Your stay — Shalimar
Live forecast for your dates · what's on · air quality & pollen📅 Pick your check-in & check-out above to unlock your day-by-day forecast, what's on during your stay, and live air quality & pollen for Edinburgh.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Shalimar, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on a higher floor (3rd floor or above) for reduced street noise from Newington Road. Avoid rooms near the lift, as the 2nd floor has a lift and may experience more foot traffic.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the ground floor, as they may be noisier due to street traffic and pedestrian activity on Newington Road.
Best views
Unfortunately, the address does not suggest any notable views from the hotel, as it is located on a residential street.
Quietest floors
The 3rd floor and above are likely to be the quietest, as they are further away from the ground floor noise.
🔊 Noise notes
Be aware that Newington Road can be busy, especially during rush hour, which may impact room noise levels.
Insider tips
Take advantage of the hotel's proximity to the university area and explore the nearby streets for dining and shopping options. Be sure to check-in before 2 PM to ensure a smooth check-in process, as the hotel's staff may have limited availability after this time.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Shalimar
Free, 100 Mbps speed, no login constraints
Serves all floors; no stairs-only historic sections
Complimentary digital newsstand (PressReader) and The Times newspaper in the lobby
Check-in from 2:00 PM, early bag-drop from 8:00 AM, late check-out until 12:00 PM (£20 fee after 12:00 PM on weekdays, £30 on weekends)
Available 24/7; £5 per item, per day
Step-free access; wheelchair accessible entry; accessible rooms available
On-site parking available, £20 per night; nearest public car park (NCP Edinburgh) £10 per day; no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: Approximately £4.50 per person per night (subject to change)
Deposit & card hold: £20 advance deposit + £50 incidental card hold at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Duncan Street Baptist Church (152 m · ~2 min walk)
- Church: St Columba's (169 m · ~2 min walk)
- Synagogue: The Edinburgh Hebrew Congregation (325 m · ~4 min walk)
- Church: Mayfield Salisbury Parish Church (427 m · ~5 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Cameron Toll Shopping Centre — 1.7 km · ~21 min walk
Waverley Park — 629 m · ~8 min walk
Anatomical Museum — 1.7 km · ~21 min walk
Edinburgh People's Theatre — 792 m · ~10 min walk
Magnet Play Area — 928 m · ~12 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 254 m · ~3 min walk
Omnicare — 271 m · ~3 min walk
Newington Metro — 264 m · ~3 min walk
Edinburgh Waverley — 2.5 km · ~32 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Pound Sterling, GBP
Use ATMs or high-street banks; avoid airport bureaux and tourist exchange kiosks for poor rates.
Contactless cards and mobile pay widely accepted everywhere; small shops, markets and some cafés still cash-only.
Restaurants: 10% if service not included, not expected for small bills. Taxis: round up or 10%. Hotel staff: £1–2 per bag or per night for housekeeping.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Filter coffee or flat white from a corner café or chain; around £2.50–3.00.
Soup or sandwich from a deli or bakery; about £5–7.
Pub main or curry house dish; about £10–14 for a decent main.
Look for the food stalls at local markets or burger vans near the Meadows on sunny days.
Lidl, Aldi, and Co-op are the common budget supermarkets in EH9.
Charity shops (thrift stores) along Morningside Road and Bruntsfield Place for cheap, second-hand clothes.
Day bus pass (Lothian Buses) around £4.50; from airport take the Airlink 100 bus (£7.50 single) instead of the tram.
Buy a ridacard for unlimited bus travel if staying more than a few days; cook at home using supermarket meal deals; skip the castle and walk Arthur’s Seat for free views.
Good to know — Edinburgh
Type G · 230V
safe
$1 ≈ £0.75 · GBP
Emergency Contacts
Edinburgh999 (or 112 from a mobile phone)
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
Book a table →💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Edinburgh, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Shalimar
🕒 Check-in is from 15:00. Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 254 m · ~3 min walk — pharmacy · Omnicare — 271 m · ~3 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Find train tickets →Waverley Station / City Centre → Princes Street / Royal Mile area
💡 Perfect for local transit once in city. Modern, accessible, connects main attractions. Hotel is walkable from tram stops.
Edinburgh Airport (EDI) → The Scotsman Hotel, Royal Mile
💡 Pre-book for better rates. Black cabs are iconic but metered taxis can be cheaper. Hotel can arrange pickups.
Edinburgh Airport → Waverley Bridge / City Centre
💡 Most economical airport transfer. Buy Ridacard for unlimited city bus travel. Buses to hotel area are frequent.
Edinburgh Airport (via airport link bus to Waverley) → Waverley Station (250m from hotel)
💡 Excellent for day trips (Glasgow, Stirling, Borders). Station is 5-minute walk to The Scotsman Hotel on Royal Mile.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Shalimar?
Request a room on a higher floor (3rd floor or above) for reduced street noise from Newington Road. Avoid rooms near the lift, as the 2nd floor has a lift and may experience more foot traffic.
Which rooms should I avoid at Shalimar?
Avoid rooms on the ground floor, as they may be noisier due to street traffic and pedestrian activity on Newington Road.
Is Shalimar noisy?
Be aware that Newington Road can be busy, especially during rush hour, which may impact room noise levels.
Which rooms have the best views at Shalimar?
Unfortunately, the address does not suggest any notable views from the hotel, as it is located on a residential street.
What are insider tips for staying at Shalimar?
Take advantage of the hotel's proximity to the university area and explore the nearby streets for dining and shopping options. Be sure to check-in before 2 PM to ensure a smooth check-in process, as the hotel's staff may have limited availability after this time.
What time is check-in at Shalimar?
Check-in at Shalimar is from 15:00. Check-out is by 11:00.
Does Shalimar have Wi-Fi?
Free, 100 Mbps speed, no login constraints
Is there a city or tourist tax at Shalimar?
Approximately £4.50 per person per night (subject to change)
Where can I eat cheaply near Shalimar?
Soup or sandwich from a deli or bakery; about £5–7.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Shalimar?
Day bus pass (Lothian Buses) around £4.50; from airport take the Airlink 100 bus (£7.50 single) instead of the tram.
Top Attractions in Edinburgh
💡 Free guided tours run at 11am and 3pm. The basement cafe has the cheapest lunch on Princes Street.
💡 Head to the rooftop terrace for a clear view of the castle. The cafe does a decent bacon roll for under a fiver.
💡 Look for the grave of Thomas Riddell—J.K. Rowling borrowed the name for Tom Riddle. Ask at the art gallery next door for the map of notable graves.
💡 Start at the path behind Holyrood Palace. Avoid the grass if it's wet—it gets treacherously slippery.
💡 The glasshouses are free but ask at the ticket desk for a timed pass. The café does decent scones for under £3.