The Scholar

4.0 star property
4-star hotel near Edinburgh Castle

Choose dates to view prices

Photo gallery for The Scholar

Exterior
Lobby lounge, garden views, open daily
Food and drink
Family Room | In-room safe, desk, laptop workspace, iron/ironing board
Reception

Reviews

9.2 out of 10
Wonderful

Popular amenities

  • Pet friendly
  • Free WiFi
  • Business services

Explore the area

View in a map
18 Holyrood Park Road, Edinburgh, Scotland, EH16 5AY
  • Place, Holyrood Park
    ‪3 min walk‬
  • Place, Royal Commonwealth Pool
    ‪3 min walk‬
  • Place, University of Edinburgh
    ‪12 min walk‬
  • Airport, Edinburgh (EDI)
    ‪25 min drive‬

Room options

Deluxe Double Room, Ensuite

9.2 out of 10
Wonderful
(21 reviews)
  • 140 sq ft
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 Double Bed

Deluxe Twin Room, Ensuite

9.2 out of 10
Wonderful
(9 reviews)
  • 140 sq ft
  • Sleeps 3
  • 2 Twin Beds

Deluxe Double Room Single Use, Ensuite

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(2 reviews)
  • 140 sq ft
  • Sleeps 1
  • 1 Double Bed

Deluxe Single Room

9.2 out of 10
Wonderful
(7 reviews)
  • 100 sq ft
  • Sleeps 1
  • 1 Twin Bed

Family Room

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(3 reviews)
  • 140 sq ft
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed and 1 Twin Bed

Deluxe Double Room

  • Sleeps 2

Deluxe Single Room

  • Sleeps 1

Family Room

  • Sleeps 3

Deluxe Twin Room

  • Sleeps 2

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About the neighborhood

Edinburgh

Heart of Edinburgh.Your stay at this Southside hotel places you within 2 miles (3 km) of Edinburgh Castle and Royal Mile. Royal Commonwealth Pool and Holyrood Park are also within half a mile (1 km).

What's nearby

  • John McIntyre Conference Centre - 1 min walk - 0.1 miles
  • Holyrood Park - 3 min walk - 0.2 miles
  • Royal Commonwealth Pool - 3 min walk - 0.2 miles
  • The Meadows - 10 min walk - 0.6 miles
  • University of Edinburgh - 12 min walk - 0.7 miles

Getting around

  • Princes Street Tram Stop - 6 min drive
  • Newcraighall Station - 11 min drive
  • Edinburgh Airport (EDI) - 41 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪The Abbey - ‬9 min walk
  • ‪Bar @ JMCC - ‬2 min walk
  • ‪Southpour - ‬8 min walk
  • ‪Pizza Hut - ‬7 min walk
  • ‪Luxford Burgers and Lounge Bar - ‬10 min walk

About this property

The Scholar

4-star hotel near Edinburgh Castle
There's a restaurant on site. You can enjoy a drink at the bar/lounge. Public spaces have free WiFi and wired Internet. The business-friendly The Scholar also features room service (during limited hours), a front-desk safe, and an elevator. Limited free parking is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

This 4-star Edinburgh hotel is smoke free.

  • 1 building
  • 72 guestrooms or units
  • 4 levels
  • Built in 1994
  • Charging station for electric cars
  • Conference center
  • Breakfast available (surcharge)
  • Front desk (24 hours)
  • Storage area for luggage
  • Front-desk safe
  • Elevator
  • No smoking on site
  • Bar or lounge
  • Dining venue
The Scholar offers 72 accommodations with laptop-compatible safes and coffee/tea makers. LCD televisions come with digital channels. Bathrooms include showers, complimentary toiletries, and hair dryers.

This Edinburgh hotel provides complimentary wired and wireless Internet access. Business-friendly amenities include desks and phones. Housekeeping is offered daily and refrigerators can be requested.

