If you’re planning a trip to Scotland and are looking for central hotels in Edinburgh, something that balances comfort, convenience, good amenities and value — especially if you’re travelling with family — then the Courtyard by Marriott Edinburgh is a strong choice. Below I run through what makes it special: the location, the amenities, how family-friendly it is, and what the surrounding area has to offer. By the end you should have a good sense whether it’s the right fit for you and your family.
Central Hotels in Edinburgh – Courtyard by Marriott – Location
Location is often the make-or-break for a stay in a city like Edinburgh. The Courtyard by Marriott sits in a very favourable spot:
- It is in the East End of Edinburgh, very close to the transport hubs: roughly a 5-minute walk to the train and bus station, and also 5 minutes to the tram stop to Edinburgh Airport.
- You are only about 3 minutes on foot from St James Quarter, the large new shopping area.
- For sightseeing, you get easy access to Princes Street Gardens (which is just five minutes’ walk), from which you can make your way up to the Royal Mile and other major attractions.
- It’s also situated with Calton Hill just behind you which incredible for a views across all of the city.
- There are taxi ranks, bus stops all around, and good walk-ability to restaurants, cafes, bars etc. The hotel places you in a part of the city centre that gives you flexibility: you’re close enough to the major sights, but being in the East End means you’re slightly removed from some of the busiest tourist noise if you prefer.
For family hotels in Edinburgh city the Courtyard by Marriott definitely fits the bill. If your priority is being in the heart of things — food, shopping, easy transport — this is a top-tier location. So if you are looking for central hotels in Edinburgh this one might just fit the bill.
The Hotel & Amenities
- We had an interconnecting room which served us well as a family of four. This included a super king bed in one room and a twin room in the other. The bed was incredibly comfortable with soft pillows and crisp white sheets.
- There’s also a good business-style provision: a large glass desk, ergonomic chair, and lots of plug sockets & USB points near the bed and desk. Great for someone travelling with a laptop or needing to work.
- You’ll find your usual tea and coffee station as well as a modern bathroom with a large walk-in shower, modern basin/toilet, and a well-lit, full-wall mirror and stocked with toiletries.
Dining at 1802 Restaurant
One of the highlights of staying at the Courtyard by Marriott Edinburgh is dining at its in-house restaurant, 1802 Restaurant & Bar. The space feels modern yet relaxed, perfect for both casual family meals and a more refined evening out. A real draw here is their Sunday lunch which we all loved. Expect generous roasts served with all the trimmings — crispy roast potatoes, seasonal vegetables, Yorkshire puddings, and rich gravy — the sort of hearty meal that sets you up perfectly for a stroll through nearby Princes Street Gardens or up to Calton Hill.
A standout starter, and something of a signature at 1802, are the haggis bonbons. These perfectly crisp bites of Scotland’s national dish are lightly spiced, golden on the outside, and soft inside — ideal for anyone keen to try haggis in a fun, approachable way. They work brilliantly as a sharer plate for the table or as a starter before your main. As vegetarians we were excited to find they also offer a vegetarian haggis bonbon option.
The menu overall blends Scottish classics with international favourites, meaning there’s something to suit all tastes. Families will appreciate that the food is hearty and accessible, while those seeking a more local experience can explore traditional flavours presented with a modern twist.
Family Friendliness
For families travelling with children (young or older), or even multi-generation stays, how well does the Courtyard by Marriott do?
Positives
Space & Comfort: The rooms are decent size, and there are options for balcony rooms which adds that extra space. As we had an interconnecting family room this wasn’t an option for us but with two rooms we had more than enough space.
Food simplicity: Having a restaurant on site means fewer late night or tired treks. The Lantern Room’s terrace is also a convenient place for casual meals. The lighter bites / burgers are often kid-friendly. We ordered room service on our first night which had a great selection of easy bites for the kids (pizza/fries etc)
Location helps: Being so close to lots of cafes, places to eat, shops, transport, parks (Princes Street Gardens) means you can break up the day more easily with shorter distances. If children need a rest or nap, you’re not far from the room.
Amenities for convenience: Modern rooms with USB points, reliable WiFi, air con: all helpful when travelling with youngsters (phones, tablets, needing cooling, etc.). Also quiet rooms at back help when children need to sleep early. We found the rooms to be really quiet and I am someone who sleeps very lightly. The aircon was also very quiet and we barely noticed it throughout the night.
