citizenM offers stylish, tech-forward hotel rooms with XL beds, rain showers, and tablet-controlled rooms in a great Old Town location near Edinburgh Castle. The communal areas feature art-filled lounges, a canteenM cafe/bar, and a sociable, design-led atmosphere. It's an excellent mid-range option with a boutique feel.
citizenM Edinburgh is a design-led hotel on Lady Lawson Street in Edinburgh's Old Town, approximately 400 metres from Edinburgh Castle and within a five-minute walk of the Grassmarket, the Cowgate, and the southern edge of the Royal Mile. The hotel forms part of the global citizenM chain, a Dutch-founded group known for its distinctive approach to affordable design — combining larger-than-usual beds, high-specification technology, and genuine style at prices well below traditional four-star competitors. The building was purpose-built for the brand and the exterior integrates well into the Old Town streetscape, with a glass ground-floor lobby visible from the street. The hotel's 222 rooms follow the citizenM template: compact but thoughtfully engineered, each featuring an XL king bed, floor-to-ceiling windows, a bespoke MoodPad tablet that controls lighting, blinds, temperature, and the television, a monsoon rain shower, and fast-speed Wi-Fi throughout. Rooms are designed to maximise comfort during the time guests spend in them while encouraging use of the spacious and design-led communal areas for socialising and working. The ground-floor canteenM provides food and drinks around the clock — from specialty coffee and pastries in the morning through cocktails, craft beers, and a curated selection of wines in the evening. The bar area is lively and social, particularly on weekends. A curated selection of contemporary artwork from the citizenM Art Foundation is displayed throughout the public spaces, with rotating exhibitions featuring international artists. The property includes a 24-hour compact gym and a well-stocked library area in the lobby. Self check-in terminals in the lobby allow guests to bypass any queue, and the citizenM app enables full room control and key access without requiring staff interaction at any point. This combination of premium central location, well-specified rooms, sociable communal spaces, and competitive pricing makes citizenM Edinburgh one of the city's most reliable value-for-money hotel options at the upper end of the budget bracket.
Amenities
- Bar
- Cafe
- 24-hour room service
- Gym
- Self check-in
Location
1 Lady Lawson Street, Edinburgh EH3 9DS
Highlights
- Great Old Town location
- Tablet-controlled rooms
- XL beds
- canteenM bar and cafe
- Art collections throughout
Tips for visiting
- The Lady Lawson Street location is genuinely central — Edinburgh Castle is five minutes on foot and the Royal Mile is a similar distance; this is one of Edinburgh's best-value central locations.
- The canteenM serves cocktails and craft beers until late; the monthly cocktail specials are worth asking about and the bar is a sociable alternative to venturing out.
- Check-in via the self-service kiosks is quick and efficient; downloading the citizenM app before arrival allows mobile room key access without using a physical card or kiosk.
- Rooms are compact; travellers with large suitcases should note that under-bed and wardrobe storage is limited, and one carry-on bag per person is the practical packing maximum.
- During Edinburgh Festival in August, the hotel books out weeks ahead and rates increase significantly; early booking is strongly advised for any late-July or August stay.
Accessibility
citizenM Edinburgh provides step-free access to the hotel entrance and lift access to all guest floors. Accessible rooms with adapted bathrooms and additional floor space for wheelchair users are available and should be requested at the time of booking. The canteenM, lobby, and all ground-floor public areas are fully accessible to wheelchair users.
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Frequently asked questions
Where is citizenM Edinburgh located relative to the main sights?
The hotel is on Lady Lawson Street in the Old Town, approximately 400 metres from Edinburgh Castle and a five-minute walk from the Royal Mile. The Grassmarket and Cowgate are a short walk south-east.
Do citizenM Edinburgh rooms have a bath?
citizenM rooms have a rain shower only — no baths are available in standard rooms. The shower fittings are well-specified and Rituals toiletries are provided throughout.
Is citizenM Edinburgh suitable for business travellers?
citizenM is popular with business travellers due to its fast Wi-Fi, mobile check-in, and 24-hour canteenM. The generous communal ground-floor areas provide informal meeting and working space without formal meeting rooms.
Does citizenM Edinburgh have parking?
The hotel does not have its own car park. The nearest public car parks are at Castle Terrace, a short walk to the north, and in the Grassmarket area to the east.
What is the canteenM at citizenM Edinburgh?
The canteenM is citizenM's all-day food and drink offering on the ground floor, serving specialty coffee, pastries, and light food during the day, and cocktails, craft beers, wine, and bar snacks in the evening. It operates 24 hours.