Similar properties

Property amenities

Family friendly

  • Refrigerator on request

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi and wired internet
  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi and wired internet

Parking and transportation

  • Electric car charging station on site
  • Free self parking on site
  • Limited onsite self parking

Food and drink

  • Full breakfast available for a fee 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM on weekdays and 7:30 AM to 10:30 AM on weekends; GBP 16.50 for adults and GBP 16.50 for children
  • A bar/lounge
  • A restaurant

Things to do

  • Bicycle rentals

Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • Elevator
  • Wheelchair accessible (may have limitations)
  • Wheelchair-accessible registration desk

Room amenities

Entertainment

  • LCD TV with digital channels

Bedroom

  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • Free toiletries
  • Hair dryer
  • Private bathroom
  • Shower
  • Towels provided

Food and drink

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Limited room service
  • Refrigerator on request

More

  • Desk
  • Heating
  • Iron/ironing board
  • Laptop workspace
  • Laptop-compatible safe
  • Phone

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 3:00 PM; Check-in end time: midnight
Late check-in subject to availability
Minimum check-in age: 18

Check-out

Check-out before 11:00 AM
Contactless check-out available

Special check-in instructions

Front desk staff will greet guests on arrival at the property
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

Access methods

Staffed front desk

Pets

  • Pets: GBP 30.00 per pet (varies based on length of stay)
  • Only dogs are allowed
  • Food and water bowls are available
  • Service animals are exempt from fees

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.
  • Rollaway/extra beds are not available.

Property payment types

Important information

Optional extras

The fees and deposits listed below will be charged at the time of service, check-in, or check-out.

  • Fee for full breakfast: approximately GBP 16.50 for adults and GBP 16.50 for children
  • Pet fee: GBP 30.00 per pet (varies based on length of stay)
  • Service animals are exempt from fees

This may not be a comprehensive list. Fees and deposits are subject to change and might not include tax.

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
This property accepts credit cards, debit cards, and cash
Cashless transactions are available
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, a security system, a first aid kit, and window guards
Charges for extra guests may apply and vary according to property policy.
A cash deposit, credit card, or debit card for incidental charges and government-issued photo identification may be required upon check-in.
Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in. Special requests can't be guaranteed and may incur additional charges.
    This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business, or profession. This property accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, debit cards, and cash. For guests' safety, the property includes a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, a security system, a first aid kit, and window guards in each accommodation. Cashless payment methods are available for all transactions.

National rating

This establishment has received its official star rating from VisitScotland, the National Tourist Board for Scotland.

Property is also known as

Salisbury Green Hotel Bistro Edinburgh
Masson House Edinburgh
Masson House Hotel
Masson House Hotel Edinburgh
Masson House Edinburgh, Scotland
Masson House Edinburgh Scotland
Masson House B&B Edinburgh
Masson House B&B
Salisbury Green Hotel Bistro
Salisbury Green Bistro Edinburgh
Salisbury Green Bistro
The Scholar Hotel
The Scholar Edinburgh
The Scholar Hotel Edinburgh
Salisbury Green Hotel Bistro

Frequently asked questions

How close is The Scholar to the airport?

The Scholar is 14.6 mi (41-min drive) away from the Edinburgh Airport (EDI) airport, the closest popular airport to the property.

Does The Scholar have an airport shuttle?

Airport shuttle services are not available at The Scholar.

How close is The Scholar to the beach?

This hotel is 3.4 mi (17-min drive) from Portobello Beach and 13.5 mi (33-min drive) from Seton Sands. Don't forget your sunscreen!

Does The Scholar offer free breakfast?

Free breakfast isn’t provided at The Scholar, but full breakfast is offered for a fee of GBP 16.50 for adults and GBP 16.50 for children. It's available on weekdays from 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM and weekends from 7:30 AM to 10:30 AM.

Is there a casino at The Scholar?

No, there is no casino at this hotel.

What time is check-in at The Scholar?

Check-in start time: 3:00 PM; Check-in end time: midnight.

Is there free parking at The Scholar?

This hotel offers free self parking.

Does The Scholar have a pool?

The Scholar does not have a pool.

Does The Scholar have a restaurant?

The Scholar is home to Abacus, which features garden views.

Does The Scholar have a spa?

There are no spa services available at this hotel.

How close is The Scholar to downtown Edinburgh?

The Scholar is 1.2 mi away from Edinburgh.

