With the sweat pooling at the bottom of my back, having walked the length of Princes Street with a suitcase and a rucksack in tow after getting off at the wrong bus stop, to say I was swearing about arriving in Edinburgh on what had to be one of the hottest days of the year to date was an understatement.
I mean, it was our own fault—we had researched where to park but not where to get off the Park and Ride Bus. Having been to Edinburgh just once before, as soon as I saw Princes Street light up, I automatically thought it was our turn to jump off. Don’t be fooled. If you, too, happen to be staying at the Parliament House Hotel, make sure you remain firmly seated until you get to Waverley Station.
It was, therefore, unbelievably refreshing to walk through the hotel’s doors, tucked discreetly behind Princes Street and Howies Restaurant and close to Calton Hill, home to one of the city’s most iconic views.
The Parliament House Hotel was just as I expected. It was homely, with a fire blazing between the snug drinks cabinet and the unimposing reception tucked nicely into the corner. It seemed like all of Edinburgh was on the back foot with the weather, and I am not sure the lit fire was necessary, but it certainly added to the cosy feel and warm welcome we received.
A History of the Parliament House Hotel
While many of the hotels in the newer part of Edinburgh have been built more recently and perhaps lack character, the Parliament House Hotel has a rich history, which seeps through its brickwork.
Once former townhouses, the oldest dating back to the 1760s while the more recent addition was built in 1908, the Parliament House Hotel has a unique history, with ministers, comedians, prison wardens, and clockmakers all residing here.
Walking through the corridors, past the Victorian lift complete with wood panelling, seating, and a shiny, beautiful, black rotary phone still positioned as if it could be in use, you can see the history has been tastefully retained throughout. From the antique bookshelves, the larger-than-life bronze statue of the stag and the comfy armchairs strategically placed around both the walkways and in the relaxed, homely reception, it is this that makes the Parliament House Hotel stand out from the rest.
The Rooms of the Parliament House Hotel
After following the maze of corridors up to the second floor, our room was through just one set of pass doors and facing the back of the building, which meant, fingers crossed, we were in for a quiet night.
Having been on many city breaks, the thing that always shocks me is the size of the room offered to the ratio of the price quoted. Thankfully, on this occasion, we were pleasantly surprised – the room was far from bijoux; in fact, for a city centre location with a room described on the website as standard, the space was positively grand – honestly, there was nothing ‘standard’ about it – from the space to the décor – it was all very luxurious.
Before even crossing the threshold, I had earmarked not one but two comfortable reading areas—the large, lilac-coloured tartan armchair and the lengthy window seat. Both of these became welcome relaxing spots for my reading during our downtime.
The beds themselves were grand, with dark wooden panelled headboards, sumptuous pillows, and high-end linens, leading to a very restful sleep. The room was also well-stocked with tea and coffee, plus homemade shortbread, a table large enough to work at, and a wardrobe that automatically lit up when you opened the door so that you could find things easily.
But it doesn’t end there.
Wandering into the bathroom, and, to my extreme delight, not only did we have a shower but also a bath. Now, I don’t know about anyone else, but after a day of sightseeing and however many thousands of steps, I love a long soak in a bubble bath, so to find a hotel room with a tub in the city centre was a big plus.
Put simply, this is a well-thought-out space, leaving nothing to chance.
A Rich Breakfast Offering
I always look forward to breakfast when I’m away but often find it lacking. The morning offering at The Parliament House Hotel was anything but.
If you are a fan of traditional Scottish porridge, make sure you order one more during your stay. The menu was extensive—a fully cooked Scottish breakfast complete with haggis and potato scones, pancakes, French toast, smoked kippers, or eggs Benedict were all on offer.
However, if you are a non-meat eater, they also offer a vegetarian breakfast on top of plenty of pastries and fresh fruit. For me, though, the icing on the cake was the dairy-free milk option, which surprisingly still is not an option everywhere.
Final Thoughts on the Parliament House Hotel
For us, this hotel was in the perfect location. We knew we wanted to explore more than just the Royal Mile, and while we appreciate the history of the old town, being in a location central to all areas of the city was appealing. We liked that we could climb Calton Hill to watch the sunrise and were only a short distance from Arthur’s Seat. We were a ten-minute walk to the Royal Mile but could also jump on a tram and head out fairly easily towards Leith.
We also loved the property’s character and history. The rooms themselves are modern but remain wrapped in history, and that helped make the trip what it was.
Finally, the staff were exceptional. Nothing was too much trouble, and we witnessed the welcome everyone received each time they stepped inside. From the housekeeping team to those manning reception at all hours, everyone seemed genuinely happy to help, making it truly a 5-star experience.
We will undoubtedly return to the Parliament House Hotel next time we are in the city, which is rare for us, but we feel we have found the perfect place in Edinburgh.
Have you visited the Parliament House Hotel in Edinburgh? If so, we would love to hear about your experience.
Looking for Edinburgh inspiration? Then check out our 72 hour guide to the city, where we highlight the best attractions restaurants and bars, plus we have added some suggestions for trips further afield.
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We would like to thank all members of the team at Parliament House Hotel along with the Posh Agency who helped to arrange a complimentary stay during our time in the city. As always, all views and opinions are our own and we would never recommend anywhere we would not be prepared to return to as paying guests.
