- - Face masks for guests available
Reception services
- - Invoice provided

More photos

3 May 2026
Beautiful apartments but inflexible check outs