The Scholar Reviews

Reviews

9.2

Wonderful

Rating 10 - Excellent. 665 out of 1002 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 253 out of 1002 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 58 out of 1002 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 19 out of 1002 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 7 out of 1002 reviews

9.4/10

Cleanliness

9.4/10

Staff & service

9.0/10

Amenities

9.0/10

Property conditions & facilities

9.2/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Ryan

Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025

6/10 Okay

Mrs Caroline

Business traveler
Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities

Be aware of some unhelpful changes

I've stayed at The Scholar for many year for a conference at the nearby conference centre. It had features that were helpful for a business stay: a very large desk area, and space to unpack business clothes. Sadly, my first room had neither of these features. The old drawer unit and desk area were gone, replaced by a very small desk/vanity unit. The small closet had an upright slot for an ironing board but the ironing board no longer fitted the slot but was using up the entire full-length hanging area. The amenities tray had moved from the previous drawer unit into the small wardrobe so any items hung in the wardrobe would dangle into cupsAnd a previous sensible chair to sit on at the large desk was replaced by a small round 'pouffe' stool. There are no drawers at all to unpack into, and there was nowhere (apart from the floor) to place a suitcase so that I could 'live out of my suitcase'. I protested to the 'client relationship manager' about these things and simply got a bland 'I'm sorry we can't meet your needs'. My first room was also on the top floor, and a heavy rain shower on the roof woke me up at 3am on my first night. So I asked to be moved. Imagine my surprise to discover that my new room had an appropriate ironing board so I could hang clothes, and also a suitcase stand! Plus they brought me a proper chair. So they were perfectly able to meet my needs, after all. Ask for a lower-floor room and a suitcase stand.
Unsteadily balancing my small suitcase on the pouffe that replaced the previously good office chair, as there was no suitcase stand or any other place to put my suitcase and no drawers to unpack into.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2025

8/10 Good

Suzanne

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025

6/10 Okay

elizabeth

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
The property is good and the surroundings lovely. I did not like the room I was given. When I said this at reception I was assired it would be very somfortable but it was not. It is cramped and noisy and the shower took me by surprise and soaked the floor. If I have to have a room on the ground floor again I will not stay there. The breakfast is good.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Siddhartha, Sammamish

Stayed 8 nights in Aug 2025

6/10 Okay

David

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, room comfort
The hotel was in a convenient location for us going to a wedding near by. Staff were helpful. Room was fine. Tea, etc were in the wardrobe well away from the coffee maker, so not logically placed relative to each other. Better to have the together to reduce searching. Bathroom door was awkwardly placed relative to its sink. Putting in a hand towel rail / hook by the sink would be sensible so a towel is close. It would be better to have a double mattress than two singles in a double room, with a double duvet. We hope these improvement ideas are helpful and put into your quality improvement plans.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Ife, LONDON

Stayed 2 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Matthew

Business traveler
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Good location for the uni, clean and comfortable

Great location for the conference venue at Edinburgh uni. Very clean and comfortable, would definitely stay here again
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025

8/10 Good

Rod, Courtice

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Very nice hotel nestled in the university environment. Great breakfasts at the Scott. Great location near Arthur’s seat and outside of the busy tourist areas. Would definitely return to this hotel.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Marilyn

Traveled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Joanne

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Incredibly helpful and friendly staff!!
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Kirankumar, Dublin

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Right next to Uni campus, fantastic if you are dropping of kids to the Uni. Great toiletries, good breakfast options and very helpful staff!
Stayed 6 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Katie

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Lovely place to stay, very comfortable and quiet. Handy to all the central offerings of Edinburgh - walkable and plenty of public transport nearby. We had a car and could park for free within the scholar grounds. Park like surroundings, good dining and drinks options (breakfast was so yummy) and the service from the staff was immaculate and so warm and friendly. Would stay again if in Edinburgh!
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Heather

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Moving in to Uni

Perfect spot to be based to move our daughter in to Pollock Halls at U of E. Great location to explore the city from as it mirrors what her expert will be.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Claire

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Great hotel for visiting a kid at Pollack!

Great location for dropping a kid at Edinburgh University. Clean, large room. Incredibly friendly staff. I would highly recommend and will stay there again.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Daniel

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great breakfast, convenient for conference centre, short walk to centre of city, really great staff. Nice little bar too!
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

8/10 Good

Nooruddin

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Bradley

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Carlos

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

8/10 Good

Kuljinder

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Decent hotel with no major issues. Only drawbacks are no air conditioners and no complimentary water bottles supplied.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Traveled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Ian

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Kevin

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Tia

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
It was great!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Christina Revelle, Sharon

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2025