Things to check / minor considerations
Breakfast can get busy especially around peak time (8am) with lots of groups of people getting ready for the day. We found it to be slightly noisy around this time and the wait for breakfast (if ordering on menu) slightly longer. We picked a later breakfast time on the second day which felt more relaxed. I
What the Area Offers
One of the biggest perks of choosing Courtyard by Marriott Edinburgh is how perfectly placed it is for exploring Edinburgh at a relaxed pace— especially if you’re doing 48 hours in the city, or travelling with family. The hotel is so well-positioned that many of the city’s most iconic viewpoints, hidden gems and family-friendly hotspots are within easy reach, often just a short walk away.
First off, for sweeping views, Calton Hill is practically on the doorstep. The climb is manageable even for little legs, and the reward is glorious panoramas over the city skyline, Arthur’s Seat, and the Firth of Forth. It’s a magical place especially around sunrise or sunset, and a great spot to let off steam and take in Edinburgh in all its beauty.
If you want something more peaceful, Dean Village is a leafy, riverside escape not far from Princes Street. Cobbled lanes, stone cottages, gently flowing water — it almost feels like stepping into a storybook. Perfect for wandering, stopping for a bakery treat, and letting younger children enjoy being outdoors.
The hotel also gives you good access to quirky shops and local treats. For example, Topping & Company Booksellers is nearby — a wonderful independent bookshop that’s stacked with children’s books, literary delights and cozy corners. It’s great when you need a quiet indoor stop, or when the weather isn’t co-operating.
For built-in adventure, trying out the Scott Monument is a fun way to combine views, a little climb (287 steps) and seeing the city from above. Also places like the Museum of Childhood or the National Museum of Scotland make excellent back-ups for rainy afternoons or when you need a break from walking.
In short: staying here means you’re in a sweet spot. You’re close enough to the major sights — Edinburgh Castle, Royal Mile, Princes Street etc. — to visit them without long commutes, but also near enough to quieter, more local-flavoured areas that offer parks, charming walks, and cafés where you can slow down and take moments in between the sightseeing. It’s that balance between energy and relaxation that makes this area especially good for families. You can read more about what we did on our stay in Edinburgh here.
Value & What to Expect for a stay at the Courtyard Edinburgh hotel
When considering Courtyard by Marriott Edinburgh, you’re getting solid value for a central, well-amenity hotel. For standard rooms for two people (bed & breakfast or room + breakfast), you typically see rates around £150-£200 per night, depending on season, availability and room type. This places it in the mid-luxury bracket among Edinburgh hotels, delivering better comfort and service than lower-cost options while being more affordable than ultra-luxury, heritage-style properties.
For families, or when you need more space, interconnecting rooms or family room options are available. Pricing for these is higher: based on recent listings, a Family Room (e.g. two queen beds) or connecting room block can run around £170-£210 per night.
So if you’re booking for a family of four, or need two rooms joined (or a room with two beds), expect to pay a premium over the standard rate — sometimes ~25-40% more, depending on timing (weekend vs weekday, off-peak vs peak tourist season). You may get better deals if you reserve well in advance, or take advantage of Marriott Bonvoy promotions or flexible-date offers.
Summary: Who This Is Best For
If you are looking at central hotels in Edinburgh that works especially well for:
- Families visiting Edinburgh who want to be centrally located, close to attractions, public transport, and with conveniences (modern room, in-house dining) that make life easier.
- Travellers who plan a mix of shopping, sightseeing, eating out, but appreciate coming “home” to a calm, well-designed room.
- People who want reliability: being a Marriott property gives certain expectations around standards, service, amenities etc.
Final Thoughts
If I were to stay again, especially with a family, I’d definitely consider Courtyard at Marriott Edinburgh as one of the top options. The combination of central location, modern comfortable rooms, good food, and transport links make it hard to beat among “hotels in Edinburgh centre” or “central hotels in Edinburgh”.
If you’re researching “Edinburgh family hotels” or “family hotels in Edinburgh”, this hotel is likely to appear high on your list — and for good reason!
Our stay at the Courtyard Marriott hotel was part of my job as a UGC creator and I was under no obligation to provide a review. However we really enjoyed our time here and I wanted to share for other families visiting Edinburgh for the weekend.
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